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To compose digital music, you need a computer (a Mac or PC) — and it doesn't have to be a high-end, state-of-the-art workstation. When you're getting into composing digital music, it's easy to convince yourself that you need the latest and greatest equipment to get started. But if you only have the setup described in this article, you'll still be able to compose digital music.
A basic computer
Any personal computer built in the 21st century (and some from the late 1990s) is heavy-duty enough to handle the templates and basic note entry.
If you have, or you're thinking about buying, the Windows Vista operating system, a couple of points are important:
- Most composing software is compatible with Windows Vista, but be sure to check the Web site of the software maker to see if there are any known compatibility issues.
- Installing the software can cause problems sometimes, and you may have to log in as Administrator to install or run it.
The fundamental tools you'll use to compose are the mouse and keyboard. Every computer — desktop or laptop, PC or Mac — has a keyboard and a mouse. The majority of digital composing is done by clicking and dragging or cutting and pasting, so having a mouse you like is important. (If your mouse doesn't fit your hand or your wrist starts to hurt after using it for a while, look into the multitude of other mouses on the market — your local office supply or computer store is sure to have a wide selection.)
You'll need to plug the MIDI gear into your computer somehow. The most common methods use your computer's USB, FireWire, or MIDI ports. If you're not sure which ports your computer has, consult your user manual or contact the computer's manufacturer.
 | When you get your tune finished, you may want to share it with others, like a proud parent. Be sure your computer's CD-ROM drive is a CD/R-type drive (not a read-only drive). This way you can burn audio-compliant CDs and play your tune on your sound system or in your car. |
Speakers and headphones
You're going to want to hear what you composed, so you'll need speakers and/or headphones.
Pretty much every computer made today has a sound card built in. If you get serious about digital music, you'll want to buy a specialized digital audio card. But for now you can plug speakers directly into your computer through the built-in sound system.
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