Digital Audio Workstation

Outcome 1
Ross Fraser HNC Music Group 1

Motherboard The motherboard is the part of the computer that everything plugs into. It connects all of the components together. The motherboard works out how to get all of the components of the computer up and running. Processor AMD Phenom II X4 965 - 73.40 The processor (which is also known as the CPU) acts as the computers brain. It prioritizes tasks and gives the computer instructions for what to do and when to do it. The processors speed is measured in Megahertz (MHz). The speed in which the processor can work depends on how many cores it has. For example, a processor with two cores (known as a dual core processor) will work at the combined speed of two processors. Heat Sink and Fan Spire Coolreef Pro - 8.95 A heat sink keeps the processor cool. The processor heats up if it is running multiple programmes at once, so the heat sink prevents it from overheating. A heat sink is also used in mobile phones, DVD players and fridges. The fan cools down a piece of metal which is surrounding the processor. Hard Drive Samsung Spinpoint F1 69.95 The Hard Drive (also known as HDD or the C Drive) is where the computer data is stored. Unlike the RAM, the data stored in the hard drive is still intact when the computer is switched off. The memory in the hard drive is measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB). The speed is measured in rotations per minute (rpm), therefore, the higher the RPM is, the quicker the computer will be. Files such as the operating system, software titles and most other files are stores in the hard drive. Random Access Memory Corsair XMS3 8GB 2 Memory Module Kit - 29.62 Random access memory (also known as RAM) is used to store memory while your computer is running. It stores information which has collected by the processor. The hard drive sends data that which you need to use, to the RAM for the processor to access it. The RAMs memory is measured in gigabytes (GB). The more gigabytes the RAM has, the faster the

computer will be. Any data stored on in the RAM is erased when the computer is switched off. CD/DVD RW Drive The CD and DVD RW drives are known as the optical drives. These drives are used to insert, and play CDs and DVDs. There are two different types of optical drives available, one being ROM, which can only read disks which are inserted. The other type of optical drive is a rewritable (RW) drive; this drive can read and write disks. Power Supply Unit - Corsair CMPSU 600w - 53.49 The power supply unit (PSU) uses mains power and converts it to send power to the different components of the computer. The power supplied by the PSU is rated in wattage. Different components of the computer require different amounts of wattage. The components which usually require the most power are the processor and the graphics card. The hard drive does not usually require as much power. Graphics Card The graphics card receives information from the processor for what it has to display on the monitor. The card makes the display by organising pixels into the correct order to make the right image. The image is then sent to the monitor through a cable. Case The case covers the components of the computer. A lot of cases have compartments to mount the different parts of the computer. Cases come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and depending on the style of the case effects how the air flows in the machine. Monitor The monitor is used to display the images sent from the graphics card. There are two different types of monitors available. One is a CRT (cathode ray tube) which has a deep back in the style of an old television. The other is an LCD monitor. LCD screen, are thinner in size, they use less power and provide a better picture than the CRT monitor. Monitors come in all range of sizes, usually starting from 15. Keyboard and Mouse The keyboard is used to send commands to the pc and enter text on the PC. The keyboard can connect to the motherboard via either a PS/2 or USB port. The mouse is used to control the cursor on the screen and manipulate objects displayed on the monitor. A mouse can connect to a computer wirelessly or by a wire. The mouse connects to the motherboard via a USB port

Audio Interface Fast Track 2 USB - 82.99 An audio interface (also known as a sound card) allows you to plug in a musical instrument such as a guitar or a microphone. It works by sending and receiving audio signals to and from the PC. The audio interface converts sound signals into digital data and sends it to the PC in a way it can understand. An audio interface can connect via either a USB or firewire. MIDI Keyboard A MIDI keyboard is used to send MIDI signals to the computer via a USB or MIDI cable. The keyboard sends digital data to the computer which then gets converted into music. The keyboard can be used to create a variety of different musical instrument sounds, such as drums, guitar and piano. A MIDI keyboard is usually set out in a piano style board but comes in other styles. Software Software for recording audio on a computer is known as Digital Audio Workstation. It is a programme installed on a computer which is used to record, edit and mix audio recordings recorded through an audio interface on to a computer.