If you are running a Windows computer in your home studio, there are a few tweaks you can do to make things perform better. These are just some basic settings that you can change in Windows XP to optimize for audio recording.

Processor scheduling should be set to background services
Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, System, Advanced, Performance Settings, Advanced Tab, Background Services

Do not map through soundcard
Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, Sounds and Audio Devices, Hardware Tab, (click on your soundcard), Properties, Audio Devices, (click on your soundcard), Properties, and check the "Do not map through this device" checkbox.

Visual effects should be set to a minimum
Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, System, Advanced, Performance Settings, Visual Effects Tab, Adjust for best performance

Defragment your harddrive regularly
Click on Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragment

Disable system restore
Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, System, System Restore Tab. Check the "Turn off System Restore on all Drives"

Disable your screen saver
Right Click on your Desktop, Properties, Screen Saver, None
   
Turn off power schemes
Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, Power Options, Always On, Turn off monitor and turn off hard discs to Never
   
Turn off hibernation
Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, Power Options, Hibernate, Uncheck Hibernation
   
Disable system sounds
Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, Sounds and Audio Devices, Sounds Tab, set Sound Scheme to None

Turn off desktop background image
Right Click Desktop, Properties, Desktop Tab, Background None

Disable fast user switching
Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, User Accounts, Change the way users log on or off, Uncheck Use Fast User Switching
   
These are only recommended for your audio system. I would recommend having one PC for recording and one PC for everything else.

Use these tweaks and your computer will be optimized for recording audio.

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