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Record's interface features an arrange page, a mixer and a rack.

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All good DAWs attempt to combine complex, powerful features with usability, and Record approaches this is in a simple and visual manner. You won't find confusing sub-menus, hidden windows or too many indecipherable icons, and any extra functions are typically accessed by right-clicking over the area concerned.

The sequencer window employs a flexible lane approach (audio, note, parameter and pattern) for MIDI, audio and automation data, and its two modes – edit and arrange – switch between an 'all tracks' overview and a fully expanded, track-specific view. This is helpful for MIDI note editing or when recording audio in loop mode.

Incidentally, the latter creates multiple takes within the same track with 'comp rows' enabling quick comping in a manner not unlike Logic's, where you see all the takes stacked on top of each other and use a tool to swipe the sections you want to use. Also on the editing front, simple handles are used to crop, fade and level each audio clip.

As mentioned, Record has two devices featuring virtual guitar and bass amps courtesy of simulation wizards Line 6. Choose your amp and cabinet, set the drive level and amp EQ, dial in compression for the bass amp and use volume and wah pedals on the guitar one.

Furthermore, if you own a Line 6 product such as the POD Farm plug-in and/or one of their USB interfaces, you can call up additional amp models and tone presets that you already own. The Line 6 hardware works like a dongle in this case, and there are no extra editing functions, so you can't edit effects or advanced parameters.

There are numerous other nice touches, like a visual tuner on each audio track when you arm it for recording; a floating tools window from which you can drag and drop new devices; 'go to' tabs on the mixer channels that highlight the corresponding device or sequencer track; pan and width controls for stereo mixer faders; and an auto-setup dialog for MIDI controllers.

Record projects are saved as a single self-contained session file, which makes organisation easy but can gobble up disk space if you save different song versions. And from a universal perspective, the Bounce Mixer Channels option provides a 'one-click' option to export some or all of your tracks individually as audio, with or without processing. You'll appreciate this function if you want to transfer your Record projects to other DAWs.

Record uses a USB copy protection dongle, dubbed the Ignition Key. Internet-connected registered users can authorise online if they forget their key and, failing that, the demo mode will do everything except open saved sessions. This is an excellent and owner-friendly system.