DAW features for controlling hardware

Many of the most mature DAWs began life as MIDI sequencers long before audio was introduced to the desktop computer. As MIDI-equipped instruments and effects became more complex, the features of these software sequencers evolved to meet the needs of their owners. What began as simple MIDI Note On and volume events eventually blossomed into parameter-for-parameter software control over MIDI devices. This dedication to MIDI software was probably best exemplified by Atari’s 1040ST computer, with its built-in MIDI ports and legendarily precise MIDI timing.

Many of today’s DAWs retain their MIDI power of old. Cubase, for example, offers Device Panels – essentially virtual versions of an instrument’s hardware panel. There are loads of free prefab device panels online, and you can, of course, create your own.

Steinberg aren’t the only ones who saw fit to include virtual panels. Cakewalk has been making similar instrument editors available since long before Sonar was released. They call ’em StudioWare panels, and you can get a bunch directly from bit.ly/StudioWarez.

If you’re an Apple Logic user and you want to dive into the deep end, you can avail yourself of Logic’s Environment, where you can create everything from virtual controllers to complex arpeggiators and sequencers.