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Digital audio workstation

A digital audio workstation (DAW /dɔː/) is an electronic device or application software used for recording, editing and producing audio files. DAWs come in a wide variety of configurations from a single software program on a laptop, to an integrated stand-alone unit, all the way to a highly complex configuration of numerous components controlled by a central computer. Regardless of configuration, modern DAWs have a central interface that allows the user to alter and mix multiple recordings and tracks into a final produced piece.[1]

DAWs are used for producing and recording music, songs, speech, radio, television, soundtracks, podcasts, sound effects and nearly every other kind of complex recorded audio.

is an audio editor that can run on Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, and other Unix-like systems; it is particularly popular in the podcast community and also has a large following among the visually impaired due to its keyboard interface. Although MIDI playback is available,[b] it concentrates more on sound manipulation and management than discrete events and sequencing.

Audacity

is a multi-featured audio application that includes audio mixing plugins, a notation editor, and MIDI support.

Rosegarden

The sequencer is a similarly featured audio application that includes an audio mixer and a music sequencer.

MusE

Dylan Tallchief created a DAW in . The project is available for free download.[10]

Microsoft Excel

Impact[edit]

DAWs can be implemented in a music education class to show kids how to use them and learn how to produce their own music. According to a study done by the Indonesia University of Education, the use of a DAW in music learning can let students build their learning of music production on their own.[15] Another study done by the University of Milan made a DAW accessible to kids.[16]


The usage of DAW can be found in most Hip Hop and EDM music with the use of looping an instrumental. With music production also moving to a laptop can put the music making outside of a studio and into a bedroom.[17]

 – Removal of imperfections from recorded sound

Audio restoration

 – Systems that can run a broadcast facility in the absence of a human operator

Broadcast automation

Comparison of digital audio editors

Comparison of MIDI editors and sequencers

List of free software for audio

List of music software

 – Type of software for creating music

Music tracker

 – Device for composing electronic music

Music workstation

 – type of software

Radio software

A list of software DAWs, Sequencers, Hosts, etc.

DAW Software for beginners