ABBEY ROAD IN A BOX: One of the traits I share with Glenn Reynolds (the masterful InstaPundit, who just added me to his links list—thank you sir!) is an interest in making and recording my own music. On Thursday, I attended a seminar for Cakewalk’s Sonar XL 2.0, a program designed to turn a personal computer into a miniature version of Abbey Road studios.

There were at least 35 guys (no women that I saw) crammed into a back room at the San Jose Guitar Center—an interesting mix of teenagers through at least forty year olds, if not older—some longhairs, but also several folks with short hair, polo shirts, and khakis (like me). Evidently a lot of people want to record their own music!

It’s just astonishing the amount of personal power a PC can provide. If you’re reading this, there’s a very good chance that you also have a blog, or do some other sort of self-publishing on the Web. Home offices, personal investing, personal tax preparation, and much are made possible by the PC we often take for granted.

If you had told me in the early 1980s that for a few hundred dollars, I’d be able to record music on my PC, with more power than many commercial recording studios for under $500, I’d have laughed in your face. I’d like to think that in a few years the kids who have access to this technology will be producing some amazing music. Unfortunately, I’ve largely given up on what’s on today’s radio. I fear that I’ve become my father, stuck listening to the music of my youth over and over again. Or maybe the stuff on the radio really does stink. The poor ratings of the recent Grammy Awards may lend some credence to that.

Of course, the nice thing is, if you don’t like today’s music, you can always make your own!