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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.

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    MOTU BPM

    Virtual Groovebox [Mac/PC]

    MOTUs BPM takes some obvious cues from Akais MPC range — but can a groovebox work in software?

    Reviews Jul 2009
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    Tips For Beginners

    Digidesign (Avid) Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    We continue our newcomer's guide to Pro Tools with a selection of techniques that every user should know.

    Techniques Jul 2009
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    Sonar: Stereo Tools

    Sonar Notes & Techniques

    If youre interested in M/S (Mid/Side) recording or stereo image tweaks, Sonars Channel Tools could be your best friend.

    Techniques Jul 2009
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    Funky Guitar Processing

    Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques

    If you want something to spice up rhythm-guitar loops to use in your funk and dance tracks, Cubase has just the Tonic

    Techniques Jun 2009
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    Cubase: Get The Funk Out | Audio Files

    Funky Guitar Processing In Cubase

    Links to audio files that accompany the SOS MAY 2009 Cubase article, for newsstand/bookstore readers who do not have eSub-access to the main web article.

    Techniques Jun 2009
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    Effective Selecting & Locating In Digital Performer

    Digital Performer Notes & Techniques

    The ability to move around your project quickly and easily, making fast and accurate selections for editing, can take much of the pain out of music production. We round up some of the best power-user shortcuts.

    Techniques Jun 2009
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    Ableton Live Suite 8

    Digital Audio Workstation [Mac/PC]

    The challenge was to add yet more features to Live without compromising its legendary ease of use. Have Ableton succeeded?

    Reviews Jun 2009
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    Creating Custom Touchscreen Interfaces In Logic

    Logic Notes & Techniques

    You'll be surprised at how cheap and easy it can be to enhance the usability of your Apple Logic setup with a touchscreen.

    Techniques Jun 2009
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    Getting Into Pro Tools

    Part 2: Installation & Session Basics

    Our short series on getting started with Pro Tools continues with some advice on configuring the software and your first Sessions.

    Techniques Jun 2009
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    Exploring Sonar 8’s Dimension Pro Synthesizer

    Sonar Notes & Techniques

    Now that Dimension Pro is included with Sonar 8, its time to investigate how to exploit it beyond the usual sample-playback functions.

    Techniques Jun 2009
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    Duck Down

    Ducking At Mixdown in Cubase

    Learn how to avoid frequency clashes in your mix, with our tutorial on advanced ducking techniques in Cubase.

    Techniques May 2009
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    Ducking At Mixdown

    Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques

    Learn how to avoid frequency clashes in your mix, with our tutorial on advanced ducking techniques in Cubase.

    Techniques May 2009
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    CD Burning With Digital Performer 6

    Digital Performer Notes & Techniques

    MOTU's Digital Performer 6 hugely simplifies the task of CD burning, while at the same time allowing more complex burning tasks to be undertaken. We talk you through the options.

    Techniques May 2009
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    Advanced Mixing In Logic Pro 8: Part 2

    Logic Notes & Techniques

    We offer a second set of tips to enhance your corrective and creative mixing skills.

    Techniques May 2009
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    Specifying & Buying Your First System

    Digidesign (Avid) Pro Tools Tips & Techniques

    Tempted to invest in a Pro Tools rig but don't know where to begin? You need our handy guide to choosing a system.

    Techniques May 2009
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    Make A Modular Synth In Reason

    Reason Notes & Techniques

    Not only can Reason's Thor synth be used as an effects unit for other signals, it can also act as a hub for combining instruments and devices into true modular synth structures.

    Techniques May 2009
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    Sony Acid Pro 7

    DAW Software For Windows

    Acid Pro has always offered a fabulous environment for loop-based music creation, but version 7 sees it making a bid for fully fledged DAW status.

    Reviews Apr 2009
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    Advanced Vocal Compression

    Steinberg Cubase Tips & Techniques

    We explore some of the advanced parallel compression techniques used by top mix engineer Michael Brauer — and how you can recreate them using Cubase.

    Techniques Apr 2009
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    Cubase: Advanced Vocal Compression — Audio Files

    Hear For Yourself

    We explore some of the advanced parallel compression techniques used by top mix engineer Michael Brauer — and how you can recreate them using Cubase.

    Techniques Apr 2009
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    Building A Beatbox In Ableton Live

    Ableton Live Notes & Techniques

    We show you how to make Live emulate an MPC-style workflow for composing rhythm tracks.

    Techniques Apr 2009
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    Advanced Mixing In Logic Pro 8: Part 1

    Logic Notes & Techniques

    A professional producer and mixer passes on his favourite Logic mixing methods, starting this month at the bottom, with tips for bass and drums.

    Techniques Apr 2009

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