With the advent of the desktop computer came the realisation that any number of tasks normally reserved for expensive high-end machines could now be performed quickly and easily by anyone willing and able to figure out how to run the software. And as testament to how far modern technology has advanced in the past few years we're almost at the point where software applications almost run themselves.

But when it comes to using a computer as a virtual studio, and by this we mean a computer that has all the component parts of a "real" recording studio in software form, there are any number of factors which come together to give you, the user, a bigger headache than you ever thought possible.

The problems start when you find that your favourite sequencer program, MIDI keyboard and sound module just aren't cutting it, and at some point the added expense of buying a mixing desk, effects processors and more synthesizers and samplers can't be justified. So you decide to put your synthesizer, effects processor and even your mixing desk inside the computer and run it all from there, at the same time.

This is where something called multitasking comes in. The ability to run several programs simultaneously. As you can imagine this requires a lot of processing power, which is just one reason why the G3 and new G4 Power Macintosh computers from Apple are so appealing to the electronic music maker.

But even with the raw processing power of a state of the art computer you still have to figure out how to make the whole kit and caboodle run together in perfect harmony before you'll be able to make the album of your dreams.

This is where our Virtual Studio Guide comes in. It's five year mission, to explore strange new.......sorry, to explain how to make those pesky plug-ins work, how to process audio in real-time and any number of other seemingly insurmountable problems that you'll have to figure out before the whole thing runs smoothly.

First a few words about Getting Started

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