Hi,
I've used Sonar and I can't really recommend it. It is a computer resource hog, and has a HUGE learning curve. If you are just getting started in PC Windows based recording, I would recommend Cockos Reaper. It was recommended to me by someone here (Petimar maybe?). It is FREE to try out and something like $50 for a non commercial license. Google it and download it.
In my setup I plug my microphones into an Edirol FA-101, which turns the analog mic signals into digital, which gets in to my computer via firewire. Other manufacturers make preamp boxes that output through USB. I chose this method because it takes some of the processing load off of the PC by doing the Digital/analog converting in a hardware chip in the Edirol box. If you buy a decent sound card, it will do the digital/analog conversion, but it will increase the latency because the PC is working harder.
Summary:
Microphone-> mic preamp->Edirol Fa-101->firewire cable->PC running Reaper
This gets me 8 simultaneous inputs during live recording. This also gets me editing, overdubbing, plug-in effects, timecode stuff (if you need it). I also have an audiophile 24/96 sound card in the PC, so I can listen through speakers when I mix down. I could go directly from the mics to the audiophile card and let it do the analog/digital conversion, but the Edirol works really well.
If you are just getting started, I would build the cheapest solution you can, and then buy the best microphones you can afford. You can always upgrade PC components later, and in small increments.
mikeomando
Forget with the cowbell, already...
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