Opening DAWs: Discover Your Sound w/ Yuri Urano

In Saffron’s latest series of ‘Tech Dissect’ online workshops, we'll delve into three entry points to modern technological music creation using the software Bitwig Studio, a versatile DAW that can be used for every stage of music production and performance. 

Together with three women and non-binary artists from the Bitwig community, we'll unlock the functionality of the software from a beginner-friendly perspective, opening up avenues for play, experimentation and intuitive expression.

WORKSHOP 1: Discover Your Sound – Crafting Music from Raw Inspiration

Learn how to bring your musical ideas to life in this beginner-friendly online workshop with Yuri Urano. In this relaxed 90-minute session, the Japanese artist will offer an introduction to the Digital Audio Workstation (or DAW) Bitwig Studio, outlining her creative process from initial idea to finished track. Yuri will share creative tips on transforming everyday inspiration into music using Bitwig’s accessible features — including how to use field recordings to add character and texture to your tracks. You will come away from the session with an understanding of:

• Bitwig Studio’s interface and key features
• How to start a new project: from initial sketches to finished tracks
• Creative tips for transforming everyday inspiration into music
• The use of field recordings as raw material within music production

The session will conclude with a Q&A and community discussion, with the opportunity to ask for direct input and advice.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore Bitwig Studio for free with a 30-day trial, which can be accessed here. There will also be a discount available on the full version of Bitwig Studio for those wishing to purchase the software. This will be shared with workshop attendees after each workshop.

About Yuri Urano

Yuri Urano is a Japanese artist based in Osaka, exploring sound’s vast possibilities and crafting new soundscapes through her unique approach. 

Her early works focused on emotionally charged techno, marked by her performance at Prada Extends Tokyo in 2022.

More recently, she has ventured into ambient compositions and soundscape design, including AURA, a spatial audio project by Kalkul.

In 2023, she co-created the immersive film project Metact with Manami Sakamoto during the SAT residency, premiering at Mutek Montreal.

Beyond recorded releases, her work extends to collaborations in audiovisual projects, installations, and live performances.

With a deep belief in music’s power, Yuri continues to push boundaries, captivate audiences, and shape a brighter future.

Website - Instagram - Bandcamp

ACCESS

Each of the workshops in this series will be delivered via Saffron's online community platform. Saffron Membership starts at just £6 per month and provides access to regular online workshops, an online community space, video masterclasses, free music tech tools, discounts and much more. Join Saffron Members Club

We never want money to be a barrier to people accessing music tech, so if you are unable to afford a ticket but believe you would benefit from attending these workshops, please email us on members@saffronmusic.co.uk.

This workshop is open to people worldwide, but will be running at 7.30 pm BST so please bear differences in time zone in mind. If you purchase a ticket but are unable to attend live, you will automatically be emailed a recording of the workshop(s) after the event.

We are committed to making our online events as accessible as possible. We have created a guidance document about this - Click here to view the accessibility document. Alternatively, please email us with any access requirements you may have.

GENDER POLICY

The gender imbalance in the music technology industry is well-recognised. While we are absolutely not ‘anti-men’, we see that a shorter-term solution is to provide fellowship and learning environments that are not dominated by the cisgender male perspective. Therefore, these workshops are intended for women, non-binary, trans and gender non-conforming people to attend. While we do not ban cisgender men from attending, we hope that they will respect that this event is not intended for them.

ABOUT SAFFRON

Saffron is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to advance gender equality in the music tech sector by creating safer spaces for marginalised people to learn, create and grow confidently through forward-thinking technological music creation, DJ and music industry experience. Saffron’s work focuses on educational courses, online workshops, mentoring, a global members club and an artist development and label platform. We are building a future industry that is inclusive and diverse. Founded in Bristol UK in 2015, Saffron has grown from a one-woman operation to an initiative supporting thousands of people worldwide to find music education and community.

Safffronmusic.co.uk - Instagram / LinkedIn

ABOUT BITWIG

Bitwig is an international music technology company based in Berlin with the mission to create music-making tools that think outside the box. Bitwig makes Bitwig Studio, an innovative DAW which has become the software of choice for musicians, sound designers, composers, film scorers, and other creative artists. Bitwig Studio is designed to be versatile and accessible for all kinds of musical workflows, whether it’s fluid track creation, expressive live performance, or deep sound exploration.