What is a DAW?
A DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) is the professional recording studio on your computer. While Audacity is perfect for recording and editing, DAWs offer advanced features for production, mixing, and mastering.
The difference: A DAW is like a fully equipped mixing console with unlimited tracks, professional effects, and complex routing options. Audacity is like a high-quality recorder simple, but effective.
DAW Comparison: Find Your Tool
Open-source DAW with everything you need. Best choice for beginners.
- MIDI Sequencing
- VST Plugin Support
- Built-in Synthesizer
- No Track Limit
Apple's beginner DAW. Intuitive with great virtual instruments.
- Very user-friendly
- Smart Instruments
- Session Drummer
- Upgrade to Logic possible
Formerly $400, now free. Professional features at no cost.
- Unlimited Tracks
- Pro Channel Module
- Touchscreen Support
- Skylight Interface
The "small" version of the industry-standard DAW for electronic music.
- 16 Tracks (enough for starters)
- Session View for Live Performance
- 5 GB Sounds
- Upgrade path to Suite
Ultra-light, ultra-powerful. The choice of pros who value efficiency.
- Only 15MB Download
- Unlimited Tracks
- Deeply Customizable
- 60 Days Free Trial
Apple's pro DAW. Everything included—no extra purchases needed.
- 70+ GB Sound Library
- Alchemy Synthesizer
- Flex Pitch/Time
- Dolby Atmos Mixing
The Suno → DAW Workflow
Suno generates complete songs, but often you only want to use certain elements (stems) or change the arrangement. Here's the professional workflow:
What are Stems?
Stems are the individual components of a song separate audio files for each instrument. Suno offers stem downloads as a separate ZIP file.
🎵 Exercise: Import Stems into LMMS
- Generate a song in Suno (Free Tier: 50 Credits/Day)
- Click "Download" → "Stems" (ZIP file)
- Extract the ZIP file to a folder
- Open LMMS and create a new project
- Drag the individual stem files (Vocals.mp3, Drums.mp3, etc.) into the Song Editor view
- Each stem will be automatically placed on its own track
- Save your project!
Understanding Arrangement
A song is like a story it needs a beginning, highlights, and an ending. The arrangement determines when which instrument plays.
The Typical Song Structure
Intro: Sets the mood, often reduced (only pad or piano)
Verse: Tells the story, more restrained than the chorus
Chorus: The highlight all instruments are fully involved
Bridge: Contrast section, often before the final chorus
Outro: Let it fade out or fade-out
Mixing in the DAW
After importing the stems, it's time for mixing. Here are the most important steps:
1. Volume Balance (Gain Staging)
Each track has a fader (slider). Start by setting all tracks to -12 dB and then adjust them relative to each other. The master should never peak above 0 dB.
2. Panorama (Stereo Position)
Place instruments in the stereo image:
- Center: Bass, Kick, Snare, Lead Vocals
- Slightly left/right: Rhythm Guitars, Hi-Hats
- Far outside: Background Vocals, FX, Pads
3. EQ (Tone Color)
Use EQ to resolve frequency conflicts:
- Bass: Boost at 60-100 Hz for warmth, cut below 30 Hz
- Vocals: Cut below 100 Hz (nothing speaks there), boost at 3-5 kHz for presence
- Drums: Boost kick at 60 Hz, snare at 200 Hz for body
4. Compression
Compressors smooth the volume. Vocals usually need more compression than instruments. Start with a ratio of 4:1 and adjust the threshold so the gain reduction shows 3-6 dB.
Using AI as Co-Producer
AI is not a replacement for your ear it's a tool that gives you ideas. Here are the best workflows:
Workflow 1: Suno as Idea Generator
- Have Suno generate 10 variations of a prompt
- Choose the best approach
- Download the stems
- Rearrange in the DAW change the order of parts
- Add your own recordings (e.g., your own vocals over Suno instrumental)
Workflow 2: Stem Replacement
- Generate song in Suno
- Delete the "Other" stem in the DAW
- Play your own synths or guitars along
- Keep Suno's professional drums and bass
Workflow 3: Remix & Mashup
- Generate two different songs at the same tempo
- Import vocals from Song A
- Import instrumental from Song B
- Adjust keys (transposition in DAW)
- Mix into a new track
🎵 Final Project: Your First DAW Track
Time to put everything together:
- Choose a DAW (Recommendation: LMMS or GarageBand)
- Generate a song in Suno with a clear theme (e.g., "Cyberpunk Synthwave, 120 BPM")
- Download the stems
- Import all stems into your DAW
- Change the arrangement: Extend the intro, insert a break
- Mix the tracks: Panorama, EQ, Volume
- Export as WAV (44.1kHz, 16bit)
- Upload the result in the Audio Player at the bottom left!
What's Next?
In Module 08, we'll dive deeper into AI tools you'll learn advanced prompting techniques and how to use AI for sound design.
In Module 09, mastering comes the final polish that makes your track release-ready.