Basic Recording Setup

[Sort Of A Protest Song]

Hi,

I'd really like to get more into recording than using the shitty mic built into my ibook. I just bought my second guitar, a 12 string, and it doesn't have a pickup (neither does the 6 string). I had considered getting a pickup installed in the 6 string, like a fishman matrix II, but now I am thinking about a soundhole pickup instead (so I could possibly switch from guitar to guitar). I have done some research and found excellent advice on this site, like to go with a fishman Neo-D or an LR Baggs M1. I know niether will give me *great* sound, so I was thinking about picking up either an Mbox or Fishman Aura. So basically run out of my guitar, into one of those and into the computer. I don't know if this is the best way to do things or not, so I'm asking if anyone here might give me a hand if I am going about it the wrong way.

Like is ProTools alot better than GarageBand? Will the Aura be better in that I can take it if I perform? Will the Mbox still work well without Protools running, i.e. if I decide to run garageband instead? Does the Mbox work better with the guitar plugged in or should I get a mic instead, thus eliminating the need for a pickup altogether?

If anyone can give me a hand I'd very much appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

[jellyfish]

I use a Behringer 6 channel Mixer ($50) [Eurorack]

An AKG mic [$100-$200} to record both audio & guitar.

Or if I want to do effects I plug in directly.

To be honest I like to record vocals & guitar at the same time rather than layering each track, that's why I purchased a good mic.

[MWR]

Get the best quality mic you can afford and a little firewire or usb audio interface. The m-box is a good piece of gear but it isn't the most cost effective. Both Presonus and M-Audio have firewire interfaces for around $300 (the m-box 2 is $450) and you'll pay even less if you forego firewire for a USB interface. $300 sounds costly but generally the pre-amps are pretty damn good and they're worth paying for. M-Audio was recently purchased by Avid which is Digidesigns (they make the m-box and protools) parent company so you get LE versions of protools software with M-Audio interfaces. But don't worry too much about software. Cubase, Live, Protools, Garageband...they'll all give you great results if you know how to use them. Lastly, remember that poor mic placement and/or a dead room could easily offset any advantages you get by paying more money for hardware or software.

[Sort Of A Protest Song]

Thanks for the help!