Audio Software DAW - Digital Audio Workstation One all-inclusive software application or combination of individual software

Waveform Editors Let you edit audio files at the sample level to optimize sound quality. Audacity

Plug-ins Provide audio effects processing, such as reverb, compression, and delay.

Software Instruments Provide synthesizers, samplers, and drum machines Mainstage

Internet Software Lets you edit and share music that you create online. Indaba Music, Aviary, JamStudio

Notation Software Let’s you create a finished manuscript of your music. Sibelius

All-in-One Software All the previous tools are built into one software application. Logic Studio

Overview of Software-Based Production “Random Access” allows you to: Restructure a recording any way you want. Work on segments of a recording instead of the entire piece every time. Save and recall multiple versions of the same project. Import elements from other projects.

Arrange Window Allows you to visualize your work on a central screen or window. The nerve-center of your production studio. Most arrange windows designate audio and midi tracks in different colors.

Segments and Regions A region is the basic unit of computer- based recording A region can include either audio or MIDI data, but each can be edited differently.

Timeline Shows where each element in a project occurs in relationship to time. Bars/Beats Time

Timeline Allows you to set markers, loop regions, and punch-in and punch-out locations for recording. Thumbnails of any video within the project.

Grid Refers to the way the arrange window interacts with the timeline You can restrict where your edits adhere or “snap” to the timeline.

Transport Bar The way to get around your project. Includes Play, Stop, Forward, Rewind, Pause, Loop, and Record.

Playhead Vertical Line that tells you where you are in your project. You can also copy and paste regions wherever you place the playhead.

Locators and Markers Allow you to be transported instantly to a certain spot Allow you to punch-in and punch-out of recording.

Qwerty Keyboards Use the QWERTY keyboard to speed up production by memorizing shortcuts. There are specialty keyboards available that will work with specific DAWs.

Smart Cursor Allows you to make edits quickly, instead of always selecting an edit from a menu (i.e. looping) Be careful of your cursor placement, you may execute an edit you don’t want to make!