Presonus Studio One 7 Arriving October 9th: News & Features

Over the years of producing, mixing, and mastering hundreds of tracks and songs, I’ve witnessed firsthand the evolution of various DAWs, from Cool Edit, Audition, and Cubase to FL Studio and Reaper and more others. My journey with Studio One began with version 5, and since then, I’ve been impressed by the software’s smooth and intuitive workflow, good stock plugins, sounds, and great community.

With the recent Studio One 7 Pro release date of October 9th, there’s a lot of excitement and a few lingering questions. Will this release be a game-changer, or is it just more marketing hype?

Based on the latest official announcements and some leaked screenshots on Reddit, I wrote this article that presents some of the new features that Studio One 7 will include and my opinion on the new price options.

Studio One 7: What’s New?

Presonus Studio One 7 introduces exciting new features, such as Stem separation capabilities for sound isolation of your music loops and tracks. The browser can now be detached, allowing users to use second or third monitors seamlessly. The addition of CLAP plugin format support expands compatibility with various plugins, while Splice platform integration simplifies music collaboration and sound sourcing.

Elements have been redesigned with round corners, CPU usage is slightly reduced, and features like a MIDI harmonizer and new color schemes bring a fresh look. From my sources, these are just some of the new features that Studio One 7 will bring. I’m sure there’s much more to discover with the official launch.

Another announcement is that PreSonus is simplifying the Studio One lineup. The Prime and Artist versions are gone; now, there’s only one edition: Studio One 7 Pro. This move eliminates user confusion, offering a single, full-featured DAW rather than multiple versions with different limitations. While this simplifies the choice for new users, it raises some interesting points for long-time users like me.

Additionally, every Studio One 7 Pro license will now include all extensions and virtual instruments, such as Deep Flight One, the Presence XT Editor, and the Audio Batch Converter. This is a generous offering, especially for new users, as it allows access to tools that typically come at an extra cost.

Perhaps the most significant change is PreSonus’ new feature release cycle. Instead of waiting two or three years for significant updates, Studio One will feature three to four updates yearly. This “drip-feed” method keeps the software evolving and delivers features faster.

New Pricing and Licensing

PreSonus is lowering the price of Studio One Pro to $199 for new users and $149 for upgrades. While this may sound like great news, especially for new users, it’s a bit of a mixed bag for existing users like me.

In the past, upgrading from Studio One 5 to Studio One 6 was reasonable, especially considering you got several years of updates for a single upgrade fee. You’ll only get one year of updates on the new model for the same price. After the year ends, you’ll need to pay for another year to access future updates.

While some users may appreciate the flexibility of deciding when to pay for updates, others may feel this is an unnecessary burden. For long-time Studio One users, spending every year could feel more like a subscription disguised as a perpetual license.

A Step Forward or Backward?

From my perspective, as someone loyal to Studio One for years, eliminating the Prime and Artist versions is a double-edged sword. I always recommended Studio One Prime, the free version, to beginners or those just dabbling in recording or podcasting. It was simple, accessible, and powerful for a free DAW. With Prime gone, there’s a gap for beginners who may not yet want to commit to the full Pro version.

Additionally, while the inclusion of all the extra plugins and extensions is a great bonus for new users, I can’t help but feel that PreSonus could have used this opportunity to showcase new features. Where’s the mention of groundbreaking new tools or workflows? Instead, most of the announcements are focused on pricing and licensing, which, while important, aren’t exactly what gets users excited for a major version update.

Studio One 7 Pro is undoubtedly a great deal for new users at $199. You’ll get all the essential features, virtual instruments, and extensions that previously would have cost more. The frequent updates will keep the DAW fresh, with new tools rolling out throughout the year.

Still, the yearly update system might be a tougher pill for long-time users. Having used this DAW since version 5, I’m used to major updates bringing significant new features every few years. While it may not be labeled explicitly, the structure and pricing suggest a recurring payment model that could lock users into continuous costs over time, rather than offering a one-time payment option. This could become a sticking point for many users who prefer the stability of perpetual licenses.

Comparing Studio One to Other DAWs

Apple’s Logic Pro is one of the most affordable and feature-rich DAWs, available for a one-time payment of $199.99 (only for Mac users). Once purchased, users receive lifetime free updates, making it a desirable option for producers who want a professional-grade DAW without the hassle of yearly renewal fees. Similarly, FL Studio by Image-Line has a lifetime license, allowing users access to all future updates without additional costs.

Other DAWs like Reaper also provide significant value at a lower price point. These alternatives might make Studio One’s new pricing model less appealing to budget-conscious users.

That said, Studio One still stands out in its own right. Its intuitive workflow, drag-and-drop functionality, and powerful stock plugins have always been key selling points. Studio One 7 will continue to evolve faster with more frequent feature releases, which is exciting for users like me, who rely on its robustness and flexibility in professional settings.

Despite that, whether the new pricing structure will retain users or attract new ones remains to be seen, especially given that competitors offer more appealing long-term value.

Final Thoughts

Studio One 7 Pro can potentially be a major turning point for PreSonus. If the frequent updates deliver meaningful new features and improvements, then this new direction could be a win for both long-time users and newcomers. However, the pricing changes and removal of the free Prime version might alienate some, especially those used to Studio One’s previous model.

It’s clear that PreSonus is targeting a broader audience, but I hope they remain mindful of the needs of their loyal, long-standing users. Time will tell whether Studio One 7 becomes the game-changer we’ve been waiting for or simply another step toward catching up with the competition while potentially pushing more aggressive paid updates year after year.

As always, I’ll dive deep into Studio One 7 when it releases on October 9th. I’ll share my thoughts after putting it to the test in my mixing and mastering sessions. Stay tuned, and let’s see what the future holds for this beloved DAW!