Free-Range Users Make for More Profitable DAWs
Why DAWs Should Prioritise Interchange Formats
Interchange formats for DAWs have a long history but an uneven track record. The CMX EDL format emerged in the early 1970s, AES31 has been around since 2001, and AAF and OMF provide ways to transfer project data between DAWs and NLEs. More recently, Bitwig’s DAWproject format shows that this area is still evolving. Yet despite the available standards, implementing interchange often remains a lower priority for many DAW developers compared to other features.
In this talk, we’ll explore why robust interchange support should be seen as a strategic feature rather than an afterthought. We’ll examine the technical and business benefits of enabling users to move sessions between tools, including increased user retention, enabling niche workflows, and added value even in the early stages of a DAW’s development.
Finally, drawing on real-world examples (including curious bugs encountered while working with AES31 exports) we’ll cover why a poorly implemented interchange format can do more harm than good, and share practical tips for avoiding common pitfalls. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of both the technical challenges and the potential rewards of opening their DAWs to “free-range” users.
Will Anderson
Will Anderson is a classical recording engineer, software developer, and video editor. A graduate of the Tonmeister course at the University of Surrey, he has spent the past decade recording classical music and creating a range of tools (both software and hardware) to improve the speed, ease and accuracy of classical music production. His recent projects include systems for aligning multi-camera video recordings to audio edits from classical DAWs and developing tools for 360-degree immersive virtual ensemble performances.
As a freelancer, Will works across audio engineering, video production, and software development, helping people solve unique technical challenges in music, media, and science. He's a big fan of tackling tricky workflow problems and finding elegant technical solutions.