You are here

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.

  • link

    Exploring Sonar 4's TTS1 Synth

    Sonar Tips & Techniques

    The TTS1 soft synth bundled with Sonar 4 has many hidden talents — but you have to know where to find them. Read on...

    Techniques Jun 2005
  • link

    Cubase: Folder Tracks & Folder Parts

    Cubase Tips & Techniques

    Steinberg originally introduced the concept of Folder tracks in Cubase VST, as a way of organising the track list in the Arrange window. This month we look at how this feature became even more powerful in Cubase SX, and how to make the most of it.

    Techniques May 2005
  • link

    Logic's Catch & Link Modes

    Logic Tips & Techniques

    Combining Logic's Catch and Link modes can greatly increase the usefulness of multi-window Screensets, but it is not always clear, especially to new users, how the various options work.

    Techniques May 2005
  • link

    Digital Performer: EQing Tracks

    Digital Performer Notes

    We explain how to tweak your tracks with MOTU's answer to Sony's Oxford EQ and speed up your workflow with the essential DP keyboard shortcut selection!

    Techniques May 2005
  • link

    Pro Tools Plug-in News

    Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    We bring you all the latest news from the Digidesign universe...

    Techniques May 2005
  • link

    Troubleshooting Your Pro Tools System

    Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    Whatever computer recording system you use, the chances are it's going to fall over sooner or later, and Pro Tools is no exception. So before you call the technical support line, take a look at Sound On Sound's guide to diagnosing and fixing the most common faults.

    Techniques May 2005
  • link

    Reason: New Refills & Tips

    Reason Tips & Techniques

    This month: new Refills and tweaking techniques for Reason v3, plus the usual haul of time-saving tips.

    Techniques May 2005
  • link

    Propellerhead Reason v3

    Virtual Electronic Studio [Mac OS X/PC]

    Astonishingly, Reason is now over four years old! Version 3 adds performance-enhancing features and mastering facilities, losing only Mac OS 9 support on the way. We bring you the first UK review of the full release version.

    Reviews May 2005
  • link

    Sonar: Studio or Producer?

    Sonar Tips & Techniques

    It's time to address the Studio versus Producer question, as well as looking into a new Sonar remote-control option.

    Techniques May 2005
  • link

    Composite Vocal Recording (In Sonar 4)

    Sonar Tips & Techniques

    The audio sequencing facilities we have at our disposal these days make it easier than ever before to produce world-class vocal recordings by taking the best parts from a series of takes and producing a composite from them. Here's how to do the job in Sonar 4.

    Techniques May 2005
  • link

    Fervent Software Studio To Go

    Bootable Linux Software Suite For PC

    If you are attracted by the idea of Linux and open-source music software, but put off by the thought of installing it on your PC, there is another way: a bootable CD-ROM containing both the OS and all the software you need, ready to go.

    Reviews May 2005
  • link

    Cubase: Using Non-Real-time Processing

    Cubase Tips & Techniques

    While processing 100s of channels with effects in real time has increasingly become the norm for most of us, there are still occasions when not processing audio in real time can be useful. We look at how to achieve this in Cubase SX.

    Techniques Apr 2005
  • link

    Logic: Using Sidechains

    Logic Tips & Techniques

    Sidechains are usually associated with effects processing, but they are also available in many of Logic's internal soft synths. So what can you do with them?

    Techniques Apr 2005
  • link

    Digital Performer: Future Features & Tempo Analysis

    Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    MOTU hinted at even more additions to DP during January 2005's NAMM show. We get a sneak preview, as well as exploring the program's Tempo Analysis powers.

    Techniques Apr 2005
  • link

    Easier Alternatives To Flagship Music Apps

    PC Musician

    Flagship sequencer apps are so packed with features that it could almost be a full-time job learning the package of your choice. If your needs are simpler, why not make it easy on yourself and investigate one of many options that are more entry-level or cut-down, yet still remarkably capable?

    Reviews Apr 2005
  • link

    Better Vocal Sounds In Pro Tools

    Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    We look at a range of techniques you can try to help you produce a better vocal sound for your project.

    Techniques Apr 2005
  • link

    Reason: Getting More Out Of V2.5

    Reason Tips & Techniques

    We've got a lot to look forward to with the imminent release of Reason v3, but there's still a world of exploration available in v2.5 — so don't stop creating while you're waiting.

    Techniques Apr 2005
  • link

    Sonar: Going 64-bit

    Sonar Notes

    A quick look at the Project 5 update and news of Sonar's rewrite for 64-bit processors.

    Techniques Apr 2005
  • link

    Pre-producing Live Loops in Sonar

    Sonar Tips & Techniques

    Cakewalk's Sonar makes an ideal pre-production tool for creating loops you can use in Ableton's Live sequencer. We explore some of the possibilities of the partnership.

    Techniques Apr 2005
  • link

    Sony Acid Pro 5

    Audio & MIDI Loop Sequencer [PC]

    Version 5 of Acid Pro is the first major upgrade under the Sony Media Software badge, and has taken two years to arrive. Does it keep pace with other manufacturers' loop-sequencing packages?

    Reviews Apr 2005
  • link

    Creating Cubase Device Panels

    Cubase Tips & Techniques

    Device Panels were introduced in Cubase SX 3 to enable the creation of on-screen interfaces for controlling MIDI devices. Here we look at how you can create one to control plug-ins.

    Techniques Mar 2005

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - DAW Software