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.

Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 items

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Snazzier Snares In Logic
Logic Tips & Techniques
Get better snare drum sounds with these nifty processing tricks.

Techniques Dec 2003
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Kick Drum Processing Tips Using Logic
Logic Tips & Techniques
Is the sound of your kick drum letting the rest of your mix down? If so, find out how to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat with this bass-drum processing workshop.

Techniques Nov 2003
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Using Logic's Built-in Synths
Logic Tips & Techniques
Logic has a number of simple synths built in, and they're surprisingly useful if you know what you're doing, so here's some advice on getting the best out of each one. Plus there's a bumper crop of sequencing tips to make your sessions faster and more productive.

Techniques Oct 2003
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Hyper Editing; Sibilance Removal
Logic Notes
This month we offer help for those getting to grips with Logic's much misunderstood Hyper Editor, and tell you how to reduce sibilance without using a de-esser plug-in.

Techniques Sep 2003
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v6 Project Manager
Logic Notes
The Project Manager is one of Logic's most useful v6 features, and this month we show you how it can work in different ways to suit your needs.

Techniques Aug 2003
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Construct Your Own Logic Matrix Sequencer
Logic Tips & Techniques
Re-live the hardware of the early synth pioneers, as we show you how to construct your very own matrix sequencer in the Environment.

Techniques Jul 2003
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Meta Messages In Logic
Logic Tips & Techniques
Meta Messages are some of the most powerful and arcane features in Logic. But what are they, and why are they so useful?

Techniques Jun 2003
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Logic: Avoiding Processing Delays
Emagic Logic Tips & Techniques
There are various places in a Logic-based studio where processing delays occur, and these can really mess with the groove of your tracks, so here we show you how to keep everything properly lined up. Also, there's the usual sackful of user tips and a clever way for v5 users to mimic one of the most useful features in v6.

Techniques May 2003
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Mastering Tracks In Logic
Logic Tips & Techniques
This month's workshop shows you how to go about mastering your tracks in Logic, and there are also some useful tricks for faster audio and MIDI editing.

Techniques Apr 2003