PC Recording Studios For Dummies

Here's how to make sound decisions about a desktop studio Get the lowdown on equipment, design your studio space, and set your music free! If you've been dreaming of making music with your computer, wake up and get started! Musician Jeff Strong clears a path for you through all the confusing options, helping you sort out hardware and software choices, coax the sound you want from your equipment, work with equalizers and processors, and start your creative juices flowing! Discover how to * Choose the right system and install software * Optimize studio sound for recording and mixing * Understand audio interfaces, sound cards, and MIDI gear * Compare popular programs * Mix and master your tracks

Here's how to make sound decisions about a desktop studioGet the lowdown on equipment, design your studio space, and setyour music free!If you've been dreaming of making music with your computer, wake upand get started! Musician Jeff Strong clears a path for you throughall the confusing options, helping you sort out hardware andsoftware choices, coax the sound you want from your equipment, workwith equalizers and processors, and start your creative juicesflowing!Discover how to* Choose the right system and install software* Optimize studio sound for recording and mixing* Understand audio interfaces, sound cards, and MIDI gear* Compare popular programs* Mix and master your tracks

Introduction 1Part I: Computer Recording Basics 7Chapter 1: Discovering What You Need 9Chapter 2: Setting Up Your Recording Space 35Part II: Choosing and Installing Computer Hardware 51Chapter 3: Choosing Computer Components 53Chapter 4: Examining Audio Components 65Chapter 5: Connecting Your Hardware 97Part III: Choosing and Installing Recording Software 113Chapter 6: Understanding Computer Recording Software 115Chapter 7: Finding the Right Software for You 127Chapter 8: Installing Your Software 149Part IV: Revving Up the Recording Process 173Chapter 9: Getting a Great Source Sound 175Chapter 10: Recording and Editing Audio 191Chapter 11: Using MIDI 227Chapter 12: Using Loops 249Chapter 13: Exploring Software Synthesizers 259Chapter 14: Mixing and Mastering Your Music 267Part V: Playing with Plug-Ins 297Chapter 15: Understanding Plug-Ins 299Chapter 16: Using Equalization 309Chapter 17: Using Effects Effectively 323Chapter 18: Digging into Dynamics Processors 335Part VI: The Part of Tens 350Chapter 19: Ten Tips for Improving the Performance of Your System 351Chapter 20: Ten Great Internet Recording Resources 357Chapter 21: Ten (Or So) Free or Really Cheap Software Programs 361Index 367