Home DAW

Home 'Digital Audio Workstation'...........Introduction

A Home DAW is another name for a home Digital Audio Workstation. A DAW is primarily an electronic system consisting of software and hardware, that enables you to record, edit and play back digital audio. It usually includes a computer, music production software, an audio interface, and extra hardware including preamps, microphones, monitors, effects and so on.....

Do I want quality gear and how much am I prepared to spend?

What type of computer do I need....PC or Mac, CPU, RAM, Ports...?

What type of software do I need?

Do I need an audio interface?

Do I need a preamp?

What type of microphones do I need?

What type of monitor speakers do I need?

Do I need extra hardware for 'effects' or will plug-ins be OK?

If you are like me and want to set up a Home DAW that will enable you to create good quality recordings, then hopefully I can help.

The most important aspect of any Home DAW is the computer, software and audio interface. Some interfaces include preamps which may suit your needs, but if you are not happy with the preamps your interface has to offer, you may want to consider a stand-alone preamp...it can make the world of difference. In any Home Studio, you will need a microphone and monitor speakers, so I have included these in our DAW set up.

A Home DAW is based around computer software, therefore there is no need for mixing desks and effects units, as a good software program will deliver all of that. Also, a quality audio interface includes a virtual mixing desk or Digital Sound Processor (DSP), which enables you to do just about everything that a normal mixing desk can do. The following is a list of all the different types of software and hardware you will need to get started when building your Home DAW.

The main categories provide general information you need to know about the different types of products i.e. music production software, audio interfaces, microphone preamps, studio microphones and studio monitors. The sub-categories show you a variety of popular products to look at in order to help you decide on the right product for you.

That is all you need to get started...

Your quality software supplies mixing consoles, effects, loads of plug-ins, soft synths, drums, midi implementation, and the list goes on.......you basically have everything a recording studio has except that it's on a computer screen.

It sounds quite simple, but there is no real need to over-complicate matters by buying far more equipment than you will ever need, or in some cases ever use. Keep it simple. That way you buy something when you absolutely need it. Start with the bare minimum and grow as the need arises......and you'll save heaps too.

Be careful when buying internationally as different countries use different power adaptors depending on their voltage requirements.

If you are buying internationally, find out exactly what you need to do in order to safely use the equipment in your country...many items now come equipped to handle different voltages world-wide.

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