These are the basic components of the music lab stations including features of the classroom:
| MIDI Controller The MIDI Controller does not make sound on its own, it simply transmits data about which key you depressed, such as when and how long and fast you depressed it. Sound is added to the MIDI through the use of software. |
 MIDI Controller |
| USB Hub The USB Hub helps with all the peripheral devices that need a USB connection to the computer. |
 USB Hub |
| Computer The computer has an extra hard drive for storage and extra RAM to help process audio. It is good practice to save work to the second hard drive called “scratch.” Back up your work. These machines are reimaged (erased) at least once a week, so it’s crucial that you back up your work. |
 Computer |
| Display The flat panel displays are large in order to accommodate the interfaces of music software. |
 Display showing the software interface for Reason |
| MBox The MBox is an external audio interface that allows for audio input and output outside of the computer. The audio components built into the computer suffer from noise that comes from the audio components being too close to many other components. The MBox routes the audio to your headphones or the external mixer. It can also take input from instruments and microphones into your applications. |
 Audio Interface |
| Mixer The mixer can send output to your headphones, the classroom speakers, or back into the MBox and then into your software applications. Learning to use the mixer is helpful, but be careful to keep the master volume knob low when you are experimenting. The classroom speakers can be powerful. |
 External Mixer |
| Switcher The switcher is located at the instructor station and you can select your station number to direct the output of your mixer to the classroom speakers. |
 Switch to select your station’s mixer as the source for the classroom speakers. The main mix output of the mixer at your station adjusts the volume. |
| Classroom Speakers The classroom speakers can be very loud if you are not careful. Control the volume with the Main Mix knob on the mixer that belongs to the station indicated by the switcher. The subwoofer at the instructor station takes care of the lowest frequencies. The rest of the audio signal goes to the right and left speakers next to the projection screen. |
 Classroom Speakers |