Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) Flashcards

What is 'latency' in a DAW recording context, and how is it primarily reduced?

Answer: The delay between audio input and playback output caused by buffer processing; reduced by lowering the audio interface buffer size

Latency is the time delay introduced by the audio interface buffer as it accumulates samples before processing. Lowering the buffer size (e.g., from 1024 to 64 samples) reduces latency, enabling near-zero monitoring delay for performers, at the cost of increased CPU load.

In DAW terminology, what is an 'audio bus'?

Answer: A routing path that aggregates multiple audio channels into a single signal path for processing or output

An audio bus is an internal routing structure in the DAW that sums multiple tracks to a single channel. Subgroup buses allow shared processing (e.g., a drum bus compressor), while the master bus routes all tracks to the final stereo output.

What is the function of 'plugin delay compensation' (PDC) in a modern DAW?

Answer: It automatically aligns tracks that are delayed by latency introduced by plugins with processing buffers

Plugin Delay Compensation (PDC) automatically detects the processing latency introduced by plugins (especially linear-phase EQs and analyzers) and offsets other tracks to maintain timing alignment throughout the session, preventing phase issues in complex mix environments.

What does 'non-destructive editing' mean in DAW workflow?

Answer: Edits are stored as instructions referencing the original audio file, which remains unmodified

Non-destructive editing records all cuts, fades, and region manipulations as metadata referencing the original audio files, which remain unchanged on disk. This allows unlimited undos and alternate versions without risking the original recordings.

What is the purpose of a 'send' and 'return' routing structure in a DAW?

Answer: To tap a portion of a channel's signal to feed a shared effects processor (such as reverb or delay) and blend the effected signal back into the mix

A send taps off a portion of a channel's signal (pre- or post-fader) and routes it to a return (aux) track loaded with a shared effect. Multiple tracks can send to the same reverb or delay return, conserving CPU compared to inserting the effect on every channel.

What does 'DAW clock source' setting determine in a recording session with external hardware?

Answer: Which device provides the master timing reference (word clock) that all connected digital devices synchronize to

When connecting digital hardware to a DAW, all devices must lock to a single master word clock source to prevent sample-rate mismatches that cause clicks, pops, and pitch instability. The DAW can act as master, or an external word clock generator can serve as the reference.