Computer / Software

I recently built a computer based on the Athlon 500 processor and am about to invest in the Digidesign Digi 001 recording...

Continuing his series on setting up a recording environment based around a Mac or PC computer, Paul White goes through the hardware and software options for recording audio alongside your MIDI tracks.

Even PC experts can find the business of setting their machines up for music pretty complicated, so it's hardly surprising that many new users are bewildered by the vast array of settings and options available. Martin Walker offers a guide through the maze...

There are now hundreds of software processing plug-ins available to PC musicians, but they come in various types and each behaves slightly differently. Martin Walker examines the various ways to install, manage and automate them, and the problems involved in managing presets.

Recently I have been considering an upgrade for my PC, and whilst rethinking my approach to improving my studio and live...

Martin Walker looks at hardware and software solutions available for those who just want to use their PC for MIDI sequencing.

The array of choices which confronts anyone trying to buy a new PC can be bewildering. Fortunately, as Martin Walker explains, there are retailers out there who can eliminate the hassle and uncertainty.

I've been playing in bands ever since I saw George Harrison and the boys in 1963 (I'm still a Beatle‑freak!) Now,...

Fitting hardware upgrades to your PC should be comparatively easy, but sometimes not everything goes according to plan. Martin Walker guides you through the pitfalls.

Martin Walker considers what to look for when buying a new PC or upgrading an existing one, if you want it to remain up-to-date for as long as possible.

Martin Walker considers the possible impact of the Millennium bug on PC musicians.

The Internet was originally conceived as a resource for sharing information — and there's still quite a lot of it out there among the Star Trek sites and pirated MP3s, if you know where to look.

Martin Walker answers some of the most common queries about setting up and using your soundcard, and achieving the best audio quality.

Attaching several different applications to a single MIDI or Audio device can be very useful — once you've worked out how to do it! Martin Walker guides you through the procedure and points out the varied uses of the multi-client approach.

No-one enjoys making backups, but they are a necessary part of digital audio recording. Martin Walker explores the options, and explains their strengths and weaknesses.

Paul Wiffen has been introducing people to digital audio on computers in one form or another for 10 years now, but sees people falling into the same old traps time and time again. In the first part of a short series he explains the importance of making the right decisions before you buy a new system.

If you want to move the heady heights of true multitrack recording on your PC, there are plenty of rival systems on the market. Martin Walker looks at what you need to consider in making your purchase decision, and rounds up the alternatives.

If you're thinking of buying a PC soundcard specifically for HD recording, you'll find the market awash with models old and new. Martin Walker provides an overview of what's currently available.

If you thought the MMX processor was still the last word in new technology, prepare to boldly go where your PC has never gone before. Martin Walker looks at the many new families of PC chips, and explains their relevance to the musician.

Now that the MIDI outputs of many soundcards are already occupied by playing back high-quality internal synth sounds and multi-channel samples, many musicians are finding that they need to invest in a more comprehensive MIDI interface to service the rest of their synths. Martin Walker provides a little background.