DAW Software
A Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is software designed to give producers and engineers a virtual working environment within a computer or digital device that they can use to record, edit or create audio, i.e. a peice of music, a recording, etc. Although in the DAW world there are quite a few options to choose from, the more popular DAWs include Ableton, Cubase, Logic, Protools, Reason and FL Studio.
While these are more likely to be used worldwide in most studios, lesser known DAWs such as Reaper, Studio One and Bitwig all offer professional features, and some that are not included in the more widely used DAWs, so we always recommend checking your options before choosing the DAW for your studio.
Some factors to consider before buying DAW software are:
1. Do your friends or anyone you know use a DAW?
This is because they may be able to assist you with any problems you may encounter as you're learning your way around the software. This also helps if you are looking to collaborate with other producers, as using the same software makes exchanging files much easier. If you don't know anyone else that produces, check consideration number 2.
2. What DAW do the producers use for the genre you are looking to create/record?
This is important to consider because the genre you are planning to produce may require a specific tool that is relevant to a production technique found in that genre. It's also possible that your favourite producer uses a VST that is supplied only with that DAW, so you may find that without that specific plugin you could struggle to achieve the result you are trying to obtain.
3. Is your computer powerful enough to run the software?
This is often overlooked, but is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing the DAW. If the computer you use is only just at the minimum specification of the DAW, you may be able to run it, but you will notice that you very quickly run out of resources, so a new computer may be needed before or shortly after you purchase said DAW. There could always be a DAW that is suitable for the computer you are using, so looking at all the available options is a must.
4. Is your audio interface powerful enough?
It's worth bearing in mind that your computer will have to process all of what is going on within your DAW, couple this with all of the VST's you may be using and its a fast route to audio glitches and crashes due to your computer reaching it's limit. A good quality audio interface will help relieve the pressure that your computer is under when dealing with audio processing. So before you buy a DAW and fill it with VSTi's, check to make sure that your audio interface is able to cope with the strain of a professional audio workstation and all that comes with it.
Pretty much all of the DAW's available today have a demonstration copy available, which are normally obtained from the website of the DAW's manufacturer. We strongly recommend that these are downloaded and tried out before considering your purchase as you can get a grasp of each one in your own time before buying. You may find that you get on with one more than the others and it could be different to the DAW you originally set out to use.
DAWs are not just used for the production and recording of music. They’re also used for songs, speech, radio, television, soundtracks, podcasts, sound effects and nearly any other situation where complex recorded audio is needed. Whatever your DAW requirements, West End DJ have a wide variety of software solutions in stock, if you need any help or advice please do not hesitate to get in touch.
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Cubase Elements 10.5
Cubase Elements 10.5 is the compact version of Cubase, with many of its features of the full version and loads of new feature...
£79.00Pre Order view -
PACE iLok3 Smart Key
The 3rd generation iLok (iLok3) is a much smaller and faster device which can hold three times the number of licenses...
£38.99In Stock view -
Reason 11 Student/Education
Discounted educational version of Reason 11 gives you the full reason experience with new devices and improved workflow featu...
£249.00Low Stock!! view -
Reason 11 Upgrade
Reason 11 gives you the full reason experience with new devices and improved workflow features. Including Reason Rack VST plu...
£119.00Low Stock!! view -
Reason 11 Upgrade from Intro/Essentials/Lite
Reason 11 gives you the full reason experience with new devices and improved workflow features. Including Reason Rack VST plu...
£239.00Low Stock!! view -
Reason 11 Suite
Reason 11 features new devices and improved workflow features. Including new Reason Rack VST plugin which you can use in any ...
£499.00Low Stock!! view -
Reason 11 Suite Upgrade
Reason 11 features new devices and improved workflow features. Including new Reason Rack VST plugin which you can use in any ...
£229.00Low Stock!! view -
Bitwig Studio 3 Upgrade From 8-Track (Download)
Latest edition with major improvements and a host of new features. Upgrade for owners of Bitwig 8-Track. ...
£299.00Pre Order view -
Reason 11 Intro
Reason 11 Intro is a powerful DAW featuring the essentials of Reason’s full arsenal of instruments, effects and production ...
£69.00Pre Order view -
Presonus Studio One 5 Professional (Serial Download)
Studio One 5 takes it up a few notches giving you the ability to you compose, record, produce, mix, master, and perform all f...
£365.00Pre Order view -
Bitwig Studio 3 Upgrade Plan (Download)
Latest edition with major improvements and a host of new features. Upgrade version for Bitwig Studio and Bitwig Studio EDU li...
£139.00Pre Order view -
Bitwig Studio 3 EDU (Download)
Latest edition with major improvements and a host of new features. Educational license....
£229.00Pre Order view -
Bitwig Studio 3 (Boxed)
Latest edition with major improvements and a host of new features. Arrange in the timeline, perform in the Clip Launcher and ...
£339.00Pre Order view -
Ableton Live 10.1 Suite (Download)
Ableton Live 10.1 Suite is a music production and performance software featuring a range of instruments, drum machines, effec...
£539.00Available via download view -
Ableton Live 10.1 Standard (Download)
Ableton Live 10.1 Standard is a music production and performance software featuring a range of instruments, drum machines, ef...
£359.00Available via download view -
Upgrade to Reason 10 from Intro / Lite
Upgrade to full version of Reason 10 from Intro / Lite...
£239.00Pre Order view -
Cubase Artist 10 Upgrade from AI
Free update to Cubase Artist 10.5 upon activation....
£127.00Pre Order view -
Cubase Pro 11 Upgrade From Cubase AI
Cubase 11 comes with a vast range of workflow and performance improvements, as well as exciting new ways to find inspiration ...
£256.00Pre Order view -
Presonus Studio One 5 Professional (Download Card)
Studio One 5 takes it up a few notches giving you the ability to you compose, record, produce, mix, master, and perform all f...
£365.00Pre Order view -
Presonus Studio One 5 Artist (Download Card)
Studio One 5 Artist has everything you need to create your own music and podcasts as intuitively as possible, and does it all...
£89.00Pre Order view -
Presonus Studio One 5 Artist (Serial Download)
Studio One 5 Artist has everything you need to create your own music and podcasts as intuitively as possible, and does it all...
£89.00Pre Order view -
Presonus Studio One 5 Professional Upgrade from Artist
Studio One 5 takes it up a few notches giving you the ability to you compose, record, produce, mix, master, and perform all f...
£269.00Pre Order view -
Presonus Studio One 5 Professional Upgrade from Artist (Download Card)
Studio One 5 takes it up a few notches giving you the ability to you compose, record, produce, mix, master, and perform all f...
£269.00Pre Order view -
Presonus Studio One 5 Professional Upgrade from Professional/Producer
Studio One 5 takes it up a few notches giving you the ability to you compose, record, produce, mix, master, and perform all f...
£149.00Pre Order view -
Presonus Studio One 5 Professional Upgrade from Professional/Producer
Studio One 5 takes it up a few notches giving you the ability to you compose, record, produce, mix, master, and perform all f...
£149.00Pre Order view -
Presonus Sphere 1 Year (Download Card)
The complete Presonus software package for composers, producers and studios; one year access to just about everything....
£149.00Pre Order view -
Cubase Pro 11
Cubase 11 comes with a vast range of workflow and performance improvements, as well as exciting new ways to find inspiration ...
£497.00Pre Order view -
Cubase Artist 11
Cubase Artist 11 inherits VariAudio 3, ARA 2 support and unlimited audio, MIDI and instrument tracks....
£282.00Pre Order view -
Cubase Elements 11
Cubase Elements 11 delivers a vast amount of new features and has also been upgraded from it's bigger sibling now supporting ...
£85.00Pre Order view -
Cubase Artist 11 Upgrade from Cubase AI
Cubase Artist 11 inherits VariAudio 3, ARA 2 support and unlimited audio, MIDI and instrument tracks....
£127.00Pre Order view -
Cubase Pro 11 Competitive Crossgrade
Cubase 11 comes with a vast range of workflow and performance improvements, as well as exciting new ways to find inspiration ...
£308.00Pre Order view -
Avid Pro Tools 9 to 11 Upgrade Teacher Activation Card
Activation Card for Avid Pro Tools 11 allows existing users of Pro Tools 9 to upgrade to Pro Tools 11 at a heavily discounted...
£125.00Pre Order view -
Avid Tech Pro Tools Annual Upgrade Plan (Activation Card & iLok 2)
The Pro Tools Annual Upgrade Plan is for users who wish to upgrade their copy of Pro Tools 11 or Pro Tools 12 to the latest v...
£599.00Pre Order view -
Avid Tech Pro Tools Annual Upgrade And Support Plan (Activation Card)
This upgrade comes with a twelve-month upgrade and support plan (renewable) that ensures access to the latest enhancements, a...
£169.00Pre Order view