Main Functions of a DAW
1. Recording / Audio Editing / Mixing and Mastering Tracks – First and foremost, a DAW functions as a professional studio or home recording studio. You can record single or multiple tracks and then edit the tracks as needed. A good quality Audio Interface is the key to ensuring your recordings are clean and noise free. Once your recorded tracks are precisely how you want them, you can mix them inside the DAW. From there, you can even perform the final “mastering” of your tracks— a very powerful software at your fingertips.
Here are a couple of screenshots from the DAW “Logic Pro” showing the general workspace area and the Mixer section (below). This easy-to-learn DAW is one of the most popular recording software’s
2. Effects – Every DAW will have effects that you can use to enhance, color, and process your recordings to your liking. A good number of effects will come “standard” with the DAW, but if you need more effects, you can purchase additional plug-ins called VSTs (Virtual Studio Technology). A great feature about these onboard effects is they will usually have pre-sets. Ex: If you’re not sure how to set up a Compressor, you can just select one of the many pre-sets (canned settings) that professional recording engineers have created.
There are hundreds of VST options available for sale. Before purchasing, you should ensure the VST plug-in is “compatible” with your DAW. You can even purchase additional “pre-sets” (for example, canned settings of effects) that were created (and are sold) by professional audio engineers as well.
What are “Loops”
Loops are short, repeatable sections of music / sound effects that can be combined to form a longer piece of music. Used by many songwriters and composers in songs or to generate ideas. Loops usually come standard in DAW software and are also available for purchase online. Watch the Video Clip below for a few Loop examples.
Software Instruments
This software can “replicate and generate” different sounds of musical instruments such as guitars, wind and string instruments (trumpets, tubas, violins, harps, cellos), pianos, drums/percussion, and more. Software instruments are controlled with MIDI Keyboards or a MIDI Guitar (such as the Jamstik). The Software Instrument receives MIDI information and then “translates” this information into the instrument sounds that the user selected and defined. The sounds are a very detailed “emulation” of the actual instruments. The image (below) is just one example showing Software Instruments in the “Logic Pro” DAW.
My home studio setup entails an iMac, a Focusrite interface (2-Channel shown, I also use an 8-Channel Focusrite), and a Behringer X-Touch Universal Control Surface for mixing capabilities. I also use “Logic Pro” as my DAW. Important Note: For playback, it is suggested that you invest in some “Studio Quality” monitors that produce a “Flat” frequency response. This will ensure that you are listening to the audio recordings with as much accuracy as possible. Poor-quality monitors can alter the sound in many ways, making it difficult to achieve the “intended” or “anticipated” final product.
