HomeMusicRecording

So how many of you would like to make music?. The software that is available these days can more or less make music for you, just a few clicks here and a few clicks there and Voila!..a track is born.Unfortunately this kind of software will only make the music that it's database of 'loops' can provide you with and the chances of finding 'that tune' that constantly plays in your head are slim at best.If the easy option is your prefered choice then just google the range of 'Ejay' software or 'Fruity loops'...job done.If however,you want to make more personal music,well then you have important decisions to make.Audio software and hardware is not cheap.

For computer based home recording the easiest hardware option is a midi keyboard, these connect directly to your sound card and will work through most midi based audio programs..you will also find with a midi keyboard that you don't actually need any keyboard skills to use it, if your a '1 key at a time' sort of player thats fine, midi software can make you sound like a god.

For the guitarist things are more complicated.First there is the initial cost of the guitar and then the cost of finding a suitable interface with the computer for recording, there are several options.A guitars jack lead is not compatible with most sound cards inputs but there are adaptors available that enable you to plug into the line-in of a sound card however,if your serious about recording music I would highly recommend investing in a sound card that comes with an external unit..there are several benefits.First of all there is no fiddling around behind the pc trying to put this in socket A and that in Socket B while getting every other cable wrapped around you(have you seen how many cables lie behind a pc...mines a nightmare)..the other advantage is the external units will come with several input options usually line-in and Mic inputs as well as seperate volume controls for the relative inputs..and these inputs are the correct size..no adaptors needed.So lets assume you have gone ahead and got a nice new external unit sound card..more options..You can either plug your guitar directly into the line-in..or..Plug your guitar into an amplifier(more expense) and then run a cable from the line-out of the amp to the line-in of the external unit.

Back to the expense issue...do you need an amp?..well in short No, you don't.Another rather wonderful software development is Plug-ins, these are available as Vst/Dxi and Rtas and are simply addons to your chosen audio program..there are thousands and its easy to get bogged down in a minefield of so many choices but you want an amp right?..well there are 2 major players in amp simulation Amplitube and Guitar Rig both of these can turn a recorded guitar sample into a sample that sounds like it was played through any one of hundreds of different amp models. If you prefer to have the actual hardware you still dont need to go to the expense of an amp, you could run the guitar through a stomp box directly to the pc or invest in a guitar effects unit, a lot of the newer models now come with a usb interface and the ability to alter and create your own effects setups via software..no more fiddling with little tweak knobs..its a godsend..trust me...the final option of course is Mic recording, you would need an amp for this, plug your mic into the mic input and point it at the amp..easy...although in this age of digital recording the problem with mic recording is 'background noise' nothing more annoying than throwing rock star poses and playing the greatest riff ever conceived in that 1 time only recording than your mum walking in to announce your tea is ready...well unless she says it in tune of course.

So you have got the hardware now you need a main audio program.Again there are many choices and like everything its pay for what you get..Probably the most well known software application is Cubase.It can be used as a multitrack recorder,handles vst/dxi plugins and there is a whole host of addon instruments that will make that midi keyboard sound like...well anything you like frankly.Id also highly recommend Adobe Audition..this is the main program i use as a multitrack recorder and mixer anything I write is finalised using this program.I should also mention Propellerheads Reason another fine program if you have a midi keyboard, want to know how all those dance/trance/hip hop type songs are made?..look no further this program will make it,mix it,and publish it.

Special mention for me goes to Guitar Pro software..this is a basic midi composition program..aimed mainly at the guitarist it enables you to compose upto 16 individual audio tracks using various instruments that can then be exported as a midi file and imported into Reason/Cubase..this is the program i have always used to compose with and is the easiest way i have found so far to make a backing track that i can then record guitar onto.

This is of course an extremely short and to the point introduction to home music recording,once you get into it there are limitless possibilities, im still learning but its through all this fiddling around with software...and i was a complete noob that i have learned to write songs/record songs/mix and produce..again its an ongoing thing but 10 years ago I had a tune in my head, that tune now sits on my pc harddrive as part of an album im writing and it was only possibly through the pc and software. I did post some of my recording to a website(mainly because i was told to by a friend) but I only ever recorded music for my own pleasure and I think its a pleasure that we should all share, writing and recording music isnt easy,it can be infuriating but I promise you it is the most rewarding experience to sit back and listen to a track that you made...Give it a go..Best of luck.