Recording beginner: Just some questions

[deadpickle]

Me and a friend of mine are thinking about recording some of our stuff. We plan on using our laptops to store the audio in a digital format and I have benn looking at equipment for doing this sort of thing. So far the hardware list we are looking at are:
Line 6 TonePort UX1 USB
MXL 990

I do have just a few questions on this setup. The USB interface pulls power from the computer and the mic requires phantom power. Will the mic be able to pull power through the USB interface or does it need a more direct power source? If it does will I need to buy another piece of hardware? I plan on playing an acoustic guitar and my friend will be playing a fender electric guitar. The guitar input on the interface, is it for plugging the guitar directly into the interface or going from an amp?
I guess the basic question her is: is the hardware compatible with each other?

Also, I would really like some advice on recording in general since we are very new to it. We, obviously, plan to mic the acoustic so any advice on that would be great also.
Thanks for the help!!

[deadpickle]

I think I found an interface that would work better:
Lexicon Alpha USB
It has the Hi-Z input so that the guitar can be directly connected. But how are you suppose to hear the electric guitar?

[SimsUK]

Okay, it does not appear that the Line 6 box or the Lexicon provides phantom power, so neither of those are in. I'd much more strongly suggest something like the Line 6 TonePort UX2, which does and is fairly close to your price range. The MXL 990 should work without issue.

Micing the acoustic is certainly the best method. For the electric, mic the amp. Experiment, experiment, experiment. It will sound much much better than trying to plug it right in and help to prevent issues getting good enough levels on the recording.

You will need to, considering the one mic, record your tracks separately. This is the best way to do it anyway.

I made a thread a while ago that may help you out now that you're early in your recording life. As always, ask questions and have fun!
http://www.dmbtabs.com/boards/viewtopic ... 2#p1163562