i would like to learn the basics for every recording program available. Sound input, sound output, plug ins, brush tools, sound mixing.. all the basics. ![rolleyes :roll:](http://talk.philmusic.com/Smileys/default/ops.png)
Start with one program and try to learn it inside out. You will find that the others are similar making it easy to go from one program to another.
Before everything, however, decide on how you want to go about recording. There are several disciplines that you could take up like studio recording, live recording, audio post production, sound design, and even foley recording. While there are similarities, each requires a specific skill set, yet all require one singular trait... a good set of ears. Not all require that you be a musician or that you should have musical skills (though it is a big help sometimes), but all require that you should have a discerning PAIR of ears.
Second, be prepared to bury your nose in some documentation. Read, read, read... If your interest is in mixing, pick up a copy of Mix magazine or go to some online schools like Bruce A. Miller - the links are in the stickies in this board. Once you've read that mixing article, go apply it so that you train your ears. Yes, we all know what we want to hear, but it's so much easier if you can identify what you need to do to achieve it. Like if you want to do that megaphone sound or old record sound on a track, will you know what plugin to insert or what frequencies to tweak? The more you know, the better.
Last, be open to experimentation. Most of the music technology today got their start from telecommunications. Some techniques were even the result of a lucky accident while working on a track.
I know the above sounds like going to school or something, but you shouldn't stop learning something new if you're really serious. Even I am learning something new everyday...