The good news is that you don’t have to break the bank to get a powerful Digital Audio Workstation (or DAW). When you are just getting started, or your needs are simple, you should choose software that is easy to learn but has the features to let you grow. Recording Software – AKA the Digital Audio Workstation When selecting your audio interface, be sure look for the following: These interfaces range from small compact devices like the AudioBox USB 96 to the ultra-fast Quantum Thunderbolt audio interface with integrated monitoring features and talkback. PreSonus makes a wide range of audio interfaces that are designed to suit just about any use case you may have. Your audio interface may also include any or all of the following: a MIDI interface, microphone preamps, instrument preamps, onboard monitoring functions, and even onboard plug-in processing, to name just a few of the features available to modern recordists. But more than just the converter that translates what you are hearing into information your computer can understand, an audio interface is the central hub around which your studio is connected. Its main function is to convert analog audio to digital audio and vice versa, so you can record to and play back from a computer. If you will be producing multi-layered EDM albums with dozens of tracks triggering virtual instruments and samples, your computer will need more horsepower than if you are just using your computer to record your vocals and guitar only.Īn audio interface is an essential component for any modern recording studio. For example, if you are planning on recording eight or more audio tracks simultaneously at 96 kHz, you will need a more powerful machine than you would if you are recording one track at a time at 44.1 kHz.

So, keep that in mind when configuring your PC. While the initial expense of a laptop powerful enough to make a record might be daunting, these computers will grow with you and are also great for live use when you’re ready to add backing tracks and more to your live shows.Īs a general rule of thumb, the better your computer specs are, the better your performance will be. If you need to be able to tuck away your bedroom studio when you’re done, don’t be afraid to look at laptops. Your studio computer can be a Mac® or Windows® PC, so you can continue to use whichever operating system with which you’re most comfortable. Regardless of where you’ll be recording, the first thing you’ll need is a computer.

Building a home studio computer