Fender Studio Pro 8.1 - Discussion Thread

[Olorin]

My criticism isn't that Studio Pro includes AI features.

AI has been part of audio plugins for years, and plenty of DAWs already offer AI-assisted tools. That's not the issue. I started using it since Neutron in 2016.

The problem is that Fender keeps cramming in gimmicky features while long-standing core issues remain unresolved. Instead of focusing on stability, workflow, and fixing the features professionals actually rely on, they're putting resources into subscriptions nobody asked for in order to generate more recurring revenue.

That's the part I have a problem with.

One reason why I decided to try something other than Logic Pro. Seems Apple isn't alone in this.

 

[jpettit]

I agree this is very cool. I look forward to trying it out and seeing how it plays out for jamming with others.

Since this always seems to get in my way: I really wish there was a computational quantize function on the score where you can limit the visual representation (only) to not include 64th notes, or even 32nd notes. I'm not quantizing my regular work just to print a score for my own quick re-use. I can certainly do that for preparing a score for others, but in the flow, it is usually not worth the effort unless it is a part or two.
Two relevant feature requests:
Quantize View Option
Major Improvements Needed for Score View: Manual Tempo Marks & MIDI-Score Sync Stability

It already does some simplification, but often too much in the opposite direction. I have talks with them about a much smarter quantizing in the future. Things like separating note duration from note position, quantizing based on BPM, learned models and examining the entire track for a histogram approach. There are things you can do with existing commands and a macro but it is limiting.

 

[TimC340]

That's a brilliant deal, well done!

I'll have to peruse the b-stock offers myself. I'm surprised at Andertons, they are usually pretty good.

I think I dropped Andertons in it with Fender! They've been great with me on other items, and they refunded me very quickly on this one. The one I got just happened to come up on a search one day.

Is that the one with the ADAT's on the back? That's incredible price, imagine if you wasn't an FSP owner already what a deal that is!

Don't suppose you've tried a guitar through it? I have my eyes on that model too, as I like the thought of having a small unit with monitor control volume by my side, which can then ADAT out to my rack.

Yes, it does have the ADAT connections. I got it because my new studio will have a separate vocal booth and I wanted to be able to rig a couple of mics in there - I do some voiceover stuff as well as music. Nothing too fancy; I'll probably make do with a Behringer ADA8200 until I can afford an Audient 880. I haven't tried a guitar through it, but I have through my Quantum ES2 and, to my ancient ears, it sounds fine.

 

[Midiboy]

This may seem silly, but one feature that I really love that got added...when you go to Mixdown...the song is named the session name already, instead of "Mixdown." Is it a big deal? No. Do I love that? YES.

 

[IndigoBeatz]

This may seem silly, but one feature that I really love that got added...when you go to Mixdown...the song is named the session name already, instead of "Mixdown." Is it a big deal? No. Do I love that? YES.

Same , it's the little things that makes FSP better .. toobad we can't scale the Channel overview , i hope they will implement that in the near future also

 

[TimC340]

+100 on all of the above.

I should be able to hide everything I do not want to see and it goes without saying that Fender should get with the program and automatically remove any UI elements that could not EVER apply (like Studio Assistant) to anyone on a perpetual license.

It's almost like they actually believe that leaving it there - is going to somehow make me change my mind and move to a subscription model?

For a company that was once the king of UI efficiency - leaving this button visible is both a waste of space AND a head scratcher - all at the same time.

VP

I don't have any reference to the Studio Assistant in my installation. I do have Moises showing on the Home tab but not on the top tabs - until I installed it.

 

[Vocalpoint]

I don't have any reference to the Studio Assistant in my installation. I do have Moises showing on the Home tab but not on the top tabs - until I installed it.

Studio Assistant isn't on the Home Tab - it's up here - taking up space and doing exactly nothin' by being here (for me) :

And - I have Moises AND Splice hidden in my tabs - but they still appear here - for reasons I do not understand at all:

Especially when they are located here (Main Menu->Studio Pro->Studio Pro Installation) and can be installed as needed:

VP

 

[Skijumptoes]

And - I have Moises AND Splice hidden in my tabs - but they still appear here - for reasons I do not understand at all:

Hopefully they will allow us to disable them via the advanced tab:

Like you, I have no intention of ever signing up or using those services so would rather they didn't sit in my eye view asking me to install them.

It's a small thing, but for me Studio One/Pro has always been about the small things and creating a clean interface - They're undermining their own customisation system, which was designed to keep things simple for the user so you could remove the elements that you don't need.

Placing it within that services tab would prevent any accidental removals, but it would present an option for the end user to hide/disable them.

 

[Brop]

Seems to be a thing in software generally atm. Prominent ai button that you can't hide. Marketing gotta marketing.

 

[Funksta]

Installed easy and the way it auto updates the manual and stuff is way better, so that was nice. Some of the features are welcome.

The problem I have is no PDC fixes yet again in the patch notes. Hardware Acceleration issue is also still present. They seem to find time to turn the GUI into some kiddy looking phone app though. The look gets worse every update IMO. Apart from fixes is this the best they can offer from November last year.

How many more add-ons or AI nonsense features are they going to add on the home page with install now notifications like some Iphone alert you never completed or simply don't want. It's upto 3 now that either need a SUB or what ever to use them.

I am pretty much done at this stage, V6 is my daily and it's staying that way. I ain't paying for a continued PDC mess every 12 month or some AI phone app looking DAW my 5yr old uses. Some people might like the flat look and that's fine ofc. The problem for me is this is turning into a phone or pad app more than a DAW. It's the first thing you look at every day so at least add some option's to change the look/icons etc rather than a block of flat uglyness. A skin feature for example rather than this AI nonsense.

If the PDC issue's have been fixed I will take it all back and put up with the look, but I ain't wasting my time again every release to see if they fixed some or all of it 11 years later. Some people can put up with either the look or workarounds for broken or bad fuctionality, when your giving both it's a big fat no I'm afraid.

 

[Midiboy]

I've run into a minor issue. It used to be an issue, then when 8.0 came out, it was fixed...whether inadvertently or not, I don't know, but it came back with 8.1.

I have several monitors hooked up to my PC. My standard workflow for Studio Pro is using my two desktop monitors. The left one is for the main application and the right one is my Mixer / MIDI editing window. I run both at full screen on the right monitor. It use to be no problem. I could have the mixer up, then click the EDITING button, and the EDIT window would appear above the Console window. I'd do my edits and when done close it, then the Mixer window would be there waiting for me. NOW, if that Mixer window is up, it's "On top." I have to close the Mixer to see the EDIT window. Here's the funny thing...it's only on top for Studio Pro windows. My OS windows can go on top no problem, so it's not a "Windows Always On Top" issue. Like I said, it's a minor niggle, but it's annoying as all get out. I was so happy when this was "fixed" when 8.0 came out. Now I'm sad again. Please take a moment of silence with me to grieve.

 

[AAV]

I've run into a minor issue. It used to be an issue, then when 8.0 came out, it was fixed...whether inadvertently or not, I don't know, but it came back with 8.1.

I have several monitors hooked up to my PC. My standard workflow for Studio Pro is using my two desktop monitors. The left one is for the main application and the right one is my Mixer / MIDI editing window. I run both at full screen on the right monitor. It use to be no problem. I could have the mixer up, then click the EDITING button, and the EDIT window would appear above the Console window. I'd do my edits and when done close it, then the Mixer window would be there waiting for me. NOW, if that Mixer window is up, it's "On top." I have to close the Mixer to see the EDIT window. Here's the funny thing...it's only on top for Studio Pro windows. My OS windows can go on top no problem, so it's not a "Windows Always On Top" issue. Like I said, it's a minor niggle, but it's annoying as all get out. I was so happy when this was "fixed" when 8.0 came out. Now I'm sad again. Please take a moment of silence with me to grieve.

I do something similar with the console view, but I like the idea of overlaying the edit window over top the console view. So I tried it and initially got the same result as you. But I also have the level meter pinned beside the console view, which is not screen maxxed, but enlarged to butt up to the loudness meter. When I close the Level Meter and Full Screen the Console, the (Midi) edit page overlays perfectly over the Console. So I'm wondering if you also have a Plugin GUI on the Console Page. My Main screen is a 4K, my Console screen is a std HD (1080p). Not sure what else it could be if it's not the plug in your case. Let me know if you need me to try anything else. Thanks for the great tip, BTW. (I was using half of the main screen for the edit window when I think the console screen will work better for my needs)

 

[Midiboy]

Well I figured out a workaround, AAV. It's weird, but you gave me a thought. It's weird, but it works...if I don't MAXIMIZE the Console, and instead just make it fill ALMOST the entire screen (it's a 2k screen), I can get the Edit window to open over it and then switch between the two as needed. Like I said, this hasn't been an issue since version 7. 8 fixed it. 8.1 broke it again. I'm sure it's something super silly, but at least I got a workaround. It was really annoying.

 

[parityflux]

Likewise, I use main app on left and editor and console on the right (almost maxed but not quite). I like 'em big and like to use them one at a time. I can't max them because the take up the whole screen and I lose the Windows bar which often has an open folder, browser or PDF app on it. I ended up turning my F2 and F3 keys into macros. F2 turns console windows state to 0 and edit window state to 1; the reverse states for F3. It killed my toggle ability (to disappear the windows), but I don't care. I never liked having to hit F2 or F3 twice (sometimes twice sometimes once making it worse for UX). I haven't seen any change though on 8.1, so I missed on fully recognizing @Midiboy 's experience of change.