Digital Audio Workstations

 

​Outcome 1

 

To pass the first outcome for Digital Audio Workstations I had to configure a digital audio workstation. The key points of this outcome from the module discriptor were to know:

 

• External connections for MIDI data.

• External connections for audio.

• MIDI parameter configuration.

• Audio parameter configuration.

 

I passed this outcome by using Cubase to:

 

• Set up Cubase so that it was ready for recording audio and MIDI data.

• Set up Cubase for the playback of audio.

• Configure the MIDI track and keyboard so that it will recognise the recorded MIDI data.

• Configure the audio interface and instrument, e.g. gain, channel level, EQ, routing and monitoring so that it was ready to record.

 

​Outcome 2

 

For the second outcome I had to perform audio and MIDI integration using a digital audio workstation. The key points of this outcome were to perform:

 

• MIDI data recording.

• Audio signal recording.

• MIDI sequencing.

• Audio sequencing.

• Project file handling.

 

I passed this outcome by using Cubase to:

 

• Perform MIDI recording.

• Perform audio signal recording using an audio interface.

• Perform MIDI sequence playback.

• Perform audio sequence playback.

• Save files in the correct file, with the correct name so that they can be found easily and not lost.

 

​Outcome 3

 

For the third outcome I had to perform a mixdown of a multi-track session with audio processing.  The key points of this outcome were to perform:

 

•  Dynamic processing.

•  Time-domain processing.

•  Audio channel level balancing.

•  Audio channel panning placement.

•  Prepare a session master.

•  Project file handling.

 

I passed this outcome by using Cubase to:

 

• Edit the audio/MIDI using dynamic processors.

• Edit the audio/MIDIusing time-domain processors.

• Achieve a balanced mix.

• Pan some channels for stereo imaging.

• Create a session master which is undistorted clear sounding.

• Save files in the correct file, with the correct name so that they can be found easily and not lost.

 

​Outcome 4

 

For the fourth outcome I had to produce an edited production master on Cubase. The key points of this outcome were to perform:

 

•  Project file handling.

•  Audio waveform editing.

•  Audio dynamics control.

•  Final format production.

 

I passed this outcome by using Cubase to:

 

• Save files in the correct file, with the correct name so that they can be found easily and not lost.

• Bounce the session down to a single stero track ready to master.

• Master the final bounce by using dynamic processors.

• Bounce the mastered track down to a suitable format.

 

I really enjoyed the Digital Audio Workstations module. I found it very useful learning how to use the MIDI keyboards and audio interface to record sounds into the DAW. Also I enjoyed learning about automation, time stretching, dynamic processing, balancing a mix and mastering.

 

I think the Digital Audio Workstations module will be useful to me if I want to get into the sound design area of audio industry because all the skills above are what I need to know and practice to develop my skills using different DAW’s.