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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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    Using The Liquid Mix With Digital Performer

    Digital Performer Notes & Techniques

    We offer a clutch of hints and tips for DP users considering adding a Focusrite Liquid Mix DSP plug-in platform to their setup.

    Techniques May 2008
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    Using External Audio In Ableton Live

    Ableton Live Notes & Techniques

    Live 7 saw the the introduction of some powerful new features for integration with hardware instruments, effects units, and Rewire applications.

    Techniques May 2008
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    New Instrument Features In Logic Pro 8

    Logic Notes & Techniques

    Logic Pro 8 may not have new software instruments, but scratch beneath the surface and you'll discover significant improvements to what was already an impressive collection.

    Techniques May 2008
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    Creating Your Own Shortcuts & Macros

    Digidesign (Avid) Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    Pro Tools doesn't officially support macros or assignable keyboard shortcuts, but with a little know-how and a copy of QuicKeys, you can use custom key commands to bring up anything from simple menu items to complex chains of commands.

    Techniques May 2008
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    Customising Sonar To Fit The Way You Work

    Sonar Notes & Techniques

    Did you know that you can make Sonar fit your working methods like a glove, via its many customisation options? Here's our guide to just a few of the most useful.

    Techniques May 2008
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    Building Bass Sounds With Prologue

    Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques

    There's more to Prologue than its presets — and it doesn't take long to create some excellent and unique patches.

    Techniques Apr 2008
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    Digital Performer v6 — New Feature Preview

    Digital Performer Notes & Techniques

    The days are getting longer and Spring is definitely springing, but with so many exciting product announcements recently — including Digital Performer 6 — DP users might well feel like it's Christmas all over again.

    Techniques Apr 2008
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    Logic's Best-kept Secret: Hyper Editing

    Logic Notes & Techniques

    Logic's Hyper Editor is a powerful way of creating and manipulating MIDI data, but it's often overlooked. We give you the low-down in this advanced workshop, and suggest some ways of using the Hyper Editor in your music.

    Techniques Apr 2008
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    Templates & Real-time Backups

    Digidesign (Avid) Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    The focus is on better project management in this month's Pro Tools workshop, as we explain the advantages of using template Sessions, and look at some tools that can help you avoid data loss.

    Techniques Apr 2008
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    Reason 4: Advanced Arpeggiation

    Reason Notes & Techniques

    Delving beneath the surface of Reason 4's new RPG8 arpeggiator reveals a treasure trove of rhythmic modulations and variations.

    Techniques Apr 2008
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    Magix Samplitude Pro 10

    DAW Software [Windows]

    What do you add to the DAW that has everything? In the case of Samplitude 10, a complex new mastering compressor and some excellent automation features are among the highlights.

    Reviews Apr 2008
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    Customising Sonar's SFZ Files

    Sonar Notes & Techniques

    Understanding how to program SFZ files opens up lots of ways to better exploit what Sonar's bundled soft synths have to offer. Don't panic: it's easier than you might think...

    Techniques Apr 2008
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    Mix Management

    Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques

    Crafting the perfect mix is a difficult task, but often all you need is a bit of organisation to make things quicker, easier and more rewarding.

    Techniques Mar 2008
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    Input Monitoring in Digital Performer

    Digital Performer Notes & Techniques

    There's more useful stuff than you can shake a stick at this month, including advice on input monitoring, ways to get around latency issues, and news of CD-burning and audio networking applications to make your life easier.

    Techniques Mar 2008
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    Drum Editing & Replacement In Logic Pro

    Logic Notes & Techniques

    You're given a Logic project with a less than impressive drum recording, and you need to make it sparkle. Do you book another recording session, get down to some serious editing, or replace the whole lot with samples? Delay your decision until you've read this article...

    Techniques Mar 2008
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    Command-8

    Digidesign (Avid) Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    Small and affordable it may be, but Digidesign's Command-8 is also a surprisingly versatile and powerful tool for controlling Pro Tools.

    Techniques Mar 2008
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    Using Sonar's z3ta+ Synth as an Effects Processor

    Sonar Notes & Techniques

    When is a soft synth not just a soft synth? When it's also an effects processor...

    Techniques Mar 2008
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    Drum Racks In Ableton Live

    Ableton Live Notes & Techniques

    New in Live 7, Drum Racks takes the Instrument Rack concept in a percussive direction. Read on to see what it can do for you and your drums...

    Techniques Mar 2008
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    Complex DP Monitoring Techniques

    Digital Performer Notes & Techniques

    Everyone performs better when they can hear exactly what they need in their headphones. After our guide to simple DP monitor mixing options last month, we follow up with ideas for those with more complex monitoring requirements.

    Techniques Feb 2008
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    Making Impulse Responses with Logic's IR Utility

    Logic Notes & Techniques

    Convolution is the technology du jour for creating convincing reverbs, and if you're a Logic Studio bundle owner, you already have a utility that will let you get into it yourself, by creating custom impulse responses for the Space Designer plug-in.

    Techniques Feb 2008
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    Free Utilities & Plug-ins

    Digidesign (Avid) Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    Improving your Pro Tools system needn't always cost money. We look at some essential add-ons that can be downloaded for nothing.

    Techniques Feb 2008

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