People tend to wander their own path, but here are some suggestions that might help.
 

1. Figure out what you want to do. Are you recording just to see what you can do? Are you recording song ideas to help you write? Are you hoping to get rich/famous? Are you hoping to release a CD and perhaps (eventually) sell a few copies? Your end goal may impact your decisions.
2. Research. Hey, that's what you're doing here, right? As a general rule, vague questions tend to produce non-specific answers. As you dig in, ask detailed questions and you'll get some very helpful answers. There's a vast wealth of information available. The sheer volume of data can be overwhelming, so start with the basic concepts and go from there.
3. Think process flow. You make noise. You want that noise to live in your computer. You need a few basic components to trick it into entering the trap. Once you have it in there, you want to poke it with a stick. There are all kinds of things you can do with it. In fact, the number of tricks you can teach your noise to perform is staggering. Keep things simple at first. When you've finished playing with it, you create some type of output.
4. Don't just think about cost. Think about value. Some free software can have immense value, if it helps you create your sound. There are many software products that bundle various types of products and solutions into one package as one way to increase their value, such as Sonar. Some very expensive hardware/software may provide little (if any) value in the long run. Yes, we've all been there and Bapu's printed our T-shirts.
5. Remember to keep your options open. Try to avoid spending money on gear you'll probably outgrow in a short time. There's a lot more gear in the world you could buy. Unless you're Nigerian royalty, you probably won't be able to buy it all. Think about taking things in stages. Your mileage may vary, but some start with an existing PC, a professional audio interface, and DAW software. Add some quality reference monitors, acoustic treatments, mics, and assorted outboard gear and you're well on your way.
6. When your mind explodes, go back to number 1 and remind yourself why you're doing this. Reorientation can also help you correct your course and avoid GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome).
7. If you have a family, remember that they're worth more than the gear, and don't spend all of your time in your studio. If you don't have one, well, just remember to come out every now and then to forage for food.
8. Don't listen to Bubba. There are smart people here, too. I'm not sure who they are, but I've heard they're around here somewhere. You should listen to them.

I originally had a lite version of another DAW.  I took a class at the local community college.  While it was geared towards DAWs in general, they used Sonar 6 as their default.  I liked it better than the original DAW.  I would recommend looking for a class that's local to you.  Video tutorials can help too.  They--and the helpful advice you receive here--can help you decide what equipment to get.  Good luck.  

Beagle
Hi,
I tried to help Pedro (Moshkiee or whatever his forum name is) for free.  we talked several times by email, but he could not get his system to work the way I was explaining to him.
... 

It was not directed at you Mr. Beagles!
 
I am redoing one of the computers before I talk to you some more, and describing what I got going. Had to redo it, so even I would not be confused with the wiring!

Ok Pedro, maybe you can get it up and running then!  I would love to hear some of your work when you do!

Beagle
Ok Pedro, maybe you can get it up and running then!  I would love to hear some of your work when you do!

I have some music shows, radio style, where I also do my own poetry over many things. But it's missing that "third dimention" as I like to call it, and that means a movie background, or something weird adding to the mix that makes it even more off the wall.  In the past some of this has been some of my own words and readings, but if I'm doing something on "top" then I need more in the bottom ... you know how it is ... the music has to be "thicker", "deeper" and more "expressive"!
 
Thx

If you're starting on the path to making music in your computer, stay away from THIS.
 
Once you've been making music for a few years and you're burned out or need a break go there then (it will still be alive, to be sure).

Well, then you play an instrument. You may want to meet some people around your own age and perhaps play in a band. If you think that you want to try and make money at music nowadays, then be prepared to be shocked perhaps.
It will take social agendas, getting the word out, and yes, around 24 hrs. a day and it still may not happen. Thus people playing in bands but even with that, they do not want to pay much if anything much nowadays. And traveling around may not cut it. So yes, a studio is easier, if you have decent place to do it. You can do it (unlike perhaps some people say) all electronically nowdays (they will dispute that you need a mic on a guitar amp to make it sound right to them). I say, the DAW (digital audio workstation) program can do some of that, but you still may need more hardware then just the basic mentioned. Like a few other people, I started out very young and then learned guitar later. But like everything in life, you probably will have to work a job at something else and try to do it in your spare time. It is work afterall no matter if you try and enjoy it or not, it is still practice, practice, practice, and work or editing in the DAW, editing in the DAW, and but it is something to do, unless you get the idea to actually go out and talk to people around at a store perhaps your own age, if they talk at all, if the world is still around and not blown down, whatever.
If you do not really have the money and just want to buy something, perhaps since you are young, you could buy some mutual funds or something like that (stock) and invest the money and not have any so-called fun with music, but in a few years, be richer, because with music, you may spend, spend, spend money and there is probably not going to be very much return if any at all.
 
So, in the end, you may want to just be a Comedian appear on the stage and tell them all of this stuff, and they will probably laugh their heads off, and you will make more money that way by being the next Seinfeld or Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory) in the end.
 

And the Blues Fest will be around here (July Fourth) and I am struggling to once again try and take my cheap camera and record some only to have people do funny things (after a few beers) in front of the camera or someone else to ask if they can have a video for their own purposes while other people talk close to you and all of it is picked up by a not so good camera that makes videos also (since I do not want to spend a thousand on a better cam-corder or even 500 on it) and wonder why I am standing there in the heat having people complain perhaps and all of that. Probably stay home afterall I like quiet and this forum makes enough noise most of the time (but not in Songs) to hear it clearly.
Well back to the food store, because something tells me that I should eat, but then they say to fast for three days and eat little if anything except water, and that will rejuvenate your immune system and whatever, but somehow I just can not quite get around to doing that as of yet.
 

Except for the singing which around me has to be done around 1:30 - 3:30, 4AM when it is quieter out in the environment of the people on this Planet like the one semi-truck driver that purposely backs off his tailpipes in the middle of the early morning night to wake up the neighborhood, as well as traffic from shifts at John Deere and anything else like airplanes taking off at 4-5 AM in the morning, even birds chirping so loud that a person thinks about buying a shotgun and hunting out in a field somewhere and forgetting anything else like cougars running around, or perhaps a mountain lion, perhaps a bear coming around of the environment on this Planet.
:D
Smileys don't seem to work on this forum either very good.
Oh, there they are.
Well, gotta go and find a forum that works. Check back later this Summer I guess for here. Must be Vacation Time.
 

This is the very best time to learn to make music. The tools available are astounding. You have youtube and the internet for any question. You have forums for whatever DAW, if any, you decide to use. 
 
I was never scared but excited and anxious to get started. I was 19 when I started. Jimi gave me the passion for it.
 
Spend some time thinking about and researching what and where you want to go with it. As much time as it takes to be sure how you want to spend your money.
I have ;
PC- Dell 64 bit Quad for speed and no other software except essentials 
audio interface
Midi keyboard
Mics, guitars, and bass
Sonar X-3 Producer
 
 
 
I started with Guitar Tracks Pro upgraded and now have Sonar X-3. I would suggest getting Sonar Studio. It's a wonderful tool to learn about music and your instrument. I've been recording since 09' I think. I have chronic amnesia and those kind of things elude me. I have collaborated with several here due to my whimpering about not playing with anyone plus their pity and or wanting me to shut up. You can posts songs/recordings for advice and there are some incredible players here that will give free and very helpful guidance. 
Here's shamelessly some tunes I've posted on Soundcloud. I apologize in advance for bringing it up