I use cakewalk professional 9. Sure you can record an analog insturment. Plug the output of your keyboard (drum machine, microphone, etc.) to the input of your soundcard on the computer. Pay careful attention to the peak levels on the meters. You don't want any "digital clipping." It's THE FURTHEST THING from the standard overdriven amplifier so stay +/-6dB under the peak, or (carefully) use some compression.

Now, it will help considerably to have a great sound card with some awesome pre-amps.

CHAD

thanx seedling for the info. I looked on the internet to find some soundcard with pre amps but couldn't find any. Any suggestions???

you can get something from E-mu or M-Audio. Both have soundcards with standard RCA or 1/4" inputs with their most basic starting around 100 dollars and up...

Mike