Making Beautiful Music

From the systems-builder's perspective, a digital-audio workstation (DAW) has a lot in common with other data-intensive applications, such as file servers and video-editing systems. In fact, with just a little knowledge of current state-of-the-art audio interfaces and software, you can assemble a DAW with readily available, off-the-shelf components (see "DAW Ingredients," right)--except for the audio interface.

To choose an appropriate interface, you must first understand your client's needs. Will this DAW support a simple, one- or two-track recording and editing application, or will the client be recording multiple instruments and voices? Will the client be recording or adding digital effects to many tracks during recording, or will it do mastering? Will the DAW need to interface with other systems via specific digital audio standards? If so, your choice of audio hardware will likely need to support that standard as well as the musical instrument digital interface (MIDI).

No matter which audio interface you use, you'll need robust software to make it all work. Popular software packages generally provide an organized user interface, including the means to clone, edit or delete audio tracks. Other features can include recording and editing MIDI events, "ripping" MP3s and adding special effects such as reverb, chorus and compression.

What should this all run on? For years, Apple's streamlined user interface and strong multimedia-software support made the Mac a favorite. But I believe Windows-based PCs today are a better choice for systems builders. A wide range of audio hardware and professional-audio software is available, which gives systems builders more control over the configuration and total cost than they would have with a Mac. As for Unix and Linux, there is very little audio software available for them, and even less support in terms of drivers.

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Special Considerations
A system is the sum of its parts. The audio software, low-level drivers and hardware must all work together seamlessly to handle simultaneous streams of audio data; problems with audio data can cause popping and crackling. Also, component features like fan noise and vibration, which may be trivial issues in an office setting, can be a big problem in the studio. (You can find noise-conscious components at endpcnoise.com and pctoys.com.)

Today's processors, such as the Intel P4 2.6-GHz CPU, will handle all but the most challenging multitrack recording needs. It's equally important to find a rock-solid motherboard and CPU combination that works well with your audio software and hardware. And the increased performance, size and affordability of today's 7,200-rpm drives with 8 MB of cache make the choice easy.

Once your DAW is up and running, it is popular to "ghost" or back up the OS partition to make it possible to recover quickly in case of trouble. Both Norton Ghost and Partition Magic are useful here. Also, while it is convenient and trendy to have every box attached to the Internet, by doing so, you expose your system to spyware and other unwanted software. Be cautious with your clients' DAWs; don't install unnecessary hardware or software.

More words to the wise: Professional audio engineers defragment their disks often. You should, too. Whenever you experience recording anomalies, do this.

DAW Ingredients
What you'll need to get started:

Andy McDonough is a professional freelance musician, composer, voice actor, engineer and educator in New Jersey.