DAW

[mojobone]

Cheapest thing possible is a (US$60-and up) USB mic and 1x1 MIDI interface.(US$40ish) If you need to input MIDI, your choice of controllers depends on which instruments you play, but there are several all-in-one solutions that can save money and hassle, some of which come with useful added software. What computer platform are you on?I don't necessarily recommend the cheapest thing possible, BTW. Usually I start with the number of simultaneous inputs needed, it has the biggest impact on a DAW budget.If you're on a laptop, you might prefer a portable solution over a rack-based or integrated control surface solution; perhaps a keyboard controller with built-in interface AND integrated DAW control would be more suitable for your particular situation.Something like this:http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/VX7/

[milfus]

yeah go for most useful vs most affordable, normally one specific product with stand out as better for that price bracket

[stephen]

Wow thanks everyone for all the love and advice. No Milfus I don;t do Hip Hop Contemporary,Gospel, R&B, and jazz. I have both Cubase and Sonar older versions though. I have a midi to usb for my keyboard as well just need a decent mic and amp and ahmmm... (what else you guys said?) I can mix in both sonar and cubase so not to worried just need to learnh how to mix well. These things I need based on advice I got from my Joining thread in general discussion. Well thanks again do throw more advice my way...

[mojobone]

Ah! You'll want an audio interface and (possibly) a control surface. Old analog hounds like me jes' love the knobs and faders for mixing. If you plan to use condenser mics, you'll want an interface that provides phantom power to the mic, and 1/4 in inputs like on the controller I mentioned above won't do, you'll need an XLR input (preferably at least two) on your audio interface. Next decision is Firewire or USB, and your hardware will probably dictate the answer to that one. Firewire will allow you to record more simultaneous sources to separate tracks than USB. (and some USB interfaces don't yet work in Vista) Will you be recording groups of musicians simultaneously? Desktop or laptop? Which operating system?

[stephen]

Mojo I'm using XP right now and my PC is a Desktop. I am actuall going to mostly (at least in the first instance) be doing demos of my own song me singing ad playing simultaneously or track then voice which ever sounds best.

[prez]

If you have a setup but are just looking for a mic and preamp, highly suggest you go try them out in person if you can. I've been a fan of Presonus and the do have an inexpensive TubePRE for about $100. ART also has one but not real sure of their sound though I remember I was going to get theirs years ago but changed my mind (wish I didn't since I bought a Behringer which just sits in my rack doing much of nothing since I bought my Eureka).As far as mics go, I would lean towards a condensor and again, would definitely try it out, with the pre-amp if you can. The sky is the limit here so before I suggest anything, what's you budget and how do you have your studio set up for vocal recording?Jude 2