Computer recording issues

[mundayschild]

Hello, firstly i'm a new'un to the forum, so thanks for the chance to contribute to such an excellent and informed community, and the subject matter of developments in new forms of electronic music in general.

right, i have a question that you ladies and gents may possibly be able to help me with, and i'd be grateful for your views,

I have two computers, PC and new IMAC dual core.
I have a bunch of equipment, 3 hardware sound modules, some compression, a couple of outboard FX, a hardware mixing board, cakewalk on the PC, but no software on the MAC.
I've not used the gear since moving house a couple of years ago, i'd like to set it up again to start making some music.

my questions are, can i record to the mac and bypass the mixing desk. If so what are the best input devices sequencers/records and can i mix/master it in the computer, and how can i playback sequenced stuff and record all in the same computer and can i send the final two channel output to tape/CD etc?

Ideally i would like to use the MAC as the 'all in one' solution but i have bugger all knowledge of how how to do it!
technology seems to have moved on so fast since i was making tunes, it's scary. i would like a simple as possible solution as i used to do everything in analogue and by hand (i found it easier and faster).

i understand this is a bit of a lengthy question so kind thanks in advance for any answers you can give...

[sherbert mastodon]

Having a macbook myself, I recommend Logic 8. It's cheap and does everything....
What's your budget? If you have cash to splash, RME Fireface 800 is the dogs, but it isn't cheap, and sounds it! Alesis do a nice 8 in with ADAT, firewire, etc. If you're recording onto the mac, USE AN EXTERNAL HARDDRIVE!!!! I made that mistake and ruined a decent vocal session with clicks and pops!!! I grew up on software, but I'm considering going to an analogue desk, but I'm playing with humans now..... so tis needed. Hope this helps!

[chunkie]

the which sequencer debate can (and has) raged on four hours, just do a search on the forum!
(for my two pence get logic

in terms of the set-up do you intend to integrate all the hardware you've got and set them up as hardware fx on busses or keep them as hardware only running off a mixing desk?

the sequencer and mastering software/fx of choice can handle everything you want internally and the only question is really as to how many ins and outs you need and whether an audio interface or mixing desk will suit

if you want to go completely software with the set-up then its really a question of which sequencer and plug-ins, fx etc and which audio interface
(even this, though, requires further detail as to what music you make, do you record instruments etc etc)

also, budget of course is a biggie

post-up a bit more info on the styles of music you make, human recording to be involved?, number of hardware elements to be integrated etc and you'll probably have more luck in getting complete answers

cheers