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Music Production Concepts

Frequency Bands

06/08/2025 by Niraj Chohan
Music Production Concepts

Logic_EQ.png

🎚️ Understanding Frequency Bands in Music

The human ear can generally hear sounds between 20 Hz (low) and 20,000 Hz (high).

These frequencies make up everything we hear — from deep bass to high-pitched whistles.

We can divide this range into three main bands:

Frequency Band Range Also Called Sounds Like
Low Frequencies 20 Hz – 250 Hz Bass Deep, boomy (Kick drums, Bass)
Mid Frequencies 250 Hz – 4000 Hz Mids Body and presence (Vocals, Chords)
High Frequencies 4000 Hz – 20,000 Hz Treble Bright, sharp (Hi-hats, Sparkle)

Standard (More Detailed) Breakdown:

Range Name Frequency Range Common Sounds
Sub-bass 20 – 60 Hz Subwoofers, rumble, deep synths
Bass 60 – 250 Hz Kick, bass guitar, low-end body
Low Mids 250 – 500 Hz Warmth, muddiness in vocals/instruments
Midrange 500 – 2,000 Hz (2 kHz) Core vocal/instrument body, boxiness
Upper Mids 2,000 – 4,000 Hz Presence, attack of snare/guitar/vocals
Highs (Treble) 4,000 – 20,000 Hz Clarity, air, sparkle, cymbals, hi-hats

🔊 How This Affects What You Hear

When you hear a sound, you’re actually hearing a mix of different frequencies playing at different volume levels (decibels).

If you change the volume of any frequency band using an equalizer (EQ), the sound will feel different. For example:

  • Boosting bass makes it sound deeper and heavier.

  • Cutting mids might make vocals sound distant.

  • Boosting highs adds brightness or sparkle.

Synthesisers and Virtual Synths (VSTs)

04/08/2025 by Niraj Chohan
Music Production Concepts

Synthesizers, Synth Instruments (VSTi), and Synth Effects (VSTs)

🎹 What is a Synthesizer?

A synthesizer is an electronic device or software tool that generates and manipulates sound. Synths are widely used in music production to create new tones, modify existing sounds, or mimic real instruments.

There are two main types:

  • Hardware synthesizers – Physical devices with knobs, keys, and sound engines

  • Software synthesizers – Virtual versions used inside DAWs, also known as VST Instruments (VSTi)

Most modern synths include:

  • Presets – Pre-designed sounds ready to use

  • Built-in effects – Tools like EQs, compressors, reverbs, delays, and distortion to shape the sound


🧩 What is VST (Virtual Studio Technology)?

VST (Virtual Studio Technology) is a plugin format developed by Steinberg. It allows you to add software instruments and audio effects to your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).

There are two main types of VSTs:

  1. VST Instruments (VSTi)

    • Also called Synth Instruments

    • Used to generate or create sounds

    • Can include drum machines, pianos, guitars, synths, strings, etc.

    • Used only on MIDI tracks in a DAW

    • In Ableton Live, these are found under the Instruments tab

  2. VST Effects (VSTfx)

    • Also called Synth Effects or Audio Effects

    • Used to modify, enhance, or shape existing sounds

    • Includes effects like EQ, compressor, reverb, delay, distortion, etc.

    • Can be applied to both Audio and MIDI tracks

    • In Ableton Live, these are found under the Audio Effects tab


🏢 Popular Hardware Synthesizer Brands:

  • Yamaha

  • Roland

  • Korg

  • Moog

  • Novation

  • Arturia

💻 Popular VST Plugin Companies:

  • Native Instruments

  • Spectrasonics

  • Refx (e.g., Nexus)

  • Xfer Records (e.g., Serum)

  • Lennar Digital (e.g., Sylenth1)

  • Reveal Sound (e.g., Spire)

  • FabFilter

  • Waves Audio

  • iZotope

  • Universal Audio

  • IK Multimedia


✅ Summary (for beginners):

  • Synth Instruments (VSTi) = Create sounds → Use on MIDI tracks in DAWs

  • Synth Effects (VSTfx) = Modify sounds → Use on Audio, MIDI, Effects and Master tracks in a DAW

Both are essential parts of modern music production and help bring your songs to life.

Electronic Dance Music and Music Genres

27/04/2021 by Niraj Chohan
Music Production Concepts

🎶 What is Electronic Dance Music (EDM)?

Electronic Dance Music, commonly known as EDM, is a popular style of music that’s mainly created for parties, nightclubs, raves, and music festivals.

Originally, EDM was produced by DJs to play during live sets and keep the crowd dancing. But over the years, it has grown into a global phenomenon — with millions of fans and producers embracing the style.

Today, EDM is:

  • Played on radio stations and streaming platforms

  • Used in TV shows, advertisements, video games, and films

  • A major part of private parties and events worldwide


🎧 EDM Has Many Sub-Genres

EDM isn’t just one sound — it’s a whole world of styles. Some popular sub-genres include:

  • House

  • Techno

  • Trance

  • Dubstep

  • Trap

  • Moombahton

  • Future Bass

  • Drum & Bass

  • Psytrance

Each has its own tempo, sound selection, and energy. Many modern music producers also blend elements from EDM with other genres like pop, hip-hop, or R&B to create fresh, commercial sounds.


🌍 EDM Is Everywhere

From massive music festivals like Tomorrowland and Ultra, to trending songs on Spotify, EDM has become a mainstream genre with huge cultural impact.

It’s no longer just for DJs — today, anyone with a laptop and a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) can create EDM tracks at home.

Understanding Music Genre Characteristics

Every genre of music has its own unique vibe — and that comes from a specific combination of tempo, structure, and sound choices. By understanding these key characteristics, you can identify or create music that fits a particular genre.


🔑 What Defines a Genre?

A genre can usually be recognized by the following three key features:


1️⃣ Tempo (BPM – Beats Per Minute)

Tempo is the speed of the music — how fast or slow it feels.
It’s measured in Beats Per Minute (BPM):

  • 60 BPM = 1 beat per second → slow

  • 120 BPM = 2 beats per second → medium/fast

👉 You can count the beats in a minute manually, or use BPM detection tools (many free apps/plugins are available for Mac, PC, Android, and iOS).

The faster the BPM, the more energetic the song usually feels. Slower BPMs give a relaxed or emotional vibe.


2️⃣ Song Structure / Arrangement Pattern

Most songs follow a basic structure like:
Intro – Verse – Pre-Chorus – Chorus (or Drop/Hook) – Bridge/Break – Outro

However, the order, repetition, and layering of these sections varies by genre:

  • A Pop song might go Verse → Chorus → Verse → Chorus → Bridge → Chorus

  • An EDM track may build tension with risers and explode into a Drop

  • A Rock song might include a solo or extended bridge section

Each genre uses structure in its own unique way to shape the emotional flow of the track.


3️⃣ Sound Selection

The types of sounds you use are a big part of what gives a song its genre identity.
This includes:

  • Drums: Punchy and synthetic in EDM, acoustic in rock or funk

  • Bass: Deep 808s in trap, funky grooves in jazz, growling tones in dubstep

  • Melodic/Harmonic Elements: Tropical plucks, jazzy chords, gritty synths, etc.

  • FX: Risers, sweeps, reverses, impacts for modern production transitions

👉 Even if two songs have the same tempo, different sound choices can make them sound completely different in genre.


Song Tempo and Music Genres

🕐 Tempo & Genre — Why BPM Matters

Tempo (BPM) isn’t just about speed — it plays a key role in defining the genre or sub-genre of music. While structure and sound style also matter, tempo is often the first clue to identify or design a genre-specific track.


🎵 Typical BPM Ranges by Genre


Electronic & EDM Sub-Genres:

Genre BPM Range
Hip-Hop 70 – 90 BPM
Trap 80 – 110 BPM
Moombahton 100 – 110 BPM
House (Tropical, Deep, Tech, Future, Progressive) 120 – 130 BPM
Techno 120 – 130 BPM
Trance 130 – 140 BPM
Dubstep 135 – 140 BPM
Future Bass 140 – 150 BPM
Psytrance 150 – 170 BPM
Drum & Bass 170 – 180 BPM

Non-Electronic / Mainstream Genres:

Genre BPM Range
Reggae 80 – 110 BPM
Pop 110 – 130 BPM
Jazz / Funk 80 – 110 BPM
R&B / Soul 60 – 80 BPM
Rock / Acoustic 100 – 140 BPM

(Includes sub-genres like punk, blues, metal, country, progressive rock, etc.)


Traditional Dance Styles (Partner Dancing):

Dance Style BPM Range
Waltz 80 – 90 BPM
Tango 60 – 70 BPM
Cha Cha Cha 120 – 130 BPM
Rumba 100 – 110 BPM
Salsa 180 – 300 BPM
Jive 165 – 185 BPM

🧠 Final Thought:

Even if genres share BPM ranges, what separates them is how the structure is arranged and what kind of sounds are used.
Learning to observe, listen, and experiment with these three elements — tempo, structure, and sound selection — is key to becoming a great producer or music creator.

Music Production – An Ultimate Guide for 2026 | Aria Musico®

17/04/2021 by Niraj Chohan
Music Production Concepts

An ultimate guide to music production

WHAT IS MUSIC PRODUCTION?

Music is everywhere—in radio, streaming apps, TV shows, movies, advertisements, and even presentations. It plays a big part in our lives.

Music production is the process of making this music. It means creating, recording, and improving songs or sounds so they are ready to be shared with people on different platforms.

Simply put, music production is how a simple musical idea is turned into a professional song that you can listen to on the radio, online, or in movies and TV.

 


 

STAGES OF MUSIC PRODUCTION

Stages of Music Production by Aria Musico

A song usually moves through five main stages. Some projects also include recording if you’re using vocals or real instruments.

 

1) Programming (Writing / Beat-Making)

What you do:
Create the building blocks of the track—drums, bass, chords, melodies, arpeggios, pads, synths, and FX—using MIDI, virtual instruments, and samples.

Goal:
Make a short loop or section where all parts sound good together (no clashing notes or rhythms).

Tip:
Start simple (e.g., an 8-bar loop). Choose sounds that suit your genre.

 

2) Arrangement (Structuring the Song)

What you do:
Place your parts on the timeline to form sections like Intro, Verse, Pre-Chorus, Chorus/Drop, Breakdown/Bridge, Build, Outro.

Goal:
Turn your loop into a full song with rises, drops, and variations to keep listeners engaged.

Tip:
Different genres favor different structures—use a reference track to guide length and energy flow.

 

3) Sound Design (and Sound Choice)

What you do:
Shape or design sounds so they fit the track and genre. Use built-in DAW devices or third-party synths; start from presets and tweak ADSR, filters, effects, modulation to make them yours.

Goal:
A cohesive sound palette that feels intentional and genre-appropriate.

Tip:
Layer carefully; fewer, better sounds beat many conflicting ones.

 

(Optional) Recording & Editing

What you do:
Record vocals, guitars, or other instruments. Clean up takes (comping), fix timing/pitch if needed, and remove noise.

Goal:
Clean, expressive performances that sit well in the mix.

 

4) Audio Mixing

What you do:
Balance and polish all elements so everything has its own space and nothing fights for attention.

Typical steps (simple):

• Clean-up EQ: High-pass/low-pass to remove rumble or harshness.

• Balance & Pan: Set levels, place sounds left/right for width.

• Compression & Sidechain: Control dynamics; make kick/bass work together.

• Tone & Space: Subtractive EQ to reduce muddiness; add reverb/delay tastefully.

• Automation: Small moves over time for life and clarity.

Goal:
A clear, balanced mix that translates on headphones, phone speakers, and monitors.

Tip:
Leave ~-6 dB of headroom on the master (no clipping) before mastering.

 

5) Audio Mastering

What you do:
Final polish and loudness. Subtle EQ, gentle compression/multiband, limiting, and small stereo adjustments.

Goals (streaming-friendly):

• Even tonal balance across 20 Hz–20 kHz

• Competitive but clean loudness (commonly around -14 LUFS for streaming; keep True Peak ≤ -1 dBTP)

• Consistency across different playback systems

Tip:
Export your mix as 24-bit WAV (44.1/48 kHz), then master; avoid clipping and over-limiting.

 

Creative vs. Technical

• Programming, Arrangement, Sound Design → mostly creative (lots of experimentation).

• Mixing & Mastering → creative + technical (taste + accurate adjustments).

Each stage is important—and each can be a full-time career in the music industry.

 


 

PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE MUSIC PRODUCTION PROCESS

There following are people who are involved in the process of music production:

• Music Producers.

• Session Drummers, Guitarists, Pianists etc.

• Vocalists.

• Lyricists.

• Sound Designers.

• Programmers/Arrangers.

• Mixing Engineers.

• Mastering Engineers.

 


 

CAREERS IN MUSIC PRODUCTION

People who have expertise in music production can have several career options like:

• Freelance / Independent Music Producers.

• Sound Designers.

• Programmers & Arrangers.

• Audio Mixing Engineers.

• Mastering Engineers.

 


 

MUSIC / SONG ELEMENTS:

The following are the elements of a song for any type of music:

• Drums.

• Bass.

• Music.

• Melody.

• FX Elements.

• Vocal and Lyrics.

 

The sound of each of the elements of music and their layering structure / arrangement patterns change genre-wise.

Know More: Elements of Music

 


 

MUSIC PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT

 

The most important gear that you require when you begin as a music producer is:

• Mac / PC.

• Digital Audio Workstation

• Headphones.

 

Apart from these, you may add the following gear to your home or professional studio as you grow:

• A dedicated studio desk.

• External VSTs, VSTis and samples banks. 

• Audio Interface / Sound Cards

• Studio Monitors

• MIDI Instruments. (Preferably a MIDI keyboard)

• Professional recording microphones

• Acoustic treatment foams, wooden panels and isolation pads.

 

For a comprehensive studio equipment and studio setup guide visit our HOME STUDIO SETUP PAGE

 


 

To Conclude

Thanks to modern tools like Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs), today’s music producers can create professional-quality songs entirely on their own — right from a home studio.

✅ You don’t need to hire a professional unless absolutely necessary.

✅ You can learn, practice, and master every aspect of music production — from composing to mixing and mastering.

✅ You can even build your own home studio setup using just a laptop and a decent pair of headphones to get started.

For the areas you’re not confident in, you can always hire skilled freelancers or work with affordable music production companies — a trial-and-error approach often helps you build a reliable creative team.


🎯 The Goal?

With hands-on experience and a strong network of trusted collaborators, you’ll soon be able to produce radio-ready music that can compete on any platform — from Spotify to film scores.


💡 Quick Tip to Get Started:

• Use your existing laptop or PC

• Use any basic headphones

• Download a free DAW or a trial version like Ableton Live or Logic Pro.

• Start learning and experimenting right away — no need to buy anything at the beginning!


🎓 Need Help?

🎵 Want to learn music production step-by-step?

👉 Visit our [Music Production Courses] page.

🎶 Need professional help with your song?

👉 Check out our [Songwriting & Production Services].

📚 Explore all our courses:

👉 Visit the [All Courses] page.


🎧 Listen to Our Work & Show Your Support:

🔗 [Spotify Playlist]

🔗 [YouTube Playlist]

Home Studio Gear and Setup Guide

16/03/2021 by Niraj Chohan
Music Production Concepts

🎧 MUSIC PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT & HOME STUDIO SETUP

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade, here’s a complete guide to the essential and advanced gear you’ll need for producing music like a pro.

Basic Home Studio Setup Image by Aria Musico

 


✅ Essential Gear to Start Music Production

You only need three things to begin:

1️⃣ Computer (Mac / PC) – (Minimum Specs):

• RAM: 4 GB (8 GB or more recommended)

• Processor: 2.8 GHz i3 or higher

• Storage: 500 GB (SSD preferred over HDD for faster performance)

2️⃣ Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

• This is your music-making software.

• Recommended Free Trials: Ableton Live (for Windows & Mac), Logic Pro X (Mac only)

• These provide you full access to professional tools while you learn.

3️⃣ Studio Headphones

• Look for a flat frequency response (not overly bass-boosted)

• Frequency range: 20 Hz to 20 kHz

• 🎧 Popular Models: Sennheiser HD 206 / HD 280, Audio-Technica M30x M40x, M50x, AKG K712 etc.


🚀 Optional Gear to Upgrade Your Studio

As you grow, consider adding:

🪑 Studio Desk

Should comfortably fit and keep everything easily accessible for workflow efficiency.:

• Computer / Keyboard

• Audio Interface

• MIDI Controller

• Studio Monitors

• Microphone

 

🎹 MIDI Keyboard / Controller

• Sends note, timing, and velocity data to your DAW

• Beginners can start with 25 keys, while pros may prefer 49/61/88-key versions

• Top Brands: M-Audio, Novation, Akai etc.

 

🎛️ Audio Interface (Sound Card)

Converts analog to digital sound and vice versa. Minimum Specs:

• 24-bit depth

• 96 kHz (or higher)

• At least 2 inputs/2 outputs for stereo monitoring

• Connection Types: USB or Thunderbolt

• Popular Models: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, Behringer UM2, MOTU M2

 

🔊 Studio Monitors (Speakers)

• Designed for accurate sound — not enhanced like regular speakers

• Choose flat-response models

• 5-inch drivers are great for home studios

• 📢 Popular Models: KRK Rokit 5, Genelec 8040, Mackie HR824

 

🧩 VST Plugins, VST Instruments, Sample Packs

• Expand your sound palette with instruments, synths, and effects

• Popular VSTi: Refx Nexus, Omnisphere, Sylenth1, Massive, Spire

• Top Effects Plugins: Waves, FabFilter, Universal Audio, iZotope, SSL

• Sample Libraries: Loopmasters, Vengeance, Beatport Sounds

 

🎤 Studio Microphones

• Go for condenser mics for vocals and instruments

• Balanced XLR outputs preferred

• Trusted Brands: Rode, Audio-Technica, Shure, Neumann, AKG

 

🧱 Acoustic Treatment

Use:

• Foam panels on side and rear walls

• Bass traps in corners

• Isolation pads under monitors

These helps eliminate unwanted reflections and echo for better sound clarity

 


Studio Setup Guide Infographic by Aria Musico

🛠️ Home Studio Setup Tips (Beginner Friendly)

🧱 Room Shape:

• A square room is best. In rectangular rooms, face the shorter wall.

🪑 Desk & Listening Position:

• Place your setup so you’re sitting at the center of the room.

• Form an equilateral triangle between your ears and the two monitors.

🔊 Monitor Placement:

• Place them at ear level

• Keep 1 foot away from the back wall

• Use rubber isolation pads to reduce vibrations

🎧 Other Setup Tips:

• Avoid placing monitors too close to corners

• Use wooden flooring or thick carpets (if needed)

• Prefer solid wooden doors for better isolation

• Avoid symmetry between the back and side walls for better sound diffusion


🟩 Final Note:

Start small — just your laptop, headphones, and a free DAW is enough. As you gain skill, you can build a powerful setup step-by-step based on your needs and budget.

6 Secret Elements of Music Production You Need to Know About

16/03/2021 by Niraj Chohan
Music Production Concepts
Elements of Music

Elements of Music Production

A song of any genre is generally made of the following 6 elements:

• Drum Elements

• Bass Elements

• Music Elements

• Melody Elements

• FX elements

• Vocals & Lyrics

 

However, it is the sounds of each of the elements of music along with the arrangement pattern of each of these elements put together that defines the genre of the song.

 

So choosing sounds for the project will depend on the genre of music you want to produce.

 

It is the harmony of these elements of music and the sound of the element that will set up the feel of the music. 

 

Now let’s take a look at the song elements used in the EDM Music and also a typical guide to the space these elements consume in the frequency spectrum of our song.

 

So while mixing these elements we can give importance to these sounds in the respective regions as mentioned.

 

There may be some variation in the frequency range depending on the actual sound used in your project and accordingly, you may decide to alter your decisions.

1. Drum Elements

In EDM Music we can have the following drum elements:

 

• Kick / Bass drum: We can have a Kick / Bass drum dominating in the low frequencies around 60-80Hz and also around 3000 Hz where we have the supporting frequencies of the Kick / Bass drum sounds.

 

• Snare: Snares have dominating frequencies around 150 Hz and the clarity to the snares comes from around 2500-3500 Hz.

 

• Claps: Claps have dominating frequencies around 1000 Hz and their supporting frequencies start from 200 Hz and can go all the way up to 12000 Hz.

 

• Hi-hats: Hi-hats have dominating frequencies above 2000 Hz and their supporting frequencies start from around 500 Hz and can go all the way up to 18000 Hz.

 

• Percussion sounds – Rims, Toms, Congas, Bongos etc: Have dominating frequencies between 200-500 Hz depending on the sound and again like the snare drum their crispiness can come from the range of 2000-4000 Hz depending on the sound.

 

• Shakers, Rides, Crashes: Again these are hi-frequency sounds and they have dominating frequencies in a region above 2000 Hz and their supporting frequencies may start from around 300 Hz.

2. Bass Elements

We can have the following 2 elements to make a solid bass structure for our songs:

 

• Sub Bass: Dominating frequency from 20-200 Hz and supporting frequencies can go up to 1000 Hz.

• Synth Bass: Dominating frequencies from 80-200 Hz and the supporting frequencies around 2000 Hz.

3. Music Elements

Depending on the sounds chosen the frequency range for the elements of music may change. We can have the frequencies of music elements starting from around 100 Hz and can go all the way up to 20000 Hz. 

 

We can have the following elements to build a music section for our songs:

 

• Arpeggiators: Arpeggiators are running sounds that give a good background feel and a kind of rhythm to the music section of our song.

 

• Pluck Sounds: These sounds short and punchy sounds which are created using some pluck instruments like the guitar, string instruments etc.

 

• Chords: Chords are ‘a set of notes when played together sound harmonic’. There are many types of chord patterns like the Major, Minor, Diminished, Augmented, Suspended etc. that give these chords a harmonic feel.

We can also have a series of chords played together called chord progression that gives your song a harmonic feel. So we can have these chord progressions for various instruments like Pianos, Guitars, Violins, Synths etc in the music sections.

 

• Pads / Strings / Atmospheric sounds: These are sounds layered behind all of the above sounds in the music section which provides a feel of completeness to the overall music group.

4. Melody

Melody can be considered as the soul of your song. It will give your song a unique identity.

The frequency range for the melody can start from about 150 Hz and can go all the way up to 20000 Hz.

5. FX Elements

These are elements that are required to have smooth transitions between the different sections (like the intros, verses, choruses etc) of our song. These sounds can range throughout the spectrum from 20 – 20000 Hz. 

 

We can use different FX Elements like – Impacts, Up-lifters, Down-lifters, Risers, Downs, Sweeps, Noises, Fills etc. to have smooth transitions between different sections of our song.

6. Vocals & Lyrics

Vocals and lyrics are by far one of the most important elements of the song and required to make our songs sing-along.

 

Vocals and lyrics are used to express certain emotions and are elements that can give our song a unique storyline that our audience can get connected with.

 

While we can release instrumental versions which are well accepted by the audience today but having vocals in our songs will give you more views/streams to our songs.

To Conclude:

The above elements of music production coupled with a solid arrangement, mixing and mastering will give a unique shape to our songs.

As discussed earlier these elements normally go in the making of any genre of music.

But the sounds of these along with the arrangement and the mixing mastering techniques will help you in making a song of a particular genre.

 

QUICK SONGWRITING TIP TO PRODUCE SOMETHING VERY GENRE SPECIFIC:

In case you are producing a hip-hop song you can use loops/sounds from the hip-hop sample pack to build your songs.

In case you want to create an Indian classical song, use the sounds from the Indian sample packs.

In case you are creating your elements you can listen to the loops of that particular genre and take inspiration from them to build your elements.

This way you can be sure that you will make your songs sound like a particular genre.

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An Exclusive Guide To The Digital Audio Workstations of 2026

16/03/2021 by Niraj Chohan
Music Production Concepts

Everything you need to know about Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs)

 

Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs)

A ‘Digital Audio Workstation’ popularly referred to as a ‘DAW’ is an electronic device or application software that can be used for purpose of recording, editing & producing audio files. These are available as standalone units or in a software format.

 

The software format of the digital audio workstations has become widely popular in recent times and the process of producing music with this software format of DAWs is often referred to as music production or ‘producing in the box’.

 

This software format of digital audio workstation contains various software instruments like Drum machines, Synths, Musical instruments etc, which can be used to create new sounds.

 

Also, they contain various audio effects like Equalisers, Compressors, Reverbs, Delays, Distortion etc. that can be used to modify/enhance the sounds, and for Mixing & Mastering purposes.

 

 

TYPES OF TRACKS/CHANNELS IN DAWs

Any digital audio workstations typically come with a support of 3 types of tracks/channels:

 

Audio Track: Wherein we can use audio samples or loops normally having the extension ‘.wav’ or ‘.aiff’. This track is typically a place for using a readymade audio file for our production process.

 

MIDI Track: The term MIDI stands for ‘Musical Instrument Digital Interface’. This track is where we can create and layer our bass-lines chords, pads, arpeggiators, melodies or even record the same using a MIDI Interface.

This musical information that we put typically needs to be supported with a sound from our DAW library or a VSTi to convert it into audio. So to sum it up – the MIDI track is a place to create wonderful elements for our song.

 

Effects Tracks: These are tracks where we can put the audio effects or the VSTs that can act as a common effect for multiple channels. 

For eg: We may put reverb on an effect track and can now use this reverb on multiple channels (Audio or MIDI) by just setting up the intensity on that channel.

 

This way we can save a lot of time and CPU usage by using a common effect instead of the need to have the same effect on multiple channels and adjusting the parameters on the effect every time on every channel.

This is ideal if we are not looking for a customised set of effects on each of the channels.

 

 

INSTRUMENTS & AUDIO EFFECTS:

All digital audio workstations come with a range of electronic instruments like drum machines, synthesisers, musical instruments like guitars, pianos etc. that can be used to create new sounds. These instruments can be used on the MIDI Tracks of DAWs.

 

Also, they come with a wide range of Audio Effects like – equalisers, compressors, reverbs, delays etc. that can be used to correct, enhance or modify the sounds once they are created. These audio effects can be used on all types of tracks in a DAW.

 

 

AUDIO SAMPLES / MIDI CLIPS

All DAWs provide a wide range of audio samples or MIDI Clips for our production purpose.

 

Audio samples are ready loops normally in the ‘.wav’ or ‘.aiff’ format which can be directly used for production on the Audio Tracks of DAWs.

 

MIDI clips or samples normally have a ‘.mid’ extension. these files contain a set of notes with note lengths and velocity information but without any sound.

These clips instruct the DAWs to play certain notes. These can be imported on the MIDI Tracks of DAWs and then we can choose an appropriate sound for these to convert it into an audio signal.

 

 

TRACKS AREA / ARRANGEMENT REGION

All DAWs have a tracks area or the arrangement region which is used to build a structure for the songs. It may also have a timeline that guides us with the duration of the songs/music that we are producing.

This arrangement region also has clear BAR and BEAT positions which are useful in layering the elements in the correct position.

We can layer audio as well as MIDI clips in this arrangement region and build solid structures for our songs.

 

 

MIXER

All DAWs come with an in-built mixer that can be used for processing sounds and balancing them in order to make our songs sound sonically consistent.

 

 

FILE RENDERING OPTIONS

All DAWs provide industry-standard audio rendering options like the sample rates, bit depth, audio formats, dithering etc.

Using these options we can render industry-standard lossless audio or compressed files like:

• 44100 Hz, 24/16 bits Wav, Aiff etc or

• 48000 Hz, 24/16 bits Wav or Aiff files

• MP3 formats range from 128 Kbps to 320 Kbps.

 

 

POPULAR DAWs:

The following is the list of popular Digital Audio Workstations:

• Ableton Live.

• Apple Inc’s – Logic Pro.

• Image-line – FL Studio.

• Steinberg Cubase.

• Avid Protools.

• Reason Studios – Reason.

• Cocos Reaper.

• Bitwig Studio.

• Pre-Sonus Studio One.

 

 

SELECTING A DAW:

Since there are plenty of options available this is a question that is often asked by many. Some points you can consider before selecting the digital audio workstations are:

• Whether you are making music for yourself or others.

• In case you are making music for others, you may want to choose a digital audio workstation they might be using.

• Your Budget.

• Whether you are using a Mac or a PC. (Eg. Logic Pro works only on a Mac-based system).

• Whether you have previous experience or know the basics of music production.

 

BEST DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION

The best DAW would be the one that we get used to and are comfortable producing music on. Hence it is suggested that you can try using multiple digital audio workstations and then select the one:

• that you find convenient,

• the one that fits your budget and

• the one that fulfils your criteria as discussed above.

So after considering all of the above factors you should decide upon the best digital audio workstation for your work and keep improving your skills in the same.

 

 

FREE/DEMO VERSIONS Vs FREE TRIALS:

Almost all digital audio workstations offer free versions or free trials and basic tutorials to get you started. The difference between the free versions and pro versions of these digital audio workstations is the number of features, instruments, audio effects, sample libraries offered.

Some digital audio workstations limit the access duration or saving projects and export songs in the free versions.

 

• Ableton Live & Logic Pro are currently offering free trials for 90 Days.

• Steinberg Cubase & Reason Studios – Reason are currently offering free trials for 30 days.

• Fl Studio, Avid Protools First Edition and Studio One Prime are offering free versions of DAWs.

• Bitwig Studio is a DAW that offers a Demo version.

• Cocos Reaper is a DAW that is the cheapest among all of the above DAWs and very reasonably priced.

 

So plenty of options right? Which one should you go for & why?

 

Free digital audio workstations are completely free to use but with some limitations. You can get started with producing music with them for free.

The only area where they lack is:
• Limited Samples / Sounds.
• Limited Plug-Ins / Instruments.
• Limited / No Advanced DAW features.

So, these are good if you want to try your hands-on production.

 

On the other hand, Free Trials are versions of digital audio workstations wherein you can use all the features like the sounds, instruments, advanced features for a limited duration say for 30 / 60 / 90 days. 

So our obvious recommendation is that you should always go for the free trial versions wherein you can use:
• Full versions of the digital audio workstations.
• All Instruments, Sounds & Samples.
• Advanced features.

So these trial versions do allow you to become a professional producer. Which will be the ultimate goal of all producers right?

 

 

DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATIONS FOR BEGINNERS:

We can recommend you the following 2 digital audio workstations for beginners:
Ableton Live for windows users &
Logic Pro X for Mac users.

This is because:

• These digital audio workstations are currently offering a 90 days free trial wherein you can use all the features, instruments and explore their huge library of 55+ Gb without any restrictions.

 

• If you already own a Macintosh system then you get to try all the advanced features of Logic Pro X for 90 days. It is also reasonably priced and offers a ton of features.

 

• Ableton has a simple user interface and is very good for beginners. It also offers a ton of advanced features and is worth every penny you spend on the upgrade.

 

• Almost all studios and music production houses have a copy of Ableton Live or Logic Pro X. So you stay in tandem with the industry with the knowledge in any of these digital audio workstations.

 

• Many other DAWs are offering free trials / free DAW versions but they come with limited functions or very limited sounds. So you won’t be able to learn and apply the advanced techniques using these basic features or limited sounds.

Ableton Live and Logic Pro X are digital audio workstations that offer you an opportunity to master the production techniques in 90 days and become a professional producer.

 

We also recommend that you work only on one DAW at a time, master it & then move to the other DAW. Once you know a DAW and the music production process completely then it becomes very easy to learn another DAW. In this case, we just have to get used to the interface of a DAW.

 

Also, we recommend that you focus on learning and mastering production techniques rather than wasting time learning the features of DAWs. Our goal as a producer ultimately is to produce music and not learn just the DAW.

 

Remember, whether we know a particular DAW in and out or not or whether we make a song in 30 days, 300 days or 30 minutes, the general audience will judge us with the first 30 seconds of our song and decide if they want to listen further and whether they will come back to listen again.

 

So our focus should always be to make our songs as interesting as possible.

 

 

CONCLUSION:

So now that you know about DAWs what are you waiting for?

Go ahead and kickstart your musical journey. We also offer music production courses on multiple DAWs. Get in touch with our experts for getting the best guidance to become a professional music producer.

To get started with producing pro-quality music enrol in our music production courses, visit our courses page: Aria Musico Music School Course Offerings

Also, you may want to check our original songs & subscribe to our official playlists – SPOTIFY & YOUTUBE

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