You Can't go wrong

Like most other reviewers, I've used just about everything out there and S1v2 is the best by far. It makes what we do (Create, Produce, Mix, Master music) so much easier and faster without getting in the way.

Practically NO learning curve whatsoever. The included Plugins are actually usable and are very nice. There are a few things I miss that Cubase has like the arranger track and maybe a couple of midi toys, but nothing that equates to being a deal breaker.

If this is your first DAW you'll feel welcomed and if like me this is your profession you'll welcome S1v2 as a trusted companion in your workflow...I expect only GREAT things from Presonus and S1.

Unbelievable Power And Value!

You really have to try this program to believe that it really is better, easier, faster, and 'funner' than whatever DAW you're using now! All that, and it's at least 90% as powerful as the "Industry Standard" DAW (Yeah, that one) and it's more flexible and vastly more intuitive. Considering it's only been around a couple years, unlike the 'Standard', Studio One is surprisingly mature and powerful.

Having spent considerable time, effort and energy into really learning Tro Pools, and really liking it, I finally tired of it's quirks and having to lift myself out of my creative space to deal with some technical issue, and so dug into Studio One. Man was I pleasantly surprised! I'm being 100% honest when I say that it was like coming out of a fog into the clarity of day. I'm not detracting anything from Tro Pools; it is more powerful, but for strictly music production, Studio One, though it lacks a few things (like a score editor) is just better for working with music. Just about everything I do in Studio One is done quicker, and with fewer clicks/keystrokes than with any other DAW I have ever used. And the results all sound amazing (that's what REALLY matters, right?)

Studio One is already 64-bit so it uses the full resources of my computer, everything I need is either right there on the screen or a click or two away, it's very intuitive to work with, but even if I get stuck, the manual is very well written and clear. It comes loaded with an excellent compliment of instruments, effects and sounds (and of course 3rd party plugins are not a problem). It loads faster, and accomplishing typical tasks is faster than other DAWs, and some of those others aren't even in the ball park! I'm using it with a MOTU Audio Express interface and have had zero issues; again, unlike 'certain' other programs.

Now, for the Cons: I really wish it had a score editor, and I will strongly suggest that to Presonus for the next version (hopefully they listen). The faders in console view could have a longer travel and they are a little inaccurate in that the actual level (the numbers) don't consistently match up well with the physical position of the fader, and I personally prefer pots rather than sliders for panning. Track numbering is missing as well and the outputs of a couple of my multi-out virtual instruments are not enumerated correctly. Except for the missing score editor, these are really very minor and all together the cons aren't worth deducting a star.

Throw in the fact that Studio One currently costs hundreds less than the more popular, more aged offerings out there and there is one more reason every serious musician ought to make Studio One the foundation of any hobbyist, amateur, semi-pro or even professional studio setup. It really is THAT good!.

presonus studio one 2 pro

Like many other reviewers, i too have used reason, logic, abeleton, etc. DAWs. S-1-2 is by far the best ever !!! The ease of putting a track together, or using S-1-2 for stems for complete mixing, and mastering is the easiest !!! Great product !!!!

Even Better than Version 1!

My original review of Studio One v. 1:
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I heard of Studio One last year when it came out and my first thoughts were, "Come on guys, what a waste of resources....focus on what you are great at...hardware!).

Well, having used Logic Pro, Pro Tools, Sonar, Ableton, and toyed with several others, I can solidly say that this DAW is not only well worth your time and penny to check out but also here to stay for a while.

Developed in collaboration with Kristal Labs comprised of Wolfgang Kundrus and Matthias Juwan, both former heavy hitters of Cubase and Nuendo, this DAW although only on v. 1.5 is nimble, mature, sonic-ally gorgeous, and intuitively innovative.

It almost feels like these two gentleman had a few things they really wanted to get implemented for previous users of other DAW's and found a benefactor with Presonus to share and join the vision of their mission.

This DAW really is a breath of fresh air. Now that being said, it is still on v. 1.5 and although I sound like a fan boy, I miss many of the other features in Ableton and Logic, such as folder tracks and richer instrument/effects options and jump back to use them on occasion. However, with the speed at which v. 1.5 came out (as a free upgrade), it won't be long before S1 not only has it all, but has pushed their creativity caps to a streamlined and well conceived apex.

So if you are just getting into the game, you can't get a better deal than Logic Studio, has it all and it sounds great. But if you already have the after-market plugins and primarily use Komplete, Omnisphere, etc. etc. and are more concerned with a fast and phenomenal sounding, 64-bit host...you may find yourself in love with this program, I obviously have.

I am also excited at what Presonus may bring to the table with their hardware integration. Excellent job Presonus and the Studio One team!
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With the update including Melodyne's ARA, Folder tracks, single window multiple track midi editing, Air One convo reverb, the new user exchange, etc. etc. This is one of the finest recording related products on the market. If they would add an Ableton-esque sequencer or cell based composing tool, I'd never use anything else!

Great update Presonus and kudos to the Studio One Development team!

~C

PRESONOUS STUDIO 1

I HAVE BEEN USING STUDIO ONE SINCE IT FIRST CAME OUT. I JUST RECENTLY UPGRADED TO VERION 2.0 PRO. I'M IMPRESSED WITH THIER HAREWARE AND SOFTWARE. WHAT I REALLY LIKE ABOUT PRESONUS IS NOT ONLY THEIR DEDICATION TO THE PEOPLE THAT USE AND BUY THEIR PRODUCTS BUT THEIR COMMITMENT TO GETTING IT RIGHT.

Simply put...dee best DAW ever!!

Upgraded from Artist to Professional. Love it!! Love it!! Love it!! A full-fledged, high-end, truly professional audio workstation designed and geared for music lovers of all levels. An integrated mastering suite, track-and-drop feature never heard of on other DAWs, integrated virtual instruments such as synths, drum machines, etc.; user-friendly concept design that gives musicians, regardless of technical background, total control and freedom for one heck of a climactic experience!! A definately must have!!

I dig it!

I have worked in quite a few different platforms including Linux. Most DAWs I have experienced, though briefly have been confusing, mind boggling, and just plain over the top difficult.I also did a lot on a multitrack board. This DAW is the best I have ever used, hands down! Very easy workflow. I has all the plug ins I wanted. Many thanks to Brandon Eden for helping me to make a supremely awesome choice! I appreciate the knowledgeable people here at Sweetwater. It is nice to get a question answered about a product knowing it will be real info I can use. I do wish I had a foot contoller but since it runs Guitar Rig which is terrific, I am already shopping. :o) The amp windows are a little weird. I wish they had a minmize feature. They are tricky to pull back up. When you delete a function it will fold up and disappear. Even though I find it again, it's annoying. I will need to do some more reading, it's possible there is a better way as I have not had the software that long. I love the way it is laid out, all right up front, drag and drop! I have more time to be creative instead of being frustrated with ridiculous hoops to jump through. Guitarists will dig this program. You get pro results. Easy to learn if you have experience, but newcomers will find it more intuitive and relaxing. I was recording in minutes once I actually got it downloaded. One word of warning, If you have low or restricted bandwidth DO NOT buy the download. It'll take 5 flippin days! My service provider slapped a usage violation on me. A zipped file would have been better. All in all this thing is fun to use and has endless possiblities creatively. This is a great DAW and destined to become extremely popular.

studio One 2

A very complete option for those that are tired of the conventional DAW. All the action happens in front of you, no pop ups windows no diagrams, no crazy bus routing edits. its all right in your face. Workflow is superb, the sound is up to par to any other DAW and believe me I have them all, Logic pro, Live , Reason, Record, Cubase 6, Digital Performer, Reaper. I was looking for something new and fresh, and I found it is as friendly as it is powerful.

Excellent!

Having never been a fan of full-blown DAWs before, I've found this to be very intuitive and easy to use, yet very powerful. I won't give up my hardware just yet, but Studio One 2 is a terrific tool!

GREAT and intuitive DAW!

I have been recording with my computer since the Cakewalk Pro Audio Days. I followed Cakewalk thru Sonar 2, and changed when i started having a lot of issues with the program crashing. I bounced around, tried Cubase for awhile, then found REAPER, which i was really impressed with. However, in order to get the full use of REAPER, you MUST spend time setting its preferences and workflow to fit you. I ended up with Mackie Tracktion right at its end-of-life, and i liked the concept but was concerned about support. I had seen the original version of Studio One and felt it looked somewhat like Tracktion. I was VERY nervous about biting the bullet and buying it because i was afraid i would miss something from REAPER......well, that is NOT the case. I am not a "power" user, I work mostly with audio and effects and a little midi, with VSTs, and Studio One V2 fits the bill for me perfectly. I've never looked back since I bought it. AND, instead of having to use CD ARchitect to burn the cd's, it is all built into the project page. i never leave the program. And, whereas I used to use a lot of 3rd party vst effects and instruments, I haven't used anything except what is in Studio One so far.

Outstanding DAW

I purchased this DAW to get off the "industry standard" upgrade gouge train. I'm blown away, and here's why. This DAW installed seamlessly on my iMac 2.4 ghz duo core, running Snow leopard. No hassles whatsoever. In addition, and I can't stress this enough, the plug ins that ship with this software are exceptionally usable. Much more so than the plug ins that ship with the industry standard. The software grabbed on to my Mbox 2 without issue, and when I paired it with the Presonus Firestudio mobile I was just blown away! If you've used other DAW software, this will take a tiny bit of getting used to, but honestly, that would be the same with ANY software change. It's got all of the features I need without the constant error messages and buffer size issues of that "other" software. I can't make the darn thing crash, even when doing a session with lots of tracks and plugs! When, not if, they release a new version in a couple of years, I'm supremely confident that it won't cost me an arm and a leg, and that's something you just COULD NOT say about that "other" software. Studio One v2 can help you create release-ready mixes, and it does so without all the hassle of some DAW software. I'm never going back....ever.

Powerful New Standard in DAW's

After using other DAW's for years, I found Studio One V2 to an easy transition for the most part. Studio is fairly easy to learn if you have used other DAW's in the past. What I love about the S1V2 is that is does not overtax my cpu at all (quad-core AMD w/8 gigs ram). I use lots of plug-ins simultaneously. The included VST plug-ins are awesome and are in some cases as good as some vst's costing hundreds of dollars by them selves. I am using an Presonus Audiobox 1818vsl + Digimas D8 with S1V2 with outstanding results so far. No real complaints other than the manual is a bit lacking. For example; Using the Pipeline plug-in (for managing hardware effects) is only briefly explained what is does and not how to use it. A simple diagram would have been nice. Presonus does offer OBEDIA Free Training (trial) for anyone that bought or upgraded to version 2. I am very pleased with the Presonus products I've recently purchsed and give thanks to my Sweetwater Sales Representative (Paul Rowan) for putting up with my numerous phone calls and questions.