Is it worth buying a mixer?

[tbillies86]

I'm looking into recording some songs that I wrote and some covers, but I want to be able to sing and play at the same time. Maybe add in a second guitar part and a bass part too. I was thinking of getting the Fostex MR-8. Is it worth getting something like this or should I just invest money into a good microphone and record straight to the computer?

[MWR]

You're gonna need a good mic either way so don't cheap out there.
If you need it to be portable than go with the fostex. Computer recording is general more streamlined and you have ultimate control over effects and edtiting. There's plenty of trade offs though. An important one that people forget is that your computer has to be wisper quiet. THere's also a much steeper learning curve and potential for problems althought that's only if your on a PC.
Personally what I would do is get the Fostex (or similar) and as nice a pre-amp and mic as you can possibly afford. Don't bother with the onboard effects or mixing on the fostex, you just want a nice hot signal. Then you take those tracks and edit them using some good software on your computer. That way you get the best of both worlds.