Rather like Clark Kent, your computer has a dual identity. On the one hand, it can be used for everyday tasks such as sending email, browsing the internet and watching videos of skateboarding cats, but on the other, it’s a creative powerhouse that can help you to make pro-quality music.

Whether you’ve got a Mac or PC - it doesn’t really matter - releasing your computer’s music-making potential doesn’t have to be costly or diff­­icult. You could easily start creating choons with nothing more than a few free pieces of software, but if you’re willing to add one or two other bits of kit to your setup as well, you’ll de­finitely feel the benef­it.

What follows is a guide to some of the gear that an aspiring computer musician should consider investing in. Not all of it is essential, but these are the basic building blocks of any computer-based home studio setup.

For a whole magazine's worth of beginner-friendly tutorials, tips and gear advice check out the latest Computer Music Special - The Complete Beginner's Guide (issue 57) - which is on sale now.

NEXT: DAWs explained