My previous article dealt with choosing the best gadgets and audio card for your digital home studio. So, let's just think that you have already got yourself a good sound card and are ready to record sounds.

There was a time, when expensive multi-track recorders, mixdown machines, a roomful of outboard gears and processors, and more cables than you would want to count were necessary to record sound professionally. Computers and modern digital multi track machines replace hundreds of separate hardware units that were required for many functions.

With the dawn of modern recording software (called sequencers), with their full-featured built-in digital mixers, you can expect a professional output.

So now the time has come to choose the right software for multi-track recording. But before choosing the right software, you have to know your system's specs, such as how many tracks (inputs) will you need to record at once.

Decision-making is the tough part, especially if you are new. Reviewing a wide variety of programmes is time consuming but a great way to start. Visiting websites and checking with other musicians, lists, forums etc. is probably the best way to gain knowledge.

Once the options are narrowed, downloading demos of particular programmes you want to try is the first step. Most of the demos available are limited in function and expire quickly, so once you download it, spend time with it to know it.

One of the major factors to keep in mind when you consider software is their 'plug-in' capability. Using plug-ins you can add features to your music software. The most common plug-ins that are used are mainly for different kinds of effects. You can have a full studio effects rack costing lakhs to record with or you can have these virtual effects for a fraction of that price. Two of the most common formats for plug-ins are VST and DirectX. These plug-ins, specially the DirectX can be shared among many different programmes. Some programmes allow the use of both VST and DirectX and some require an additional programme to allow compatibility.

Here is a list of some widely used studio music software:

Syntrillium, the makers of Cool Edit products was purchased by Adobe and they discontinued all of the low-end and feature products. The only product still available is Adobe Audition which used to be called Cool Edit Pro. You can record, mix, edit, and master digital audio files with powerful creation tools that bring flexibility and control to your digital studio. Audition is the all-in-one toolset for professional audio production for music, radio, and video.

The latest version, Adobe Audition 2.0 supports several industry standard formats such as, ASIO, VST, DirectX, and ReWire. It comes packed with more than 50 real-time audio effects including echo, flange, reverb, and more. You can manipulate your recordings with digital signal processing (DSP) tools, mastering and analysis tools, and audio restoration features. You can move volume, pan, and effects controls as you listen, and record changes to your mix in real time. Use external hardware controllers to make changes, which appear as editable envelopes in the timeline.

You can record, mix, arrange, and edit your audio with this comprehensive, easy-to-use application. Produce high-resolution 24- or 32-bit files with sample rates up to 192kHz for HD- and DVD-quality audio. Audition also has flexible looping tools to quickly construct high-quality music for songs or soundtracks. Loops automatically match global session tempo and key.

Steinberg is the maker of Cubase and Nuendo and both of these products can be found in professional studios. Nuendo is high end which is also used for mastering. Lower end products include Cubase SL, Cubase SX and the low end is CubaseVST. Personally I use Cubase SX and I also use Cubasis regularly. The best thing about Cubasis is that you get a simple multi-track programme (limited to 2 or more simultaneous inputs depending on the audio card) comes with an integrated Mp3 encoder and VST effects. Also comes bundled with Wavelab Lite audio editor and a Master Unit to master your packages with.

The latest version, Cubase SX3 takes music production to a new level by adding new features such as powerful Audio Warp Realtime Timestretching, an intuitive Play Order Track, convenient Inplace Editing and many new editing functions.

For the first time, a native music production system combines full-featured audio and MIDI recording and editing, virtual instruments and powerful audio mixing with the added flexibility of loop and pattern based arranging and mixing. Cubase SX3 supports Windows XP and Mac OSX and works with a multitude of audio interfaces. Add to that the seamless integration of external audio and MIDI hardware, and Cubase SX3 redefines music production technology.

Cakewalk is probably the forerunner in home recording software. Their low-end products include Guitar Tracks, Home Studio, Music Creator. Higher end multi-track programme is Sonar which evolved from Pro Audio. Sonar is a powerful software, which is a complete music production environment for the PC and enables you to track audio, mix, process, sequence MIDI, you name it. It allows you to take a music project from beginning to end and never leave the programme for lack of capabilities at any given stage in the recording process. A rather amazing feature set of Sonar includes, organisational work tools and editing capabilities, customisable views at every work-stage, integration of soft synths and virtual instruments (both DXi and VST), video support and a surprising degree of surround sound function.

Digidesign is the maker of Protools. Protools is a very hardware dependant programme and has its own hardware to work with. Not much will be said here of the product except there is a free version called Protools Free that will run on a PC. 8 audio tracks and 48 midi tracks. It is a simple programme that has some extra configurations required that may or may not render your system unusable.

Fasoft, the makers of n-Track software was able to make it a favorite among many hobbyists. The recordings done with this product are incredible. This is a low-cost programme and the company has a demo to download, no time out but limited features.

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and start using these amazing inventions for musicians and get those songs recorded on your own personal digital home studio.