PC Recording Studios

About This Book

PC Recording Studios For Dummies is an introduction into the world of computer-based audio recording. This book takes the mystery (and frustra­tion) out of recording into a computer. You discover tips to help you make the process of recording music easy and the final product sound as good as possible.

PC Recording Studios For Dummies gets you going quickly so that you can spend your valuable time recording music — not tweaking your computer settings.

Here’s a quick rundown of what you can find in this book:

* You discover the basic components of a computer-based recording studio.

* You find out what hardware and software you need.

* You get hands-on steps guiding you through the computer-based record­ing process.

* You explore the many powerful add-ons that you can use to take basic tracks and turn them into the music you hear in your head.

* You discover free (or really cheap) software that you can use to create your next masterpiece.
The best thing about this book is that you get all this information without the brain-numbing technical jargon and posturing that you find in so many computer-related books. After all, the computer should be a tool that you use to create your art, not an obstacle to it.

How This Book Is Organized

PC Recording Studios For Dummies is organized so that you can find the infor­mation that you want quickly and easily. Each part contains chapters that cover a specific aspect of the computer recording process.
Part I: Computer Recording Basics

Part I covers the basics of computer-based recording. Chapter 1 introduces you to the individual components of a computer studio and explains what everything is for. Chapter 2 shows you how to set up a system so that it is easy to work with and sounds good. You also look into how you can set up your studio to sound as good as possible without having to spend a fortune on acoustical treatments.

Part II: Choosing and Installing Computer Hardware

Part II gets into gear talk. Here I focus on the hardware you need to have around if you want to record into your computer. Chapter 3 explores the core of your system: the computer itself. This chapter covers both Mac and Windows sys­tems and shows you what to look for when buying or upgrading your computer. Chapter 4 examines the audio-based hardware you need, such as the audio and MIDI interface and other components that get the sound in and out of the digital domain. Chapter 5 walks you through the process of getting all this hardware hooked up and running properly.

Part III: Choosing and Installing Recording Software

Part III digs into the software that you need if you want to record audio inside your computer. Chapter 6 explains the different functions of audio and MIDI recording programs so you can decide what features you need for your system. Chapter 7 gives you a look into some of the most popular programs used for recording, editing, and mixing your music. Chapter 8 guides you through the process of installing your software into your computer. I cover both Windows XP and Mac OS X. This chapter gives you the settings you need to get you up and running, and you find tips to keep your system stable.

Part IV: Revving Up the Recording Process

Part IV kicks your recording process into high gear. Chapter 9 covers the basics of getting a decent sound from the source and making sure that it stays decent as it enters your computer. Chapter 10 focuses on the specifics

of recording and editing audio, and Chapter 11 keys into this same process with recording and editing MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface). Chapter 12 looks at working with loops (short musical snippets that you can use to compose your songs), and Chapter 13 digs into recording with software instruments called soft-synths. Chapter 14 gives you information on mixing and mastering all your tracks within your computer.

Part V: Playing with Plug-Ins

Part V explores the role of plug-ins (software processors that you “plug in” to your instrument tracks) in computer-based recording. Plug-ins are one of the most versatile tools for recording in a computer, and you need to understand them so that you can use them effectively. So, Chapter 15 introduces you to these powerful tools and shows you the basics of using them in your songs. Chapter 16 looks at equalizer plug-ins, which you can use to sculpt the fre­quencies of your tracks. Chapter 17 examines the process of adding effects — such as reverb and delay — to your recordings. Chapter 18 demystifies dynamics processors and shows you how to use them to add that certain je ne sais quoi to the sound of your music.

Part VI: The Part of Tens

A staple of every For Dummies book, this Part of Tens contains some chap­ters to help you along the way. This section contains three chapters: Chapter 19 offers tips to improve the performance of your system and keep it running smoothly. Chapter 20 points you to some Internet resources that I’ve found to be helpful for rounding out my computer recording knowledge. Chapter 21 lists free (or really cheap) software that you can use when you record.
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