Hardware suggestions - first post!
 

Hi everybody,
my first post here at music banter - nice forums you have here!

Anyways,
I'm looking to put together a recording setup at home over the next year. I would love suggestions for

1.) a mixer
2.) a soundcard
3.) mics for both guitar and vocals

I am a student so I am budgeted, but I look forward to hearing your suggestions.

M-AUDIO FAST TRACK PRO - U.K. International Cyberstore

And go for whatever the best condenser mic you can afford is, get yourself a pop shield with it for doing vocals.

And pick a DAW.

Edit - A midi keyboard might be a good investment too.

You may want to check out the Mackie Onyx series, which combines the audio interface (sound card) with the mixer. I think there are 8, 12, and 16 channel boards. Bunch of features. Worth looking into. Not sure about pricing.

For mics, you'll probably want a decent Large Diaphragm condenser microphone for your vocals and guitar. If you're planning on playing heavily distorted guitar through an amp, you may want to go with a Shure SM57 for that, which is a dynamic. Runs about 99 USD. Worth every penny.

I'm assuming you already have a recording program since you didn't ask for rec's on that, but if you don't, let us know and we'll try to get you sorted.
Storm made a good point with saying a MIDI keyboard would be a good investment. If you're planning on utilizing any software synthesizers or virtual piano programs, even drum software... then having the ability to physically play the instrument via a MIDI controller/keyboard is the best solution if you want any kind of human feel, without painstakingly editing MIDI notes to imperfection.

Let us know how this does you.