Quite a while back a number of the good folk on here posted pics and specs of their recording setup.
Can anyone please advise me on what set up/kit a novice should be looking at, such as software, midi, speakers, mics etc.
I did find a home recording studio forum, but it was full of geeks talking in technobabble that would have made Star trek fans proud.
I use Sonar Producer by Cakewalk**, a Behringer UCG102 USB interface for guitar & microphones, a pair of powered walkman type speakers for monitoring, and a combination of pre-recorded drum loops & a drum programming package called Drumsite*
* it helps if you can actually play drums to program it.
** other packages are available. None of them are especially cheap
samples at http://www.reverbnation.com/chasingglass
Join the KVR forum and ask - used to mod over there and they are a VERY knowledgeable bunch.
Been out of the cutting edge loop for a bit, but I reckon whatever the entry level version of Ableton Live is these days, a Behringer or M-Audio USB audio/MIDI interface and a Shure SM58 mic would do the trick as a starting set up. Speakers are key - wouldn't use 'consumer' ones unless you really can't avoid it. If you can't/won't run too cheap monitors then you're actually better off with a decent set of cans (but don't tell any 'pros' I told you that).
slainte 
rob
What do you want to record / do with it?
I'm a sound engineer by trade and I'd say get ProTools LE and an Mbox for recording/mixing. I'd avoid Behringer mixers as they have very bespoke power supplies which, when they blow, are nearly as expensive as buying a new mixer. A Spirit Folio mixer is good for small jobs. IMO Yamaha still make the best mixers. If you can get 'active' speakers. As for mics.....depends what you wanna record. Langevin make some alright large condensor Neumann style mics. AKG414 is probably the best all-round mic.
If you want a cheap try-out, then this http://www.dv247.com/computer-hardware/alesis-q49--71053 gets you a small MIDI keyboard, which will always be useful when you 'upgrade' plus an "OK to learn with" s/w package which will have upgrade options if/when you decide you want more features.
1/2 decent set of headphones is much better than budget 'monitors' just take an audio from PC/laptop to HiFi (or whatever you call 'domestic audio systems' these days!!) if want room sound.
If you get the bug, there's unlimited spending/upgrade options but I'd always learn a cheap set-up for a while to give you time to decide where you want to go......
What do you want to record / do with it?
To create tracks via software and have the ability to record live instruments/vocals and add them into the mix...so to speak. Ableton live looks good to do that job.
* it helps if you can actually play drums to program it.
I have looked at the Shure SM58, and I'm looking at either Alesis or KRK for speakers.
Thank you so far for the replies.
If you want a cheap try-out, then this http://www.dv247.com/computer-hardware/alesis-q49--71053 gets you a small MIDI keyboard, which will always be useful when you 'upgrade' plus an "OK to learn with" s/w package which will have upgrade options if/when you decide you want more features.
Thanks for that link hilldodger, I was looking at the QX49, the prices on that site are more competitive.
It all depends what you want to record.
A lot of things don't even really need recording (keyboards, drum tracks etc). Even guitars nowadays you can get away with a line 6 type amp modelling effects unit. Unless you want to mic up a whole band, you might not even need a mixing desk.
Vocals obviously do need a mic and a decent input. Acoustic instruments if you want to use them and mic them up, you're getting into a whole new kettle of expensive fish and fancy mixers etc like hoops recommends above.
I wouldn't worry about quality monitors (speakers) etc at this point, listen to it like other people inevitably will, on rubbish pc speakers, and get it to sound good on that.
Oh, and make sure you have somewhere quietish to set it up if you're going to be using microphones, sounds obvious, but there is nothing more annoying than having to dump things due to extraneous noise.
Oh balls, if you're a drummer, you're buggered, miking live drums is an absolute pain, and tends to involve multiple mics to get a good sound. Welcome to expensive land.
Hi. Ableton is an excellent program. However when you buy your audio interface you will get a program free with it. These are usually fine for the first couple of months to see how you get on.
Audio interfaces Id recommend are the Maudio fastrack pro and the Alesis IO2. My mate has he maudio and I have the Alesis. I find the Alesis alot more accomadating when you change update or update software. It just works. Always install ASIO4ALL drivers for latency free recording. The Alesis come with Cubase. Fastrack with pro tools.
Id also get yourself a midi keyboard. Maudio Oxygen is a good place to start.
Mics are harder to pick. SM58s are good for live vocals but ive never been a fan for recording with them. Especially acoustic guitars. Id say have a look at Audio Technica mics. Ive always found they punch above their weight.
For speakers if you can go for dedicated active monitors. KRK are a bit in your face and not very flat. Yamaha HS series are excellent but can be fatiguing. They are pretty ruthless in the higher frequencies. I opted for Tannnoy Reveals. Honest but not so harsh for longer sessions.
If monitors are out of the uestion just use whatever you have and listen to your mixes on as many different systems you can. You should do this anyway.
PC wise make sure you have at least 2, preferably 4 gb of ram and plenty of HD space. Also keep everything files organised from the start or it becomes a nightmare. I learned the hard way!
Yamaha do an 'audiogram' USB preamp which although more expensive than the behringer kit does come bundled with Cubase AI which isn't bad (or at least it used to)
Any thoughts on simple software for chopping tracks up, sequencing samples and suchlike? Freeware would be good. I have a history of doing stuff with bands but I'm having a break from that and fancy doing something with a decade's worth of old recordings in a hip hop stylee...
For a starter recording set-up I'd get a cheap large diaphragm studio condenser mic rather than a live mic like an SM58 - great for pretty much anything in a studio, even for quick drum takes with one mic if the acoustics, kit and drummer are decent. The Rode NT-1 used to be the benchmark budget example.
thomann.de if you really need to get new stuff
but I wouldn't bother - get a few freeware software synths that work, get a basic or old version of ableton for cheap (or by nefarious means), any old secondhand keyboard with a midi in-out and if you need a mic then whatever you can get your hands on
the reason for saying the above is that you need to spend time just getting to grips with set up and making mistakes, learning so don't dump a load of cash on tech
I discovered how to apply filters to a microphone input in Garagebaynd the other day. Several minutes of fun making my voice sound all weird.
I then got bored (ADHD) and went and did something else.
A mate of mine had some monitor speakers; can't for the life of me remember what they were called, but I know they were made of concrete and sounded amazing, so life-like.
depends on what you want to do i guess. i make dub and my kit list reflects that. it's all a bit dated but it dos what i need so i don't feel any need to change.
mac g4 running cubase, recycle and rebirth
gibson les paul
generic fender jazz bass copy
pod amp sim
yamamah cx2
akai 3000xl sampler
roland ms1 sampler
roland space echo
citronic 12-2 desk
samson amp
spirit absolute 2 monitors
haven't had a chance to use it all for ages but that should change in feb when the final module of my ou degree is the technology of music. can't wait 
I can play drums indeed. Guess what make?
er, Slingerland?
Mapex for me. Zildjian Z Custom ride & hats, everything else Sabian
I don't bother recording live drums for demos, If I want to do that the band goes into a pro studio together. Besides, the neighbours would hate me
Acid Loops is good for arsing about with. Dead easy drag'n'drop, cut'n'paste sampler/sequencer. I don't think my old version has midi though.
To the OP - not that much point buying decent monitors then sticking them in the corner of an untreated room with lots of standing waves etc. Decent headphones would be better to start with.
Ableton Live is great IMO.
At work we just bought a Mackie Onyx USB audio interface - it's very simple but works a treat and seems very nice quality.
Really all you need is something like that, some decent headphones, software, and a mic stand/XLR lead. Depends where you are recording but a large diaphragm condensor is probably nicer for recording vocals and instruments than an SM58. You can get something reasonable for around £100 - something like this would be good to help deal with the probably horrible acoustics in your room. 
Any thoughts on simple software for chopping tracks up, sequencing samples and suchlike? Freeware would be good. I have a history of doing stuff with bands but I'm having a break from that and fancy doing something with a decade's worth of old recordings in a hip hop stylee...
Cockos (:snigger:) Reaper is very good and cheap/free.
+1 for reaper and audacity is good for some stuff as well. However getting a bundled copy of something, e.g. Cubase, is also nice as the quality of reverb on the free ones isn't always so good
So you are more electronic with some synths and some vocals?
I would suggest getting a decent soundcard, so that there isn't much lag between it and the controllers. I used to use a Creative Audigy card with Kx Drivers that did more than I needed it to, SQ wasn't too bad.
Speakers, go for active, Alesis Studio Monitors were always the cheap but good ones, or go for some Mackies, I did!
I had a Novation Remote25 MIDI controller which was great for creating rifts on. The knobs meant you could assign these to volumes for different instruments, which helped a lot with getting levels right.
I had thick curtains all the way around the room to dissipate the bouncing sounds. Worked very well, couldn't believe the difference! A very cheap way of improving the sound.
Very interesting - play drums and guitar and just starting to think about recording some stuff again (15yr absence from recording anything after being a session drummer !). Have an iMac and various Pc's etc so will start to look into options - just want a way to record each and overlay them together.
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