In the digital age of music production, many musicians create and record audio using digital audio workstation software, also known as DAW.
Many popular DAW programs on the market like Ableton Live, FL Studio, and Logic Pro X were used to create the biggest music hits of the 21st century.
Canadian singer-songwriter and producer The Weeknd is one of the most successful artists on the music scene today. Famous for his unique style, the Weeknd gained recognition for his contemporary and alternative R&B.
In this article, we’ll explain the Weeknd’s DAW of choice and some of its best features.
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What DAW Does The Weeknd Use?
The Weeknd uses Steinberg Cubase as his digital audio workstation software. In an interview with The Weeknd’s sound engineer Carlo Montagnese, he was asked about his collaboration with The Weeknd and his work process. The Canadian sound engineer explained:
“I’ve worked with Cubase for 12 years now, and I’m incredibly fast and efficient with it. I do everything: all my writing, producing, recording, tuning, editing, and mixing in one session.”
What Plugins Does The Weeknd Use for His DAW?
Plugins are software add-ons that are used to add features or create a certain sound effect required to output the desired sound. The Weeknd uses a number of plugins on his Steinberg Cubase DAW to achieve his signature sound.
Some of the plugins or filters used by the Weeknd are:
- FabFilter Pro-DS
- Pro-MB & Timeless 2
- Pro-Q2
- Antares Auto-Tune EFX
- H-Delay & Doubler
- Waves Vocal Rider
What Makes Steinberg Cubase So Popular?
Steinberg Cubase is one of the oldest DAW software in the music industry field, having been released over 30 years ago. However, despite being an old-school DAW, Cubase has kept up with the latest technologies and trends and is still one of the leading music production software.
With increased competition in recent years, Cubase is still a pioneer in its field and is known for introducing many features that are being copied by other DAW programs like channel strip and audio warp quantize.
Steinberg Cubase is internationally appreciated for its rich history and its many developments. It is also the DAW of choice for many musicians and sound producers thanks to its refined workflow, excellent plugins, and the good balance of features between its three versions.
The only notable drawback of Steinberg Cubase is its traditional or old-school design compared to the other DAW software available on the market.
What Equipment Does The Weeknd Pair With His DAW To Produce His Iconic Sounds?
While the digital audio workstation software used by an artist is essential in creating their signature tone, the DAW they use isn’t the only deciding factor. Musicians usually use various recording tools alongside their DAW, allowing them to create their recognizable brand of music.
To capture his vocals, the Weeknd uses a Sennheiser MD 5235 dynamic capsule paired with an SKM 5200 wireless microphone. The Weeknd prefers this mic for its sound quality and reliability.
