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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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    What's New In Logic v7.2

    Logic Tips & Techniques

    Although the new version of Logic is billed just as a Universal Binary crossgrade, it does more than simply allow the sequencer to run on the new Intel-based Macs. Read on...

    Techniques Apr 2006
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    Achieving Flexible Tempo In Digital Performer

    Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    If you favour the feel of music that results from real people playing real instruments, the strict-tempo approach of a sequencer can feel like a straitjacket. But DP offers many ways of breaking out, and this month we explore them, as well as bringing news of the major update that is Digital Performer v5.

    Techniques Apr 2006
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    Setting Up Pro Tools For Surround Sound

    Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    More and more post-production work is ending up in surround-compatible formats, such as DVD. We explain how to set up your Pro Tools system to do that work, and give some guidelines on recording and mixing in surround.

    Techniques Apr 2006
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    Using Hardware Controllers with Reason 3

    Reason Tips & Techniques

    In all the excitement about Reason 3's Combinator device, the powerful new Remote hardware control functionality has been sadly overlooked — so let's remedy that situation with this article...

    Techniques Apr 2006
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    Useful Sonar Features You May Have Missed

    Sonar Tips & Techniques

    In a program as complex and feature-rich as Sonar, it's almost inevitable that there are useful little facilities that could make your life easier, which you have somehow overlooked or forgotten. We turn the spotlight on some of the best.

    Techniques Apr 2006
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    Logical Editor

    Cubase Tips & Techniques

    We delve into the Boolean operations in the Logical Editor, offer some tips for entering numeric values in the Transport Panel, and take a first look at Cubase running on dual-processor, dual-core systems.

    Techniques Mar 2006
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    Creating A Drum Editor In Logic

    Logic Tips & Techniques

    Some users of Steinberg's Cubase complain that Logic has no specialised drum editor. Little do they know that Logic lets you build your own.

    Techniques Mar 2006
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    Using Quantising in Digital Performer

    Digital Performer Notes & Techniques

    Quantising is all about turning your sloppy playing into rigid, computerised perfection, right? Well, no — at least, it doesn't have to be. We check out the finer points of quantising in DP and look at what it can do for your music.

    Techniques Mar 2006
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    Working With Video In Pro Tools

    Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    Once you have got your video and sync audio files into a Pro Tools Session, what do you do with them? Our short series on sound for picture concludes by explaining the ins and outs of dubbing, sound effects and Foley.

    Techniques Mar 2006
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    Q. What is the best way to set up instruments in Logic?

    I understand that if you have Mac OS 10.4 'Tiger' you can add and set up external MIDI instruments using the Audio MIDI...

    Sound Advice Mar 2006
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    Using Reason With 8 Major Audio Host Applications

    Reason Tips & Techniques

    Reason makes an ideal 'synth rack' for use with a variety of host software. We take you through the steps needed to Rewire it to eight popular programs.

    Techniques Mar 2006
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    Using RXP REX-file Player In Sonar 5 Producer Edition

    Sonar Tips & Technique

    Now that the RXP REX-file player is bundled with the Producer Edition of Sonar 5, the creative possibilities of REX files have really opened up for Sonar users. We take a tour around RXP and discuss its features and uses.

    Techniques Mar 2006
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    Creative Use Of Effects Within Cubase SX

    Cubase Tips & Techniques

    The world is awash with plug-in audio effects, but don't miss out on those included within Cubase SX — there are some excellent creative possibilities on offer.

    Techniques Feb 2006
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    Mastering In Logic

    Logic Tips & Techniques

    More tips on mastering your tracks this month, specifically for those musicians who find themselves limited to using Logic's own bundled plug-ins.

    Techniques Feb 2006
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    Recording & Remixing In Ableton Live

    Live Tips & Techniques

    In part two of our recording and remixing article, we examine how you can use Live's unique features to prepare a recording for remixing.

    Techniques Feb 2006
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    Plug-in Effects Tips In Performer

    Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    Many of today's most interesting and popular audio-processing techniques are achieved with plug-ins. This month, we look at how you'd go about recreating some of them in Digital Performer, and continue our coverage of more unusual plug-in features.

    Techniques Feb 2006
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    Working With Video

    Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    You've got your system set up, and you've received the video files from the director. This month we explain how to get the video and its associated sound files into a Pro Tools Session ready for you to start work.

    Techniques Feb 2006
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    Q. What determines the CPU reading in Cubase SX?

    I remain baffled by the CPU load in Cubase SX 2. I'm particularly curious to know why in my larger projects the VST Performance indicator shows a constant load (typically 80 percent or more) even when I'm not playing anything back!

    Sound Advice Feb 2006
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    Mastering External Audio In Reason 3

    Reason Tips & Techniques

    Reason can be a simple yet surprisingly sophisticated mastering suite — and not just for audio generated in the Reason environment.

    Techniques Feb 2006
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    Project Navigation In Sonar

    Sonar Tips & Techniques

    Take the trouble to discover the ways of moving around your project quickly and efficiently: it saves time and improves workflow.

    Techniques Feb 2006
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    Logical Editor

    Cubase Tips & Techniques

    Cubase contains many powerful features for processing MIDI data, such as the Logical Editor and Macros. This month we look at how using them together can create some powerful solutions to potentially tedious problems.

    Techniques Jan 2006

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