At the core of any home studio is an up-to-date computer and a digital audio workstation (DAW). To ensure that you will be able to run any combination of audio synthesis and editing applications, select a computer that has at least 2GB of RAM, a modern processor with a speed of at least 2GHz, and a current operating system, such as the latest versions of Mac OS X or Windows. Using a computer with a lower specification will decrease your software options and may result in slow audio processing.
The DAW is the software you use to record, edit, mix, and master your music. There are several features to look for in a DAW, including the maximum number of tracks that can be used for a single piece of music, effects, mastering tools, usability, compatibility with your computer and audio hardware, and included and compatible virtual instruments. To figure out how many tracks your DAW needs to handle, think about the maximum number of instruments or voices that you will be using for a composition. You may also need to account for dedicated effects tracks.
For most home musicians, Pro Tools LE, Logic, Ableton, and Reason will work well as the main DAW. All of these applications include a large number of tracks to record to, tutorials to get you started, effects, and mastering tools. Pro Tools LE, Logic, and Ableton are compatible with third party effects plug-ins and virtual instruments, so they can be customized to your needs. Additionally, Logic, Ableton, and Reason are packaged with an assortment of virtual instruments, including synthesizers, samplers, and drum machines. Try a demo version of each DAW before purchasing an application, or consider using a free DAW, such as GarageBand or Audacity.
To record instrumentation, you will need an audio interface, or sound card, to convert your live audio signals into a digital signal that your computer understands. You should not use your computer's built-in sound card to record audio, since most sound cards are not capable of making high quality analogue to digital conversions. Instead, purchase an audio interface that has been designed specifically for making music.
In case you don't need to record any instruments or vocals, you might be more interested in a sequencer such as free beat making software and start producing beats right away.
When selecting an audio interface, think about the maximum number of instruments that you will be recording simultaneously. This number represents the number of input channels you require. For most musicians, and especially solo artists, an audio interface with two inputs is usually adequate. You will also need to ensure that the interface is compatible with your computer and DAW. If your computer has limited connectivity, pay close attention to whether the audio interface uses USB or FireWire. Some popular audio interfaces include the Avid Mbox, M-Audio Fast Track, and Tascam US-100 USB. If you require a large number of channels and the highest audio quality, consider the Digi 003 or RME Fireface. If you cannot find a budget-friendly interface with the correct number of channels, you may want to add a mixing desk to your setup.
The DAW is the software you use to record, edit, mix, and master your music. There are several features to look for in a DAW, including the maximum number of tracks that can be used for a single piece of music, effects, mastering tools, usability, compatibility with your computer and audio hardware, and included and compatible virtual instruments. To figure out how many tracks your DAW needs to handle, think about the maximum number of instruments or voices that you will be using for a composition. You may also need to account for dedicated effects tracks.
For most home musicians, Pro Tools LE, Logic, Ableton, and Reason will work well as the main DAW. All of these applications include a large number of tracks to record to, tutorials to get you started, effects, and mastering tools. Pro Tools LE, Logic, and Ableton are compatible with third party effects plug-ins and virtual instruments, so they can be customized to your needs. Additionally, Logic, Ableton, and Reason are packaged with an assortment of virtual instruments, including synthesizers, samplers, and drum machines. Try a demo version of each DAW before purchasing an application, or consider using a free DAW, such as GarageBand or Audacity.
To record instrumentation, you will need an audio interface, or sound card, to convert your live audio signals into a digital signal that your computer understands. You should not use your computer's built-in sound card to record audio, since most sound cards are not capable of making high quality analogue to digital conversions. Instead, purchase an audio interface that has been designed specifically for making music.
In case you don't need to record any instruments or vocals, you might be more interested in a sequencer such as free beat making software and start producing beats right away.
When selecting an audio interface, think about the maximum number of instruments that you will be recording simultaneously. This number represents the number of input channels you require. For most musicians, and especially solo artists, an audio interface with two inputs is usually adequate. You will also need to ensure that the interface is compatible with your computer and DAW. If your computer has limited connectivity, pay close attention to whether the audio interface uses USB or FireWire. Some popular audio interfaces include the Avid Mbox, M-Audio Fast Track, and Tascam US-100 USB. If you require a large number of channels and the highest audio quality, consider the Digi 003 or RME Fireface. If you cannot find a budget-friendly interface with the correct number of channels, you may want to add a mixing desk to your setup.