Getting Into Mixing on a Limited Budget

Go alt was listening to adam savage's still entitled podcast, and it got him thinking. What would you recommend on a limited budget, let's say one thousand dollars, as the essential purchases? Some one needs to get into mixing. Since most new people are mixing in the box, i think it would make sense to talk software over hardware. Prrtise, thanks for all the inspiration and advice. He says, errand from the ever sunny scottish highlands.