| Home computer music recording has become | | | | or directx variety that will work with even low cost |
| extremely popular, both as a hobby and as a legitimate | | | | software. A number of the plug-ins are actually |
| means of live recording and mixing. For the serious | | | | offered free of charge. |
| musician or recording technician, the computer | | | | For the more serious enthusiast, the computer (pc) |
| software combination offers ease of use and lower | | | | should contain at least a Pentium 4 or Athlon 64 |
| cost, and it requires less space than traditional methods | | | | processor, 200gb, 7200 rpm IDE or Serial ATA hard |
| of recording. | | | | drive, 1 gigabyte of dram, a good video card, and a |
| Recording can be accomplished by using a "mixing | | | | high quality sound card. Any on-board video should be |
| board" to pre-mix multiple signals with their | | | | disabled in the cmos setup and a quality graphics card |
| corresponding analog effects (if desired) before | | | | with at least 64mb ram installed. |
| sending them to the computer, or each "plain" signal | | | | A flat panel monitor with a 19" screen is preferred |
| can be recorded independently to its own track | | | | over a crt. With the large viewing area, the video |
| through a computer audio interface, software effects | | | | resolution can be set at 1280 x 1024, enabling more of |
| applied, and the individual tracks then mixed together. | | | | the audio recording software to be viewed on the |
| Using a mixer and analog effects, one could | | | | screen at one time. |
| conceivably record without the benefit of multiple | | | | On-board audio (if available) should also be disabled |
| tracks, resulting in the need for less expensive, more | | | | and a high quality sound card installed into the |
| simplistic software. For much greater control and a | | | | computer. Also, invest in a pair of quality, amplified, |
| more polished sound, a quality multitrack software with | | | | near-field monitors. These speakers are designed |
| effects is preferred. | | | | specifically for music recording. Remember, if you're |
| Although more difficult to learn and use, multitrack | | | | serious about your recordings, you'll want the music to |
| software provides many more options for the user. | | | | be reproduced as realistically as possible. |
| The cost for quality multitrack recording software can | | | | A computer audio interface of some sort is a real |
| range from $40 to several hundred dollars. Don't let the | | | | necessity. It should have 1/4" inputs for instruments |
| low prices fool you though, many a great recording | | | | such as electric guitars or keyboards, as well as XLR |
| has been made with shareware recording software. | | | | inputs for microphones. 48v phantom power should be |
| If you aren't experienced in multitrack recording, | | | | avaiable for condensor mics, as well. A mixer could |
| purchasing at the low end of the spectrum makes | | | | even be plugged into the audio interface if more |
| sense. It's best to choose a product that will accept | | | | flexibility is needed. |
| plug-ins, though. Plug-ins are small pieces of software | | | | More and more, musicians are realizing the high quality |
| that provide various functions (typically effects) that | | | | and low cost of producing their own recordings, while |
| can be installed into the multitrack software, providing | | | | those interested in the technical side of recording can |
| greater flexibility to the sound engineer. Several | | | | see the benefits of digital recording, mixing and |
| companies produce audio software plug-ins of the vst | | | | mastering. |