No matter what part of the musical spectrum you come from-whether you're playing in a band, composing, or DJing-if you're using a computer (or wondering whether you should be), to get the results you want from your digital studio you'll need reliable information.

Real World Digital Audio is a comprehensive resource that offers practical advice on making great music with modern technologies-a valuable reference whatever your musical genre or preferred audio application. You'll learn how digital sound works, and then apply that knowledge to getting your music to sound the way you want. From recording, mixing, and producing CDs, musical scores, and video soundtracks, to performing live with your laptop, this is the definitive guide to the art of creating digital music.

Real World Digital Audio will show you how to

• Choose the right software and hardware to fit your musical direction-and your budget
• Optimize your setup for maximum recording quality and reliability
• Choose and strategically place microphones for different recording situations
• Use loops and grooves to create backing tracks, DJ, and enhance live performances
• Master MIDI and audio editing techniques to make expressive, polished tracks
• Create dynamic sounds with audio effects, synthesizers, and soft synths
• Generate publication-quality notated scores on your desktop
• Mix, master, and share professional recordings, online music, and video soundtracks

Accompanying media files are available online.

Companion Web site at includes interviews with audio professionals, updated information, and more.