You really need to give more info. What do you plan on recording? What is you budget? Do you own a Mac? Do you plan on hiring your studio out? How big is your basement? Are you prepared to spend money on room treatment?

I plan on recording your usual drums, guitar, bass and vocals. Genre-wise, we're talking about a range of rock, alternative and metal.

I dont plan on hiring the studio out, its basically just for personal projects of sort. As I said earlier, I dont really have a budget, but like if I were to realistically analyze previous advice Ive gotten, I can set a budget between $15,000 and $20,000, although honestly I dont think the equipment I will purchase will surpass like $8,000.

The studio space is located in a room on the lower floor of my home, which is basically the basement. The room is about 32 square meters (344 square feet) Take a look at these pictures for a clearer idea:

http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq354/jayershov/DSC00589.jpg
http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq354/jayershov/DSC00591.jpg

Relating to room treatment, I do plan on working on acoustics and sound insulation of some sort, with the only issue of not wanting to glue anything on the walls or windows...

Computer-wise, I do own a macbook pro...

Thanks for your help, later
Jay

If it was me and I had a budget of $8000, this is the way I'd spend it.

$1000-Powered monitors(KRK-V8II)
$2300-digi003
$700-stands and cables
$4000-Room treatment.

You need to find away to contain the sound well enough not to annoy the neighbors. It doesn't have to be completely air tight but enough to keep them from calling the cops on you.

Either that or spend the $4000 on E-drums and an enclosed speaker cab.

If you want to steer away from ProTools go with the Yamaha N12. That'll leave you with another $800 for room treatment or another speaker cab.

There will likely be better opinions to come along but that's my 2cents.

$100: SM57 + cable, stand, pop filter
$60: some cheapass Pre
$0: cracked software

$7840: beer, hookers and christmas presents for your mother.
But don't get those 3 mixed up.

[edit] Oh badgers, "serious adv" was the title. Dang.

I think there will be many opinions about the best equipment and software for your start up studio. The following would be my choices:

For your DAW (audio software) on a Mac, I'd buy Apple's Logic Studio. It has everything you'll need on the software side.

For an audio interface, I'd suggest a PreSonus; a well made and well thought out interface. Take a look at an FP10 (10 inputs) or the FireStudio Tube (16 inputs). For a project studio, either of these are quite good and will provide enough inputs for most sessions.

Microphones and near-field monitors are a matter of personal taste. I own a few large diaphragm condenser mics, a few small diaphragm condenser mics, an 8-piece drum mic set, and an all-purpose Shure SM57. Auditioning powered near-field monitors at local merchants is the only way I know to find the best ones for you.

After the buying the basics as noted above, I'd get the room setup for recording with proper acoustics and lay down some tracks.

Discover your next purchases as you work. It will take you some time before you get the feel for the software and microphone placement -- don't make your life miserable with a lot of gear that gets in the way of learning basic skills.

Good luck.

Screw spending money on acoustic blah blah. Make it comfortable like a living room with plenty of diffusion from stocked floor standing bookshelves, couches & chairs.

Get yourself a pair of API 3124 units to go with your already existing microphones. Spend the rest on a pair of KRK monitors. Get yourself a multichannel line level computer interface. And something Logic all for your Macintosh. That pair of 3124's will let you cut killer tracks. You'll never look back and you'll never regret the purchase.

What I also own just not the Macintosh
Ms. Remy Ann David