If you are looking for info on demo hosting (since FAWM does not host actual MP3 files), look here: demo hosting.

• A simple recording tutorial using Audacity: http://www.distad.net/simple-recording
• An interesting set of articles on getting good sound quality when recording: http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=29283
• Very large reference from the SAE Institutehttp://www.saecollege.de/reference_material/audio/pages/fullindex.htm
• An interactive chart showing frequency ranges for various instruments (as an EQ reference): http://www.independentrecording.net/irn/resources/freqchart/main_display.htm

• Acid xPress (Windows Only) - Free loop-based multitracker
• Ardour (Linux/Mac) - Freeware multitrack audio workstation
• Audacity (Windows/Mac/Linux) - Free multitrack audio editor
• GarageBand (Mac Only) - Part of iLife
• Kristal (Windows Only) - Free basic multi-tracker
• LMMS (Linux) - Free Acid-like loop application for Linux
• Sound Studio (Mac Only) - Editing / podcasting tool

• Ableton Live (Windows/Mac) - 30 day demo available
• EnergyXT (Windows/Mac) - Shareware / demo version
• Reaper (Windows/Mac) - Audio multitrack editor (demo version)
• Zynewave Podium (Windows) - Cheap and seriously good DAW
• N-Track (Windows/Mac) - Powerful multi-track editing software

Shareware Music Machine maintains a large list of music software, including soft-synths, VST effects, VSTi and other software instruments, sound recorders, and so on. Visit their site at http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/.

If you're posting music here, you need to find some way of getting sound into your PC. And there are LOTS of ways to do it.

• Line In / Mic In There's a good chance your PC has a Line In / Mic In. Plug your mic into that. Wallah! You're done.
• Recording Interfaces The next step up is some sort of interface into your PC, usually via USB or Firewire. These range from budget units with one mic or line input to units that allow simultaneous recording on 16+ channels. Look into the Lexicon Alpha, Lambda or Omega products as a starter.

And, of course, you probably need a microphone. You don't need to spend a lot of money on a mic. And if you're JUST going to use a mic, you can look into a USB mic, which can negate the need for any other recording interface. You can buy a USB mic for as low as $25. An excellent traditional mic can be had for under $100 (and a decent one for under $30). You'll probably need an XLR cable, and it's not a bad idea to think about a pre-amp. The two types of mics you'll want to look at are Dynamic Mic and Condenser mics. Dynamic mics are more versatile and better for live performances, while condensers can be much better for recording.

Once you can get sound into your computer, you'll probably have to spend a little bit of time trying to set up whatever software you're using, and you'll be best served by hitting google for details there.

As you start getting a little more advanced, here are some more terms to learn:

• ASIO - Audio Stream Input/Output. If you use Windows, this is probably how your software will communicate with your hardware.
• Latency - The audible delay one encounters when monitoring the output from any software based recording package against input
• Bit Rate / Sample Rate / Bit Depth
• Phantom Power
• Microphone Preamp

Well, you need to publish it somewhere, preferably in a format people can listen to. Chances are that you've recorded your song in one of the programs listed above. There should be an “Export” feature there. That'll probably give you a WAV file (if you have a PC) or an AIFF file (if you have a Mac). Convert that to an MP3. (There are lots of ways to do this, but the easiest is probably just using iTunes to convert it.)

Now, you need to put your file somewhere where other people can get it. Fortunately, there's a great section about that in the File Hosting section of the FAQ. Enjoy!

Key to ANY remote recording collaboration is setting the parameters ahead of time. There are any number of methods and techniques that will get the job done, and long as you and your partner(s) communicate.

• Agree ahead of time on common sample rates. - This could be 44.1 KHz / 24 bit, 48 KHz / 16 bit, or any other setting. But if you aren't using the same settings, you will have a bear of a time syncing your recording.
• Start recordings at 0.0.0, don't worry about wasted disk space. - Even if you're just sending along a 20 second guitar solo, send the preceding 2 minutes as blank audio. It will make lining up the audio much easier.
• Use uncompressed audio (WAV / AIFF)
• Keep all of your tracks separate - If you're recording a vocal track and a harmony vocal track, send along two files, one for each track. Mixing will become very difficult if individual components can't be controlled.
• Discuss file transfer ahead of time So, you just recorded the best take EVER! How are you going to get it to your buddy? Email can be a bear if it's a long take, and not everyone has their own FTP server. Google Docs are one option.
• Talk Timelines Set expectations. If you REALLY want to get that vocal this weekend because you're going out of town and really want to post the song before you go… make sure to tell that to your partner. More often than not, people are juggling their own music with multiple collaborations and a life outside of FAWM. Communication is key.