First off, it sounds like you have quite a lot of software for "just starting out" - I hope these are all LEGIT copies, not cracks; try to keep in mind that software is a programmer's "music", and therefore is NOT "free" - unless, of course, you want no compensation for whatever product YOU produce - (this is not aimed at YOU specifically, I just feel VERY strongly about this, as opposed to being a hyprocrite who thinks it's OK to steal from others but not the other way around)

That said, the only way I know of to get familiar with ANY program enough to use it effectively, is to USE it; read the help files, specifically any tutorials, then jump in and try to do what they say; when you can't :=( then read the help again, try it again, etc - I've spent WEEKS at a time going to bed when the sun came up, learning software this way - I know it isn't fast, but it works.

In order to take full advantage of what you have, you really MUST get so familiar with it that you operate on "auto-pilot" - that way, your brain can stay in "right brain" mode so your creativity isn't "chopped up in little pieces" trying to remember how to split a track, or whatever - that level of familiarity ONLY comes with lots and lots of use.

For that reason (no pun intended, sorry) I would concentrate on the ONE program that will be most useful to you (maybe Acid??) FIRST, learning it well enough to not have to stop and think before doing things - Then, after you don't have to open the Help file to do stuff, pick the NEXT most useful program you have, and start all over -

Be sure and "review" the earlier-learned program every so often as you go, so you don't lose your new-found knowledge; and, if any of your software doesn't seem to be NECESSARY, then don't bother to learn it AT ALL, or at least not til you're up and running like a PRO - this will minimise the "monkey-motion" in your life and allow you to get REALLY good on the stuff that's actually IMPORTANT to YOU.

That's my advice, based on about 40 years in various technical fields - hope it helps... Steve

knightfly posted. First off, it sounds like you have quite a lot of software for "just starting out" - I hope these are all LEGIT copies, not cracks;

These were my thoughts to, after reading the first post. Or quite an investment in apps. Nuendo itself is an hefty investment.

i also have a pc set up in the studio to do digital.

What's in that PC, soundcard, CPU, Harddrives etc. ??

i have quite a few programs to make beats and synths and stuff like that but i dont quite know how to use them.

Acid is not a conventional multitracker, it only records one track at a time. But it is a quick app in arranging loop's and beats.
Sound Forge is a stereo wave editor.
I'm not familiar with the other programs you mention, myself, but I'm sure Mr. knightfly or others here know something more on them.

thanks guys i really appreciate it. 8-) im really trying to find a way to tie all my stuff into one so i can record. i know how to run everything into my mixer but i dont know how to run somthing from my mixer to record. i want to run everything through the mixer and record to a tape or cd or whatever you suggest.

the computer has a 160gig internal harddrive and it has a 80 gig dedicated external harddrive for like back up. the sound card im going to purchacse in the near future is the creative labs audigy 2 platinum edition where it has the 5.25 bay and the card. right now just using basic sound card and plugs. any more suggestions.