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DAWs

A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is a software program that allows users to record, edit, and produce audio files. It is used in many different settings, including music production, sound design, game audio, film and TV post-production, and podcasting.

Main Functions of a DAW

The main functions of modern-day Digital Audio Workstation software include:

Recording: DAWs allow users to record audio from a variety of sources, such as microphones, instruments, and MIDI controllers.

Editing: DAWs allow users to edit audio files by cutting, copying, pasting, and rearranging sections of audio. They also offer a variety of tools for cleaning up and enhancing audio, such as noise reduction, EQ, and compression.

Mixing: DAWs allow users to mix multiple audio tracks together, adjusting levels, panning, and applying effects to create a cohesive final product.

Mastering: DAWs offer tools and features for mastering audio, such as loudness normalization and EQ adjustments to ensure that the final audio product meets industry standards.

Main Benefits of using a DAW

Some of the main benefits of using a DAW include:

  • Efficiency: DAWs allow users to quickly and easily record, edit, and produce audio, saving time and effort compared to traditional analog methods.
  • Flexibility: DAWs offer a wide range of tools and features that allow users to customize their audio production process and achieve the desired results.
  • Collaboration: Many DAWs offer features that allow users to collaborate together and work on projects remotely, making it easier to work with others on audio projects like podcasts and song ideation.
  • Portability: DAWs can be used on a variety of devices, including computers, laptops, and tablets, making it easier to work on audio projects from anywhere.

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.

Displaying 64 - 84 of 115 items
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    Distributed Processing With Digital Performer

    MIDI Networking

    Unlike Logic, DP doesn't have any sort of distributed processing scheme, but by using additional Macs in your DP setup, with a network connection between them, you can achieve a similar result. Here's how it's done.

    Techniques Mar 2007
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    Using Intel Mac Audio Hardware with DP 5

    Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    We update you on changes to new Macs' built-in audio hardware, then take a look at how Bundles can help users of older and current Macs alike to easily reconfigure their audio I/O.

    Techniques Feb 2007
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    Audio Editing Secrets In Digital Performer 5

    Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    You'll soon be wondering how you ever managed without the audio editing tricks and shortcuts offered by this month's essential DP workshop.

    Techniques Jan 2007
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    Audio Editing Essentials In DP5

    Digital Performer Tips & Technique

    We take a look at a variety of audio-related techniques, from the staples of soundbite editing to DP5's new Soundbite Volume feature.

    Techniques Dec 2006
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    Using DP5's Improved Metronome Click

    Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    The subject of clicks might not seem terribly interesting — but it's surprising how much difference a well-chosen timing reference can make to the recording of your musical performances.

    Techniques Nov 2006
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    DP 5.1 Universal Binary for Intel Macs

    Digital Performer Notes & Techniques

    MOTU have released DP 5.1, a Universal Binary version of Digital Performer that allows owners of Intel Macs to finally make the most of the application on their new machines. But while this is a crucial piece of the jigsaw in enabling DP's use on the Intel platform, it's going to be a while before you can recreate a fully loaded G4 or G5 setup. Here's the low-down...

    Techniques Oct 2006
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    Patch & Sample Management With DP's Bundled Instruments

    Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    DP5's new virtual instruments have all the facilities you need for creating large and well-organised libraries of patches and samples, easily accessible and portable between projects and computers - as long as you know where to look.

    Techniques Sep 2006
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    MOTU Digital Performer 5

    DAW For Mac OS X

    Mark Of The Unicorn's flagship recording package combines individual design with a heavyweight feature set. Could Digital Performer be the sequencer for you?

    Reviews Sep 2006
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    Bundled Synths In Digital Performer 5

    Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    Last month, we passed briefly over the flashier additions to the latest version of DP, in favour of some less obvious but rather useful new features. Now it's time to return for a closer look at those shiny new bundled instruments...

    Techniques Aug 2006
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    What's New In Digital Performer 5

    Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    After being extensively trailed at this year's NAMM show, DP5 is finally here. But besides its shiny new additions, such as the six bundled MAS instruments, there are some unexpected and intriguing new features that might just prove to be more useful to some...

    Techniques Jul 2006
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    Effective Mixdown With Digital Performer

    Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    Your next project might be a four-track demo or a 100-track surround mix for cinema. Either way, at some stage you're going to have to mix it — but with DP on your side, that doesn't need to be a headache.

    Techniques Jun 2006
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    Advanced Tempo & Beat Control In Digital Performer

    Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    When it comes to controlling sequence tempo and imposing a meaningful beat structure on freely-recorded MIDI and audio, DP has plenty of tricks up its sleeve — including Live-like 'liquid audio' powers.

    Techniques May 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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    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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    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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    Making The Most Of Digital Performer Plug-ins

    Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    Can you honestly say you use all the features of DP's plug-ins? If not, prepare to be intrigued, as we dig deeper into Dynamics, Multimode Filter, Sonic Modulator and more, in search of the facilities you didn't know were there.

    Techniques Jan 2006
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    Using Digital Performer With External Hardware

    Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    Few of us use our software sequencers in isolation — we all need associated hardware, such as monitors, external effects, and favourite MIDI synths. This month we take a look at using DP with such hardware.

    Techniques Dec 2005
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    Fixing DP & Rewire Glitches

    Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    We've got news of some interesting new plug-ins this month, and the solution to one of those software compatibility problems that can drive you bananas...

    Techniques Nov 2005
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    Using V-Racks In Digital Performer 4.6

    Digital Performer Tips & Techniques

    One of the most exciting and unexpected new features unveiled in Digital Performer 4.6 is V-Racks, and, like many of the best things in life, it's something you probably didn't realise you needed until it came along...

    Techniques Nov 2005
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    Digital Performer Notes

    News & Tips

    Click with a new metronome, tune up a pitch correction problem and stop that annoying whistling. In short, catch up with the latest from MOTU's wonderful world of Digital Performer...

    Techniques Oct 2005
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    Using Pitch Automation in Digital Performer v4.6

    Workshop

    Move over Auto-Tune: Digital Performer v4.6's new Pitch Automation features are fully integrated into the program and provide considerable power over all aspects of pitch. We explain how they work and take you through some practical examples.

    Techniques Oct 2005

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