Dear Damien,

To use Pro Tools and to do what you are aiming for you will need to spend about the same amount of money that I did many years ago. £2500-£3000

You'll want a good spec computer.

Your processor wants to be at least a duo core
You will need at least two hard drives. One for Windows and storage the other for Pro Tools software and audio files.
The audio hard drive you need a minimum of 7200rpm for your hard drive but 15krpm if you can afford it.
4GB of ram.
Graphics card is not important unless you plan to do any video editing.

What you then need is your Pro tools hardware and studio equipment.
You want nothing less than the Digi 003 Rack if you are going with Pro Tools:
http://www.avid.com/US/products/family/Pro-Tools/Pro-Tools-LE/fc/Pro-Tools-LE-Systems/003-Family

With that you will need some powered speakers. Mackie are a good reliable brand. Spend about £500 on those.

You'll then want some instrument bundles for your midi work. Inevitably if you are creating top notch stuff you will need piano, strings etc etc so I recommend Komplete for intruments & EZ drummer for your drumming needs.

http://www.native-instruments.com/#/en/products/producer/komplete-8/

http://www.toontrack.com/products.asp?item=7

With that all said you'll then need a decent condenser microphone (£300), mic stand & pop shield.

That is the minimum you will need to do exactly what you want.

All that said you're looking at about £2500 or $4000.

I hope that makes it realistic for you.

I taught myself how to do everything so time will be your friend.

Enjoy

James

My Band Northfield
Our Videos