Digital audio workstation may be 2 types:

• software;
• software intended for certain hardware.

However, first option is more prospective currently. Because there is lesser limitations for user.

Versions of DAW may have

Digital audio workstation have base features:

• Track types:
  • MIDI;
  • Instrumental;
  • Audio;
  • Automation;
  • Master;
  • Tempo;
  • etc.
• Track number limitation;
• Number of buses;
• Built-in effects and instruments;
• Type of supported effects and instruments (VST, RTAS, AU, AAX, etc.);
• Number of inserts, instruments;
• Commutation abilities (connections before/after faders, insert places, bus connections, etc.);
• Maximal sample rate and bit depth.

Track types have no standart definition. And may have other definition for different DAWs.

MIDI tracks contains MIDI messages for musical instruments (buitin or external for DAW), that are connected to the track outpuit.

Instrumental tracks like to MIDI ones, but are contains builtin instrument. They are easier to adding. But may have issues for recording of doubles at same place for some DAWs.

Audio tracks contains audio data (from microphone/instrumetal/linear inputs or exported from audio files [loops, as example]).

Automation tracks contains positions of knobs/sliders/buttons positions/altering in time.

Master track contains general commands for DAW's project.

Tempo track contains tempo value/altering in time for the project.

Plugins are programming modules, that allow to expand DAW functionality.

Plugins are:

• instruments (synthesizers);
• effects (EQ, reverberator, fuzz, etc.).

There are several standards of plugins:

• VST (Virtual Studio Technology);
• AU (Audio Units);
• AAX (Avid Audio eXtension);
• RTAS (Real-Time AudioSuite);
• other.

DAW sound quality

Sound quality depend on DAW and used plugin implementation.

Here some information about resampling quality. However, if you are not satisfied resampling quality of used DAW, you can render project to target audio file at project's sample rate and bit depth. After it rendered audio file may be resampled with external audio converter software.

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As rule, it is recommended to create project in resolution 96 kHz / 32-bit float and higher, even for 44.1 kHz/16 bit target.

When project is rendered to 16 bit, dithering is recommended.

Read details:

How to choose DAW?

When you choose DAW pay attention to features:

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• maximal track number;
• what price of plugins;
• commutation abilities and bus number;
• what is DAW price.

Track number depend on how many instruments you plan use in recording.

Number buses depend on general effect and output number.

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As rule, DAWs include instruments and effects. But if you plan expand effect and instrument range, care about price of purchased plugins.