DarkWave Studio
by ExperimentalScene
3.7 / 5     (25 votes)
DarkWave Studio is a free, open source, Digital Audio Workstation for Windows.

Featuring a modular Virtual Studio, Pattern Editor, Sequence Editor and Multitrack Hard Disk Recorder. It has support for VST/VSTi instrument and effect plugins. The virtual studio has a modular design allowing machines to be connected in an ad-hoc fashion. The pattern editor enables the quick creation and modification of patterns by clicking to add or delete notes and dragging notes to move or resize them. The sequence editor allows you to queue patterns to play for each control track in any arrangement, enabling reuse of patterns and quickly remixing projects. The Multitrack Hard Disk Recorder allows you to record the output of any machine and record it to 16-bit Integer of 32-bit Floating Point PCM encoded .WAV files for full-quality post-production editing or for conversion to MP3/FLAC/etc.
  • Native x64 and x86 Windows Platform Support
  • VST PlugIn Support - Limitlessly Expandable With Instrument and Effects PlugIns
  • ASIO Audio Driver Support - Low Latency Output
  • Multi Core / Multi CPU Support
  • Makes Use Of SSE2 Optimizations When Supported By The CPU
  • Full 64-bit Double Precision Floating Point Audio Processing

Bundled PlugIns

  • ES MIDI Input - Play Instruments From A Music Keyboard
  • ES MIDI Output - Sequence External MIDI Synthesizers
  • ES Mixer - 8 Track Stereo Mixer With 2 Auxilary Tracks
  • ES DGenR8 - Synthesize Drum Beats With Roland TR-909 Flavour
  • ES BassHead - Top Notch Virtual Analog Subtractive Synthesizer
  • ES SpatialVerb - Realistic Reverb Effects With The Smoothest Sound
  • ES Stomp - Synthesize That Classic Techno Thumping Kick Drum
  • ES AntiAlias - 32x Digital Oversampling Filter
  • ES QuadDelay - For Trippy Echo Effects
Anonymous Oct 28 2017
(1 / 5)
Oct 28 2017
Finally figured out how to install VSTs. Then it crashed. Nice.
Joel Schelfhout Jun 07 2019
Jun 07 2019
Dang, that really sucks. Hope you found another way. One program isn't for everybody unfortunately.
DWS User :) Aug 13 2016
(5 / 5)
Aug 13 2016
I downloaded the program and I'm happy with the results. Lack the option to save and load fxb banks, I believe that with time it is implemented, thus making it more complete and powerful this daw, thank Daniel Werner !
Real Word Jul 02 2016
(5 / 5)
Jul 02 2016
I love it, it is simple and powerful, very practical, like it had more compatilidade with some plugins that I like, I would be able to save and load fxb banks, for me the best DAW FREE
GWood Jun 29 2016
(5 / 5)
Jun 29 2016
This thing works great. Got it running off of a USB drive. No problems. Short learning curve (after watching a few vids). Check it for malware: nope. VSTs seem to work just fine!
gomo5 Jan 30 2016
(5 / 5)
Jan 30 2016
Happy with this software.
stib Oct 07 2015
(2 / 5)
Oct 07 2015
Comes with malware. Use LMMS instead.
funkyflo Apr 01 2015
Apr 01 2015
i wanted to download the progamm and my comodo firewall blocked the download "this site is blocked by comodo firewall" and a friend of mine got a bluescreen just by surfing on the download site.... very suspicious? any hints? thanks
Anonymous Feb 28 2015
(3 / 5)
Feb 28 2015
Couldn't figure out how to write MIDI in it. :( Other than that, pretty good.
demonicsweaters Jan 30 2015
(4 / 5)
Jan 30 2015
Works for me, it didn't seem to like some of my plugins though, but a lot of them work. Pretty cool, but lacking in some way. Like don't see how to play back multiple patterns at once in pattern mode, record mode in sequence mode seems kinda pointless? looks like early development. Expect more in the future and will definitely keep my eye on it. www.demonicsweaters.com
djino Jun 30 2015
Jun 30 2015
ha, dude, just spotified your g stomper album, nice
Brian Sept 14 2014
(5 / 5)
Sept 14 2014
Awesome! I know very little about sequencers and I've been able to piece things together really easily. So many machines available, plus I was able to make it control my boss sp 202 via MIDI.
Mark Jun 29 2014
(5 / 5)
Jun 29 2014
Took me a while but I found a line of info saying you can only load 64bit plugins in the 64bit executable and 32bit plugins in the 32bit executable. Well it works for me now but can't mix both 32bit and 64bit plugins in the same compositions.
Amar Jan 02 2015
Jan 02 2015
Hi, you can actually use 32 bit plugins on a 64 bit host. have a look at jBridge for Windows.
kpow Apr 03 2013
Apr 03 2013
I agree with all comments i've seen. can't load plug-in.
Anonymous Jan 04 2013
Jan 04 2013
I did exactly what people have said to unbundle VST plug-ins cannot get to any other options.Also cannot record songs for all my efforts and no option to save song in any format that can be used anywhere else.So i can make a simple song (without any addition instruments)but i can't get it off Darkwave in any way whatsoever.Anybody know where to go after this?
Anonymous Jan 03 2013
Jan 03 2013
I tried the method above and it does not work, the VST plugins do not appear in the list.
vitab Dec 30 2012
Dec 30 2012
where have you downloaded the unbundled VST Plug-in
Yaman Dec 23 2012
Dec 23 2012
Not sure how it really works. It took me a little bit to figure how to load VSTs into the program, but once I did, I discovered it doesn't seem to be possible to play with the computer keyboard unless you use outside programs. Also, be careful about installing it; some users at hitsquad note the presence of Opencandy/toolbars with v4.1.6
hfk Sept 18 2012
(1 / 5)
Sept 18 2012
don't work... can't load my plugs without crash...
Anonymous Dec 18 2011
Dec 18 2011
hard to figure out and it won't stop crashing. get what you pay for... nothing
deano Apr 10 2011
(4 / 5)
Apr 10 2011
good workstation, easy to use for beginners like me, but cant get any downloaded drum synth plug ins to work on it, apart from the bundled ones. any ideas anyone please?
DaftPunkfan Jul 21 2011
Jul 21 2011
Easy. go to the View menu option, click Options, select VST Plug-in paths, click the little plus sign then select which folder that has your unbundled vst plug-ins, then quit Darkwave, the next time you start Darkwave, the unbundled Plug-ins should work.
OBYONETAOPY Feb 01 2021
Feb 01 2021
Passez a FRUITY LOOPS, même la version gratuite est meilleure que cette daube.
jkrew Jan 25 2011
(5 / 5)
Jan 25 2011
brilliant