Here is a book I ran across recently that looks really useful (my copy arrived today). It looks to be the same content as Stan's other books which are used as college textbooks and cost $100 to $200. Working with Audio sells on Amazon for on $26.67. This books covers everything from mic'ing, cables, sample rates and bit rates and all kinds of DAW techniques.
http://www.amazon.com/Working-Audio-Stanley-R-Alten/dp/1435460553/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321987094&sr=8-1Working with Audio by Stanley Alten
Written by highly respected author Stanley R. Alten, WORKING WITH AUDIO provides readers with a fundamental understanding of the principles, technology, and techniques of audio production. This book covers the basics of audio production techniques in radio, TV, music, and new media, with special emphasis on the fundamentals of sound and recording, acoustics, equipment, editing, mixing, and much more. Because the material is not medium-specific, readers can apply the techniques learned to sound production in any of the major audio and audio/visual media.