Greetings all.

As a photographer, filmmaker, lifelong audio enthusiast, and beginner sound recorder, I'm glad to have found this website to research, ask for, and perhaps sometime, offer advice for the art of recording.

My first post here I will keep as simple as possible for now. For the past year or so I've read a couple of books on audio recording, some articles here and there, flipped out while flipping through the pages of Sound on Sound magazine, etc, and am ready to jump into the process.

I've recently developed an affinity to listening to classical music and have gone to several live performances here at the world great Symphony Hall in Boston. I would like to start capturing the sounds of classical music, although it won't be at the Hall anytime soon. Eventually I'd like to be able to help record entire orchestras, but I think for someone like me who hasn't recorded anything yet, something like a smaller solo or quartet performance at a local high school or college will be a more realistic place to start.

For now, I guess I'm not so interested in mic placements yet, although I know that's most important, and the further details, so much as I'm interested in the basics of what types of equipment will help me begin recording excellent sounds from instruments and vocal chords.

So with some research I've decided on a few pieces of equipment and would like to know what you think, along with any advice you can offer with what you're thinking.

Going with the idea that I might begin recording soloists(strings,winds,piano,drums,brass,etc), or small ensembles, quartets, and ever perhaps slightly larger groups, in spaces ranging from small rooms to slightly larger halls during rehearsals (no audience). Even small jazz/blues clubs and restaurants capturing audience recordings(from the soundboard and mic recordings), I've decided that I may purchase the following to begin with:

Microphones: Neumann KM 184's . Probably the pair, but I'm on budget so am considering one to start, but will probably end up with a pair of whatever mics I go with.

XLR Cables: I'm still researching these and am looking for a quality brand, maybe not the most expensive, but a type that will carry quality. How are Mogami's?

Mixer/Recorder: I'll be mobile and also recording sounds/dialog from the field(for film making), so I'm looking at a field mixer/recorder. I'd love to be able to get a nice Sound Devices PreMixD or 302 to start, but I can't afford that yet. I was directed toward a Fostex DC-R302.

At this point, should I be thinking about purchasing mic preamps, equalizers, or compressors, or would a setup like this be a good place to start.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I'm looking forward to join the conversation here.

Aaron