How do I get started recording?

[Joaftheloaf]

So I'm trying to figure out to record all my songs properly, I but every time I've attempted to record my instruments sound like crap. I usually play metalcore, pop punk, and acoustic. At the moment i'm trying to use a friends usb connector thing that I plug my guitar and mic into, but I still don't really know what I'm doing and the guitars sound like crap when I record them. What hardware/software do I need to get started recording? And BTW I'm using audacity at the moment.

[Peak Freak]

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[Joaftheloaf]

First of all: what instruments do you want to record?
then: how do you imagine should it sound later?

these both things are necessary to know, if you want tipps on how to record stuff.
Recording would be probably better, if you do it track by track: means first guitars, then vocals, or whatever instruments you use...
your guitar might sound crappy because of several reasons: no effect processing, wrong wireing, wrong setting at the interface. For furthrer assistance more information are needed :/

I record mainly electric guitar with a boss metal zone pedal, and that usually what sounds really bad. It sounds great when I just plug it into my amp, but once I listen to it on my computer It sounds way too grainy and distorted. Also the interface I go through is a lexicon omega recording device. It plugs into my computer using usb, has 2 mic inputs, 4 1/4 jack inputs and has volume controls on the front, but I cant hear my guitar recorded on the computer at all though unless its all the volume settings are turned to the max.

And at the moment I'm trying to record a pop punk song I wrote (about rainbow dash trying to get into the wonderbolts ) and have got the drums and bass to sound good but only because I ripped them from guitar pro. And I do have an actual drum set, but it's and old Simmons electronic set and sounds way worse than my guitar pro drums which is why I am using my guitar pro drums. Anyway I want it to sound like a pop punk song (A day to remember, all time low, mayday parade ect). I pretty much don't really know what I'm doing when it comes to mixing and mastering, and also there is like a .25 second lag when I'm recording, gets really annoying. What should I do?

[Peak Freak]

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[Joaftheloaf]

0.25 second lag is driver latency. You will always have latency, you can reduce it a little bit, but not completely, by reducing the I/O Buffersize of your interface (you can probably choose between 128 - 256 - 512 - 1024 etc...). The smaller the Buffersize the less is the latency. But also problems can occur: Reducing the buffersize means more work for your CPU and higher chances of crackles or complete signal stops in your recording.
About your guitar: Simply the amp is missing. And I would even go so far and record the guitar completely clean, and then add the effect rig in your DAW. Then you are flexible to work, you can try out different amp simulations, different distortion effects etc etc....
Moreover, then you know, if it is your real distortion effect, or if it is distorting because of wrong volume settings (latter would be bad :/)

Thanks for your input! and btw I found an awesome free recording program, Studio one V2. I don't know how to reduce buffersize, but I'll figure it out. Again thanks for the help! and I love your stuff by the way, you're an awesome singer!