I suggest what you really need to do first is take some time to read up on the topic on Audio Recording if you haven't done so already. Lots of good material out there but a really good book I've found is Practical Recording Techniques - Fourth (comes with CD) or Fifth (No CD) Edition by Bruce Bartlett. It discusses the basics of digital recording, SW-based and HW-based recording, MIDI equipment, Mixers, Judging Sound Quality, Microphone Techniques, and other related recording topics. Good Luck in your quest.