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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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    Image Line FL Studio 21.2 DAW production software update

    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.

    News
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    n-Track Studio 10 Mac Windows iOS Android DAW recording production software

    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.

    News
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    Bitwig Studio 5.1 DAW update electronic music production semi modular synthesis software

    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.

    News
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    Cockos Reaper 7 DAW update

    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.

    News
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    DAWproject file format Bitwig PreSonus Studio One share projects

    Bitwig and PreSonus’ new DAWproject format

    Transfer project files between DAWs

    Bitwig and PreSonus have announced a new project file format that allows users of different DAWs to share session files.

    News
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    PreSonus Studio One 6.5 DAW update surround Dolby Atmos immersive audio support

    Studio One 6.5 has arrived

    DAW gains surround & immersive support

    The headline feature of Studio One 6.5 is something which many users have been waiting for: support for immersive audio formats including Dolby Atmos.

    News
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    Avid Pro Tools Sketch non-linear clip-based song loop creation tool

    Avid release Pro Tools Sketch

    New feature introduced in 2023.9 update

    Avid have announced the release of Pro Tools Sketch, a new non-linear, clip-based creation window in Pro Tools that is also available as a free iPad app.

    News
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    FL Studio 21.1 Fruity Loops Studio Producer Signature Python scripting Declipper Chorus plug-ins

    Image Line update FL Studio

    Python-based scripting & new plug-ins

    The latest version of Image Line's FL Studio introduces a range of the community's most requested features alongside a selection of new plug-ins.

    News
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    Avid Pro Tools Media Composer sold purchased acquired STG

    Avid to be acquired by STG

    Company valued at approximately $1.4 billion

    Avid have entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired in an all-cash transaction by an affiliate of private equity firm STG.

    News
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    PreSonus Studio One 6.2 DAW update perpetual Sphere subscription

    PreSonus Studio One 6.2 update now available

    PreSonus Sphere becomes Studio One+

    As well as introducing a range of editing, arranging and mixing improvements to their popular DAW, PreSonus have also announced that PreSonus Sphere, their all-in-one subscription package, has been renamed to Studio One+.

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    Audiokinetic Strata sounds effects library video game interactive media Wwise Reaper integration

    Audiokinetic Strata sound effects collection

    Sound effects library provided as Reaper projects

    Strata is a new sound effects library which offers all of its content in multitrack project files that allow users to customise the sounds for their specific use case. 

    News
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    Bitwig Studio 5 Essentials Producer modular DAW electronic music

    Bitwig Studio 5 now available

    Two new versions of DAW also announced

    The latest version of Bitwig introduces five new Multi-Segment Envelope Generators, new Clip Launcher capabilities and upgrades to the entire modulation system. 

    News
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    Avid Audiomovers partnership Pro Tools DAW remote collaboration multi-channel audio streaming plug-in tool

    Avid & Audiomovers: Remote collaboration promotion

    LISTENTO subscriptions offers for Pro Tools users

    Avid and Audiomovers have announced a partnership which will offer new and existing Pro Tools subscribers with free or discounted subscriptions to Audiomovers’ LISTENTO plug-in.

    News
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    Acoustica Mixcraft 10 Recording Studio Pro Studio DAW software update

    Acoustica Mixcraft 10 released

    Intuitive Windows-only DAW gets a major upgrade

    The latest version of Mixcraft aims to make creating music easier and more enjoyable for all users, with a range of new features focusing on inspiration, ease of use and stability.

    News
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    Decyne4 Precyne 1.2 hardware studio MIDI sequencer tracker SysEx MIDI Clock sampler software

    Decyne4 Precyne 1.2 update

    Hardware-focused DAW gains powerful new sampler

    Precyne has been designed from the ground up to integrate with hardware-based studios, and now features a powerful new sampler and some audio recording facilities. 

    News
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    Novation FLkey 49

    Novation introduce FLkey 49 & 61

    Dedicated FL Studio controller range expanded

    Novation have added 49- and 61-key models to their FLkey range, providing users of FL Studio with seamless, hands-on control over their DAW.

    News
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    Arturia MiniFuse Pack

    MiniFuse Recording Pack from Arturia

    Company announce hardware & software starter pack

    Arturia’s latest offering bundles together a collection of hardware and software aimed at musicians, producers and content creators looking for an all-in-one recording solution.

    News
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    Avid Pro Tools 2023.6 DAW update track markers Dolby Atmos track bus width format

    Pro Tools 2023.6 now available

    Marker improvements & new multi-channel track formats

    The latest Pro Tools update adds a new track markers feature, expanded immersive mixing capabilities and improved interoperability with Media Composer sessions.

    News
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    MAGIX Samplitude Pro X8 Suite recording mixing mastering DAW update

    Samplitude Pro X8 from MAGIX

    Major update to Windows-based DAW

    Samplitude Pro X8 and Pro X8 Suite aim to provide musicians and engineers of all skill levels with a professional set of recording, mixing and mastering tools.

    News
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    Focusrite and Novation customers get 50% discount on Ableton Live 11 Suite Upgrade

    Upgrade to Ableton Live 11 Suite promotion

    Exclusive half-price offer for Focusrite and Novation users

    Focusrite and Novation customers receive a 50% discount when upgrading to Ableton Live 11 Suite until June 30th, 2023.

    News
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    Logic Pro for iPad

    Apple introduces Logic Pro & Final Cut Pro for iPad

    Two new iPad apps for creative professionals

    On May 9th, Apple hosted an informal event in Los Angeles to unveil Logic Pro and Final Cut Pro for iPad.

    News

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