You should first start by plugging it into the wall. Then you need to turn it on. Then you need to start recording things and make all of your mistakes necessary to learn with. Loads of gear means what? I bet I have a bigger load of gear than you? Not because I wanted it but because I needed it. At least I knew what I needed. You need to know what you have and so do we before we can begin to help you. Otherwise my directions are quite easy and succinct. It's all plug and play. Play can have numerous meetings as you plug away at something. Where plug may have nothing to do with inserting something into a jack. Doctor, it hurts when I do this... and you know the response. Your recordings might even sound better if you suspend your rotating mirror ball in your bedroom first? Don't forget to turn on the lava lamp also. " Mixer Mark " Williams gave me one after doing a recording in my CROW mobile truck. His dad was the or one of the inventors of those supercool lamps. It's amazing how much better your mixes sound with one of those on top of your console! So he really helped my mixing by gifting me one of those. LOL Oh! Don't forget about the light dimmers. Those are also intrinsic to obtaining a good sound.

Plug it in. Turn it on. Get down.
Mx. Remy Ann David

apollo, post: 384112 wrote: I have loads of gear and software but I'm not sure how to use it to its full effect at the moment,

If you haven't already, boring as it may seem, read your manuals that came with your gear/software. After you read them, re-read them..This will definitely pay off down the road. Also, there's an amazing book called Sound Reinforcement Handbook by Gary Davis & Ralph Jones that you might wanna check out.

Best of luck..