Studio One Pro 1.0.1

Studio One features two main tabs: Song and Project. For a song, you add tracks for drums, guitar, vocals, MIDI, and anything else you want. As you record new tracks, you can listen to previously recorded tracks at the same time. When you're done listening to and choosing the tracks you want to include, you click Project to mix the song and create a final file and/or an audio CD. For example, in the Project tab, you might add extra compression to make the song sound crisper and livelier. Or, you can adjust EQ settings to help isolate certain parts of the song so they sound more distinct. Having all of these tools at your fingertips, in one application window, is tremendously helpful.

Studio One provides a unique method for working with audio effects. In Logic, for example, you use panels that resemble an audio hardware front panel, perform music for that track, and apply the effect. In Studio One, you drag and drop effects into the track itself. You still see the audio hardware panels (they look just as cool as the ones in Logic), but the effect is integrated into the track as opposed to being a separate window. This can be a little confusing, but it makes perfect sense. Once you add effects to a track, you can access them in a mixing panel below the main recording window. Effects are non-destructive, so you can revert to the original audio recording if you want. You can also remove effects easily.

Studio One has another unique feature. While it's a 32-bit app, the program actually processes audio in 64-bits, so it is using smarter, more reliable programming routines. By early next year, PreSonus says it will release a full 64-bit version of the program for Mac that can access RAM over a 4GB allotment.

How well does it work

Studio One offers many of the same features as other recording apps. It has a large library of instrument samples and loops and the interface is easy to use. The real question for anyone considering the 1.0 release of an audio recording program is: does it work To find the answer to this question, I recorded several songs and tested out just about every feature. Studio One ran reliably and never crashed. Effects worked extremely well, with a plethora of settings available to tweak the sound just the way I wanted. The final songs--adjusted for compression, EQ, and volume--sounded robust and professional. I found Studio One produced better final audio tracks than the Roland BR-600 digital recorder I once used to record an entire CD, with more distinct EQ and great quality.