Many people dream of a music career and recording their own tracks. Nowadays, technology is answering this need with the provision of software and hardware for music production and audio recording. Here we look at the desktop requirements for beginners through to professionals.
Bare Bones Requirements For Beginners
If you are just getting into recording your own music and are yet to produce a one-hit-wonder and don’t have several good tracks already, then this is the essential equipment you can get away with to learn and practice.
The central processing unit (CPU) is made up of a processing unit and a control unit. These are separate from other basic computer parts such as the main memory and I/O circuitry. At this stage, you need not be too concerned about the specs.
Additionally, make provision for 8GB of memory and a hard drive that can store 500GB. The desktop should have a 15-inch screen as a minimum and built-in graphics. You will also need a mouse.
Always ask about upgrades for your equipment so that you can expand your system without having to replace everything.
For Serious Musicians With Some Experience
The first decision you need to make is which digital audio workstation (DAW) you will get. This is the software required for music production that enables audio to be recorded on your desktop.
Experts say that you should purchase the best CPU you can afford to get the best performance and that this will suffice for the coming years. It will determine how many tracks you can open simultaneously and the number of virtual instruments you can include. The CPU also controls processing speed and, if low, will lead to slow loading.
Random access memory (RAM) provides immediate storage while working and the maxim is to get as much as the desktop allows. Although desktops come with RAM and generally allow you to add more, this is an important consideration when selecting a desktop. If the RAM is limited, it isn’t going to work with your DAW.
Your hard drive is your permanent storage so it must hold all your completed tracks and those you are still tweaking. You will need a few terabytes of storage. It must accommodate your DAW and other software applications. Make sure you get an external hard drive as well for backups in case of a crash. A solid-state drive is recommended.
Selecting Your Desktop
As the previous pointers showed, a desktop that will complement your DAW is your primary concern. Check the specs above against the requirements for your DAW. For example, you want the maximum RAM possible. A desktop’s specs will tell you how much RAM it comes with and how much more you can add. If the desktop does not make provision for this, move along to another model.
Preferably look for a supplier who produces PCs with musicians in mind. Desktops for music production such as a ThinkCentre desktop series computer are designed specifically for producing and recording music.
Professionals opt for a desktop over a laptop. Although a laptop enables you to work from anywhere, desktops are faster, provide more IN/OUT options, can more easily be customized, and you have better control of noise.
Whether you are just starting out on your music career or have reached a level of expertise, always go for the best product you can afford.
