How do you learn and improve your skills with a DAW software?

The most important thing in a daw is it’s intuitivity, an intuitive interface is the most important aspect of a daw optimizing the work flow

No matter what stage of your voiceover career you're at, you'll need to know how to work with a reliable, professional-standard DAW. The problem is there are so many DAWs available on the market, and each has its own unique features, interface, and workflow. Which one should you choose? And is there an industry standard? Pro Tools, Adobe Audition, and Reaper are 3 of the most popular ones. But I decided to go with one - Logic Pro - created for Macs. It's very similar in look and feel to Garageband, the basic DAW that comes bundled with Mac computers. It's still a steep learning curve to master the basics of LogicPro. But because it's basically a much more powerful version of Garageband, learning how to use it seemed much more intuitive.

Learn the basics: Most DAWs have similar core functionalities. Start by understanding the interface, and essential tools like recording, editing, mixing, and effects processing. Many DAWs offer built-in tutorials or user manuals to get you started. Experiment and practice: Don't be afraid to jump in and start creating! Experiment with different sounds, instruments (virtual or real), and effects. Set achievable goals, like creating a simple beat or loop, and gradually build your skills. Learn from others: Surround yourself with the music production community. Watch tutorials by experienced producers on YouTube or other platforms. Many artists offer online courses or workshops where they share their creative process and DAW workflows.

I always share two thoughts regarding this question: 1. Learn the DAW that your future clients use. 2. Get the same system as the one your best friend has. Why? Because you're going to be calling them all the time when you get stuck and have a question.

Honestly, visual presentation draws my attention most. So I want my DAW to make sense visually first. Most DAWs do the same shit, so I need asthetically pleasing layout to be a priority. Second is ease of search for my plug ins.

First off, learn basics of Music Theory and composition and Sound/Audio Engineering. Every DAW has its pros and cons so as a beginner just start with one. I found FL Studio to be really great to begin with. Understand the structure of DAWs, the fundamentals, the nuts and bolts of it. Focus on achieving end goal, rather than what tool to use. The end product matters, not the tool. Tools only help you achieve your goal i.e. quality music and sound. I would recommend to learn Ardour as it is open source and is free or begin with FL Studio and then explore other options and then stick to it based on whatever workflow suits you.

DAW's are simply signal flow management tools. Become familiar with signal flow/routing and you'll be about 90% in ANY DAW. Then dive into using the DAW(s) that the groups/artists/producers use that you are wanting to work with. It is very common that I have to help the artist make adjustments mid session who may be using something different on their end than I am. I've had to help with Ableton, Digital Performer, FL Studio, Studio One, Sonar, Cubase, Logic Pro, Reaper, (even Audacity) or, or, or, or. Like vehicles, if you're going to be driving on the road as a profession you should at least become familiar with Trucks, sedans, automatic, stick, jeeps, scooters, motorcycles, minivans, electric vehicles, bicycles, etc, etc, etc, etc.

O mais importante é o que você consegue trabalhar da melhor forma, com mais agilidade e que te é mais prático. Toda DAW é uma ferramenta multifuncional e fazem basicamente a mesma utilidade, contudo é importante estar atualizado numa ferramenta que te supra também a médio e longo prazo.

1. Download the demo versions of the main DAWs available and choose the one that feels best for YOU. 2. Identify the topics you need to master based on how you plan to use that DAW. 3. Master one topic at a time: study it and then apply it (have patience, do not rush this process). 4. Repeat step 3 until you have studied and applied all the topics you need (make sure you understand the core concepts of each topic). 5. Once you have mastered the main topics you need to know, shift your learning process toward the specific topics required for your current project. The learning process will never end; you will never reach a point where you have mastered everything to the fullest, so be kind to yourself.

Yes, before you dive into the advanced functions and effects of a DAW, you need to master the basics. The trouble is - exactly how do you master the basics? For me, the answer was to buy and study a course titled "Logic Pro X – Voiceover Recording and Editing.” It's a thorough yet straightforward course that guided me through the basics of the recording, editing, mixing, and bouncing workflow on LogicPro for voiceovers. Practically all of the other paid and free Youtube courses covering the fundamentals of Logic Pro X out there are directed at people who want to create or produce music. In other words, they're far too convoluted and confusing for the uses of most voiceovers.

I had never even touched a computer before I had to learn what a DAW did. But because I had already worked in studios for years, recording and mixing, learning a DAW was sort of expedited, because I would know what I wanted to do as an engineer, and I just had to figure out how to do it now without a console and tape machine

This point should be number one in my perspective. Understand Music Theory. I would also recommend being good with at least one instrument if you want to compose Music. You also have an additional responsibility to learn about sound and its dynamics. Basic understanding of Music composition and audio engineering process is very important i.e. Recording (process and equipment), Editing, plugins, Compression, EQ, Mixing, De-essing, reverb, noise adding/removal, Mastering. Understanding file structures like wav, mp3 etc is also important and its parameters like bitrate.

I would also add signal chaining. Experiment with different plug-ins and swapping their order to hear the subtle differences. For example, You can tame the levels with a compressor before adding EQ to adjust the frequencies, or vise versa. The technique will always change on a case by case basis.

Initially much of the work is trial and error. Hence Audio Engineering is a science and Art at the same time. There will be a lot of advice on the internet but unless you don't do things yourself, YOU SHALL NOT PASS! So take some times making your own small projects. Best advice I can give is to make an upwork or fiverr account and explore all the work related to audio engineering out there. Take one as personal project and learn how to deliver that project. Make a portfolio of all the work and show it off somewhere like youtube or facebook or Instagram or SoundCloud. Then start bidding for those jobs and see if you can land any of them. Same advise is for budding programmers!

Immersion is everything. Use your system every day and you will only get better daily. I have a few clients that only dabble with their DAW occasionally, and I always have to remind them of basic commands all the time

If you want to work in the industry, you should think about developing advanced capability with a DAW. This would probably mean taking classes at a school. As a music creator, sure, you can just get results for yourself. Something I emphasize with students regularly, is that in order to establish a career, at some point you will have to start collaborating with others, be it writers, producers, mixers, and mastering engineers. Don't underestimate how knowledgeable the people with established careers are; they are generally highly skilled with using a DAW. More often than not, Pro Tools is the DAW of choice for the commercial space and it would behoove any person interested in a music or post-production career to learn it well.

Start with simple songs or music. Then add complexities. Attempt to remix existing songs. That is how you will find your own style and niche!

Always have a learning attitude. Whenever you listen to any music, try to break it down in your mind and hear the instruments or effects used. How would you recreate it? It helps a lot!

There are various forums on facebook or IRC or slack or discord. A community will really help you grow faster than you would do alone!

I've always approached using DAWs as tools for creating art. I pick a project that I want/need to do, and let the project dictate what I need to learn to get the best results. As I repeat a process multiple times, I look for faster and more efficient ways to complete that process. Rather than try and learn everything that a DAW can do, I learn what I need it to do. Manuals, search engines, forums, videos, and friends, are all good sources of information.

I mean, learning a DAW is all about jumping in and getting hands-on. I usually start by playing around with the basics—recording, editing, and mixing tracks. YouTube tutorials are super helpful, and I like trying to recreate sounds from my favorite songs to explore new features. Reading the manual (I know, not fun) actually helps with those "how didn’t I know this?" moments. Online forums are also great for troubleshooting and picking up cool tips. In the end, it’s all about putting in the time and not being afraid to mess up