Please, for the love of God, HELP ME!!!

I started writing and recording music 25 years ago (Fostex 4-track; Seck 12:8:2 with a Fostex R8; Yamaha 4416; in and out of various studios). However, "life" took over and I have been "out of the loop" for some time now. But making music is THE ONE THING which makes my heart sing - and I need to get it going again.

The problem is that I am completely bamboozling myself, trying to establish the best way of getting a small project studio started. There are so many things to consider. And, whilst I am perfectly able to learn and to teach myself anything, it's all frying my head somewhat.

I live in Yorkshire, my old songwriting partner lives in Hampshire and our third member lives in Bedfordshire! So I'm thinking that a lap-top based system would be good so that I can at least travel easily and get basic tracks recorded. I love the idea of "Logic" - it looks so convenient. But I'm not sure I want to spend money on a Mac lap-top that I'll probably only be using for making music. On the other hand, I would be prepared to purchase a super-duper Windows lap-top as I would be able to use it for work and various other things. But then, obviously, that takes "Logic" out of the equation. So, what - "Pro Tools", "Cubase" - what's best? I'd want something with some pretty decent plug-ins included. But I'd also probably want to be able to add some other plug-ins as and when necessary.

I know I'll need a fairly comprehensive interface as I may well be recording live drums. And I've still got a lot of outboard gear, including a Focusrite mic channel. (I do like Focusrite - again, they're stuff is so user-friendly.)

Would I need a decent mixer? Being "old school" I do like to have my hands on a mixing desk. But, having said that, I might very well very quickly get used to using just a mouse.

Also, I've still got loads of stuff on the Yamaha 4416. Is there any way that I would be able to get individual tracks off that and on to whatever D.A.W. I go for?

Anyway, if anyone can help me with any of this, I'd love to hear from you. Because I'm in danger of going slightly demented, trying to think about it all when I'm in a position of relative ignorance.

Thanks.

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