getting started on £400

[musicisnice]

hi, i wish to record rock music (using ez drummer for percussion) and would like some advice on what mixing desk and such to purchase... i have a laptop not desktop and am unsure about how slow USB is and whether firewire is the way forward. i have read that the Rode NT1A and a shure SM57 would be great microphones to use... any help to get me started would be very much appreciated!

[jdaug]

what equipment/software do you have and what do you need?

[brandondrury]

would like some advice on what mixing desk and such to purchase.

Read this:
Why You Don't NEED A Mixer For Home Recording

i have a laptop not desktop and am unsure about how slow USB is and whether firewire is the way forward.

While I'd probably get Firewire anyway, USB can handle stereo in and out pretty easily. If you want more ins or more outs, you'll definitely want to go Firewire (or maybe USB 2.0).

Check out my home recording soundcard wizard in my sig for details.

i have read that the Rode NT1A and a shure SM57 would be great microphones to use...

Yeah, those are both great starter mics.

Now they have their Anniversary NT1A which I have no idea what that means.

What about studio monitors?

Brandon