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

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

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

4. Software Instruments Provide synthesizers, samplers, and drum machines
Mainstage

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

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

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

18. 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!