Computer Hardware & Software

Music Tech || MT CA2 - The Digital Audio Workstation

What is CPU?

• (Central Processing Unit) Computes data during almost every action you perform on your computer.

• These actions are then broken down into basic instructions.

What is clock speed?

The number of cycles per second a CPU can generate.

What is the core?

Where the instructions are received and executed.

What is native processing?

Any processing that is performed in the CPU and not on external hardware.

What are HDDs?

• HDDs (Hard Disk Drive) have a spinning disc that data is written to.

• This process takes time to complete.

• This will mean that it will take longer to save data and read data.

• When using DAWs, an HDD is not the best option as we need to write and read a lot of data as fast as possible.

What are SSDs?

• Solid state drives provide a much faster read and write speed than traditional HDDs.

• SSDs have become the preferred storage device for using DAWs as they are able to load projects with large amounts of data much faster.

What is the minimum amount of storage for a computer running a DAW?

• It would be recommended that you have a minimum of 500GB hard drive when using a computer for a DAW.

• This will allow enough space for:

  • DAW software install.

  • DAW loop library install.

  • Recording audio.

  • Storing a large number of projects.

What is RAM?

• Essentially like a device’s short term memory.

• Prevents the CPU from using the slower hard drive to access files and run software.

• Will temporarily store information that a piece of software needs so that it can instantly retrieve it when you tell the CPU to execute a command.

• For example, to playback an effects chain on a channel strip in your DAW.

How much RAM is recommended for a computer running a DAW?

At least 8GB of RAM installed

What is a display monitor?

• An essential part of using a computer to run a DAW.

• It needs to be large enough to display enough tracks and plugin windows at once.

• Many DAW setups will include a second monitor to display plugins or the mix window.

What is the operating system?

• The software that the computer uses to run all of its programs.

• For example, MacOS, Catalina, or Windows 11.