Digital Audio Workstation
(DAW)
A
Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is an electronic system designed solely or
primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital
audio. Modern DAWs are software running on computers with
audio interface hardware.
Dr. Robert Moog
was the pioneer of the analog synthesizer. His visionary work
is recognized by all who participated at the leading edge of
music synthesis.
Integrated DAW
An integrated
DAW consists of a mixing console, control surface, audio
converter, and data storage in one device. Integrated DAWs
were more popular before personal computers became powerful
enough to run DAW software. As computer power increased and
price decreased, the popularity of the costly integrated
systems with console automation dropped. Systems such as the
Orban Audicy once flourished at radio stations and
television stations. Today, some systems still offer
computer-less arranging and recording features with a full
graphical user interface (GUI).
Software DAW
A
computer-based DAW has four basic components: a computer, a
sound converter (also called a sound card or audio
interface), a digital audio editor software, and at least
one input device for adding or modifying musical note data.
This could be as simple as a mouse, and as sophisticated as
a MIDI controller keyboard, or an automated fader board for
mixing track volumes. The computer acts as a host for the
sound card and software and provides processing power for
audio editing. The sound card (if used) or external audio
interface typically converts analog audio signals into
digital form, and for playback converting digital to analog
audio; it may also assist in further processing the audio.
The software controls all related hardware components and
provides a user interface to allow for recording, editing,
and playback. Most computer-based DAWs have extensive MIDI
recording, editing, and playback capabilities, and some even
have minor video-related features.
Simple
smartphone-based DAWs, called Mobile Audio Workstation
(MAWs), are also available, used for example by journalists
for recording and editing on location.
Commercial
systems
Ableton Live,
ACID Pro, Adobe Audition, Cakewalk SONAR, Digital Performer,
Energy XT, FL Studio, GarageBand, Logic Pro, MAGIX Samplitude,
MAGIX Sequoia, Merging Technologies Pyramix, Mixcraft, MU.LAB,
n-Track Studio, Orion Platinum, PreSonus Studio One, Pro Tools,
REAPER, Renoise, Reason, SAWStudio, Soundtrack Pro, SSL
Soundscape Editor, Steinberg Cubase, Steinberg Nuendo,
Tracktion, Usine, Zynewave Podium, Z-Maestro, DUBturbo.
Free and open
source systems
Ardour, Audacity,
LMMS, MusE, Psycle, Qtractor, Rosegarden, Traverso, DAW
