In this article I’m going to go over how useful a computer actually is. I’m going to compare old-school analog equipment to modern computers, and the programs used by them. To start off with the absolute essential analog recording device, a multi track tape deck. A multi track tape deck allows you to make multiple recordings and play them back at the same time. This lets you take two, three, or more recordings and combine them into one. This lets you record vocals, drums, guitars, keyboards and whatever other instruments being used as separate tracks. Then using the recorder you combine them into one. These multi track tape decks are expensive, and can take up a lot of space. They are also limited in the number of tracks they can use at once. Acid music studio has a number of tracks only limited by your computer’s ability to handle them. The same tracks you would use for loops can be used as a multi track recorder.

Next I’m going to go over effects. There is a vast amount of effects available. In old-school analog recording you needed a rack full of various effect modules. These effects can cause lots of different changes to your music, or the sounds that you use to make it. I will go into all the various effects in a different article. Let me simply say that there are dozens of effects used both with instruments and recording. From the pedals guitar players use, to the reverb effect there are many available. And with traditional hardware each one takes up room, lots of room. If you’ve ever seen footage of the band recording studio you have probably seen what I’m talking about. All those shelves of black boxes with the knobs and switches, with cords leading together. Furthermore most of these effects would be used while recording. Taking away the freedom to apply them later. And on top of all that you have the massive equalization control panel. That’s the big desk with all the sliders and knobs.

A home recording studio using the computer combines all of this equipment into one tool. As long as your computer can handle them it can use as many effects as you want. Including all the traditional effects as well as plenty of very weird ones that you will only find for computers. Including EQ panels. Best of all you can apply these at any time. While the best effects processors do cost money plenty can be found for free. Most of these will plug in directly to your program. Acid music studio has built-in effects. I have also found a number of free ones I have downloaded to use.

The same thing that can be said about effects can be said about MIDI and drum machines. Hardware versions of these machines, and old-school synthesizers which were also modular take up a large amount of space. Certain models would have their own sound just like any instruments, and with any enthusiasts there would be a tendency to collect them. A computer takes all of these tools and gives them to you in a single package. Again the best ones do cost money. However many very nice MIDI, drum machines, and synthesizer programs/plug-ins can be gotten for free.

Piano For All:
Need help to learn the Keyboards? This Unique program will help you learn how to play in months rather than years. What ever the style you want to play, you can learn it with this program. Gives you the wisdom of a teacher, without the high cost and time to find and hire one.
Another program I thought deserved to be on here. They came up with a way to train you to play that’s efficient, but not boring. It actually helps you want to play, rather than discouraging you.
If you want to learn Piano the right way Click this Link

Online Print shop. Pro-Printing for Lots of the things a band needs printing done for.
Sometimes you need stuff printed up. They do it at great prices.
These folks have a solid rep, i trust them.

In this post I am going to give you a list of the things you need and have Amazon ads that should both give you an idea of what to look for, and easy access to one of the best places to look for bargains online.
I will also assume you are building a digital workstation, because you cannot make a cheap analog (old-school) music studio.

Lets get started.

The First thing you need is a Computer that can handle a decent amount of abuse. Most home computers can handle Software like Acid Music Studio without much (if any) problem.
I recommend at least a 2Ghz processor, 2 gigs of ram and duel (two) monitors.

Next is Storage Space. No matter if you are going to be recording your own stuff, or using loops, or a combination you are going to need plenty of room for your recordings, and backups, least you lose anything.
A larger hard drive, burnable dvd’s for extra back-up protection and even an external hard drive are all good ideas.
The best thing to do is set up your computer for RAID. With this system (not all computers can do it, but most can nowadays) if one Hard Drive fails it loads a back-up onto a spare drive in the system thus protecting your data.
However this is about a cheap set up, so a single larger drive to give you space, and plenty of DvD-Rs is your best bet on storage and protection.

Next you will need a soundcard. Okay, this is where we get into specialized gear. If the computer you already have checks off, and you already have plenty of storage that gives you an all clear on the hardware front right? Wrong.
Does your machine have a sound card?
I don’t mean built in software and ports for plugging speakers into. I mean an actual sound card that plugs into a slot on the machine.
If not, you need one, because you will never get great sound quality, or control from the software based “Soundcards” most computers are sent out with.
Now I am not going to go into a long speech on Sound Cards but some cards are built for audio production work, and most aren’t. Since we are talking cheap, just get what you can afford.
Do not go with USB sound cards, you need a real card that you plug into one of the white slots on the motherboard of the computer.

Got a SoundCard? Even if you do you still need speakers. There are speakers called studio monitors that are built for audio production work, but any decent set of computer speakers will work. I advise you get more traditional style speakers. The more standard, and “old school” the build the more general the sound production from them will be.
That is what studio Monitors do. Give you play back with as little “hard ware color” as possible. By which I mean, the speakers don’t affect the sound playback much. All speakers playback sounds different to some degree, try to find ones that don’t too much.

Right, I hear you say… I’m no noob, I got game, and I play them. I’ve got sweet gear, tell me about something I don’t already have.

Right then. Do you have a Microphone? If you game, then you might have one for chatting. Believe it or not that will work just fine to get you started. This is one place you can spend an arm and a leg on, but you don’t have to right away. I get decent results with a 10$ chatting mic. You just do what you can with it.

If you want higher quality, try something like this.

So now you have the Hard Ware you need to get started. Next you need recording software. That’s easy. Just go here Sound Engine”
It works and it’s free. Can’t get cheaper than that.

Next you will need your production software. Please read through this page to decide what software you want to use. For a beginner, I recommend Acid Music Studio based on an easy learning curve, a good price, and the fact you will have all of the instruction videos I am/will be putting up to learn more about the program, and my tricks for it.

Those are the things you need to get started. Lets get more involved.

Next is where to put it. Obviously space is an issue, as is sound control, both incoming and outgoing. Neighbors or your Mom might not care for you blasting your creations at 3 in the morning while you try to figure out just what is off in that one part of the song.
There are many ways to go about sound proofing. From remodeling your home to just putting up home made baffles. Baffles are objects that catch sound rather than letting it through or reflecting it.
A card Board box with pieces of other boxes stapled to it to form spikes , maybe with some cheap carpeting stapled onto that, is a cheap way to create a baffle.

They also come in handy when recording. Letting you do your thing without as much bleed over from what’s playing.
Another trick is to record in a closet that you have packed some blankets and other soft stuff into.
The idea is to get as pure a recording as you can, without the environment interfering.If you have a nice space, letting the ambiance of that space work it’s way into your work is never a bad thing.
There is a reason why some of the best Studios in the world attract so many musicians. The space you work in can be very important to how your work ends up sounding.

Steps Two and Three are all on you. Give your computer a good look over, even if you think you have everything you need. Look around to see what you have to work with as far as space goes. Your imagination is your best tool, use it well.

Things you might want. Loops. When you are just starting out loops are your best friends. Even if you plan to record a lot, or even most of your own material, having a selection of loops to play around with is never a bad idea. Just keep in mind they can get expensive, and take up space.
Below is selection from what Amazon has available. Just do a search on Acidized loops, or Sound Loops and you will find a whole universe of sounds and samples to play with.

Getting a pair of nice headphones is also a good idea. You can work away and not have to worry about bothering anyone. They also come in handy while recording. Allowing you to hear the playback, and record without getting bleed over.
A good sound card is a must for doing that.