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Pro Tools definitely isn't necessary if you're getting Logic Pro, but if it fits your budget at the end, go for it.

For Headphones, Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro, or Sennheiser HD280 Pro if you want to allocate more of the budget to other gear.

Assuming you're not going to doing large sessions, the Steinberg UR44 interface should meet your needs and is very budget-friendly.

The Shure SM57 is a must-have for any studio, great for electric guitar but can be used for just about anything. The SM58 should also definitely be considered.

You'll also probably want something like the Audio-Technica 2035 for recording vocals (or other instruments), and a couple of other mics that I'm sure other people will recommend.

The Yamaha HS8 is a great monitor that you'll find widely used in studios all over the world, and won't break the bank. This package also includes stands and cables.

edit I know it wasn't asked for, but price out what it costs to have someone come and tune a piano in your area. If it's reasonable, take a look on Craigslist, you can often find used upright pianos in great shape for free, being given away by people who are moving and don't play enough to justify the effort of moving it.

EDIT BACKUP DRIVES! Unless the people there have their own way of backing up the things they record, or even if they do, get a couple of hard drives and back things up often, just in case any tragedies should happen.

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That's all I got off the top of my head, I'll come back and edit this post later if anything else comes to mind, hopefully this is a good starting out point for you.

Honestly, the Blue Yeti is actually a slightly better mic but it is USB and thus gives you no options to expand when you realize that recording guitar and vocals separately is so much better.
The XLR version of the Blue Yeti is twice the price, making it not worthwhile. Since you're already saying you want to record two things, you should discount the idea of the Yeti immediately.

What is your price range?
The best recommendation is the Focusrite 2i2.
This is easily worth the $50 more than the next option worth considering, the M-Track, even though the Focusrite 2i2 does not allow you to plug in an electric guitar without going through an amp or DI box and the M-Track does.






If you're wondering what the best use of your money is to get the sound you want to get, I can't tell you. If you're wondering if $50 for the AT2020 is a good investment, the answer is yes and you should buy two for stereo.

Look it up on YouTube, see if you like what you hear. I have 3 of them and like them but you can hear that they are rather "bright" almost in a tinny metallic way.

In short, yes. You can do a lot better for that price.

Macs are overrated, especially if you're trying to do a budget build. The relevant info for recording ability isn't even included in the product description. You want something with a nice CPU and a solid amount of RAM. This is the one I got, it's the one I'm using now, and it does great with large files in Reaper (which is the only music software I really use) as well as with big files in Krita (an image/painting software which is also pretty taxing on the computer.) Even if you don't choose a computer exactly like mine (or are adamant about a mac product), you want something with similar specs. Lookup that minimac and see how it compares. If the specs are lower, the answer is probably "sometimes it'll work without issues, and sometimes it'll be choppy/ugly, depending on how demanding the particular effect is."

A word of caution about the scarlett 2i2 - I have a 6i6. It's not grounded. This has proven to be an issue for instrument recording on both my electric and electric acoustic, especially with record monitoring turned on (being able to hear what you play in your headphones in realtime). I have to run a bare copper wire from the guitar cable to the inside of my pants to eliminate a really troublesome buzz. It sounds ridiculous and it is. I've done all sorts of troubleshooting on the issue and it all seems to lead back to the 6i6 being the culprit. Even shielded both guitars, tried recording in different places, etc. I don't have that issue with a cheaper Behringer model, the Euphoria UMC202HD... not that I necessarily recommend that one either, but in my experience, it's better. Others here may feel differently and I maybe just bought a bad unit.

Also, that mic is nothing special. If you go to guitar center's website, you can search their inventory by what is available close to you. They have used microphones for about half the price they'd be new. I got this guy for $300 a few weeks ago and it works splendidly. You can get something way nice for way less - it's worth taking a look. If you just wanna get cheap mics anyway, get an SM-57 (or a pair). They're unidirectional (as opposed to the omnidirectional condensor included in that package), so they're not as sensitive, but you're going to get a way clearer, more computer-adaptation-friendly signal from an SM-57 than from that AKG.

So if you bought the equipment I'm listing here, you'd spend less on the mac name and a lot more on quality equipment. I can almost guarantee you that the swift3 laptop has better specs than the minimac, but I don't wanna do all the work for you.

Things i used:
-Bulk Order of 3M Picture Hanging Strips (about $35)
-VELCRO Brand - Industrial Strength - 2" Wide Tape, 15' - White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006HWYJM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_VQ7Jyb73WQA9B
-1 bottle of Gorilla Glue

The 3M strips can technically be used by themselves without the need for the roll of Velcro, but i like saving money and supplies whenever possible. The box of 3M strips came with 50 packs of 4-strips each for a total of 200. That means for $35 i can place my panels 200 times.

The roll of velcro comes with the cloth side and grab side as separate pieces. We only need the cloth side. Now take the long strip of cloth side velcro and cut out pieces that are about the size of the 3M strips (roughly 2"x1" if i remember correct).

Using the gorilla glue, adhere one of your hand cut velcro strips to the back of each panel about 1/3 from the top and centered. Rip the backing off the velcro strip first, then using 2 small drops of the glue should be enough to stick it to your panel.

Now all your 24 panels should have a 2x1 cloth strip permanently stuck to it's back. All you have to do now is place them.

For this, i prefer to stick the 3M picture strip to the cloth strip on the panel first. Then hold the panel up to the wall and position it. Then simply hold the panel in place with one hand and reach behind the panel to remove the adhesive cover on the 3M strip with the other hand. Then press firmly to ensure it sticks!

That's it!

Not really traffic but I have dogs and a small-ish room. So dynamic is probably a good choice. Would you recommend the Encore 100 then?

These are the headphones I have, looks like it is closed-back.
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD428-Circumaural-Discontinued-Manufacturer/dp/B002DGTGNG

Ableton has a lite version. Should I try that first or does it not have a lot of the features?

I always recommend this book - it has lots of info on how to set up your space for best acoustics:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/143545717X/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Although having just gone through this process in my own basement, my advice would be (assuming you are building this yourself) to make it easy on yourself when possible. Things like keeping 16" 2x4 spacing, and using complete pieces of drywall where it makes sense will save you a lot of grief.

That's a pretty good setup - those little Focusrites are surprisingly good interfaces. What are you looking to record (music, voice overs, etc.)? What DAW will you be using? Do you plan on recording instrumentation of any kind?

My only other thought is research - learn a little about noise cancellation, basic EQ'ing, etc. Some form of midi controller could also turn out to be handy in the near future.

I would look at these. Here is a helpful article. If you have a line-level out already, I recommend the 2i2, it's a great box for the money.

Stay away from USB turntables, I have yet to find one that isn't total crap.

I think the setup is definitely overkill, and you're missing out on an audio interface, which is IMHO the most important part of a setup like this. I wouldn't get the preamp at all - preamps (and especially preamps under ~$400) won't do too much to affect the sound, at least in a way that'll be noticeable when you use it for streaming. And you probably don't need a compressor either - they can be tricky to learn to use and even trickier to learn to use well. I would skip that too. If you ever need to compress something you've recorded, use Audacity. And compression shouldn't really matter if you're just streaming. And a mixer isn't really necessary for just one microphone.

But then, even if you got all of this nice equipment, everything would be ruined if you just ran it into your computer's mic jack. You should get a USB audio interface to connect your microphone and computer. I would recommend something small, like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. And this would remove the need for a preamp and a mixer, so all you should need then is the mic, the one long cable, and the interface. This isn't really overkill for streaming, and this will also allow you to record covers with decent quality as well.

Thanks for the reply. Do you mean I can get a different type of cheaper mic and stand, or find ones I've stated cheaper elsewhere?

In regards to phantom power it is available.

Headphones not the best - Sennheiser HD 202 Closed Back On-Ear Stereo Headphone.

The reason I'm spending so much on mic and stand is because I don't want to cheap out and have to re-buy in the future.

I am likely to use the mic as a pick up for acoustic guitar as well as vocals.

Edit: spelling

If you want to approach it academically, start with the master handbook of acoustics https://www.amazon.com/Master-Handbook-Acoustics-Alton-Everest/dp/0071603328

Unless you are locked into the articulated swiveling arm style mic stand I would suggest the following:

K & M Microphone Stand w/telescopic boom arm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TZVCWG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_kQnGwbB1J08JQ

K&M stands are high quality and if needed replacement parts are readily available. I have K&M stands that have been in daily use for 10+ years.
This is a tripod and a boom arm which makes it more versatile than the desk mounted swivel arm style.

Other quality mic stand brands besides K&M are Atlas and Latch Lake.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0042Z3ADI/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1419626681&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70

What about this one?

Get a turntable, an amp/receiver with stereo in, and one of these so you can hook your computer up to the amp.

What kind of inputs do your speakers have? If they're already powered then they may not need an amp, just some sort of receiver/converter.