PC Music

One of the most enjoyable aspects of computing is the ability to record, create, edit and burn music. I purposely left out the word "copy" so as not to give anyone the wrong impression.

I have to admit that I'm quite new to pc music recording and editing, and that I have precious little time to pursue this semi-hobby. I have learned enough to at least give you some good information on various audio related components and accessories to help you get started in your own recording endeavor.

It's a very creative process, which is what makes it so appealing to so many people. You actually get to listen to your work after you're finished and you can even hear it in the car and (maybe) at work if you have a CD or mp3 player.

If you're an old fogey like me, you can record your cassette tapes and even those old vinyl LP's, all the while removing the hissing and the scratches.

If you play the guitar and/or sing, you can record your own live music by itself or on top of an existing recording. The possibilities are nearly endless.

What you'll need:

~ A good sound card or integrated audio on your computer (If you have sound in your PC now, you're probably set)
~ Audio recording and editing software such as All Editor or Cakewalk Home Studio
~ A small mixing board or computer audio interface (shown below)
~ A stereo cassette tape deck (if you want to record tapes to PC)
~ A set of stereo cables with RCA plugs
~ A second set of stereo cables with RCA plugs on one end and a 1/8" stereo phone plug on the other (or cables and adapters)
~ A good quality omni-directional microphone (if you want to sing or record acoustic guitar)
~ A good set of amplified computer speakers or a stereo amplifier/receiver with speaker systems.