home studio what it takes

first study all you can on the subject go to places like guitar center get to know there pro audio people know that you done your home work lets begin computer at least a petium 4 or better as much ram as the computer will alow 2 gig or better is good cables mogami gold 2534 mic cable patch cables same sound card id go with a EMU-O404 PC CARD as far as the os xp or vista? saving ram xp nice software vista now we come to mixers if your not recording a band stay small i recomend the YAMAHA mg82cx with built in compressor is analog and has some of the cleanest mic pre-amps around if you want a warm sound id go with a art tube amp mic my fav for me is the RODE NT-1A VOTED QUITEST MIC IN THE WORLD!!! as far as software anything goes!!! THE GEAR GUY.