Over the last few years, new technology has made recording from your home computer more affordable while being accessible to nearly everybody. Not only is it cheaper and easier that older systems but the quality of the music recordings is as close to studio quality as you're going to find. Major music software companies are coupling home recording with MySpace and other social site as a great way for bands and musicians to get there stuff out there.

This post will hopefully explain the hardware and software equipment you will need to record your bands music from home and get your music aspirations the kick in the rear it needs.

• Begin with getting yourself a Digital Audio Workstation. The most popular programs for Macs are Logic or Garageband. Regular PC users that use Windows are better off going with Cubase, Pro Tools, Digital Performer, or Reason. Check to see if computer has enough processing power. One gig of RAM should be sufficient for most workstations.
• Go out and find yourself a recording interface or sound card. Make sure it includes inputs for the guitar, microphone, and headphones. A firewire interface is often times your best bet since it can plug directly into the firewire port and you won't need an AC adapter.
• Now you need to get a Midi controller keyboard which is plugged right into the USB port of your computer. The keyboard won't make sounds on its on but will triggers software sounds from the computer. Separate Midi and USB port interfaces are sold separately if your current keyboard is not USB compatible since it will need a Midi out port to trigger these software instruments.
• Do yourself a favor and go buy a condenser microphone and a good quality set of headphones. If you plan on singing or recording an acoustic guitar, you'll need both.
• Now, install the driver software of the recording interface and the keyboard, as well. Once that has finished, you can configure the interface to communicate with the new recording software.
• Have a little bit of fun and mess around a little with different software instruments and loops to learn their characteristics. Loops would be those pre-recorded tracks you hear from beginner musicians that help them sound better than they really are. Most loops consist of drums, synthesizers, and strings.
• Finally, set the balance between right and left speakers, the input level of the instrument, and start recording. Don't get discouraged if you don't sound like an expert musician right away. It's going to take some hard work and practice before you learn the software program and the musical instruments.