With the rise in popularity of Afrobeat Music, Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) for Afrobeat music production, have also increased in demand. There are many DAWs available today to choose from, but those who are dedicated to Afrobeat music production deserve the best of the best.
This short article will outline 4 of the best DAWs, discussing the important features of each one with regards to Afrobeat music production.
PreSonus Studio One 5
Studio One has been a popular DAW for quite some time now as each new version seems to go far above and beyond the capabilities of the last. Version 5 has proven itself to be one of the best DAWs.
The single-window approach makes navigation extremely easy as a music producer can drag-and-drop audio samples, instruments, plugins, and more.
Moreover, the PreSonus Studio One 5 comes with tools that allow you to mess around with your mix to no end. You can add key changes, chords, and song structure, all while using the scratchpad to experiment with new ideas.
Steinberg Cubase Pro 11
The Steinberg Cubase DAWs are today considered to be an industry standard when it comes to DAWs for Afrobeat music production. Moreover, version 11 has been rated very highly.
Since Steinberg is also a pioneer in the DAW industry, their workstations come with amazing functionality in all aspects of production, such as recording and sequencing.
The Steinberg Cubase Pro 11 DAW comes with a large and diverse array of virtual instruments, supplemented by highly professional audio plugins that can be used in a variety of ways. Moreover, the innovative feature of the mixed history allows you to revisit every stage of your mixing process.
Tracktion Waveform Pro 11
Waveform Pro is another pioneer in the DAW industry, and although it has been evolving alongside its competitors for some time now, the innovation behind version 11 evidences that Waveform Pro is now charting a path of its own.
Waveform Pro 11 introduces an innovative take on the single-window workflow. With no separate editors or windows, every feature is available in the single window simply by zooming in and out or using drag-and-drop functionality.
Although Waveform Pro has a reputation for being rather complicated, the DAW provides users with the opportunity to customize the look of their workstation and window. This, alongside a large array of instruments, effects, and MIDI tools, makes the Tracktion Waveform Pro 11 one of the best DAWs in 2021.
Bitwig Studio 3
While Bitwig 3 DAW can easily be used for audio tracking and MIDI sequencing, its real strength lies in the functionality of its internal devices. This is where the DAW seems to transform into a fully functional synthesizer.
Bitwig Studio 3 provides its user the ability to employ a wide range of modulation devices and manipulate the instruments and effects. You can even plug in an LFO to get some very creative modulation on your track. On Bitwig Studio 3, any parameter can be fiddled with just like on a synthesizer.
Conclusion
As Afrobeat music production continues its upward trajectory, so will the innovation on many of the most popular DAWs. There have been some of the most amazing advances in DAW technology in the last 3 to 5 years, allowing users greater workspace functionality and ever more tools to play around with.
