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 Pro 12 Upgrade From Cubase AI 12
From improved MIDI Remote integration and improved editing tools to enhanced audio-to-MIDI and new effects....
£256.00Low Stock!! view -
Ableton Live 11 Suite (Download)
Ableton Live 11 Suite is a music production and performance software featuring a range of instruments, drum machines, effects...
£539.00Available via download view -
Reason 12 (Download)
Reason 12 features new Mimic creative sampler, high-resolution graphics and a faster browsing experience. ...
£499.00In Stock view -
Reason 12 Student/Teacher (Download)
Reason 12 features new Mimic creative sampler, high-resolution graphics and a faster browsing experience. ...
£249.00In Stock view -
Reason 12 Upgrade for Intro/Ltd/Essentials/Adapted/Lite (Download)
Reason 12 features new Mimic creative sampler, high-resolution graphics and a faster browsing experience. ...
£399.00In Stock view -
Reason 12 Upgrade
Reason 12 features new Mimic creative sampler, high-resolution graphics and a faster browsing experience. ...
£199.00In Stock view -
Reason+ 1-Year Subscription
Reason 12 features new Mimic creative sampler, high-resolution graphics and a faster browsing experience. ...
£199.00In Stock view -
Cubase Pro 12
From improved MIDI Remote integration and improved editing tools to enhanced audio-to-MIDI and new effects....
£497.00Low Stock!! view -
Cubase Pro 12 Competitive Crossgrade
From improved MIDI Remote integration and improved editing tools to enhanced audio-to-MIDI and new effects....
£308.00Low Stock!! view -
Cubase Artist 12
Cubase Artist is focused purely on music creation and production, with a wealth of dedicated tools for composing, songwriting...
£282.00Pre Order view -
Cubase Artist 12 Upgrade From Cubase AI 12
Cubase Artist is focused purely on music creation and production, with a wealth of dedicated tools for composing, songwriting...
£127.00Pre Order view -
Cubase Elements 12
Cubase Elements offers the world of Cubase in a streamlined, instantly accessible music production environment....
£85.00Low Stock!! view -
Bitwig Studio 4 (Download)
Bitwig Studio 4: Modern Music Production and Performance for Windows, macOS, and Linux....
£329.00In Stock view -
FL Studio 20 Producer Edition
FL Studio 20 Producer Edition is a full-featured digital audio workstation packed with new features, instruments, packs and e...
£159.00view -
Presonus Studio One 5.5 Professional Upgrade from Professional/Producer
Studio One 5.5 takes it up a few notches giving you the ability to you compose, record, produce, mix, master, and perform all...
£149.00Pre Order view -
Presonus Studio One 5.5 Professional Upgrade from Artist
Studio One 5.5 takes it up a few notches giving you the ability to you compose, record, produce, mix, master, and perform all...
£269.00Pre 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 -
Ableton Live 11 Suite EDU (Download)
Ableton Live 11 Suite is a music production and performance software featuring a range of instruments, drum machines, effects...
£323.00Available via download view -
Avid Tech Pro Tools - Student/Teacher Perpetual License (Activation Card & iLok 2)
Protools Student/Teacher perpetual license including annual upgrade plan (Activation Card & iLok). Full version of Pro Tools ...
£319.00Pre Order view -
Avid Pro Tools 11 Teacher Activation Card
Teacher Activation Card for Pro Tools 11 at a heavily discounted price for faculty/staff, and accredited academic institution...
£255.00Pre Order 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 -
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...
£44.99In 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 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 -
Bitwig Studio 4 EDU (Download)
Educational version. Modern Music Production and Performance for Windows, macOS, and Linux....
£219.00In Stock view -
Ableton Live 11 Intro (Download)
Ableton Live 11 Intro provides all the essentials for you to get into music creation. ...
£69.00Available via download view -
Bitwig Studio 4 Upgrade from 8 Track (Download)
Upgrade for current owners of Bitwig Studio 8 track....
£289.00In Stock view -
Bitwig Studio 12 Month Upgrade Plan (Download)
Bitwig Studio 4: Modern Music Production and Performance for Windows, macOS, and Linux....
£129.00In Stock view -
Bitwig Studio 16 Track (Download)
Your entry into the world of Bitwig Studio, the innovative music creation and performance software. ...
£84.99In Stock view -
IK Multimedia Miroslav Philharmonik 2 Orchestra & Choir Workstation
Complete symphonic sample library for composers...
£529.00Pre Order view -
Avid Pro Tools 10 to 11 Upgrade Teacher Activation Card
Activation Card for Avid Pro Tools 11 allows existing users of Pro Tools 10 to upgrade to Pro Tools 11 at a heavily discounte...
£83.00Pre Order view -
Steinberg Dorico Music Notation Software - Crossgrade
Versatile scoring application for Windows and macOS. The new standard for professional composers, arrangers, engravers, copyi...
Regular Price: £241.00
Special Price £129.00
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Ableton Live 11 UPG from Live Lite (Download)
Ableton Live 11 Standard software features a range of instruments, drum machines, effects, plugins and much more. ...
£269.00Available via download view -
Avid Pro Tools 10 to 11 Upgrade Student Activation Card
Activation Card for Avid Pro Tools 11 allows existing users of Pro Tools 10 to upgrade to Pro Tools 11 at a heavily discounte...
£83.00Pre Order view -
Avid Tech Pro Tools 12 Annual Subscription - Student / Teacher (Activation Card & iLok 2)
Annual subscription to full version of Pro Tools 12 - educational discounted version available to qualified students, faculty...
£79.00Pre Order view -
Avid Tech Pro Tools Annual Upgrade Plan - Student / Teacher (Activation Card)
Educational upgrade from previous Pro Tools versions including annual subscription to full version of Pro Tools 12 - educatio...
£69.00Pre Order view