明天, 2024年10月9日, PreSonus会正式发售Studio One 7. 哪怕仅仅就在前天我刚刚说过了这个业界新闻, 我也不禁再次对这次发售有些双向的看法.
每年付费获得更新的形式令人失望
毕竟, SO是我从SO2开始一路跟随到现在, 接着在SO4代开始入专业版, 一直到SO6(不要通过产品下方的日期以为那是购买日期, 那只是最新版本的更新时间).
每个版本的真正购买日期需要进入到详情中查看, 比如SO6的购买日期是2022年9月:
我还是PreSonus绝对忠实的老粉丝, 音箱, 低音炮, 控制器, 打击垫, 音频接口, 几乎随着使用Studio One开始, 我便陆续的在支持这个品牌.
按说, 我的SO6版本早在2022年9月购买的, 也是时候付费升级了. 不过这次大部分用户对PreSonus有所抱怨的, 是每年都需要进行付费升级的策略.
我在维基百科查询了Studio One的版本发布历史, 我们来看看Studio One以往的产品升级模式. 每一代产品通常需要两年的时间进行大的版本更新, 比如从2009年9月的创始版1升级到2011年的10月发布的2, 历时2年. 从版本2升级到2015年的5月的版本3, 历时最久长达三年七个月. 从版本3升级到2018年的5月的版本4, 为期3年也不短. 从版本4再到2020年7月7日发布版本5, 也长达两年多. 再到2022年9月29发布的版本6, 也几乎有一年零10个月之久.
Studio One发布历史 (长表格, 点击以展开)
| Year | Date | Version | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Version 1 | ||
| 2009 27 September | 1.0.0 | Initial version. | |
| 15 October | 1.0.1 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 2 December | 1.0.2 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 2010 | 28 April | 1.5.0 | QuickTime video support, enhanced drag & drop functionality, REX2 file support, SoundCloud integration, enhanced automation, dynamic timestretching, MIDI improvements. |
| 23 June | 1.5.1 | MIDI recording offset. | |
| 2 August | 1.5.2 | Bug fixes. | |
| 28 September | 1.6.0 | Infinite nested buses, Mackie HUI support, VST 3.1 support. | |
| 18 November | 1.6.1 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 2011 | 3 January | 1.6.2 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. |
| 30 January | 1.6.3 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 9 March | 1.6.4 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 26 July | 1.6.5 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| Version 2 | |||
| 2011 31 October | 2.0.0 | ARA support, Melodyne integration, transient detection & quantization, groove extraction, multi-track comping, folder tracks, multi-track MIDI editing, new plug-ins, updated browser. | |
| 31 October | 2.0.2 | Bug fixes. | |
| 13 December | 2.0.3 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 2012 | 18 January | 2.0.4 | PreSonus Exchange integration. |
| 11 April | 2.0.5 | Ability to assign MIDI CC messages to any command, updated Ampire XT plug-in, playback stop marker, macro toolbar. | |
| 12 June | 2.0.6 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 12 September | 2.0.7 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 2 December | 2.5.0 | Comping improvements, folder track editing, enhanced track transform, updated Ampire XT plug-in, enhanced automation, updated audio export, ability to re-record from buses. | |
| 2013 | 25 February | 2.5.1 | Ability to enable muted tracks in stem export, loop mode for Sample One plug-in. |
| 23 May | 2.5.2 | Bug fixes. | |
| 29 August | 2.6.0 | Integration with StudioLive AI-series mixing consoles, integration with Nimbit, updated start page, Fat Channel plug-in, updated MIDI engine, displays for CD time and relative song position on the Project page. | |
| 30 October | 2.6.1 | Bug fixes. | |
| 2014 | 23 January | 2.6.2 | Add-on support. |
| 15 July | 2.6.3 | Ability to drag & drop audio to third-party plug-ins, CAF file support, ability to drag & drop slices to the quantize grid. | |
| 5 November | 2.6.4 | Increased recording buffer, 64-bit processing by default for Mac, stereo mode in Fat Channel plug-in. | |
| 8 December | 2.6.5 | Support for new SoundCloud API. | |
| 2015 | Version 3 | ||
| 2015 20 May | 3.0.0 | Arranger track, scratchpads, updated browser, chains for effects & virtual instruments, note-level MIDI effects, macro controls, new plug-ins, automation curves, Studio One Remote. | |
| 26 June | 3.0.1 | Updated manual, enhanced multi-touch. | |
| 5 August | 3.0.2 | Studio One Prime edition. | |
| 6 October | 3.1.0 | Integration with Studio 192 interfaces, option to colorize track controls. | |
| 16 December | 3.1.1 | Plug-in search context menu, ability to filter hidden plug-ins from search, enlarged instrument channel output list. | |
| 2016 | 25 February | 3.2.0 | Mix engine effects, VCA faders. |
| 30 March | 3.2.1 | Pass-through mode for mix engine effects, mix engine effects for downstream buses, show/hide VCA targets. | |
| 19 May | 3.2.2 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 9 June | 3.2.3 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 25 August | 3.3.0 | Ability to disable tracks / instruments / plug-ins, enhanced multi-track drum editing, MIDI editing improvements, single-click options for global effects on/off, Notion 6 integration, new video engine. | |
| 6 September | 3.3.1 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 29 November | 3.3.2 | FaderPort 8 integration, ability to copy automation via copy/paste of events, ability to access QWERTY keyboard software device via Caps Lock key. | |
| 19 December | 3.3.3 | Bug fixes. | |
| 2017 | 21 February | 3.3.4 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. |
| 23 May | 3.5.0 | Full mixer & plug-in undo, native low-latency software monitoring, updated CPU multi-processing, Fat Channel XT plug-in, file-independent track markers on the Project page, Project-level loudness metering. | |
| 27 June | 3.5.1 | Reduced virtual instrument latency, updated CPU balancing, updated quick-zoom, updated mixer undo. | |
| 26 September | 3.5.2 | Arranger track for Prime & Artist editions, updated song information window, blacklist for incompatible VST3 plug-ins. | |
| 28 November | 3.5.3 | FaderPort 16 support. | |
| 4 December | 3.5.4 | Bug fixes. | |
| 2018 | 30 January | 3.5.5 | Cakewalk Sonar shortcut setting. |
| 28 March | 3.5.6 | PreSonus Studio 1810 & 1824 support, PreSonus StudioLive III DAW remote support, macro option for channel renaming. | |
| Version 4 | |||
| 2018 22 May | 4.0.0 | Chord track, chord detection/transposition/substitution, drum & pattern editors, expanded drum machine (Impact XT) & sampler (SampleOne XT) plug-ins, AAF-format import/export, import from existing songs, ARA version 2 support, new GUI customization options. | |
| 10 July | 4.0.1 | Usability improvements & bug fixes, Studio One Prime version 4. | |
| 13 September | 4.1.0 | Support for PreSonus ATOM Pad Controller, new Pipeline XT routing plug-in, tempo automation, new ‘Time Scale’ tool for manual tempo mapping, expanded note repeat feature, expanded AAF export options. | |
| 30 October | 4.1.1 | Usability improvements (including new features for the ATOM controller) & bug fixes. | |
| 2019 | 15 January | 4.1.2 | New incremental version save option, support for volume/gain automation in AAF export, bug fixes. |
| 22 January | 4.1.3 | Support for PreSonus’ USB-C audio interfaces, bug fixes. | |
| 26 March | 4.1.4 | Support for PreSonus’ StudioLive S-Series mixing consoles, bug fixes. | |
| 21 May | 4.5.0 | Input channel gain staging & polarity, plug-in manager, M4A (AAC/ALAC) support, video export, RMS metering, pre-fader metering, CPU multi-core optimization, macro expansions, batch audio conversion/processing add-on. | |
| 29 May | 4.5.1 | Bug fixes. | |
| 11 July | 4.5.2 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 3 September | 4.5.3 | Support for Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol MkII keyboards. Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 17 September | 4.5.4 | Bug fixes. | |
| 19 November | 4.5.5 | Expanded FaderPort 8/16 support & bug fixes. | |
| 10 December | 4.6.0 | Re-designed & ‘Ampire’ guitar amplifier and effects plugin, new effects pedal plugin, re-designed content browser, new templates & macros for podcast production. | |
| 2020 | 21 January | 4.6.1 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. |
| 3 June | 4.6.2 | Expanded ARA functionality for chords (increasing compatibility with version 5 of Melodyne) and bug fixes. | |
| Version 5 | |||
| 2020 7 July | 5.0.0 | Score editor, ‘Show Page’ for live performances, polyphonic expression support, custom ROLI device support, support for recording in 64-bit floating-point WAV. | |
| 11 August | 5.0.1 | Bug fixes. | |
| 1 September | 5.0.2 | Bug fixes. | |
| 20 October | 5.1.0 | Retrospective recording. Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 17 November | 5.1.1 | Support for PreSonus Revelator microphone. Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 2021 | 19 January | 5.1.2 | Improved ARA integration for VocAlign, bug fixes. |
| 9 March | 5.2.0 | “Sound Variations” articulation management. “Sound Variation API” for communication between 3rd-party instruments and Studio One (in cooperation with Vienna Symphonic Library). Revised score view with drum notation and tabulature. New Studio One Remote features. Usability improvements. | |
| 27 April | 5.2.1 | Bug fixes. | |
| 29 June | 5.3.0 | Sound variations system enhancements. Conversion from chord track to note events. | |
| 14 September | 5.4.0 | Native Apple silicon support. Performance optimizations for plug-ins & mix FX. autosave improvements. Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 14 October | 5.4.1 | Bug fixes. | |
| 2022 | 11 January | 5.5.0 | Automation, gain envelopes, and listening bus for mastering projects. Target peak and loudness settings. Chord extraction from MIDI data. Bulk export for digital formats. MIDI strum patterns. |
| 22 February | 5.5.1 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 5 April | 5.5.2 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| Version 6 | |||
| 2022 29 September | 6.0.0 | “Smart” templates, UI customization, video track, lyrics track, cloud-based collaboration (via PreSonus Sphere), new plugins including de-esser and vocoder. | |
| 9 November | 6.0.1 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 13 December | 6.0.2 | Bug fixes. | |
| 2023 | 22 March | 6.1.0 | Mastering project templates. Usability improvements & bug fixes. |
| 30 March | 6.1.1 | Bug fixes. | |
| 25 May | 6.1.2 | Bug fixes. | |
| 18 July | 6.2.0 | Rebranding of PreSonus Sphere as Studio One+. Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 1 August | 6.2.1 | Bug fixes. | |
| 26 September | 6.5.0 | Spatial audio mixing and Dolby Atmos support. Import & export support for DAWproject files.Linux support. | |
| 1 November | 6.5.1 | Bug fixes. | |
| 2024 | 16 January | 6.5.2 | Bug fixes. |
| 2 April | 6.6.0 | Support for Apple Spatial Audio, direct integration with TuneCore, new synth instrument ‘Lead Architect’. | |
| 8 May | 6.6.1 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 9 July | 6.6.2 | Usability improvements & bug fixes. | |
| 24 September | 6.6.3 | Connectivity fix for SoundCloud integration. | |
| 这里是我手动补充的 | 2024年10月9日 | 7 | |
在2024年的10月发布版本7, 差不多两年, 符合Studio One重大版本升级的常规历时, 这都没毛病.
问题在于从7开始, PreSonus改变了销售策略, 今后的版本依然会定期更新, 但需要每年持续付费, 这是用户最大的抗议之处. 以年费的形式发售产品有什么弊端呢?
- 产品售价翻倍. 以前几乎两年才需要付费升级, 期间产品不间断更新, 性价比非常高. 而如今一年一付, 售价却和以往相同, 可以说就是价格翻倍了.
- 后期维护懒散, 隐藏重要更新. 为了吸引用户每年持续付费, 产品开发与维护会将最重要的技术突破压在箱底, 等刚过了一年的周期后才发布, 以强制用户付费购买.
以上是我从版本5升级到版本6的升级费用, 150美元, 日期也就是在版本6发布的同时. 而这149美元我一直用到了今年, 也就是2024年的10月, 整整两年, 非常划算. 但以后, 我需要每年都花费这个金额, 来维持版本的更新, 这令Studio One的性价比就开始下降了.
当然, 我们可以做出选择, 当Studio One某一年的更新满足不了我们的胃口时, 我们可以停住, 仅仅使用当前的版本, 跳过这些付费更新. 但我深深的怀疑, 在音乐科技日新月异的当下, 当Studio One在过了一年后, 突然发布一个爆款功能, 我们真的能抵挡住诱惑吗?
我只是单纯的不太喜欢这种不断被后手挑衅的感觉. 作为一款DAW, 这是音乐创作和后期的基石, 你们负责苦心开发技术, 我们负责购买和安心的使用, 哪怕单次售价昂贵, 但量大管饱, 我们也会前赴后继. 但如果三不五时的在官网秀下新技能, 然后让用户在版本追逐中疲于奔命, 这已经远离了一个DAW克己本份, 低调沉稳的行事风格, 而像是拍卖会上待价而沽的炒作品.
这不仅仅是我, 一个资深Studio One用户的想法, 而是很多SO用户的真实想法. 让我们看看PreSonus官网的油管号发布Studio One 7宣传视频后, 网友们的评论吧:
PreSonus有一点做的还不错的, 就是他不会删除评论, 这倒挺令人欣赏, 但也仅此而已. 评论区并非偏激的恶意留言, 而是真心的对这次升级策略和费用有太多的失望.
我们对SO系列非常忠实, 不停的在各个留言区和论坛中宣传SO的优点, 是因为我们感受到了SO初衷的美好, 创造出一款更人性化, 更直观易用, 扩展性无穷的DAW. 我真的不希望这个招牌, 在错误的决策下跑偏, Waves这样做了, 一度让经理出面全网道歉, NI正在这么做, 但这次的Kontakt 8和Komplete 15并没有引起一丝水花. Studio One未来的策略究竟是什么, 希望不要辜负一帮老粉.
可能的惊喜之处
不过, 由于我的版本6也使用了两年, 现在到了7, 也确实是该升级的一代了, 我也许会跟进这次升级, 同时看看7到底会给我们带来些什么. 其中一个对我个人比较利好的消息是, SO7将会解锁Presence XT Editor.
Presence XT是SO系列中非常优质的一款采样器, 它其实有非常棒的音色制作功能, 但遗憾的是Studio One一直将音色制作功能, 也就是Editor模式锁定, 并且需要额外的600多元人民币的费用才能解锁.
售价高达647港币
你可能会说, 有了Kontakt和HALion, 还需要这种看起来简陋的采样器吗? 事实上, 我在早期的SO版本上使用过破解的Presence XT Editor, 它的可用性比前两者大很多. 一是它支持直接拖放音频文件作为采样, 并有着完整的力度分层模式, 可以用不同力度击发不同采样, 也有完整的Keyswitch模式, 通过按键切换音色分组, 它还支持通过java语言进行编写(当然这个对我有点难). 二是, 它属于Studio One的原生插件, 调用快, 出错率低, 资源占用小.
当你在Studio One中拖入Kontakt, 三次就有一次引发崩溃的话, 你就知道有一个稳定靠谱的采样器有多么重要了. 我还记得我当时使用Presence XT Editor制作了一两个音效库, 然后将所有杂乱的音色打包为Studio One专有的一体化文件, 一并放入Studio One的Soundsets音色资源文件夹中, 后面即使不适用Editor, 而是普通的Presence XT, 也能直接读取, 使用异常方便. 在那之后, 由于开始使用正版, Presence XT Editor也不复存在了, 而其高昂的售价, 也让我望而却步.
如果这次Studio One 7会解锁Presence XT Editor, 那这次的升级, 暂且来说, 是值得期待的.
