Exploring Audio Production? Discover the Essential DAW
Summer often sparks a wave of creativity for me. I pick up some instruments and dive into making music. While recording a quick demo on my iPhone or portable multi-track is handy, achieving a more polished sound requires a DAW.
A DAW, or Digital Audio Workstation, is software designed for recording, editing, mixing, and producing audio files. It’s an indispensable tool in music production, sound design, film scoring, podcasting, and other audio-related fields.
Key Features of DAWs Include:
- Multitrack Recording: Record multiple audio sources simultaneously on separate tracks.
- Editing Tools: Cut, copy, paste, and arrange audio clips with ease.
- MIDI Support: Manage MIDI data for virtual instruments and external hardware.
- Mixing and Effects: Adjust levels, panning, and add effects like reverb and delay, plus automate changes.
- Virtual Instruments and Plugins: Integrate with virtual instruments and various audio effects plugins.
Now of course, this is just a small list of the things a DAW can really do. There are DAWs geared towards different genres of music, types of instruments, application, and more. Here’s a list of some of our favorite DAW software.
Featured DAWs:
And don’t worry, some of them even offer student discounts!
Waveform (Previously Tracktion)
Founded in 2002 by Julian Storer in Seattle, Tracktion is known for its innovative DAW software. Originally recognized for its single-screen interface in early versions, Tracktion has evolved into Waveform. Waveform features an intuitive single-window design, cross-platform availability, and robust music production capabilities. It also offers unique instruments like BioTek and Collective, and a marketplace for additional plugins and resources.
Key Features of Waveform:
- Streamlined single-window interface
- Cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Clip Layer Effects for detailed control
- Modular mixing with complex routing and effect chains
- Pattern Generator for musical sequences
- Extensive plugin support (VST, AU, AAX)
Student Discount: Students can get 50% off subscriptions to Waveform from the Tracktion website.
Pro Tools by Avid Technology
Pro Tools, developed by Avid Technology and first released in 1991, is a leading digital audio workstation (DAW widely used in professional recording studios for its high-quality audio capabilities and extensive features. Known for its robust recording, editing, and mixing tools, Pro Tools is favored for complex audio production, film scoring, and post-production. It offers a comprehensive set of features, including advanced automation, high-resolution audio processing, and support for a wide range of third-party plugins and hardware. Pro Tools is available in various versions, including Pro Tools | First (a free version), Pro Tools Standard, and Pro Tools Ultimate, catering to different levels of professional needs.
Key Features of Pro Tools:
- Advanced recording, editing, and mixing capabilities
- High-resolution audio processing with high sample rates and bit depths
- Comprehensive automation and mixing tools
- Extensive support for third-party plugins and Avid hardware
- Advanced audio post-production features, including surround sound support
- Collaboration and cloud-based features for remote workflows
Student Discount: Students and faculty can get a significant discount on Pro Tools from their website.
Abelton Live
Founded in 1999 and based in Berlin, Ableton is renowned for its flagship DAW, Ableton Live. Live is celebrated for its unique Session View, which facilitates real-time performance and improvisation, making it a favorite among electronic musicians and live performers. It integrates seamlessly with hardware controllers like Push and is known for its intuitive interface, robust MIDI support, and powerful audio effects.
Key Features of Ableton Live:
- Session View for real-time performance and improvisation
- Arrangement View for traditional linear sequencing
- Seamless integration with Ableton Push and other controllers
- Extensive MIDI support for virtual instruments and external gear
- Powerful audio effects and automation capabilities
- Comprehensive sound library and instrument collection
Student Discount: Students and teachers can get 50% off Abelton Live 12 from their website.
Studio One
Developed by PreSonus Audio Electronics and launched in 2009, Studio One is a versatile DAW designed for both beginners and professionals. Known for its intuitive drag-and-drop interface, advanced MIDI and audio editing, and seamless workflow integration, it features a robust mixing console, high-quality built-in effects, and powerful automation tools. Studio One also offers advanced integration with PreSonus hardware and cloud collaboration through PreSonus Sphere.
Key Features of Studio One:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop interface
- Advanced MIDI and audio editing capabilities
- Robust mixing console with high-quality built-in effects and instruments
- Powerful automation tools
- Seamless integration with PreSonus hardware
- Cloud collaboration through PreSonus Sphere
Student Discount: There’s no known discount for Studio One. Learn more about the product here.
FL Studio
Developed by Image-Line and launched in 1997, FL Studio is popular for its user-friendly interface and powerful features, especially among electronic music producers. Formerly known as FruityLoops, it offers a pattern-based music sequencer, an extensive library of virtual instruments, and a range of audio effects. FL Studio supports both MIDI and audio recording and features advanced automation capabilities. It also boasts a lifetime free updates policy.
Key Features of FL Studio:
- Pattern-based music sequencer
- User-friendly interface with flexible workflow
- Extensive library of virtual instruments and audio effects
- Advanced automation capabilities
- Support for MIDI and audio recording
- Lifetime free updates policy
Student Discount: Students can get a discount on FL Studio from specific resellers. Learn more here.
Reason
Reason, developed by Reason Studios and first released in 2000, is known for its unique rack-based interface. This DAW emulates a hardware rack with virtual devices such as synthesizers, samplers, and effects, allowing users to connect and route devices with virtual cables. It’s popular for sound design, built-in instruments, and effects, and supports integration as a plugin within other DAWs.
Key Features of Reason:
- Rack-based interface for a hardware-like experience
- Extensive collection of virtual instruments and effects
- Flexible routing with virtual cables
- Powerful sound design capabilities
- Integration as a plugin within other DAWs
- Comprehensive MIDI and audio recording tools
Student Discount: Students can get 50% off of Reason from their website.
DP 11
Developed by MOTU, Digital Performer 11 (DP 11) is a professional DAW with a robust feature set, catering to composers, producers, and audio engineers. It offers advanced MIDI and audio recording, editing, and mixing capabilities, making it ideal for music production and film scoring. DP 11 includes clip-based and linear sequencing, a comprehensive set of virtual instruments and effects, and customizable workflows.
Key Features of Digital Performer 11:
- Advanced MIDI and audio recording and editing
- Clip-based and linear sequencing
- Comprehensive set of virtual instruments and effects
- Customizable interface
- Powerful mixing and automation tools
- Support for various file formats and hardware integrations
Student Discount: There is no known student discount for DP 11. You can check out their website here.
ACID Pro
ACID Pro, developed by Magix Software and originally launched by Sonic Foundry in 1998, is celebrated for its role in loop-based music production. Known for its intuitive workflow and powerful loop manipulation, it offers audio and MIDI recording, editing, and mixing tools, along with a vast library of loops and samples. ACID Pro features real-time pitch and tempo matching for seamless audio manipulation.
Key Features of ACID Pro:
- Intuitive loop-based music production workflow
- Real-time pitch and tempo matching
- Powerful audio and MIDI recording, editing, and mixing tools
- Extensive library of loops and samples
- Advanced automation capabilities
- Support for various plugin formats and hardware integrations
Student Discount: There is no known student discount for ACID Pro. You can check out their website here.
Bitwig Studio
Released in 2014 by Bitwig GmbH, Bitwig Studio is known for its modular design and innovative features. It combines a traditional linear arrangement view with a powerful clip-based session view, offering both structured composition and real-time performance. Bitwig Studio is praised for its advanced modulation capabilities, extensive VST3 support, and multi-touch interaction.
Key Features of Bitwig Studio:
- Combined linear and clip-based session views
- Advanced modulation system
- Extensive support for VST3 plugins
- Multi-touch support
- Flexible routing and signal processing
- Cross-platform availability (Windows, macOS, Linux)
Student Discount: Students can get up to $70 off the price of Bitwig from their website.