We’re back with the next entry in our ACX Studio Gear series! We covered microphones and preamps in part 1, and today we’ll get into the recording software that you’ll use in conjunction with that hardware, as well as provide the pros and cons of some of the most popular options.
DAW Things Considered
DAW stands for Digital Audio Workstation, and we like the definition and history provided by Sweetwater:
[DAWs] are typically defined as having some ability to record, manipulate, and play back audio recordings or samples. In their early days DAWs were primarily considered editing stations. Material was taken from the primary recording media (usually tape) and dumped into one of these systems for editing, and then returned to the original media for the remainder of the project. Nowadays DAW’s can act as an entire recording studio with all mixing, processing, and mastering on one computer.
What To Buy
There are many DAWs available for purchase, and choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. It’s important to remember that many of these programs are created with music recording in mind, and you likely won’t need all the bells and whistles for your voiceover work.
Andrew Grathwohl, ACX‘s newest Audio Production Coordinator, has some advice on what to keep in mind when choosing a DAW:
The most important aspect of a DAW is that it is easy and efficient to use. It is wise to avoid any software that will eat away at your productivity. It’s also important to pick software with your workflow in mind. Some programs offer a lot of flexibility at the expense of ease of use, and others offer a straight-forward user experience at the expense of customization. If you’re the kind of person that likes to learn all of the shortcut keys to your programs and customize the layout of the various windows, you will likely prefer a different DAW than a person who likes a more intuitive experience.
With that in mind, lets go over the pros and cons of some of the more popular DAWs:
GarageBand by Apple |
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The Good |
The Bad |
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The Verdict: Skip it. |
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Audacity (Open Source)
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The Good |
The Bad |
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The Verdict: Decent basic software that will get the job done. Good for those on a very tight budget who are willing to do a little more work to get results. |
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Reaper by Cockos |
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The Good |
The Bad |
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The Verdict: Reaper is a good, powerful, well priced option for audiobook recording. Their forums can be a great help for those new to self recording, editing and post production. |
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Audition by Adobe
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The Good |
The Bad |
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The Verdict: The software itself will surely meet your audiobook production needs. The way you feel about Adobe Creative Cloud will determine if this DAW is right for you. |
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SoundForge by Sony |
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The Good |
The Bad |
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The Verdict: This software is user friendly and powerful, as long as you’re not on a Mac. Many of Audible Studios’ in-house editors use this to edit and master audiobooks. A good choice, if you can afford it. |
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WaveLab by Steinberg |
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The Good |
The Bad |
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The Verdict: A very powerful piece of software that, due to the price and learning curve, is best suited for seasoned pros. |
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ProTools by Avid |
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The Good |
The Bad |
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The Verdict: The linked Mbox and ProTools Express is, at $499, a good deal for someone setting up a studio who is in need of both a DAW and a preamp/interface. |
Bonus Plugin Recommendations
Should you decide to go with one of the DAWs listed above as not coming bundled with some of the plugins needed to master your audiobooks, we’ve got links to free plugins you can download, courtesy of Audible Studios Post Production Associate Darren Vermaas:
Acoustica Kjaerhus Classics Bundle – Includes a great EQ and Compressor for the low cost of nothing. PC only. (Note that the limiter included with this bundle is not good for your audiobook needs, as it doesn’t have output ceiling control.)
Audio Damage Rough Rider Compressor – Has everything you need in a compressor, and it’s free! Mac and PC versions available.
4Front Technologies W1 Limiter – Capable brick wall limiter for Mac and PC (Note – not compatible with ProTools/AAX)
Now that we’ve provided a roundup of some of the most popular options, you can make an informed decision as to which best fits your budget and needs. Keep your eyes peeled for part 3 in our series, which will cover home studio setup, coming soon!
What’s your DAW of choice? Why?