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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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    Working Methods

    Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    We've had a good look at some of the tools available for mastering in Pro Tools. So what are the best ways to use these tools?

    Techniques Sep 2006
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    Using Mixer Automation In Reason

    Reason Tips & Techniques

    Mixer automation lets you create more dynamic mixes, but also provides a fast alternative to arranging all your tracks in the sequencer. We offer a simple guide to making the most of it.

    Techniques Sep 2006
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    Programming Sonar 5's Pentagon I Soft Synth

    Sonar Tips & Techniques

    The Pentagon I soft synth bundled with Sonar 5 is a powerhouse that even offers vocoding facilities. If you've overlooked it so far, remedy the situation with our tips, tricks and programming guide.

    Techniques Sep 2006
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    Logic: Getting Started With Surround Sound

    Logic Tips & Techniques

    The facilities for surround sound in Logic Pro v7 are often overlooked, so here we take a peek at how to get going.

    Techniques Aug 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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    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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    Pro Tools Mastering Limiter Shootout: Part 2

    Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    We follow up our comprehensive round-up of mastering limiter plug-ins for Pro Tools with a look at hot new products from three further manufacturers.

    Techniques Aug 2006
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    Using Reason's Spider Audio & CV Devices

    Reason Tips & Techniques

    The grey Spider devices look mild-mannered and unassuming — but they have super-powers that can unlock the hidden reserves of Reason's sound-making devices, as well as solving a host of more mundane problems.

    Techniques Aug 2006
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    Mix Mode Options In Sonar

    Sonar Tips & Techniques

    Sonar offers several ways to mix, but is that a benefit or a source of confusion? Learn what the various mix modes do and you can choose the one that's right for your project.

    Techniques Aug 2006
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    All About Quantise

    Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques

    When sequencers first allowed you to record musical notes in real time, one of the features that became ubiquitous in all systems was quantisation. Here we take a look at how quantise has evolved and is currently used in Cubase SX.

    Techniques Aug 2006
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    Using Automation

    Cubase Tips & Techniques

    This month we continue exploring Cubase's automation features with a look at the different modes available to SX users, and the issues you'll face when using automation and MIDI Controller data on MIDI Tracks.

    Techniques Jul 2006
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    Logic: Editing Chords & Signatures With Global Tracks

    Logic Tips & Tricks

    The Global Tracks can not only display chords, key/time signatures, and transpose values — they also let you edit them easily.

    Techniques Jul 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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    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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    Region Looping In Pro Tools 7

    Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    When your project includes repeated MIDI or audio parts, the new Region Looping tools in Pro Tools 7 enable you to work faster and with greater flexibility.

    Techniques Jul 2006
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    Refining Rhythm In Reason

    Reason Tips & Technique

    Last month we looked at some basic applications of the Redrum module in Reason drum programming. Now it's time to move on to more sophisticated techniques for your rhythm parts.

    Techniques Jul 2006
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    Automation Tips

    Cubase Tips & Techniques

    When Cubase VST became Cubase SX, one of the big improvements was a better automation system for audio-based tracks and channels. This month, we show you how to make the most of this newer system.

    Techniques Jun 2006
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    Using Logic's Global Markers

    Logic Tips & Techniques

    Markers have always been available in Logic, but the new Global Tracks feature (introduced in version 7) makes them much easier to use and manipulate than in earlier versions.

    Techniques Jun 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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    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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    Addressing Latency Problems In Pro Tools LE

    Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    One of the best features of TDM-based Pro Tools systems is the negligible latency, or input-to-output delay, while recording. So what is the best way to deal with this problem if you have only an LE system?

    Techniques Jun 2006

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