Audio editing software

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An audio production facility at An-Najah National University An-Najah University media room Victor 2011 -1-70.jpg
An audio production facility at An-Najah National University

Audio editing software is any software or computer program which allows editing and generating audio data. [1] Audio editing software can be implemented completely or partly as a library, as a computer application, as a web application, or as a loadable kernel module. Wave editors are digital audio editors. There are many sources of software available to perform this function. Most can edit music, apply effects and filters, and adjust stereo channels.

Contents

A digital audio workstation (DAW) is software-based and typically comprises multiple software suite components, all accessible through a unified graphical user interface. DAWs are used for recording or producing music, sound effects and more. [2]

Music software capabilities

Audio editing software typically offer the following features:

Typically these tasks can be performed in a manner that is non-linear. Audio editors may process the audio data non-destructively in real-time, or destructively as an "off-line" process, or a hybrid with some real-time effects and some offline effects.

Plug-ins

Audio plug-ins are small software programs that can be "plugged in" to use inside the main workstation. Plug-ins are used in DAWs to allow more capabilities when it comes to audio editing. [3] There are several different types of plug-ins. For example, stock plug-ins are the plug-ins that come already installed with a DAW, and Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plug-ins. Invented by Steinberg, VST plug-ins allow producers to apply simple or advanced effects such as filters, limiting, compression, reverb, flanging, panning, noise reduction, and equalizers. [3]

MIDI vs. audio

MIDI (pronounced "middy") and audio are both compressed digital formats that are used within a Digital Audio Workspace (DAW). MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. MIDI is used with plug-ins that allow the user to control the notes of various plug-in instruments. MIDI is universally accepted and if one plug-in or synthesizer is used using MIDI, then it can be modified with another synthesizer. [4] The filename extension of MIDI format is .MIDI or .MID. [4] Unlike MIDI, Digital audio contains a recording of sound. Audio files are a lot larger than MIDI files, and while MIDI is smaller, MIDI can have variations from the original sounds.

List of DAWs

See Digital audio workstation § Notable commercial examples and Comparison of digital audio editors

Comparison of destructive and real-time editing

Destructive editing modifies the data of the original audio file, as opposed to just editing its playback parameters. Destructive editors are also known as sample editors. Destructive editing applies edits and processing directly to the audio data, changing the data immediately. If, for example, part of a track is deleted, the deleted audio data is immediately removed from that part of the track.

Real-time editing does not apply changes immediately but applies edits and processing on the fly during playback. If, for example, part of a track is deleted, the deleted audio data is not actually removed from the track, but is hidden and will be skipped on playback. [5]

Advantages of destructive editing

Limitations of destructive editing

Advantages of non-destructive (real-time) editing

Limitations of non-destructive (real-time) editing

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ardour (software)</span> Open-source digital audio workstation

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Multitrack recording</span> Separate recording of multiple sound sources to create a cohesive whole

Multitrack recording (MTR), also known as multitracking, is a method of sound recording developed in 1955 that allows for the separate recording of multiple sound sources or of sound sources recorded at different times to create a cohesive whole. Multitracking became possible in the mid-1950s when the idea of simultaneously recording different audio channels to separate discrete "tracks" on the same reel-to-reel tape was developed. A "track" was simply a different channel recorded to its own discrete area on the tape whereby their relative sequence of recorded events would be preserved, and playback would be simultaneous or synchronized.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steinberg Cubase</span> Digital audio workstation

Cubase is a digital audio workstation (DAW) developed by Steinberg for music and MIDI recording, arranging and editing. The first version, which was originally only a MIDI sequencer and ran on the Atari ST computer, was released in 1989. Cut-down versions of Cubase are included with almost all Yamaha audio and MIDI hardware, as well as hardware from other manufacturers. These versions can be upgraded to a more advanced version at a discount.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Virtual Studio Technology</span> Audio plug-in software interface

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pro Tools</span> Digital audio workstation

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digital audio workstation</span> Electronic device or application software used for recording, editing and producing audio files

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logic Pro</span> Digital audio workstation

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">REAPER</span> Digital audio workstation by Cockos

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">BIAS</span>

BIAS was a privately held corporation based in Petaluma, California. It ceased all business operations as of June, 2012.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Qtractor</span> Digital audio workstation application for Linux

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bedroom production</span>

A bedroom producer is an amateur musician who creates, performs, and records their music independently using a home studio, often considered a hobbyist opposed to a professional record producer in the recording industry that works in a traditional studio with clients. Typically bedroom producers use accessible digital technology that costs less than the equipment in a professional studio, such as MIDI controller-based instruments and virtual studio technology, to create music for release to the world. While a professional record producer oversees and guides the recording process, often working alongside multiple people such as studio musicians, singers, engineers, mixers, songwriters, arrangers, and orchestrators, a bedroom producer does everything independently: creating the ideas, recording them and processing them for release. Bedroom producers are often self-taught, learning sound design, mixing and music theory by reading music production blogs and watching tutorials on the internet. As bedroom producers depend on the accessibility of music technology, bedroom production has been made easier with advances in home computing power and digital audio workstations (DAW).

References

  1. "What is Audio Editing- How is Music, Sound & MP3 Editing done?". Archived from the original on March 5, 2021. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  2. "What are digital audio workstations (DAW)? - Recording Connection Audio Institute". www.recordingconnection.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  3. 1 2 "The Role of Plugins in Digital Audio Workstation Software | Kuassa". May 20, 2015. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  4. 1 2 Chhoni (September 3, 2013). "Difference between MIDI and Digital Audio". www.differencebetween.info. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  5. "Destructive Vs Non-Destructive Audio Editing for Podcast Production". The Podcast Host. September 2, 2019. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2021.