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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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    Tracktion Waveform Pro 13 DAW update clip launcher wavetable soft synth

    Tracktion announce Waveform Pro 13

    Clip launching, new wavetable synth & more

    The latest version of Tracktion's DAW introduces a whole host of new features along with a refined GUI.

    News
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    Hit'n'Mix RipX DAW PRO AI music content creation stem separation software

    Hit’n’Mix RipX DAW updated

    Version 7.1 now available for download

    The latest version of RipX DAW introduces a range of new features along with some improvements and bug fixes.

    News
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    Hit'n'Mix RipX DAW Apple Vision Pro mixed virtual reality music production software stem separation

    Hit’n’Mix announce RipX DAW for Apple Vision Pro

    Company preview immersive mixed reality DAW

    Hit’n’Mix have revealed plans for a version of RipX DAW that will be compatible with Apple’s Vision Pro mixed reality headset.

    News
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    MAGIX Software Sequoia v17

    MAGIX unveils ground-breaking update with Sequoia 17

    New Object-Oriented Editing, 32-Channel Surround & 3D Audio, Ambisonics & Vector-based Amplitude Panning

    Key enhancements in Sequoia 17 involve object-oriented editing, 32-channel surround plus 3D audio, visualisations and metering for different inputs, source-destination cut, live editing workflow, and more...

    News
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    Steinberg Nuendo 13 post-production ADR dialogue editing immersive audio Dolby Atmos MPEG-H Audio DAW

    Steinberg unveil Nuendo 13

    MPEG-H support, new ADR Script Reader & more

    Nuendo 13 delivers a range of improvements to the built-in immersive audio capabilities, as well as kitting out sound designers, mixers, dialogue editors and ADR engineers with a whole host of helpful new tools and features.

    News
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    Universal Audio LUNA analogue emulation DAW free Mac

    Universal Audio’s LUNA DAW now free

    Available to Mac users with no hardware purchase required

    Having previously only been available to those who own Apollo interfaces, UA's LUNA DAW is now supported natively on macOS and free to all. 

    News
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    Hit'n'Mix RipX DAW PRO AI music content creation stem separation software

    Hit’n’Mix release AI-powered RipX DAW

    Combines DeepRemix, DeepCreate and DeepAudio

    Hit’n’Mix's new DAW packages combine their existing processors and aim to provide a holistic approach to cutting-edge AI music production.

    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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    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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    Soundation Beatmaker online collaborative sequencer sampler DAW

    Soundation launch Beatmaker

    Collaborative online production platform

    Beatmaker from Soundation is a new online sequencer and sampler which allows users to collaborate in real time via their internet browser.

    News
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    Tracktion Waveform Free DAW software

    Tracktion Waveform Free updated

    Free DAW software gains new features

    Tracktion have released a major update for Waveform Free, the free version of their Waveform DAW software.

    News
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    Tracktion Waveform Pro 12 DAW

    Tracktion Waveform 12

    DAW update brings a wealth of new features

    Version 12 includes a refreshed user interface, new audio and MIDI functionality, refreshed audio plug-ins, and a rewritten audio engine...

    News
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    Steinberg Nuendo 12 DAW software

    Nuendo 12 available now

    Steinberg update their post-production suite

    Latest version focuses on dedicated tools for dialogue editing, expands immersive audio capabilities and adds native Apple silicon support.

    News
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    Steinberg Cubasis 3.4

    Steinberg Cubasis 3.4 brings Ableton Link support and many improvements

    Enhanced powerful audio sequencer app for iOS, Android and Chrome OS.

    Steinberg have released Cubasis v3.4 of its powerful audio sequencer app adding support for Ableton Link plus over 75 workflow and performance improvements.

    News
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    Steinberg Dorico For iPad

    Dorico for iPad released

    Free scoring app from Steinberg

    Steinberg's notation and composition suite is now available for Apple tablets. It's completely compatible with desktop Dorico projects, sports a new touch-friendly MIDI editor — and is available for free.

    News
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    Deskew Technologies Gig Performer 4.0

    Gig Performer 4.0 released

    Live VST host gets major update

    Slimline live VST host boasts expanded MIDI features and a new Global Rackspace.

    News
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    LUNA for UAD interfaces goes live

    UA's recording software launches early

    Universal Audio's DAW is available now!

    News
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    Behringer knocking on DAWs

    It's official: Music Tribe DAW in development

    Behringer announce their development of a brand-new MIDI + Audio sequencing package.

    News
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    zCSwALaHAug.jpg

    Bitwig 2.4 — SynthFest UK 2018

    Impressive sampling capabilities added to DAW

    Released only weeks ago, and freely available to all users who purchased Bitwig within the last year,...

    News
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