Studio One 7 Pro Review: The Ultimate DAW for Music Producers in 2024

Studio One 7 Pro: A Comprehensive Review

Studio One 7 Pro by PreSonus brings a new level of creativity and functionality to music production, offering powerful features that appeal to musicians, producers, and sound engineers alike. The 2024 release includes exciting updates that enhance workflow, sound design, and performance, making it one of the most capable DAWs on the market today. Let’s explore the key updates and features of Studio One 7 Pro.

New Features and Updates

1. Splice Integration: Studio One 7 Pro is the first DAW to offer direct integration with Splice, allowing users to access Splice’s extensive sample library without leaving the DAW. This feature simplifies the process of adding royalty-free samples to projects, while the “Search with Sound” tool ensures that your samples align with the tempo and key of your track for seamless integration.
2. Integrated Launcher: The new integrated launcher in Studio One 7 Pro provides a central hub for managing recent projects, songs, and audio setups. It streamlines access to your work and available instruments and effects, helping to maintain focus and efficiency throughout the creative process.
3. Deep Flight One: The latest sound expansion pack, Deep Flight One, offers a rich collection of ambient and atmospheric sounds. With more than 200 new patches, this soundset is ideal for cinematic music, ambient projects, and electronic productions, giving users plenty of creative inspiration.
4. AI-Powered Stem Separation: One of the standout additions to Studio One 7 Pro is its AI-powered stem separation tool. This feature allows users to separate any stereo mix into individual components—vocals, drums, bass, and more—making it easier to remix or rework existing songs. It’s a great tool for remixers and producers looking for more control over their audio.
5. Impact Drum Machine Improvements: The Impact XT drum machine receives significant updates in Studio One 7 Pro. Users can now enjoy additional kits, enhanced sample management, and easier integration with Splice samples. This improves the workflow for beatmakers and producers who rely heavily on drums and percussion in their tracks.
6. Advanced Tempo Detection: The improved tempo detection system in Studio One 7 Pro automatically adjusts the tempo based on your recordings, offering precise timing adjustments for live performances or multi-tracked sessions. This feature ensures tighter synchronization and helps users maintain control over their project’s pacing.
7. CV Instrument: The new CV Instrument feature allows producers to control external analog gear directly from Studio One using Control Voltage (CV). This is a fantastic feature for electronic musicians and sound designers who want to integrate modular systems and hardware synths into their digital production setup.
8. Global Transpose: With the Global Transpose feature, users can quickly change the key of their entire project with a single click. This feature is particularly useful for songwriters and composers who frequently need to experiment with different keys or transpose tracks for different vocal ranges.

Instruments and Effects

Studio One 7 Pro remains equipped with its renowned array of instruments and effects. The Presence XT sampler, Mai Tai polyphonic synthesizer, and Impact XT drum machine provide robust sound-shaping capabilities, while the addition of the Deep Flight One soundset adds even more possibilities for creative expression. The wide variety of included effects, such as EQs, compressors, reverbs, and delays, ensures that users have all the necessary tools for mixing and mastering within the DAW.

Workflow

The hallmark of Studio One has always been its streamlined workflow, and Studio One 7 Pro takes this even further. With a single-window interface, drag-and-drop functionality, and advanced arrangement tools, the DAW remains highly intuitive for users at all levels. The new Track Presets, improved automation, and integration with Splice contribute to an efficient and flexible production environment.

The addition of an integrated launcher and other organizational tools helps keep projects organized, allowing users to focus on creativity without unnecessary distractions. Whether you’re producing a simple beat or managing a full orchestral session, Studio One’s layout adapts to your needs.

Pros:

• Seamless Splice Integration: Access Splice’s sample library directly within the DAW, simplifying the process of finding and using samples.
• AI-Powered Stem Separation: Deconstruct any stereo track into individual stems, ideal for remixing and detailed production work.
• Impact XT Enhancements: A more powerful drum machine with expanded kits and better sample handling.
• Advanced Tempo Detection: Automatically adjusts tempo for live recordings and complex sessions.
• CV Instrument: Direct control over external analog gear using CV, perfect for hybrid setups.
• Global Transpose: Effortlessly transpose your entire project with one click.

Cons:

• Steep Learning Curve: While Studio One 7 Pro is highly intuitive, the sheer depth of features can be overwhelming for beginners.
• Subscription Costs: Accessing Splice’s full library may require a paid subscription, adding to the cost of the DAW.

Conclusion

Studio One 7 Pro is a feature-rich DAW that stands out with its powerful tools, ease of use, and deep integration with Splice. From AI-powered stem separation to advanced tempo detection and improved drum machine capabilities, it provides producers with everything they need to create, arrange, and mix music. Whether you’re a professional or a home studio enthusiast, Studio One 7 Pro offers an impressive range of features that cater to every aspect of music production.