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Computer Recording Basics

Never before has it been as easy and affordable for you to record, produce and distribute your own music. Whether you are in a garage band, a weekend player, a DJ, a singer songwriter, a rapper, or on national tour, you can easily record and produce your own music. Want to start a recording studio and record your friends? No problem.

Become a rock star and live the dream… Don’t let anything intimidate you or slow down your passion for making music. All you need is a few key components, and a desire to create.

What Do I Need?

  1. Computer (minimum system requirements)
    • PC (900mHz processor or higher, 256MB RAM)
    • Mac (G4 processor, 256MB RAM)
  2. Audio interface (converts analog audio to digital audio - to be stored on your computer's hard drive).
    • PreSonus FP10 (10 inputs, 10 outputs simultaneously) with eight microphone inputs, MIDI and SPDIF I/O and Cubase LE recording software great for recording a live band or a live drummer. You can record eight open microphones simultaneously with the FP10.
    • PreSonus FIREBOX (6 inputs, 10 outputs simultaneously) with two microphone inputs, MIDI, SPDIF I/O and Cubase LE recording software. Great for DJ's, Rappers, Songwriters, and producers.

  3. Recording software such as Cubase LE allows for 48 tracks of audio to be recorded and produced.

    Cubase LE

    Sample screen shot of Cubase LE

  4. Speakers / headphones to hear what you are doing.
  5. Microphone(s) / instruments

Typical Computer Recording Setups (Hook-up Diagrams)

FIREBOX Hook-up

FIREBOX Hook-up Diagram

Printable PDF File

FP10 Hook-up

FP10 Hook-up Diagram

Printable PDF File