Hello everyone!
I'm glad to be here, and i'm hoping to meet all fo you regulars here. First off, if this is in the wrong section, i apologize. Beofre I get to my question, I want to describe my background, so you can save time in your responses.

I have done a demo tape before. The source of all audio was a digital camera. I ripped the audio to .WAV files using RAD video tools. I have basic understanding of Audacity - i can edit, cut, fadein/out, apply reverb, adjust gain, and so on. I have used Reaper mainly for the VST's and over all effects. The reception of my EP/Demo has been good, but my friends say it's time to upgrade.

Fair enough. I've been thinking of getting a Tascam digital four track, a dynamic mic by Shure, and a boom mic stand, and a windscreen/pop filter for the mic to double for vocal duties as well.

Here's my load-out - and the genre is raw, lo-fi black metal. Think white noise, low pass, and a vinyl simulator in Reaper.

For guitar, i have a cheap walmart guitar, tone to the max, volume cranked to the max. It has a singe humbucker.
For bass, I use a 1970s Aria bass. Dual humbuckers, classic jazzy tone to pop against the grit of the guitar.
Drums - done by a friend.
Vocals - myself, without a mic in an acoustic room.

And only one amplifer for the guitar and bass - a spider II 30watt, with one 12" cab. Said amplifier has a Record Out line. Should i put the record out line right into the 4 track? I asked a friend, and he said it's better to Mic the amp. Fair enough. I can mic the amp. But what do you guys think?

With a four track, should I also get a mixer? Which? Will the mic record straight into the 4 track(I have a chord that fits the job)?

thanks guys, I'll think of more questions as it moves along. I do not need great quality, just something a bit better then ripping audio off a digital camera.