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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.

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    Ableton Live Recording Tips

    Ableton Live Notes & Techniques

    As Live has gradually made the transition towards fully fledged DAW, the recording side of the program has become increasingly sophisticated — so we're going to look at some tricks to make basic recording easier.

    Techniques Aug 2008
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    Using External Audio In Ableton Live

    Ableton Live Notes & Techniques

    Live 7 saw the the introduction of some powerful new features for integration with hardware instruments, effects units, and Rewire applications.

    Techniques May 2008
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    Drum Racks In Ableton Live

    Ableton Live Notes & Techniques

    New in Live 7, Drum Racks takes the Instrument Rack concept in a percussive direction. Read on to see what it can do for you and your drums...

    Techniques Mar 2008
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    Track Freezing In Ableton Live

    Ableton Live Notes & Techniques

    Track freezing makes it possible to create much larger projects, and collaborate with other Live users who have different plug-ins, all without cramping your style.

    Techniques Nov 2007
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    Cueing & Crossfading In Ableton Live

    Ableton Live Notes & Techniques

    Whether you're looking into performing with Live on stage, or laying down fast arrangements in the studio, the place to start is the mixer's cue-mixing and crossfading features.

    Techniques Sep 2007
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    Impulse Drum Machine In Ableton Live

    Ableton Live Notes & Techniques

    Live's built-in instruments are pretty sophisticated, yet retain the ease of use that is central to the Ableton philosophy. In this article we're going to look at how to make the most of the Impulse drum machine.

    Techniques Jun 2007
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    Rewiring Live Into Pro Tools

    Live Tips & Techniques

    Rewiring Live through Pro Tools can open up a world of new possibilities for both applications.

    Techniques Apr 2007
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    Integrating MIDI Hardware with Ableton Live

    Live Notes & Technique

    This month, we look at how to connect, control and record hardware MIDI instruments using Live.

    Techniques Feb 2007
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    Using Racks In Ableton Live

    Live Tips & Techniques

    We look at how the new Instrument and Effects Racks in Live 6 stretch the creative possibilities for combining and controlling multiple devices and plug-ins.

    Techniques Jan 2007
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    Warping 101 In Ableton Live

    Ableton Live Tips & Technique

    It's back to basics for this month's Live workshop, with an overview of Live's time-warping technology.

    Techniques Dec 2006
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    Complete Production In Ableton Live

    Ableton Live Tips & Techniques

    Last month, we looked at how to build a DAW-like audio mixer in Live's Session view. This time, we'll turn our attention to MIDI channel strips, navigation, and tracking in the Arrangement view.

    Techniques Sep 2006
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    Ableton Live: Complete Production

    Live Tips & Techniques

    Ableton Live isn't just a DJ tool, but a very capable DAW. This month we begin a look at how to approach Live if you want to use it as a fully fledged audio sequencer.

    Techniques Aug 2006
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    Using Virtual Instruments In Ableton Live

    Live Tips & Techniques

    When Ableton added MIDI support to Live, they also added virtual instrument support — in this article we look at how to take full advantage of software synths within Live.

    Techniques Jul 2006
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    Preparing A Performance With Ableton Live

    Live Tips & Techniques

    They say one step in planning saves two in execution — and that certainly applies to doing a performance with Ableton Live sequencer...

    Techniques Jun 2006
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    Using REX Files In Ableton Live

    Live Tips & Techniques

    Ableton Live 5 doesn't work with REX files, right? Well, technically speaking, it does not support the 'official' REX file format. But not only can you create your own REX-style slicing within Live, the 'do it yourself' stretching method we describe in this article can be surprisingly flexible.

    Techniques Apr 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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    Recording & Remixing With Ableton Live: 1

    Live Tips & Techniques

    In the first instalment of this two-part article, we examine how you can use Live as a conventional digital audio workstation.

    Techniques Jan 2006
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    Streamlining Your Ableton Live Workflow

    Live Tips & Techniques

    We begin this regular column on using Ableton Live by examining how you can increase your productivity whilst using the program as a writing tool.

    Techniques Dec 2005

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