PreSonus has a ton of budget offerings for the studio world, but is Studio One easy to use? Today we go over the reasons why this might be the perfect DAW to start with, as well as some considerations to take into account as a beginner.
Is Studio One Easy To Use? A Beginner’s Guide
When you’re venturing into the exciting world of music production, choosing the right digital audio workstation (DAW) is crucial. You want a tool that’s both powerful and user-friendly, allowing you to harness your creative potential without feeling overwhelmed.
Studio One has several different price tiers, and three different editions of the DAW. All have a trial period, but since the 6th Edition update, there is no longer a free “Prime” version of studio One. That being said, the Artist Edition starts at only $99.
PreSonus Studio One is a name that often comes up in discussions about beginner-friendly DAWs, and in this article, we’re going to explore whether Studio One lives up to its reputation as an easy-to-use platform for budding music producers.
Make no mistake, Studio One is a professional DAW that is often used in major studios world wide. Sure, it can be an amazing tool for your home studio, and Studio One can be a great introduction to the DAW world. But that doesn’t mean that it is a “beginner DAW”.
Studio One can be daunting at first, but any DAW that you choose will have some sort of a learning curve. Today we take a look at the features and specs that might make Studio One the best choice for beginners, as well as some considerations to keep in mind.
The Studio One Editions: Which One is for You?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of Studio One’s user interface and features, let’s briefly touch on the different editions available. Studio One comes in various flavors, each catering to specific needs and budgets. For beginners, this variety can be both a blessing and a potential source of confusion. So, let’s break it down.
1.Studio One Artist: A Great Beginning
Studio One Artist is the introduction point for the popular DAW. It’s budget-friendly and unlocks more advanced features, making it a great choice for musicians who want to go beyond the basics. With Studio One Artist, you get unlimited audio and instrument tracks, a selection of virtual instruments and effects, and even third-party plugin support.
2. Studio One Professional: The Full Suite
Studio One Professional is the top-of-the-line edition, packed with advanced features for music production, mixing, and mastering. While it might be a bit overwhelming for absolute beginners, it’s a valuable option for those who are serious about their music production endeavors. It includes everything in Studio One Artist and much more, including Melodyne integration and advanced mastering tools.
3. Studio One+: The Kitchen Sink
While many users may be wary of subscription services when it comes to paying for a DAW, Studio One+ is a great way to try out the Professional Edition for only $20. The regular monthly price includes not only the professional Edition software, but also every expansion pack available from PreSonus. This means every plugin, instrument, and feature you will ever need.
If any of this stuff confuses you, or seems overwhelming, then don’t worry. We are going to break everything down for you. Now, let’s delve into why Studio One, regardless of the edition, can be an excellent choice for beginners.
The Studio One User Interface: An Intuitive Playground
One of the standout features of Studio One, regardless of the edition, is its user-friendly interface. PreSonus has put a lot of thought into making Studio One visually intuitive, which is a massive plus for newcomers to music production.
Even if you have never used a DAW before, you have probably seen one being used before. You probably already have a grasp on the idea of multi-track recording. So the “onboarding process” of a DAW is going to be the most important part for new users.
That process starts and ends with the user interface, which is the core of what makes Studio One easy to use, even for absolute beginners. The user experience melds easy computer functions that you are familiar with already, and keeps everything linear.
1. Drag-and-Drop Functionality:
Studio One’s drag-and-drop functionality makes it incredibly easy to get your musical ideas into the DAW. You can drag audio loops, virtual instruments, and effects directly onto your timeline, eliminating the need for complex routing.
2. Single-Window Workspace:
Studio One adopts a single-window workspace, meaning that most of your essential tools and functions are accessible within a single screen. This design choice minimizes the learning curve and ensures that you’re not constantly toggling between different windows.
3. Intuitive Audio Editing:
The audio editing capabilities in Studio One are top-notch. You can easily cut, move, and arrange audio events with precision. The visual representation of audio waveforms is clear and user-friendly, making it simple to spot and edit specific sections.
4. Smart Tools:
Studio One’s Smart Tools adapt to your workflow. They switch between functions like selecting, splitting, and drawing automation based on where you hover your mouse, streamlining your work process.
5. Contextual Menus:
Right-clicking in Studio One brings up contextual menus that provide quick access to various functions. This feature is a time-saver, especially when you’re learning the ropes.
6. Plugin Accessibility:
Not only does the UI allow you to access the built-in plugins easily, you also get a great interface for the plugins themselves. The UI for compressors, effects, and Melodyne are all intuitive and resemble their real-life counterparts. If you know how a reverb unit works in the real world, then it is easy to dial it in virtually.
Even if you are brand new to recording, Studio One makes it very easy to get started making music. The ability to drag and drop your files into track sections is as simple as dragging pictures to an external hard drive. Likewise, you can quickly edit tracks with a few clicks of the mouse.
The Included Plugins and Virtual Instruments
For beginners, having access to a range of high-quality plugins and virtual instruments is a massive advantage. Studio One doesn’t disappoint in this department. Even Studio One Artist, the affordable version, comes with a selection of essential tools to kickstart your music production journey.
All you really need to get started on your musical journey is a MIDI controller, since you have a large cache of instruments and sounds built in to Studio One. If you are a guitarist, then you have a full suite of amplifier and cabinet simulators to dial in your perfect tone.
1. Presence XT:
This sampler instrument in Studio One Artist and Professional offers a wide range of sample libraries, from acoustic instruments to synths. It’s a great tool for creating melodies and textures, making Studio One easy to use as a drafting tool for melodies and progressions.
2. Mai Tai:
Mai Tai is a polyphonic analog modeling synthesizer included in Studio One Artist and Professional. It’s beginner-friendly but versatile, allowing you to experiment with various sounds. While this synth has some great presets, you can also make your own sounds from scratch.
3. Ampire:
Ampire is a guitar amp simulator available in all editions of Studio One. Even if you’re not a guitarist, you can use it to craft unique guitar tones for your tracks. Choose from several types of amps from clean and pristine, to distorted metal tones.
4. Effects Galore:
All editions of Studio One include a suite of effects, including EQs, compressors, reverbs, and delays. These tools are essential for shaping your sound, both in the beginning, and the end. The Professional Edition also features Melodyne, a coveted tuning app used for vocals and harmonies.
These are just a few of the plugins, instruments and effects that you have at your disposal. While Studio One does work well with 3rd party plugins like amp sims, PreSonus made sure to include a bit of everything built-in to the DAW. That way, you can keep your entire project within the Studio One ecosystem.
When Studio One Might NOT Be a Good Fit For You
No DAW is without it’s faults, Studio One included. Learning a DAW can seem like a massive task if you are a total beginner. Simple things like the layout, or UI can cause a “quit moment” for some people if the software is just too deep.
While Studio One is an excellent choice for many beginners, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are many features can possibly cause “quit moments” with some people. Here are a few reasons why Studio One might not be the best fit for some newcomers:
1. Overwhelming for Absolute Beginners:
Studio One Professional, with its full feature set, can be overwhelming for absolute beginners. If you’re brand new to music production, starting with Studio One Artist might be a more comfortable entry point. Learning any DAW can be difficult if you have no experience, and bloated features can be confusing.
2. Limited in Artist:
While Studio One Artist is an excellent DAW, it does have limitations compared to the Professional editions. The lack of mastering tools and video editing, among other advanced features, will be noticed after you start to learn production.
If you quickly outgrow its capabilities, you may need to consider upgrading. The Artist Edition has plenty to keep you busy as you learn, but after some experience you may start to notice that vital tools are missing.
3. Resource Intensive:
Studio One can be resource-intensive, especially when running large projects with numerous virtual instruments and effects. If you have an older computer, you might encounter performance issues. It is a good idea to dedicate one computer to music production, with higher specs than what you would usually need for everyday use.
4. Personal Workflow Preferences:
Every producer has their own workflow preferences. What’s intuitive for one person may not be for another. It’s essential to explore different DAWs and choose one that aligns with your creative process. Every DAW may seem “the same” on the surface, but the fine details make a huge difference.
The Verdict: Is Studio One Easy To Use for Beginners?
In conclusion, Studio One offers a welcoming environment for beginners, thanks to its intuitive user interface, drag-and-drop functionality, and included plugins and virtual instruments. It’s an excellent introduction to the world of music production, allowing you to focus on your creativity without getting bogged down by a steep learning curve.
However, the best DAW for you ultimately depends on your specific goals, preferences, and budget. If you’re an absolute beginner, Studio One+ is an excellent starting point. As you gain experience and want to explore more advanced features, you already have everything you need, with a subscription you can cancel at anytime.
If subscriptions are just not your thing, then try out Studio One Artist. It is an inexpensive option, and it has all of the functionality you need to get started making music. While you may be missing some of the finer details and plugins, you do get the essentials needed to make a polished track.
So, is Studio One easy to use for beginners? Absolutely. It’s a powerful, accessible tool that can kickstart your music production journey and help you turn your musical ideas into reality.
PreSonus Studio One 6 Artist is a DAW built to remove the roadblocks and learning curves of creating music in the digital age, providing you with all the inspiring tools you require to create. Featuring every tool you need to get from idea, to fully-realized project.
- Slick Tools For Editing Audio & Video
- Tons of Pro Features
- Mixing & Mastering Tools
- Cloud Collaboration
- Full Library of Instruments & Plugins
Is Studio One Easy To Use For Beginners?
Studio One offers a welcoming environment for beginners, thanks to its intuitive user interface, drag-and-drop functionality, and included plugins and virtual instruments. It’s an excellent introduction to the world of music production, allowing you to focus on your creativity without getting bogged down by a steep learning curve.
Is Studio One Easy To Use With 3rd Party Plugins?
PreSonus Studio One offers 3rd party plugin support across each edition. Almost all 3rd party plugins will work with Studio One.
