ABSTRACT
The heart of a computer-based recording studio is the digital audio workstation (DAW). This chapter reviews the three stages of using a DAW during a session: recording, overdubbing, and mixdown. It examines how signals flow in a DAW. The signal flow in DAW software can be controlled and measured by the knobs, buttons, and meters in a software mixer. The signal in the software and in the data-transfer cable is digital data, not analog audio. The reverbed signal returns to the stereo mix bus, where it blends or sums with the dry signal. The FX-send signal can be derived pre-fader or post-fader. The signals from the monitor mixer are mixed together. The incoming mic signals feed faders and pan controls in the monitor mixer. Any signal can be muted in the monitor mix. A hybrid studio combines software and hardware. This setup uses DAW software for recording and editing, but it adds outboard gear patched into the audio interface.
