Many people associate computer music with electronic bleeps, noise and artificial-sounding vocals, but computers are just as capable of recording rock, folk, jazz or classical music. With a little free software installed, a home computer can be turned into a home recording studio of surprisingly high quality.

If you can play an instrument, sing or even compose your own music, it's a real treat to have your performances nestling in among your CD collection. In this feature, we'll explain how to convert your own performances into a recording to treasure.

Track record

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It may not look much like a recording studio, but any Windows computer can do a pretty convincing impression of one, It doesn't have to be a terrifyingly expensive computer, either - most home PCs have what it takes. To prove it, we're going to explain how to record a song using nothing more than a home computer, a microphone and simple, free software.

A key feature of music production software is the ability to record different instruments on separate layers, known as tracks. These tracks are then played back on top of one another, rather like playing two or more different tapes at the same time. This has two advantages One is that the same person can play multiple instruments, one after another. As you perform each one, you'll be able to listen to the other instruments thav are already recorded so you can keep in time and tune. The other advantage is that each instrument can be controlled separately after it's recorded, perhaps to adjust the volume or even to delete it and have another go.