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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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    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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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.

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    Reason 12.6 DAW update Apple Silicon native Rack Extension plug-in offline mode no internet connection

    Reason 12.6 update

    Native Apple M1/M2 support & new offline mode

    The latest update to Reason brings with it native Apple Silicon support and the ability to use the software without an internet connection.

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    Steinberg Nuendo Live 3 performance recording software

    Steinberg Nuendo Live 3 now available

    New templates feature & updated audio engine

    Nuendo Live 3’s new features include an updated audio engine, matching the latest generation used in Cubase and Nuendo DAWs, HiDPi support, full native support for Apple’s M1 and M2 processors and much more.

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    NAMM 2023: Krotos Studio

    Video Report

    Krotos Audio launch Krotos Studio, a plug-in and standalone application aimed at post-production and quickly creating sound effects for audio to video.

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    NAMM 2023: Bitwig Studio 5

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    Bitwig unveil version 5 of their Bitwig Studio DAW with tons of new features.

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