Open your preferred digital audio workstation, such as Apple's Logic, which has various versions including Logic Pro and Logic Express, Pro Tools, Cubase or Mixcraft. Either click the desktop icon or hover your mouse over the dock at the bottom of your screen, click "Applications" and select the digital audio workstation from there. Some digital audio workstation programs will open a blank session automatically. Others, such as Logic, open the last-saved program. If the last-saved program opens and this is not the one you want, click "File," "Open Recent" and select the required track from the drop-down menu. When prompted to close the track that opened automatically, click "Close."
Click "File" and select "New Audio." When prompted, enter the number of tracks required. For example, if you intend to record a guitar, vocal, hand-percussion and flute, set up four audio channels.
Click "File" again and select "New MIDI." Enter the number of tracks required. MIDI is distinct from audio because it is data, rather than sound. The benefit of MIDI is that you can access a range of emulated sounds, such as strings, brass and choral voice, that would otherwise be difficult to capture in a home studio.
Name each track. Click on the left hand side of the channel strip, where it says "Audio 1" or "MIDI 2." Typically there is a limited space to type the name, so use an abbreviation. Be descriptive and pragmatic when naming so you can find exactly what you are looking for in future. For example, rather than "Steve's guitar," type "Elec.guit.ste.1" Always include a take number if there will be more than one.
Arrange the channels in the order that you intend to record them for the song. The channels will be laid out in rows, in the order you created and named them. Drag them up or down to move them. Typically when making a song, you record the bass instruments first. So put the drums, bass, bass synths and any other low register instrument near the top.
Click "Save" and name the song.