What DAW Should I Learn For Game Audio?
Overview
A Digital Audio Workstation (commonly abbreviated to DAW) is our main tool for sound creation and editing.
There are plenty of DAWs out there, some of the most popular ones being Pro Tools, Nuendo, Reaper, Ableton Live, Studio One, FL Studio, Cubase and Logic Pro.
That may sound like a lot to choose from, but don’t worry! All DAWs function in a similar way, and once you’re familiar with one it’s much easier to pick up another.
But that said, where do you start?
Which DAW Should I Pick?
Reaper, Pro Tools and Nuendo are the most commonly used DAWs in the game audio industry but I definitely recommend learning Reaper.
It has been gaining huge popularity in the game audio community in recent years because of its amazing workflow features and customisability.
Additionally, you can create custom scripts and macros to easily process and batch export huge amounts of files which is a massive benefit when working on large-scale projects.
It is also extremely good value for money - by far the most affordable of the three DAWs mentioned here - but is no less capable or reliable for it.
In short, Reaper offers a powerful and budget-friendly option that’s already well-recognised within the industry.
You can download the trial version at:
https://www.reaper.fm/
How To Learn A DAW
So you’ve chosen your DAW and installed it, ready to go - where do you start?
As with most things, the best way to learn a DAW is a mix of theory and practice.
Start with the practice - give yourself a basic goal, say “import a handful of audio files and apply some processes to them as a group”, and experiment from there.
You will inevitably get stuck, and that’s when you can switch to the theory to get unstuck again.
Most DAWs have either a PDF or online manual available for reference, as well as active communities in forums or on YouTube that can offer advice or provide examples and tutorials for whatever you need help with.
Having looked up the answer, make sure to go back to your DAW and apply it for yourself to cement the knowledge in your mind - learning by doing is an important process in game audio.
Remember:
Pace yourself - DAWs are highly complex, and learning how to use one won’t happen overnight. Take it steady, and don’t rush yourself.
You never stop learning - similarly, don’t worry about learning ‘everything’ before you can start working. Even seasoned professionals have to refer to the manual (and Google) from time to time.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help - sometimes it can be hard to find exactly what you’re looking for by reading documentation or watching tutorials. In those moments, try asking for help in forums or other communities. There are loads of folks out there who are happy to share their knowledge and help you when you’re stuck!
Learn the language - there is a lot of terminology specific to audio technology, and some specific to individual DAWs, such as the names for certain controls or sections of the UI (e.g. is the top section of the screen the Banner, the Info Line, the Menubar? etc). Pay attention to these terms, and over time you’ll find yourself better able to communicate problems - and their solutions - to other users, or find relevant information in the manual.
Resources To Learn Reaper
If you’ve chosen to use Reaper then check out some of my favourite learning resources below:
A fantastic introduction to Reaper from Akash Thakkar:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1v3sC61W445w3x2TrkOLip0noIJZp4Xu
Kenny Gioia is the master of Reaper tutorials - this is the portal where you can learn everything you’ll ever need to know about Reaper. I recommend beginning in the “Start Here” section:
https://www.reaper.fm/videos.php
