Sequencer - The heart of your recording studio

Sequencer - The Sequencer or the digital Audio Workstation (DAW) is the heart of your recording studio. This is where you do all the recording and editing of your sound tracks. This is where you mix all your tracks and make the final output which can be copied to a CD. Let’s have a look at some important features of any sequencing software.

Tracks
Almost all the sequencing software lets you add more than hundred tracks. You can add both audio as well as Midi tracks. You can even import audio files into your MIDI sequencer and incorporate them in your recordings.

Editor
An easy to use editor is an important feature to have as you will be making a lot of changes to your recording before you produce your final mix. Sequencers lets you edit audio/midi tracks and come with a lot of features to make the editing an easier task.

Mixer
Mixer lets you create the right balance between the various tracks in any musical arrangement. You can adjust the volumes of each track using the sliders provided.

Effects/VST Instruments
Effects like reverb, chorus, flanger, vocoder, etc. makes your recording sound more interesting and realistic. All the sequencing software come with a decent set of built-in effects which can be used in your recording but if you want the best effects available, you will need to buy them!

Audio Processing
After mixing your tracks you need to use audio processors like equalizer and compressors to make your recording sound better and punchier. The sequencing software comes with built-in equalizers and compressors which can be used in your recording but the best equalizers/compressors do not come free. They are available as VST instruments which need to be bought.

Other features
Besides the above mentioned features, sequencing software come with numerous other features which lets you record/edit complex musical arrangements with ease. Some of these features are -
• Freeze tracks to avoid accidental changes
• Clean up your vocal tracks using features like pitch correction, dynamics, and vibrato.
• High quality time stretching
• Automate your tracks/plug-ins during record and playback
• Import video and add your score to the video as a thumbnail track

Products
Sonar, Tracktion, Logic Pro, Ableton Live and Cubase are some of the popular sequencing software. These software lets you record both audio as well as midi tracks. They come with all the features mentioned above and a lot more.

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