Music Technology – access to Digital audio work stations (DAWs) and other audio editing and sequencing tools for blind and partially sighted musicians
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January 2017
Contents
Introduction
Access to DAWs and other music technology for screen reader users
Cakewalk Sonar
ProTools
Flo Tools
Reaper
Quick Windows Sequencer
Other Music Technology
The SurfaceReader project
Additional resources for Screen reader users
Funding
Introduction
This document contains links to software and projects of specific interest to blind and partially sighted musicians wishing to produce, edit and sequence music in audio.
Information covering access to music notation and transcription into braille music are available on separate factsheetsfrom
Whilst we make every effort to ensure the contents of this document are up-to-date, we recommend you visit the relevant websites and contact the suppliers for specific information about latest releases, compatibility and accessibility with your preferred access technology. Please contact us by email to you think we have missed something.
Access to DAWs and other music technology for screen reader users
Cakewalk Sonar
Sonar version 8.5 can be accessed with CakeTalking 8.8 from Dancing Dots. The website includes customer testimonials, tutorials, a video showcasing the latest features and an FAQ section. There is also a link to join the user group.
Sonar up to version 7 can also be accessed with the free open-source J-Sonar scripts from the J-Sonar Project. The website includes guides, tutorials, articles and an FAQ section. There is also a link to join the user group.
ProTools
ProTools is not currently accessible with screen readers on the Windows platform. For Mac users, a series of tutorials for using ProTools with VoiceOver are available to purchase. There are also a number of shorter ‘how to’ video tutorials available for free.
Flo Tools
Flo Tools is a series of UI scripts for VoiceOver designed to enhance the accessibility of Pro Tools for visually-impaired users by streamlining and automating tasks to dramatically improve workflows. The scripts are open source and developed at the Assistive Music Technology Lab at Berklee College of Music.
Resources
The Getting started page on the Flo Tools website includes installation information, a list of the commands available and an audio guide.
Reaper
Reaper (Rapid Environment for Audio Production, Engineering, and Recording) isproduced by Cockos. It has been in rapid development since 2005.
The ReaAccess project developed an access bridge for users of JAWS, Window-Eyes, NVDA, and System Access. The ReaAccess page provides a link to download the latest version and a link to the dedicated email list. There are also details of the successor to this project, sponsored by the Elizabeth Eagle-Bott Memorial Fund, known as Osara, for anyone wishing to be involved in testing. In addition, the ReaperAccess website offers comprehensive support for Windows and Mac users.
The Reaper website contains links to download an evaluation copy and purchase the software, as well as documentation and links to the general user forum.
Quick Windows Sequencer
Quick Windows Sequencer (QWS) is an accessible midi sequencer developed by James Bowden. The QWS website gives links to download the software and documentation, as well as articles and sound files. There is an email discussion list for users of the software.
Other Music Technology
The SurfaceReader project
The SurfaceReader project is intended to improve the accessibility of audio and midi software to blind and partially sighted people. The project developed a software package that announces control surface information as it changes in the context of the audio application being used.
Surface Reader is available as a free download from the Raised Bar website which also contains links to the users email list and documentation. The Surface Reader project was funded by the Elizabeth Eagle-Bott Memorial Fund.
Additional resources for Screen reader users
For JAWS users, the JAWS Users page has links to scripts for use with many audio and music tools including Goldwave Music Editor, Audacity, Spotify and Sound Recorder.
Funding
Financial assistance for the purchase of music technology and training may be available. Visit our Music Awards and Funding page for further details.
Last updated: January 2017