Recording (again!)

[WAFU Man]

I want to get myself sorted out to record to my home PC, which has an Audigy 2 sound card, USB 2 and firewire connections running on XP.  I've recently bought a Laney LA65C acoustic amp which has DI out (2 channels in, one for guitar one for mic). The plan would be to record my recently acquired, 'new to me", Samick HJ 650 electric archtop, as well as the Larrivee and Seagull, neither of which have pups, however, I can get hold of a Shure SM57. The might even be a SM58 for voice as well :unsure: !

I assume I need some kind of interface, perhaps something like the M-Audio Mobile Pre USB (?), to convert to digital, but I'm wondering if the DI out from the amp could be utilised as well, although probably not instead of an interface.

So, are the options to plug the archtop and/or the mics (for the 2 acoustics and voice) straight into the M-Audio, or somehow plug the amp into the M-Audio, or even the amp straight into the PC (that sounds a tad stupid but I'll ask it anyway!)?  Also, what software would you recommend for editing?

Grateful for your vast experience.

[WAFU Man]

Of course, it doesn't have to be a USB or Firewire connection - I've just been looking at the M Audio DMP3.

[orsino]

I think you'd be better served by keeping the amp out of the chain. The less equipment, the less interference/noise. Run everything through the M.
I use Cakewalk HomeStudio but there are a number of inexpensive (or free even) choices out there. I'm sure others will weigh in. You should send Little Brother (Doug) an email. He is always very helpful.