The Usage of UTAUT Model for Digital Audio Workstation User Experience Evaluation Darko Etinger and Tihomir Orehovački Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Department of Information and Communication Technologies, Zagrebačka 30, 52100 Pula, Croatia {darko.etinger, tihomir.orehovacki}@unipu.hr Abstract. User experience (UX) in the field of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) refers to the understanding of users’ attitudes about using technological artefacts. This study proposes the Unified Theory of Acceptance Use of Tech- nology (UTAUT) for the assessment of Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) user experience among heavy metal and hard rock artists in the European Union (EU) countries. With a total of 711 collected surveys, partial least squares struc- tural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) approach was used for the assessment of the measurement and structural model. To determine the most relevant drivers of DAW usage among artists, the IPMA (importance-performance map analy- sis) is conducted and assessed. The significant manifest variables should be considered by DAW developers as a guide to improve the UX among artists us- ing DAWs. Keywords: Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) · Unified Theory of Acceptance Use of Technology (UTAUT) · User Experience · Adoption Drivers 1 Introduction With significant music industry changes, especially in the last decade, artists are adopting Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) systems for the tasks of composing, re- cording, mixing and mastering music. A computer-based DAW is an electronic sys- tem which comprises four basic components (computer, audio interface, digital audio editor software, input device), designed for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. A DAW allows recording, editing and mixing audio through visual interfaces entirely in digital form, providing the highest sound quality. As more artists incorporate DAWs in their workflow, the user experience (UX) is becoming more important to DAW software developer companies. By discovering the critical useful functions driving the adoption of DAW systems among artists, devel- opers can align the DAW functions and capabilities to meet the artists' needs. UX is defined as a user’s experience that generates emotions, especially positive emotions, experienced during his/her interaction with a product [1]. Based on ISO 9241- 110:2010 [20], user experience is explained by means of a user’s responses and per- ceptions that resulted from the use and/or anticipated use of a system, product, or service. In general, UX in the field of HCI refers to the understanding of users’ atti-