In Summary
PreSonus’ 6.2 update to Studio One brings some welcome new features and improvements for tracking and navigation, as well as mixing and editing tweaks. With the PreSonus Sphere portal also refreshed as Studio One+, we outline what 6.2 means for you.
Going Deeper
With almost fourteen years’ active service under its belt to-date, PreSonus’ Studio One’s sixth version landed in September 2022. While the DAW initially found friends among Windows users wanting the kind of drag-and-drop MO and quality instruments enjoyed by users of its Mac-only rival, the platform has now settled into its own identity. Recently PreSonus’ 6.2 update landed offering some practical enhancements rather than headline-grabbing toys. Here we list our favourites and what they mean for you.
Comping Catches Up
With all DAWs evolving both in despite of and because of the others, Studio One is no different. V6.2 demonstrates this well with the adoption of a more Pro Tools-like experience for those comping takes together. Studio One’s Layer terminology is comparable to Pro Tools’ Playlists. Previously, Studio One’s speedy swipe-to-comp MO had similarities to its contemporary, but that’s where the similarity ended with even basic editing commands unavailable across all Layers other than in the main Layer. Holding Control (Windows) or Command (Mac) now allows standard editing behaviour across all track Layers. Holding Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac) will copy assets when dropping. For recording, the new “Expand layers after recording takes” preference checkbox does exactly what you would want it to do. Also in Prefs, track names can be set to follow selected Layer names.
Editing Extras
There are several MIDI editing improvements including the new note Color by Scale, making it really easy to see rogue notes in the editor. Related is the ability to highlight the key’s lines and spaces in light grey on a blank piano roll. The note editing pointer can now also be toggled between Extended and Basic functionality to avoid accidental changes. On maximum vertical zoom settings, hovering over notes now gives extra options for splitting notes or changing velocities when switched to Extended mode.
On the Audio side of things, crossfades can now be done in an instant where a selected range is crossfaded by hitting the X key. This speeds things up from the old way of having to drag clip boundaries around before hitting X.
Seeing The Big Picture
Whether you’re tracking, in the edit, or mixing, there’s nothing better than being able to fly around the project without having to constantly squint at some too-small zoom slider tucked away in one of four corners of the screen. Most engineers would agree that effective navigation in any DAW is right up there with knowing what the spacebar does.
In v6.2 the new Auto Zoom button gives gives Vertical, Horizontal, and Full modes for the Arrangement and Editor views. As well as resizing assets in a single window or view, they also automatically squeeze or stretch to resize things as other browsers, Inspector, or Mixer windows are toggled in or out. Below product specialist Joe Gilder goes in-depth with the new features.
Mixer Movements
Further improving the mix experience are some new features to add to other notable v6 additions such as Channel Overview and send fader Flip.
Studio One’s drag-and-drop credentials get a boost with the new Copy FX plug-ins functions. This can now be done between channels including all active plugin automation by holding Alt or Option before dropping. A new Search bar in "Add Insert" dialogue boxes aids finding the right tool. Mixer ergonomics get another boost with the ability to invert stereo tracks’ polarity as easily as for their mono neighbours. The polarity buttons on stereo Channels are now linked by default, however this can be momentarily unlinked by holding Alt or Option.
Although folder tracks have become more common across platforms, their implementation and behaviour can confuse when switching between DAWs. Designed to give a more ‘expected’ experience, in v6.2 disabling Folder Tracks disables linked busses as well. This will spare any head-scratching trying to find the source of that ghostly voice or tambourine reverb! On a related note, Mute/Solo are now linked between Folder Tracks and linked Busses.
Anything Else?
Other worthy mentions that land with Studio One 6.2 include improved Tape time-stretch editing for sound designers and retroheads alike, while the new Stop function at Song End marker brings new possibilities for recording to picture or for those who are taking their DAW on the road. Other ergonomic tweaks allow new Keyboard Commands, and now there is also a search bar in the Macro Organiser, making navigation just that bit quicker for those times when your shortcuts are taking longer than the ‘longcuts’! There is also the usual tally of welcome bugfixes and improvements behind the GUI.
Out of recording, editing, and mixing, it’s the first of those that the client will definitely be present for, and that needs speed. A friend once compared being lost in the DAW versus orientated within it to the difference between being a mouse or an eagle. The new zoom refinements will certainly give many new users the Big Picture with ease, either in record or in the mix.
PreSonus’ Sphere, the creation portal for artists to access products and content has also been refreshed as Studio One+.
These latest refinements for 6.2 are referred to as “quality of life improvements” by PreSonus’ ever-enthused Gregor Beyerle, and we think that this nicely sums them up. Though not necessarily designed to help users of other DAWs make the switch, this free update for v.6 users promises a welcome evolution.
What are your favourite things in v6.2? Let us know in the comments.
A Word About This Article
As the Experts team considered how we could better help the community we thought that some of you are time poor and don’t have the time to read a long article or a watch a long video. In 2023 we are going to be trying out articles that have the fast takeaway right at the start and then an opportunity to go deeper if you wish. Let us know if you like this idea in the comments.