Studio One Pro Update Releases?

[stanft]

Nailed it. Did people simply forget everything that was clearly stated in that video last fall?

For perpetual users - you lose NOTHING if your annual update day slides by.

Subscription users have a different decision (AKA "Is all that extra stuff you got - worth it?).

If so - renew. If not - enjoy your shiny new perpetual license, stand pat and make a move again when you feel Presonus has delivered the goods (or not).

VP

Well - one specific detail is not the same as before: The price!

Prior to the subscription model, I could usually buy a full version upgrade for roundabout 150,- euros. When bought at time of the release, I usually get around 2-2,5 years of updates and bugfixes until the next major version is released. And of course, I still have the perpetual license.

Now, I pay nearly the same amount of money. But I only get 12 months of updates and fixes.

The new model has a lot of benefits for new users which didn't own a S1 license before. For all others, it simply is more expensive.

 

[Vocalpoint]

Prior to the subscription model, I could usually buy a full version upgrade for roundabout 150,- euros. When bought at time of the release, I usually get around 2-2,5 years of updates and bugfixes until the next major version is released. And of course, I still have the perpetual license.

Now, I pay nearly the same amount of money. But I only get 12 months of updates and fixes.

Not disagreeing with you. But that model was clearly unsustainable for many reasons - hence the changes last September. Be thankful you got to enjoy it while it lasted.

The bottom line for each of us is simple - do we care enough about this DAW (and it's update cycles) to contribute $$$ when it makes sense to - or not?

The current licensing tracks are what they are - going "back to old school" is not possible.

If you do not feel that your $149.00 is money well spent to support the crew and get a years worth of updates - that's fair - but it's a decision only you can make.

One thing is for certain though - mathematically (and monetarily) speaking - if enough people decide to bail (due to cost or update quality or whatever else is bugging them) over a given timeframe - I do not think we really need to discuss what will happen.

And as far as annual update expiries etc - I am glad I can still use S1 - for free - while I wait.

VP

 

[brmichael]

@stanft If you renew your subscription immediately, that's true.

But you don't need to renew immediately. You can wait until Presonus adds a feature that's actually important to you. That might take some time. If it doesn't happen within 1-1,5 years, you can stay on your perpetual license without renewing, but also without any disadvantages. And if you then finally decide to renew, the overall costs will be the same as they were prior to the subscription model.

 

[stanft]

Not disagreeing with you. But that model was clearly unsustainable for many reasons - hence the changes last September. Be thankful you got to enjoy it while it lasted. [..]

That sounds a little bit like we all should be grateful that the "old model" lasted this long - because nowadays, it is economically not possible to keep the old "non-subscription" model.

Well ... in fact, it is perfectly possible. I know a lot of DAWs (if not the majority) that do not force you to buy a subscription.

And I have yet to see a subscription model that has a benefit for the customer.

 

[Vocalpoint]

But you don't need to renew immediately. You can wait until Presonus adds a feature that's actually important to you. That might take some time. If it doesn't happen within 1-1,5 years, you can stay on your perpetual license without renewing, but also without any disadvantages. And if you then finally decide to renew, the overall costs will be the same as they were prior to the subscription model.

AKA "the old school" plan.

VP

 

[Vocalpoint]

That sounds a little bit like we all should be grateful that the "old model" lasted this long - because nowadays, it is economically not possible to keep the old "non-subscription".

Well ... in fact, it is. I know a lot of DAWs (in fact the majority) that do not force you to buy a subscription.

Well - I was VERY grateful for the delivery schedule that I received from 2011 to the Fall of 2024.

YMMV.

But if you think the grass is greener - no one is forcing you to do anything in terms of renewing.

Find another product where the costing works better for you.

VP

 

[Davey]

And I have yet to see a subscription model that has a benefit for the customer.

Yep. The reason companies are so keen on subscriptions is that they earn more money from them. There are winners and losers with any licensing system but on average people pay more if they have a subscription.

 

[stanft]

Well - I was VERY grateful for the delivery schedule that I received from 2011 to the Fall of 2024. [..]

Don't get me wrong - me too! I ditched Cubase for S1 because over nearly a decade, S1 always looked like the better fitting DAW to me - with innovative features, great usability and workflow, a nice UI and so on.

But unfortunately, at least to me it seems a bit like Presonus has moved to another direction and does not fit my expectation any longer. I use a lot of external gear and use MIDI and MIDI controllers heavily. And over the past years, Cubase put a lot of work into this area and has become the more refined solution (at least for me). So I am back at Cubase - again.

 

[Vocalpoint]

Don't get me wrong - me too! I ditched Cubase for S1 because over nearly a decade, S1 always looked like the better fitting DAW to me - with innovative features, great usability and workflow, a nice UI and so on.

But unfortunately, at least to me it seems a bit like Presonus has moved to another direction and does not fit my expectation any longer. I use a lot of external gear and use MIDI and MIDI controllers heavily. And over the past years, Cubase put a lot of work into this area and is the more refined solution (at least for me).

I too came over from Nuendo - and so glad I did.

And yes - everyone needs to settle on what works for their specific situation. I get it.

VP

 

[sintil8]

Or - their idea of a "significant" update - is vastly different from yours. This is what everyone does not understand.

If we think that every "major" update - is going to include a laundry list of goodies as long as say the one for v7.0.0 - I say - get ready for long term disappointment.

Until there is an actual clarification from Presonus on what constitutes a "major" update (which is highly unlikely to ever occur) - all you can do is examine each update as it comes and decide if it's worth it to you (or not).

VP

I couldn't agree more.

It does however suggest that any Grace Period will be gone and *maybe* that's a good thing, time will tell.
Many disgruntled folk have sacrificed using good software after being short on an update cycle. I got burned on CBase 6 buying an upgrade to 6.5 two days before they announced and released ver 7 there were no grace periods in place then.
Cost me around £450, but that is way back and it might have been more money. I know I felt shafted, even after a string of polite emails they kissed me goodbye.

caveat emptor

Kindest regards to all

 

[tpittman]

@stanft If you renew your subscription immediately, that's true.

But you don't need to renew immediately. You can wait until Presonus adds a feature that's actually important to you. That might take some time. If it doesn't happen within 1-1,5 years, you can stay on your perpetual license without renewing, but also without any disadvantages. And if you then finally decide to renew, the overall costs will be the same as they were prior to the subscription model.

September or October of 2024 I purchased version 7. Perpetual license (149.00 I believe). Somehow (around March 2025) all the sudden I was on the Subscription plan? I did not pay out anymore money or change anything in my account that i can remember.
I do remember getting an email from Presonus stating (again around March 2025) I had a new Instrument available in my account.
I went ahead and got it (don't remember was it was). I am the same as some of you in that I don't like Subscriptions.
Anyways, my renewal was September 21st 2025. I did not renew and now my plan is listed as: You currently have a free MyPreSonus Account. Everything seems to be working ok except whenever I fire up Studio One I get a notice that states "Studio One has been activated on this computer) I don't remember ever seeing this notice except when actually activating something new. Odd for sure but all is working ok. Things "seem" a little shaky with Presonus and the subscription plan. It just feels odd and I hope it's all good and works ok for all of us.

 

[brmichael]

149.00 sounds like one year Studio One Pro+ (the subscription), which includes a perpetual license of Studio One. So maybe you bought the one year subscription instead of the standalone license. That would explain why you were on a subscription plan. But if so, that's no problem. The subscription includes what you wanted (a Studio One perpetual license), but for some reason it's cheaper than a license of Studio One without the subscription.

 

[Vocalpoint]

149.00 sounds like one year Studio One Pro+ (the subscription), which includes a perpetual license of Studio One. So maybe you bought the one year subscription instead of the standalone license. That would explain why you were on a subscription plan. But if so, that's no problem. The subscription includes what you wanted (a Studio One perpetual license), but for some reason it's cheaper than a license of Studio One without the subscription.

$149 is the “upgrade” price for Studio One Perpetual. A subscription renewal is 179.00

VP

 

[tpittman]

149.00 sounds like one year Studio One Pro+ (the subscription), which includes a perpetual license of Studio One. So maybe you bought the one year subscription instead of the standalone license. That would explain why you are on a subscription plan. But if so, that's no problem. The subscription includes what you wanted (a Studio One perpetual license), but for some reason it's cheaper than a license of Studio One without the subscription.

That must be the case. Maybe I just looked at the prices and thought the sub must be the more expensive one.
Yep, that makes sense now. i didn't look close enough because even if The Sub was cheaper i would not have purchased
just because of my distaste for subscriptions. Thank you for clarifying

 

[brmichael]

Here in Germany at a very popular dealer (Thomann), the Pro+ annual subscription (including the perpetual license) is €149. The standalone license (full version, no upgrade) is €175.

At Presonus, the subscription is $179 and the standalone license (full version, no upgrade) is $199.

 

[Vocalpoint]

Here in Germany at a very popular dealer (Thomann), the Pro+ annual subscription (including the perpetual license) is €149. The standalone license (full version, no upgrade) is €175.

At Presonus, the subscription is $179 and the standalone license (full version, no upgrade) is $199.

Yep. Of course there will be exceptions all based where you live and where you buy.

That said (in general) - the standards are $149 for a perp upgrade, $179 to renew a sub and $199 for a new full perp license.

VP

 

[tpittman]

$149 is the “upgrade” price for Studio One Perpetual. A subscription renewal is 179.00

VP

Now that you point this out, I am sure I did the $149 for a perp upgrade. How I got to the Sub is a mystery but at this
point does not matter. It is a little concerning tho when I access my account to see I have a "Free Presonus Account"
Everything seems to be working so no sweat at this point, just seems like some odd stuff going on

 

[BobF]

I too came over from Nuendo - and so glad I did.

And yes - everyone needs to settle on what works for their specific situation. I get it.

VP

I came over from SONAR ... SONAR is what happens when a vendor doesn't make enough to keep the lights on

 

[madFloyd]

I came over from SONAR ... SONAR is what happens when a vendor doesn't make enough to keep the lights on

Same here.

 

[Vocalpoint]

I came over from SONAR ... SONAR is what happens when a vendor doesn't make enough to keep the lights on

Absolutely. That spectre is always out there.

Hoping that Presonus knows better than the people that ran Sonar into the ground.

VP