So I've been at this recording thing for about 3 years now and am still quite inexperienced when it comes to working in a big studio with a big console but I've learned a lot (A LOT) over this period of time on my own. I even had a 6 month internship in Boston during which time, I had to extract knowledge myself rather than be taught directly. I was a go-fer but I got a LOT out of it because I wanted to learn.

So over the past three years I've been acquiring modest gear starting with a good mic collection, small console, powerful PC, and now I'm looking into outboard gear. I've read and read and read and read information on everything from balanced audio to phase cancellation to room acoustics and electronics repair. I can now say that I know how to get decent sounds recorded, mixed well, and sounding the way they were intended to sound.

The advice:
I see a lot of people asking questions all the time that have answers more readily and concretely (not speculation by ignorant forces) available all over the net and in books. I know a lot of people want to get into the biz and be able to make good recordings quickly. The paths to becoming a recording engineer suck for a while because you feel like you're not learning. The good news is you are. Just like the Karate Kid, you're learning.

I've learned that most good recordings are bred from experience and cumulative knowledge and that gear does not an engineer make. I know of several people that own mics preamps compressors etc. but don't own essentials like good cables, stands, pads, adapters, good instruments or amps, and racks among other things making recording a pain in the ass. Just be aware of these things as you're starting. I would say that asking questions is always great. Just ask yourself first and see if the answer ain't already out there.

Peace man...