Studio One
Audio editing software
Music making software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
Take the quiz to check if Studio One and its alternatives fit your requirements.
$19.99 per month
Free TrialFree version
Small
Medium
Large
-
What is Studio One
Studio One is a digital audio workstation (DAW) used to record, edit, arrange, mix, and master music and other audio productions. It targets musicians, producers, and audio engineers who need a timeline-based multitrack environment with MIDI sequencing and audio editing. The product combines composition tools, virtual instruments/effects hosting, and integrated mastering/publishing workflows within the same application. It is available in multiple editions and supports third-party plug-in ecosystems commonly used in professional music production.
Full DAW production workflow
Studio One supports end-to-end music production, including multitrack recording, MIDI composition, arrangement, mixing, and mastering. This makes it suitable for projects that require more than spoken-word editing or simple waveform trimming. It also fits users who need a traditional DAW workflow rather than a transcript-first editor.
Strong MIDI and instrument support
The platform provides MIDI sequencing and editing tools designed for composing and producing music. It hosts common third-party instrument and effect plug-ins, enabling users to build custom production setups. This is a practical advantage for music makers compared with tools focused primarily on voice generation or podcast-style editing.
Integrated mastering and delivery
Studio One includes a dedicated mastering workflow that can be used to finalize mixes and prepare releases. This reduces the need to move projects into a separate application for mastering tasks. For teams or individuals producing music releases, this can simplify handoffs and version management.
Not transcript-first editing
Studio One is built around a DAW timeline and does not center editing around text transcripts. For users who primarily edit interviews, podcasts, or spoken-word content using text-based workflows, this can slow down common tasks like removing filler words or restructuring dialogue. It is better suited to music production and detailed audio engineering than rapid transcript-driven edits.
Learning curve for beginners
The DAW feature set can be complex for new users who only need basic audio cleanup or simple recording. Concepts such as routing, buses, plug-in chains, and mastering workflows require time to learn. This can be more effort than lightweight audio editors or entry-level music apps.
Licensing and ecosystem constraints
Capabilities vary by edition, and some advanced features may require specific versions or add-ons depending on the licensing model. Users may also need compatible audio interfaces, drivers, and plug-ins to match their workflow. These practical dependencies can increase setup time compared with browser-based or all-in-one voice tools.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Perpetual License (Studio One Pro 7) | $199.99 one-time | Perpetual license to Studio One Pro 7; includes one year of new feature releases (yours to keep). |
| Perpetual License with Pro+ Annual Plan | $179.99 per year | Perpetual license + annual access to Studio One Pro+ extras (Pro+ plug‑ins, loop/sample libraries, 100GB cloud storage, cloud collaboration workspaces, partner offers). Billed annually until canceled. |
| Pro+ Monthly Plan (subscription) | $19.99 per month | Month-to-month subscription access to Studio One Pro 7 and Studio One Pro+ extras (no long-term commitment). |
| Demo (Studio One Pro trial) | Free for 30 days | Full Studio One Pro demo tied to MyPreSonus account; demo is free for 30 days and includes core content. |
| Studio One PRIME (free tier) | Free (permanent) | Free/Prime edition (limited features). The demo will revert to PRIME after the 30‑day demo expires. |
Seller details
PreSonus Audio Electronics, Inc.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
1995
Subsidiary
https://www.presonus.com/
https://x.com/presonus
https://www.linkedin.com/company/presonus
