I ain't a-skeered yet, Jimlad!

I think my next step is to go visit the music stores in Halifax, see what's there, and talk to a couple people there. But all the tech-talk in this thread has been good, it's interesting stuff. I'd love for someone to explain a few terms as they go along (else I'll have to look 'em up myself, y'know: horreurs!). Example:

"I also have a dbx two-channel compressor/limiter and a TC Electronic reverb/effects unit and a patch bay to connect it all together. The outboard stuff is housed in a rack case for portability and the PC part is in a rack-mountable unit for ruggedness. I have a selection of large- and small-diaphragm condensors as well as some dynamics for microphones." - jeffp

This reads, to me:

"I also have a burbleburble and a TC Electronic reverb/effects unit and a burble to connect it all together. The outboard stuff is housed in a rack case for portability and the PC part is in a rack-mountable unit for ruggedness. I have a selection of large- and small-burbleburbles as well as some burbles for microphones."

But I'll learn!