I didn't read all the replies,
I just read your first post...
So here's what I got...
I'll explain each...
You need to record vocals and guitars...
So you need these stuffs....
• Laptop / Computer
• Audio Interface
• Condenser Mic
First of all your laptop / computer must contain a recording software, either a sequencer or a DAW. But in this instance let's use a "DAW"
Here are your wide options...
Top of the food chain list
- Ableton
- FL Studio
- Cubase
- Sony Acid
- Sonar
- Studio One
- Pro Tools (Industry Standard they say)
Other stuffs
- Audacity
- Audition
- Reaper
- Magix
- Motu
etc...
[How to use it, the internet will serve you well on almost every single one of them]
Audio interface
is where the sound / audio will get processed into digital, and also from your laptop / computer back to your output reference speakers and headphones...
this certain device allows you to connect your mixers / instruments / microphones to your laptop / computer.
Condenser Mic
Not all condenser mics are suitable for your vocal needs... Because there is this thing that's called Polar Pattern, and this pattern tells you the range of the microphone, on how much large of an area can it gather.... So I suggest look for a "Cardiod" Condenser Microphone, you be needing Omni and Figure 8 for this one... The Cardiod polar pattern is the same as to almost every dynamic microphone, the only difference is this gathers more clear sound than a dynamic mic could but more sensitive as well, don't drop it like the karaoke mic, lol.
Now when it comes to recording your guitar, you have 2 options. (there are a lot actually but I'll just give the 2 that you would need)
Either you Plug in your guitar to your mixer or directly to your interface.
Or
Record it off your microphone...
What's the difference?
Okay, because if you plug your guitar to your mixer to your interface to your laptop, there is this thing called latency, that you might have a ton of trouble with. If you don't know how to mess with your latency then you will have a miserable life recording..... Issues with latency will cause your recordings to have a delay. Not delay as in an effect, but a delay like for example, you already strummed the guitar, but it will be recorded for like a miliseconds late or maybe even a second above, depending on the latency....
Now, to remove those delays you could just (for acoustic guitars) place the condenser mic off your gutiar and then directly record it.... (For elctric) Plug it into your amp, then play it through your mic...
But TAKE NOTE! You somehow need to get to an acoustically arranged room to able to get some good quality sounds... You could still get that, if you have a good room even if it's not acoustically arranged, as long as when you here the sound, it's as good as what you here from your favorite songs....
To sum it all up, I don't know if you will read this or not, coz' you may think I just copy pasted this [gooey brown stuff] off the internet, well I typed it all based from my knowledge and experience....
So feel free to send me a message about some recording stuffs....
Again, I hope you read it and, I hope you learned something...
And YES! You definitely need that Audio Interface.
Have a great day!
ONE LOVE
GOOD VIBES
[EDIT PART]
PS.
Your laptop needs to have some power...
I suggest a minimum specs of...
• 4GB Ram
• Core i3 / i5
You'll have no problem beyond it.