PreSonus has announced the launch of Studio One 6, the latest release of the company’s award-winning music production software. Studio One is also one of the world’s bestselling digital audio workstations (DAW). The new version has major new features and a redesigned and customizable user interface.
Smart Templates
Smart Templates are a new feature in Studio One 6. They combine preconfigured tracks and channels with a customized user interface. Smart Templates give you essential tool sets for tasks such as basic recording, beat making, mixing stems, mastering an album and setting up for a live show. In addition, there are interactive tutorials with instructions and links to related video content to help you quickly learn how to use the new features.
Customization Editor
With the new Customization Editor, you can show or hide nearly all tools and functions. This means you can customize the user interface to suit your workflow. PreSonus says that the process is so simple that even first-time users can create a Studio One interface customized for their needs. Once you have configured your customized interface, you can also save it for future use.
Lyrics support
Studio One 6 now provides lyric support. You can add lyrics to scores, MIDI productions, audio sessions and even live performances. In addition, you can use the all-new Lyrics Display for edits, for a teleprompter or to navigate a lyric-laden production.
Global Video Track
With the new Global Video Track feature, you can add video clips by simply dragging video files onto the timeline. The Video Track can also hold an unlimited number of video clips. This makes it easy for you to work on multiple reels of a feature film in a single session. In addition, Studio One 6 automatically generates video thumbnails, and there is a dedicated sub-track for embedded reference audio.
New plug-ins
Studio One 6 comes with a range of new and improved native plug-ins. These include a new De-Esser for controlling vocal sibilance and other high-frequency sounds. You can also turn a voice or other audio source into a unique synth or effect with the new Vocoder plug-in. In addition, the ProEQ, Autofilter, Mai Tai, Sample One XT and Presence XT plug-ins have all been significantly improved.
Other new features and improvements
Studio One 6 has improved integration with the PreSonus Sphere cloud-based collaboration workspaces. The Studio One 6 console also has a range of new features developed in response to requests from Studio One users. Fader Flip lets users control FX/Bus sends, sidechains and Cue Mix sends all from the main faders. In addition, the new Channel Overview provides a single, consolidated view of all channel parameters. There are also Track Presets so you can store every aspect of a given track or channel for instant recall.
Verdict
Studio One 6 has a powerful range of new improvements and enhancements. It’s also great to see ProSonus adding features that users have been asking for. In addition, the option to buy the software outright will be welcomed by users who don’t want to be tied to a monthly subscription. If you want to try out Studio One 6, there is a 30-day demo though this will not initially be available at the launch of the software.
Pricing and availability
Studio One 6 is available for Mac and Windows. You can purchase a perpetual one-time license which is $399 for Studio One Professional. You can also get the software with an annual or monthly subscription to PreSonus Sphere via PreSonus.com. This costs $15 per month or $165 if you pay annually. If you subscribe to PreSonus Sphere, you will always have access to the current version of Studio One Professional as well as one version back. This means that you can upgrade whenever it works best with your ongoing projects.