Digital Audio Workstation Software

Digidesign Protools systems are digital audio workstation packages in various configurations. The HD 1 system include 1 HD Core card (PCI) or 1 Accel Core card (PCIe), Pro Tools HD 7 software, over 40 processing plug-ins, 12 foot DigiLink cable for I/O connections, Ilok USB Smart Key and printed manuals. The included cards feature 9 DSP chips for powering the mix engine and TDM plug-ins, sample-rate support up to 192 kHz as well as support for up to 32 channels of I/O, up to 128 instrument tracks, 256 MIDI tracks and 128 internal mix buses. The HD 2 and HD 3 systems are also available. Pro Tools HD I/O interfaces are also offered that work together with Core systems. Pro Tools LE & M-Powered studio systems are available ranging from mixing interfaces to hybrid instrument interfaces and portable setups. Control Surfaces available include 8 fader controls, specially designed keyboards and 24 channel control boards with integrated analog I/O specifically designed for Pro Tools products.

Cakewalk’s digital audio workstation products include Pro Suite, Sonar 7, Sonar Home, Sonar LE, Guitar Tracks Pro Version 3 and other. Various add-ons and downloads are also available for these products.

Logic Pro 8 is a digital audio workstation from apple featuring single window design, retractable panes, dual channel strips, multi-track recording, professional mixing tools, editing features and music creation tools. Logic also features surround production with panning and multi-channel tracks and busses.

Ableton products include Live 7, Suite and Live 7 LE. Live 7 features session and arrangement views, multitrack recording up to 32-bit/192kHz, MIDI sequencing, real-time time-stretching and warping of AFF, WAV, Ogg Vobis, FLAC and MP3 files as well as Multicore and multiprocessor support. Ableton Suite includes Live 7 as well as instrument tools in addition to reference manuals and step-by-step tutorials.

MOTU Digital Performer is an integrated MIDI and audio sequencer for studio recording, film scoring, live performance and remixing. The DP5 features instrument plug-ins, track folder, meter bridge, editing tools, steamers, enhanced input monitoring and MIDI keys in addition to other features.

Propellerheads Reason software features a sequencer, groove tool, arpeggiator and synthesizer.  The multi-synthesis synthesizer features 4 different filters, 6 oscillator types, a step sequencer and modulation matrix. The groove mixer features real time 32 channel timing and groove handling mixer and the monophonic arpeggiator features multiple play modes insert function and pattern selection.

Sony products for digital audio workstations include Sound Forge products and CD Architect. Sound Forge Audio Studio is designed for recording, editing, encoding and mastering audio, including vinyl recoding and restoration. Sound Forge 9 is a professional audio production suite and includes the CD architect software. CD Architect 5 is a professional application for designing, mastering and burning Red Book audio CDs featuring full PQ code editing.

Steinbergs Cubase and Sequal are programs for digital audio workstations. Cubase Studio 4 offers capabilities geared toward composers, musicians and project studios, it is a “lite” version of Cubase 4. Cubase 4 features universal sound management, virtual control room, VST3 plug-ins and VST instruments in addition to multi-channel 5.1 surround sound, MIDI recording/editing/mixing, professional music notation and score printing among other features. Sequal is music studio software designed for less experienced users featuring a library of over 5000 loops and 600 ready to play instrument sounds.