Digital Audio Workstation (DAW): Foundation for a Home Recording Studio - Page 2
Many keyboard workstations are also referred to as DAW's, depending on their capabilities. As a hardware unit, what makes a keyboard a workstation as opposed to just a musical instrument is the inclusion of an on-board MIDI sequencer with built-in FX. A sequencer is the digital equivalent of a multi-track recording device such as a recording console, and generally consists of 8 or 16 tracks. Some keyboards include hard disk recording like the Alesis Fusion or the Open Labs NeKo EX5 Keyboard DAW Workcenter, which includes inputs for analog instruments like a guitar and a microphone input for recording vocals.
There are also standalone hard disk recording systems with the software built in like Tascam's X-48. On Tascam's Twitter site they claim, “Tascam invented home recording and continues to innovate.” Who are we to argue. In other words, a studio consists of both hardware and software. Where keyboard sequencers and hard disk recorders are usually restricted in the number of tracks, software versions can allow unlimited number of tracks. This feature alone has significantly altered the recording process by eliminating the need for overdubs and "bouncing" (discussed in future articles).
The major audio production (DAW) software programs are:
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Pro Tools (Digidesign owned by Avid)
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Logic Pro (Mac)
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Cubase (by Steinberg)
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Digital Performer (MOTU)
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Sonar (Cakewalk)
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Sound Forge (Sony)
The primary tasks in audio production are:
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Recording
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Arranging
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Editing
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Mixing
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Processing (FX and enhancement)
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Mastering
A DAW is a full service audio production system, usually consisting of both hardware and software that includes:
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Sequencer
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Audio Interface
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Computer
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Plug-ins
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Digital Keyboard and/or Virtual Instruments
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Sampling libraries (usually included with Virtual Instruments but also purchased separately)
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Editing
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Mixing
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Mastering
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Notation
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MIDI
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FX Processing
Guitars and other instruments (including microphones) are very much a part of a full production set-up, but generally it is keyboards (digital, synthesizers and virtual instruments) that make up the musical instrument component of a DAW. Guitar players are becoming adept at pounding out synth, orchestral and drum parts with 2 fingers on a keyboard. And of course, you can also MIDI-up your guitar and access 1000s of sounds.
Continued on the next page
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