Re: [linux-audio-user] where to begin or where's the beginning begin?

Very new to sound input and linux. I've listened to music on linux but recording and manipulating sound is all new to me. I'm just going to put into words what I'd like to do and take it from there. I have an electric guitar and I'd like to record riffs and then apply software filters (right word? maybe software effects?) to the riffs to give them a different sound. I'd like to be able to edit them, save them and record them to disc (cd/dvd). I'd also like to be able to record singing and sound effects. I have read the archives a bit and I saw a July thread about hardware but the original poster had his thread hijacked and it went a little astray. I know there are a few hardware vendors who's products work well on linux. But I'm trying to get some solid advice from folks who are using hardware to do what I want to do. Do I need one box or several? I don't want to spend a lot to start but would like to have something that's made reasonably well. If I have to put together my setup over time then that's what I'll do so I don't have to layout a big chunk of money at the start. So maybe first I'll get the guitar connected and then later get the mic and get it connected. Then next get recording device(s). And so on, to build a complete system over time but still get quality components as I go so that in the end I have an all-around quality system. My concerns are compatibility with linux and the software that runs on linux. Compatibility amongst the different components and compatibility with the popular storage mediums. i.e. cd/dvd Over time I would be willing to spend $1000-2000 for something that will last and do a good job for me. But I don't want to spend it all now.