ok i have a new laptop and i want to start recording songs, i have mics and i have cubase, just wondering what other things should i invest in? oh and i have guitars, keyboards and drums aswell so basically what are the best things to get that sound onto the computer? mixer? pre-amp? amps? soundcards? i dont want to buy stuff that i dont really need so any help would be great cos i know you people are a knowledgeable lot!

and examples of set-ups that you guys have would be great and why you have certain things etc.

thanks in advance.