Before you start whacking out large amounts of cash on bits and pieces, I suggest you get as big a picture as possible. It will help you to intelligently build a PC-based studio, rather than haphazardly collecting modules based solely on individual recommendations or specs.

I almost embarrassedly endorse "PC Recording for Dummies". Yup, finally had to admit I wuz one. I know recording, I know computers, but trying to do one with the other was topping me. Unless the book has been updated recently, it will be a little dated in terms of hardware model numbers and software versions, but most of the brand names still exist and all of the principles still apply. It was instrumental (hey, if there's a pun, I meant it) in leading me toward the stable, capable DAW I have today.

Author Jeff Strong writes in an annoyingly cutesy style, but he knows his stuff. The book is well organized and systematically takes you through the steps of assessing your needs, acquiring gear and software, and putting it together and making it work. Even the dated price points of competitive software will make you appreciate the bargain that PG products represent.

HTH,
R.

P.S.: I took a look at this and thought it time I shared this gem with the world, so I wrote a review based on this post at amazon.com. When it's approved I'll either post a link or copy it here. In it, I endorse PG products as well as the book.

P.P.S.: The review was approved within hours. You can see the five other reviews as well, here.

Last edited by Ryszard; 04/20/09 02:11 AM.
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."