here is site called
Tweak's guide to home and project studio they have tips for beginners on selecting entry level studio gear.. a good place to get some ideas, and see how things go together by looking at some of their examples...
on the left side of their web page is the list of topics, the first topic is called "for nuubs" seems like a good place to start
http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm
http://www.tweakheadz.com/laboratory...yer_studio.htm