In an early issue of this column, I addressed the reasons
and concepts behind titling it "The Zen of Recording." In far too small of a
nutshell, it refers to the ability to become so comfortable using your
available tools, techniques, and technology that the creative process is
unabated by them, effectively allowing one to remain steadfastly in the
creative moment while chasing down those fleeting moments of inspiration.
Frequent
readers of these communiqués may have also noted that the majority of products
chosen for review herein are not only chock full of great ideas, but are also
easy on the relatively thin pocketbooks carried by so many of us muso types.
Hardware is
a frequent focus, with high performance and solid build quality joining the
list of requisite features. Baton Rouge's PreSonus
(www.presonus.com) has been a frequent subject of review, with the venerable
Eureka microphone preamp, HP60
headphone amp and FirePod and FireStudio recording interfaces, all
being covered here and making more than admirable showings.
Still, with
regard to software, PreSonus is a relatively unproven commodity. Add to that
the abundance of digital audio workstations already available (ProTools, Logic,
Sonar, Vegas, Cubase, etc.) and you've got a mighty tough climb ahead of you.
Upon first
opening Studio One Pro (PC/Mac, $499 retail, $399 street) after a
relatively easy install process, the program opens and a start page presents
itself. This allows quick access to songs, projects (more on this later),
tutorials, and even a PreSonus news feed!
Opening to
Song View, one can immediately see that there is a fresh approach at work here.
Most apparent is the "single window" GUI, wherein most tasks are very
conveniently laid out within arm's (or mouse's) reach.
The left
side of the screen is where the tracks are stacked in the by now familiar
horizontal fashion, events and envelopes being centrally located just to their
right. Along the top is an ergonomic toolbar, with windows at the far left,
providing visual information with regard to track state, inputs, etc. Below
this, buttons for Inspector (a fly-out window that gives more indepth info for
a selected track), Track Add, File Import, Automation Envelopes, Tempo Track,
and Marker Track stand at the ready. Along the bottom are the transport
controls, CPU and Midi meters, metronome, time signature and tempo info, time
display, and a redundant volume control.
At the
bottom right corner of the screen are three tabs marked "Edit," "Mix," and
"Browse." This is where things get interesting, because the tabs hold the key
to how Studio One makes this virtually "navigation free" approach work.
For
example, click on the "Edit" tab and the bottom half of the workspace becomes an
area devoted to editing the currently selected track. If that track contains
audio, everything you need for slicing, dicing, quantizing, selecting, erasing,
and muting wave forms is at your "virtual" fingertips. Similarly MIDI tracks,
open to a "piano-roll" styled editor with a monitor space-conscious panel and
tabbed access to other parameters.
Click the
"Mix" tab and every channel's input and outputs, corresponding fader, inserts,
and buss assignments are displayed, making mixing and effecting tracks more
intuitive.
"Browse" is
the king of the interface, though. Each of its five tabs providing instant
access to VST instruments, effects, sounds (loops, etc.), files, and a pool of
the files being used in the current project. In use, nothing could be simpler
or more convenient.
That
convenience and ease of use are underscored by the "drag and drop"
implementation of all these features. Need a compressor on that vocal? Find
what you need in the browser and drag it onto the vocal track. It's
automatically added as an insert effect! Need to play a keyboard bass part?
Drag the included Mojito synth over to the track and instantly begin
auditioning patches! How about a drum loop? Browse to the "Sounds" tab and
audition any number of the great sounding loops included at the tempo you've
specified.
It can't be
emphasized enough just how "inspiration friendly" Studio One is in use. If
you've used recording software before, the learning curve is a gentle one. I
was up and running and deep in the moment almost instantly. Building
arrangements and auditioning sounds with instant and contextual feedback was
just plain FUN! Add the fact that audio is captured in lustrous 32-bit depth
and processing is at 64 bit, and you‘ve got state-of-the-art, pristine audio
quality to boot!
Once I had
made a few demo recordings, I decided to explore Studio One's "Project" mode,
where one can apply mastering and compile Red Book compliant CDs. Again, the
great thinking that went into this facet of the program was constantly evident.
Instead of rendering (or "bouncing" if you only speak ProTools) your mixes
first and then compiling your CD project, you can actually drag the Studio One
file directly into the timeline. A mix is automatically rendered and placed
there. Add to that the Adobe-style automatic updating of edits in the placed
files and you have the best damn idea the mastering process has seen since
limiters! There's even a great feature for preparing your files for digital
release, with easily editable metadata and the ability to include artwork...Yes!
Studio One
comes with a huge bundle of virtual keyboards, samples, loops, and effects that
will more than admirably cover the needs of any pro or newbie, making it an
incredible value for anyone looking to build a new recording setup. It should
also be mentioned that Studio One Artist
(PC/Mac, $249 retail, $199 street)
comes bundled free with all new PreSonus recording interfaces. It is
essentially the same program sans the mastering options of "Project" mode.
In essence,
PreSonus has effectively taken the best parts of Cubase, Acid, Logic, and
Ableton Live (among others) and placed them into an interface that provides
unprecedented flexibility and ease of use. That Studio One ultimately promotes
creative, right-brained thinking makes this an all-in-one solution for those
looking to become one with their muse.
Sven-Erik Seaholm is
an award-winning independent record producer, performer and recording artist.
His company Kitsch & Sync Production (kaspro.com) provides Recording,
Mastering, Graphic Design, Consultations and CD Manufacturing Services. Call
him at 619-287-1955 to inquire about Special Winter Rates. Or go to
www.svensongs.com to see where he's playing.