Digita Audio Workstation (DAW) Construction

Well it is official...I am under way building my first computer, which happens to be a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).  I have been kicking around the idea for the last few months and finally decided over the weekend to commit to this journey I am on and build a stand alone DAW.  Until recently all of my recording (which isn't that many) were done on a Boss BR-532 digital 4-track recorder.  I have decided to move to the DAW realm in order to take advantage of computers practically unlimited tracking ability, not to mention VST programs, MIDI instrumentation, and editing / mixing abilities.  I am going the PC route with my DAW build, which does buck the typical convention that Macs are better suited for audio, video, and graphic applications.  I won't get into that argument, but my decision was made on the fact that I have only used PCs in the past and all my current software is based on the PC platform.  In addition, I wanted to take on the challenge of building my own system and new this was not possible with a Mac platform.

For the past several weeks I have been reviewing various websites in order to get a better understanding of what a typical DAW system should consist of.  Of course, the number one factor in a DAW build will be budget.  Careful consideration must be given to what the current and future needs will be of the end user in order to select the most cost effective components.  There are several forums that can be consulted in order to read and discuss opinions of what is required in a DAW.  Be forewarned that there is a lot of opinions that are floated around in these forum discussions.  A little time spent reading multiple discussion threads and websites will typically payoff in the ability to begin seeing common items that are agreed upon and the opinions that are propagated as fact.  Although what I am doing here may be misconstrued as such, but this is just my attempt at rationalizing my thought process for better or worse.

A typical DAW build will require at a minimum the following items:

1. Computer Case
2. Motherboard
3. CPU Processor
4. RAM
5. Harddrive(s)
6. Power Supply Unit
7. Video Card
8. Monitor(s)
9. Operating System
10. DVD Burner Drive(s)
11. External Audio Interface or Soundcard
12. Speakers or Reference Monitors
13. Keyboard and Mouse

I plan on covering each of these items in greater detail in future posts.