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DAW Software

A DAW, which stands for Digital Audio Workstation, is a software tool that enables users to capture, modify, and create audio content. It is utilised in various contexts such as music production, sound design, game audio, film and TV post-production, and podcasting.

Primary uses of a DAW

The primary purposes of contemporary Digital Audio Workstation software comprise: 

Recording: All DAWs enable users to capture audio from different sources like microphones, instruments, and MIDI controllers using an Audio Interface connected to the computer.

Editing:  DAWs enable users to cut, copy, paste, and rearrange sections of audio files. They also provide a range of tools for improving the quality of audio, including noise reduction, EQ, and compression.

Mixing: Digital Audio Workstations enable users to blend various audio tracks, modifying volumes, positioning, and adding effects to produce a unified end result.

Mastering: Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) provide features like loudness normalisation and EQ adjustments to ensure the final audio meets industry standards.

Advantages of utilising a Digital Audio Workstation

Efficiency: DAWs enable users to efficiently record, edit, and produce audio with ease, cutting down on time and effort when compared to traditional analogue techniques.

Flexibility: DAWs offer a wide range of tools and features that allow users to customise their audio production process and achieve the desired results.

Collaboration: Numerous DAWs provide tools that enable users to work together and collaborate on projects from different locations, simplifying the process of collaborating on audio projects such as podcasts and song creation.

Portability: Digital Audio Workstations are compatible with different devices such as desktop computers (Mac/PC) , laptops and tablets, allowing users to work on audio projects conveniently from any location.

There are many popular software DAWs, some of which come built into the Operating System of your favourite computer, such as Apple GarageBand on Macs. Sound On Sound regularly covers all the top brands in its monthly DAW Masterclasses. From Steinberg Cubase and Avid Pro Tools, PreSonus Studio One and Apple Logic Pro, MOTU Digital Performer to Ableton Live, Reason Studios Reason and Cockos Reaper, you'll find how-to techniques and tips for all of these and other DAWs collected under the sections shown above.

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    Steinberg Cubase 7.

    Steinberg Cubase 7

    Music Production Software [Mac OS/Windows]

    Steinberg's DAW software has received perhaps its biggest shake-up to date, with a redesigned mixer and some clever chord functions.

    Reviews Feb 2013
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    Cakewalk Sonar X2.

    Cakewalk Sonar X2

    Digital Audio Workstation Software For Windows

    Cakewalk’s programmers seem to be constantly pedalling the upgrade cycle! We find out what’s new and exciting in the latest Sonar X2...

    Reviews Jan 2013
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    Acoustica Mixcraft 6

    Recording & Mixing Software For Windows

    The key features of Acoustica’s Mixcraft have always been affordability and ease of use. Version 6 builds on these strengths but also adds a new Pro Studio edition.

    Reviews Nov 2012
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    WaveMachine Labs Auria

    DAW For iPad

    Auria is the first truly professional multitrack recording app to hit the App Store.

    Reviews Oct 2012
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    Steinberg Cubase 6.5

    Digital Audio Workstation

    It may be ‘only a point five’ update, but there’s plenty on offer in the latest version of Cubase.

    Reviews Jun 2012
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    Magix Samplitude Pro X

    Digital Audio Workstation Software

    Can its new look and feel, 64-bit code base and killer feature-set help Magix's heavyweight DAW muscle its way to a bigger market share?

    Reviews Apr 2012
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    Spotlight: DAWs

    Digital Audio Workstations

    At the heart of most modern studios is a computer running a Digital Audio Workstation, or DAW. The choice of DAWs available has increased significantly over the last few years...

    Reviews Apr 2012
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    Avid Pro Tools 10

    Digital Audio Workstation Software

    With Pro Tools now catering for such a wide range of users, can the latest version provide both value and satisfaction for everyone?

    Reviews Mar 2012
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    Presonus Studio One 2.0

    Recording, Mixing & Mastering Software [Mac/PC]

    Version 2 of Studio One offers unprecedented levels of integration with third-party software — or, in other words, built-in Melodyne!

    Reviews Dec 2011
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    Propellerhead Reason 6

    Music Creation Software

    By merging their flagship application with its sibling, Record, Propellerhead have created something users have demanded for years: Reason with built-in audio recording.

    Reviews Nov 2011
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    Cockos Reaper 4

    Digital Audio Workstation Software

    Cockos’ affordable DAW is now more customisable than ever, and there are valuable new features for media management, MIDI editing and surround mixing too.

    Reviews Oct 2011
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    Adobe Audition CS5.5

    Post-production DAW & Wave Editor

    Adobe’s audio editing package has been fully rewritten, ported to Mac OS and integrated into their Creative Suite. Does it have everything you need for audio post‑production?

    Reviews Aug 2011
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    Steinberg Cubase 6

    Digital Audio Workstation

    Cubase 6 pushes the boundaries of expressive sequencing, while adding polish and new editing functionality to keep existing users happy. Is it all too good to be true?

    Reviews Apr 2011
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    Cakewalk Sonar X1

    Digital Audio Workstation Software

    Can Cakewalk's radical rethink of the DAW user interface tempt users of competing products into the Sonar fold — without alienating existing fans?

    Reviews Apr 2011
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    Grass Valley Edius 6

    Non-linear Editor For Windows

    Grass Valley's Edius has always been a capable and versatile NLE. Can version 6 bring it the popularity it deserves?

    Reviews Jan 2011
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    Avid Pro Tools 9

    Digital Audio Workstation Software

    For the first time ever, Avid have made the full Pro Tools feature set available on native systems — and you don't even need one of their interfaces to run it!

    Reviews Jan 2011
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    Prism Sound SADiE 6

    Digital Audio Workstation

    One of the world's best high-end audio editing and mixing packages has undergone a radical overhaul, and now works with any third-party audio hardware. Its name? SADiE...

    Reviews Jan 2011
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    Steinberg Nuendo 5

    DAW Software For Mac & PC

    With Steinberg continuing to focus on features for audio post-production, is Nuendo still a relevant option for those working strictly in music?

    Reviews Oct 2010
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    Propellerhead Reason 5

    Audio Production Software For Mac & PC

    The latest version of Reason incorporates new arrangement tools and two powerful new instruments, and even lets you record samples. Meanwhile, sister application Record continues to develop too...

    Reviews Oct 2010
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    Magix Samplitude Pro 11

    DAW Software[Windows]

    With the latest version of their unique object oriented DAW, Magix are targeting both mastering and recording engineers.

    Reviews Oct 2010
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    Acoustica Mixcraft 5

    DAW For Windows

    Acoustica's affordable DAW has acquired some significant new features, including video support, score editing and a fully fledged mixer. But has it retained its trademark ease of use?

    Reviews Sep 2010

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