• You can use recording software for a Windows computer to create your own music or remix existing music tracks. These songs can be recorded to MP3 format for online sharing or even used as part of digital movies that you can post online. While there are a number of professional recording programs that require you to purchase a user license to use, there are also free programs that you can download that include many of the same features as the purchased software. To be able to record with these programs, you must also have the proper sound inputs such as a microphone and sound card.
  
  

Audacity

• Audacity is a free, open-source program available for many different operating systems, including Windows. The program allows you to record and mix sound tracks from many different audio file types such as .wav, .aiff, .ogg and .mp3. Audacity features a number of basic effects for editing such as noise removal, wah wah, reverb and bass boost. You can also download additional plug-ins to add more effects and options to the base program. All tracks can be quickly exported to MP3 and other formats for online posting and sharing.
  
  

JetAudio Basic

• The free JetAudio Basic software performs as a basic Windows recorder as well as a media player that supports most major audio formats. Along with the recording function, the program can also burn music CDs, convert files and develop Internet broadcasts. File conversion includes support for creating video files compatible with mobile devices like the iPod or the PSP. Other features allow you to add sound effects, cross-fade tracks and make lyric displays for MIDI or MP3s.
  
  

WavePad Sound Editor

• WavePad is software that focuses fully on sound editing and recording. The freeware edition supports .wav and .mp3 editing while the paid version of the program can edit file formats such as .ra, .au, .ogg, .flac and .vox. The program allows you to edit multiple tracks using copy and paste functions to mix and crop. The program also offers sound effects such as noise reduction, echo and amplification. You can download a free trial of this software before choosing to purchase the full version.
  
  

GoldWave

• GoldWave allows you to edit, play and analyze digital audio tracks. You can record sound from various sources such as radio, albums, cassette tapes and your microphone, turning them into digital music tracks. The software offers many special sound effects such as echo, reverse, noise reduction, pop/click filter or equalizer. You can also copy tracks straight from CDs and convert iTunes .m4a files into .mp3 files. The program supports many file types such as .mp3, iTunes .m4a, .wav, .ogg and .wma. You can download a trial version before purchasing the full version of this program.