Open a digital audio program. If you do not currently own any audio recording or mixing software, you can download a free or open-source program to get started (see Resources). Install the software on your computer and then open it to create a new audio project .
Create a recording track. Most digital audio workstations use a process called multi-tracking, which allows you to record different pieces of a song or beat (like different instruments) on separate recording spaces (tracks), so that you can edit them individually. Your tracks look like long, horizontal spaces across your screen, like thin bars or lines on a sheet of paper. To create a new track, click the "New Track" option. Sometimes this appears under a "Track" menu on the menu bar at the top of the screen, or under the "File" menu. Other times it appears as a button directly on the project window. If your software does not support multi-tracking, proceed to the next step.
Press the "Record" button on your project window to begin recording a line of music. For this, you have several options. You can record an instrument, such as a guitar or keyboard, through your computer's internal microphone, or you can connect an instrument to your computer using a computer-to-audio adapter designed for your specific instrument(s). For even better quality, connect an audio interface to your USB port. An interface is an external sound card, to which you can connect your instruments directly and transmit music through your USB port for crystal clear quality. As an alternative, you can use an already existing piece of music by dragging an audio file (such as an MP3 or WAV file) directly onto your track space or recording space.
Locate your effects options. For most multi-tracking programs, you can do this by double-clicking your track title, which always appears in the left column of your project window. After you click the title, your track options will appear, including a list of available effects. If your program does not support multi-tracking, or if your multi-tracking program fails to display effects when you click the track title, look for your effects on the menu bar at the top of your screen, usually under a "Tools," "Effects" or "Options" menu.
Click any effect on the list to apply it to your selected track or recording space. Add "Reverb" to give your recording a hollow, echoing effect; add "Distortion" to increase the amount of white noise; add "Chorus" to increase the amount of modulation, giving your recording a bright, techno-influenced sound. For other electronic-influenced effects, add a "Phaser," "Pulse" or "Step Sequence" effect.
Add additional effects to give your piece of music even more personality. For example, if you add "Tremolo," "Chorus "and "Reverb" to your track, it will scarcely resemble the sound of the original recording. Experiment with different combinations. If something does not sound right, you can always abandon the unwanted effects and replace them with new ones.