DAW Software

Ableton Live
Ableton Live
Bitwig
Bitwig
Cubase
Cubase
Digital Performer
Digital Performer
FL Studio
FL Studio
Logic
Logic
Mixbus
Mixbus
Mixcraft
Mixcraft
Pro Tools
Pro Tools
Reaper
Reaper
Reason
Reason
Samplitude
Samplitude
Sonar / Cakewalk
Sonar / Cakewalk
Studio One
Studio One
DAW (Other)
DAW (Other)

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 update Cubasis and Dorico apps
Mobile apps gain HALion-powered instruments
With the arrival of their latest updates, Cubasis and Dorico for iPad now benefit from new built-in instruments powered by the company’s HALion sampling and virtual instrument engine.

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Avid launch Pro Tools 2023.12
DAW gains integrated Dolby Atmos renderer
The latest version of Pro Tools introduces a built-in Dolby Atmos renderer, overhauls the marker and memory location system, adds I/O colour-coding options and much more.

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Orchestral Brass from Bitwig & Orchestral Tools
Joins Orchestral Strings and Woodwind packages
Orchestral Brass provides Bitwig Studio users with a range of high-quality brass samples that have been optimised specifically for use within the DAW’s Sampler tool.

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Bitwig Studio 5.1 arrives
Full release version now available
Following a recent beta release, Bitwig have announced that the full release version of their Bitwig Studio DAW is now available.

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Power Up Your MIDI Arpeggiators | Audio Examples
Hear For Yourself
These audio files accompany the Power Up Your MIDI Arpeggiators article in SOS December 2023 edition.

Techniques Dec 2023
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Power Up Your MIDI Arpeggiators
Arp Attack!
Using only the tools built into your DAW, you can turn your arpeggiations into complex, engaging sequences.

Techniques Dec 2023
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Steinberg unveil Nuendo 13
MPEG-H support, new ADR Script Reader & more
Nuendo 13 delivers a range of improvements to the built-in immersive audio capabilities, as well as kitting out sound designers, mixers, dialogue editors and ADR engineers with a whole host of helpful new tools and features.

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Ableton to launch Live 12
New MIDI tools, devices, sound packs & more
Live 12 introduces a set of new features designed to spark musical creativity, including new MIDI tools that help to generate unexpected ideas and a range of improvements that allow users to work more intuitively.

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Universal Audio’s LUNA DAW now free
Available to Mac users with no hardware purchase required
Having previously only been available to those who own Apollo interfaces, UA's LUNA DAW is now supported natively on macOS and free to all.

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Hit’n’Mix release AI-powered RipX DAW
Combines DeepRemix, DeepCreate and DeepAudio
Hit’n’Mix's new DAW packages combine their existing processors and aim to provide a holistic approach to cutting-edge AI music production.

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Apple release Logic Pro 10.8 for Mac & Logic Pro 1.1 for iPad
Mastering Assistant introduced for Mac and iPad; v10.8 gets Beat Breaker and Sample Alchemy plug-ins
Headline attraction is Mastering Assistant on both Mac and iPad. Plus, Beat Breaker and Sample Alchemy plug-ins first seen in Apple's Logic Pro for iPad have been brought to the Mac in Logic Pro 10.8.

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Beatport announce Beatport Studio service
New subscription package launched
Beatport Studio brings together a collection of instruments and effects from the Plugin Boutique range with the extensive sample libraries from Loopmasters and the user-friendly workflow of Loopcloud.

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Steinberg unveil Cubase 13
Overhauled MixConsole, new MIDI editing capabilities & much more
Cubase 13 delivers a refreshed MixConsole design, expands the capabilities of the Key and Drum Editors and adds some new plug-ins, as well as reintroducing the Vocoder.

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Digital Performer: Save And Recall Clippings
MOTU Digital Performer: Tips & Techniques
Stay on top of your content with DP's powerful Clippings.

Techniques Nov 2023
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Pro Tools Sketch
Avid Pro Tools: Tips & Techniques
With the new Sketch window and app, Pro Tools enters the world of clip launching.

Techniques Nov 2023
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Studio One: Video Editing
PreSonus Studio One: Tips & Techniques
Studio One, from version 6 on, is now a surprisingly powerful video editor!

Techniques Nov 2023
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FL Studio 21.2 now available
New Stem Separation function & cloud service
Users of FL Studio can now extract drums, drums, bass, instruments and vocals from an audio file, and access a huge range of content on a new cloud-based platform.

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n-Track Studio 10 DAW now available
New sampling & effects capabilities
Focusing on user-feedback, n-Track Studio 10 DAW implements a range of powerful new features which they say represent a game-changing experience for musicians and producers.

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Bitwig Studio 5.1 beta now available
New filters, waveshapers & more
The latest version of Bitwig Studio introduces ten new modules and a pair of new FX containers, as well as implementing a variety of improvements to the software’s mixer and audio editing functionality.

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Cockos launch Reaper 7
New Track Lanes & Swipe Comping features
The latest version of Reaper delivers a number of major new features and user interface enhancements, along with a huge selection of behind-the-scenes fixes and improvements.

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Logic Pro: Creating Effects Macros
Apple Logic Pro: Tips & Techniques
Logic’s Smart Controls allow you to create hands‑on effects macros.

Techniques Oct 2023