How to set up instruments to a mixer for recording?

well this mixer only has 4 mic pres, so you will only be able to plug in 4 microphones. this should do fine (kick/snare/OH), but don't expect to be able to use a full 7-piece drum mic kit. Pan one overhead right, the other left, leave kick and snare in the middle As for the amps, make sure that you have a line-level output from your guitar amps, otherwise you could cause damage to the mixer. I don't know your amps, so unfortunately I can't tell you exactly where to come out of on your amp. the easiest way to go from there to a laptop would be to come from the RCA/3.5mm rec out into the line-in on the laptop, and it shouldn't interfere from playback from the main outs to your speakers