> Step by step

2. Familiarisation

1 To get a feel for the various components we can load up one of Waveform’s project templates. These style-specific options include not only suitable track allocations but also some demo parts and are ideal for finding your bearings. To get started, select one on the Welcome page and create a new project. We’ve used the EDM template.

2 Like many DAWs, Waveform Free lets you construct your tracks in a central Arrange panel. Even so, at first glance Waveform’s overall layout can seem a bit unusual and this is in part down to the Inline Mixer on the right. This is a core aspect of Waveform, which uses a very flexible modular approach to processing.

3 Try dragging the grey divide line between the Arrange panel and Inline Mixer to the left. You’ll see the modular plugin components expand into chains of blocks with the arrow-like shape of the blocks indicating the signal flow direction. Many of these are labelled and if you click on one, Compressor for example, the corresponding processing window opens for editing.

4 The system is highly flexible, allowing you to use just the modules you need. You could even remove the Volume module if you didn’t need it. To add more plugins, grab the grey Plus Plugin object and drag it to the required position on the Inline Mixer, and a context menu will open so you can choose a plugin.

5 Although this aspect of Waveform is a bit individual, the workspace does include more typical foldaway panels. You can access these via the main Menu or using the Eye panel in the top right corner. This opens a visual representation of the workspace and you can select the panels you want.

6 Next up select the MIDI Editor. This opens the MIDI Editor panel just below the Arrange panel. The MIDI editor can be undocked using the small icon in its top left. You can also zoom in on a MIDI clip and edit it directly in the Arrange panel.

7 In Waveform, audio editing is handled in the Arrange panel and within the clips themselves. You’ll find that double clicking a clip zooms it vertically and this makes various icons, buttons and handles in its top bar such as looping and clip effects more obvious. In addition to typical stuff such as fades, the clip effects also include Warp Time for timing adjustments.

8 Over on the left hand side of the window you’ll find the Browser. This includes an auto hide option, so moving your cursor to the edge will reveal it. Alternatively select Show Browser from the View menu or Eye panel. This tabbed window allows you to browse and search files and activate/hide tracks.

9 Another key Waveform feature is the Properties section of the Controls panel at bottom. This has a contracted and expanded view and is opened fully using the small icon bottom far left. This provides access to parameters relating to the currently selected track or clip, and includes various options like zoom level and new track creation.