Waiting for SO 7 update news

[Jeff]

No, I won't subscribe for subscription, but yes, I will buy an upgrade to 7.2.3 if it has valuable additions \changes. I mainly do scores, but I would upgrade even if the changes applied to other types of music. I want two things: for SO perpetual to continue and I want the yearly (not bug) updates to stay current with industry changes and AI tools that make composition quicker/better (not just easier).

For 98% of users of DAW's, I think SO is the most friendly and feature laden DAW out; I just want Fender to recognize that feedback and growth with the customer base is essential in today's fast paced world. Communication needs to be factual, consistent, and ongoing. I don't mind $150 for perpetual, but I need to know that customers are valued and out input counts. I could use 7.2.3 for a very long time and be happy, but I'd like to support Presonous IF communication actually is a two-way function.

I would say most users find SO the best fit for our needs, but the last three months have not been encouraging for us "perpetual" license buyers. Now is the time to communicate with SO users and let us know what will happen in 2026, so us perpetual users can put our money into a product that reflects value for our current and growing needs in producing music. This would be a big step in building the relationship that happened to perpetual users confidence in our value to Presonous/Fender.

Again, I could use 7.2.3 for a very long time, but I would love to buy a perpetual license for 7.3 in January that had a couple of major new tools, and then fixes for the year. Treat us perpetual user and not just customers, but folks who will help you drive SO's reputation. Word of mouth is still the most powerful marketing tool IMHO.

 

[whichi123]

Version 7.2 was released on June 3, and now 2025 is almost over. Previously, it was inferred that 'three to four updates a year' referred not to the period from October 2024 to October 2025, but to the entirety of 2025. However, it now seems that the second inference might also be inaccurate. Many people have told us to be patient and that good news is coming soon, but next week is already Christmas. Has Studio One really encountered no difficulties? As far as I know, this is the longest wait for an update since version 5; previously, no two version updates were ever six months apart. During a similar interval in the era of version 6, we went from 6.1 to 6.5. It's hard not to feel concerned about this.

 

[Vocalpoint]

Version 7.2 was released on June 3, and now 2025 is almost over. Previously, it was inferred that 'three to four updates a year' referred not to the period from October 2024 to October 2025, but to the entirety of 2025.

You must have missed v7.2.3 which was released on Oct 29. It has only been about 7 weeks since the last "update" (by the book)

And yes - I know v7.2.3 is NOT a major but it is an update nonetheless.

Probably best to forget what you heard in the video from Sept 2024 - it is super clear now - that is not happening.

I am taking the waiting as a good thing. Time to code. Time to tighten things up and time to get better.

Pretty sure we will not see anything until Q1 2026. Enjoy the holidays and make some noise with the very solid v7.2.3

VP

 

[Crossinger]

Nevertheless, it was a quiet year for subscribers and owners of perpetual licenses alike. I know this opinion is unpopular with some people here, but regardless of how good or complete the product is, customers always keep an eye on what the competition is doing—and the competition has delivered again for much of this year. That's how business works...

 

[TheMaartian]

the competition has delivered again for much of this year

Agree. Consider the Bitwig Studio v6 betas. They're up to v6.0.17, with a ton of really good, useful additions.

 

[MisterE]

They sent me another 30% email solicitation for v7. Sorry, if whether the developers are working on implementing MIDI2 has to remain such a huge state secret, I'll just "struggle along" on v6 indefinitely.

 

[audioworksHU]

Can anyone name 5 keyboards/controllers that already support MIDI2?

I hope the developers don't waste their valuable time by prioritizing the implementation of MIDI2.

 

[BobF]

Can anyone name 5 keyboards/controllers that already support MIDI2?

I hope the developers don't waste their valuable time by prioritizing the implementation of MIDI2.

From a couple of years ago

New MIDI 2.0 Products Released-November, 2023

In the past few weeks, a number of MIDI Association member companies have released MIDI 2.0 products. In this article, we'll give a brief overview of those new MIDI 2.0 products, describe what their MIDI [...]

midi.org

 

[MisterE]

Can anyone name 5 keyboards/controllers that already support MIDI2?

I hope the developers don't waste their valuable time by prioritizing the implementation of MIDI2.

1) Yamaha Montage M. 2) Yamaha MODX M. 3) Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol mkIII 49, 61, and 88 . 4) Korg Keystage 61. 5) Roland A-88MKII. Gee, that was a really tough challenge, took a whopping fifteen seconds to type. And I didn't ask for priority, I asked for non-secrecy over something that affects every single electronic musician on Planet Earth, not just some selfish request that affects my workflow alone.

 

[Davey]

It does seem like they promised more updates than previously but delivered fewer. I really was expecting a late autumn update. It's not ruining my life but it seems like a dreadful marketing strategy!

 

[Sombreuil]

Buy the update when you think it makes sense for you. Gregor has teased a major update that should be out, apparently, really soon.
Maybe they will change their subscription model, who knows, because let's be honest, right know, it's not worth the money they are asking.

 

[THW]

I was really all in on Presonus...interface, controllers, pro versions, hyping up its merits to anyone curious....and I always tried to download the latest version on release date, watch all the tutorials, read the blogs...I am a big fan. Not a loud or outspoken one, but still a fan and supporter since around 2015, and active in a couple music communities around the internet and real world and routinely recommend S1. I have had positive, polite experiences with customer service. I try and stay positive and not read into the hot takes on the S1 version megathreads on the big forums.
I dont personally know the folks working on the software and products that help me be creative and that I use everyday. I would tell them I am incredibly grateful for what they've built, features implemented, thank them, and hope very much they are getting the support they need. Ultimately, I choose not to speculate too much about the future...hoping for the best.

S1 V7 Pro was the first version since V3 that I didn't pick up on release day, despite it having a few features I have come to appreciate. While I am eager for the release and to read the release log and watch the new feature videos...things just feel different...subscription model is not for me, but still am able to get pro version. Since v6 it has most features I want. And with scoring tools it is even more capable. Still havent quite put my finger on why some of the excitement isnt there...could be concern for the future and support of the product...maybe some of the negative comments and reading folks are leaving for other daws...and reading here, maybe it is that I would like to see more communication from their leadership on the direction of the daw, especially with so much speculation since the fender acquisition...that was end of 2021 and here we are.

Anyways...I am grateful for this forum! Would rather be here sharing these surface thoughts than on....reddit for instance. Lol.

 

[TimC340]

Reddit is often toxic AF, and rarely positive whatever the topic (it's not just S1!). That said, there is an increasing level of concern about S1 being left behind by the other major DAWs and whether or not Fender's priorities include supporting S1 as a professional-level DAW in the long term. For the moment I'm very happy to continue using S1 7.2.3 but I would like to be reassured that its development vector is continuing and that both existing bugs and annoyances and future technologies will be addressed.

I have a trial of Cubase 15 on my studio computer right now, and as a previous Cubase user from many years ago it's very interesting to see how far it's come and its continuing development. At the moment I'm not tempted to move; to do so would be expensive and inconvenient, but I wouldn't rule it out in a year or so if PreSonus remains as tight-lipped as it has been through 2025.

 

[THW]

Reddit is often toxic AF, and rarely positive whatever the topic (it's not just S1!). That said, there is an increasing level of concern about S1 being left behind by the other major DAWs and whether or not Fender's priorities include supporting S1 as a professional-level DAW in the long term. For the moment I'm very happy to continue using S1 7.2.3 but I would like to be reassured that its development vector is continuing and that both existing bugs and annoyances and future technologies will be addressed.

I have a trial of Cubase 15 on my studio computer right now, and as a previous Cubase user from many years ago it's very interesting to see how far it's come and its continuing development. At the moment I'm not tempted to move; to do so would be expensive and inconvenient, but I wouldn't rule it out in a year or so if PreSonus remains as tight-lipped as it has been through 2025.

Well said! I also did a Cubase trial, was very impressed, and am keeping an eye on crossgrade pricing. I have been loyal to S1, but I am keeping the option of switching open, or at least picking up Cubase and using it more. I am not currently doing any professional work, but I am increasingly heading in that direction. Very recent improvements to how my system is operating have me happy at the moment with the current version of S1 and stability is good on my rig. Whatever is going to enable me to make music with as little fuss as possible is where my head is at. And while I can get around Cubase, the thought of relearning a daw is a bit daunting. But I have watched enough Cubase tutorials and translated those techniques to S1 that I know I can manage. Can also open up the manual!

 

[Crossinger]

But I have watched enough Cubase tutorials and translated those techniques to S1 that I know I can manage. Can also open up the manual!

A neat trick that I currently use: I throw the manual (for the DAW or any other software or hardware) together with links to longer YouTube tutorials (at least 30 minutes—preferably longer) into Google's NotebookLM. Then I can easily ask questions like “How can I...” without having to struggle through the entire manual.

 

[Craig Anderton]

I hope the developers don't waste their valuable time by prioritizing the implementation of MIDI2.

If they don't, then just wait for the flood of negative comments about S1 when every other DAW does. MIDI 2.0 is a forward-looking, deep spec with numerous advantages for musicians, artists, and multi-media developers. For PreSonus to ignore it would be suicidal.

MIDI 2.0 will not take off in a big way until it's fully supported by the major operating systems. There's nothing DAW companies can do about that. MacOS took the lead on this. Sonoma and later have full native MIDI 2.0 support including Universal MIDI Packet. (Ventura and Monterey require a bridge layer because CoreMIDI does not natively support the Universal MIDI Packet.)

Windows has done a complete rewrite of the Windows MIDI system. This wasn't trivial, but Microsoft decided it was worth the effort. Windows Media Services is currently included in Insider Builds for Windows 11, so it's just a matter of time (probably weeks) before it's rolled out to all Windows 11 users.

 

[MisterE]

Well said! I also did a Cubase trial, was very impressed, and am keeping an eye on crossgrade pricing. I have been loyal to S1, but I am keeping the option of switching open, or at least picking up Cubase and using it more. I am not currently doing any professional work, but I am increasingly heading in that direction. Very recent improvements to how my system is operating have me happy at the moment with the current version of S1 and stability is good on my rig. Whatever is going to enable me to make music with as little fuss as possible is where my head is at. And while I can get around Cubase, the thought of relearning a daw is a bit daunting. But I have watched enough Cubase tutorials and translated those techniques to S1 that I know I can manage. Can also open up the manual!

While Steinberg is more forthcoming than Presonus about certain developments that it's...well...I'm trying to think of a more diplomatic word than "asinine," but I'm failing...asinine to remain secretive about, be aware that in the Cubase world you will also put yourself at greater risk of experiencing unwanted system behavior if you overload certain aspects of your productions. I mention this because I see you're running a 5950 CPU, which, although it's a few years old now, was a CPU people bought if they anticipated doing big productions with lots of tracks, plugs, and busses.

It's a bit of a crapshoot over there with the latest CPUs overloading long before people expect them to. It doesn't happen to everyone, but it happens to a lot of people. In general, the smaller the production, the least likely Cubase is to rebel by not spreading the load over all your cores. If you're concerned enough to want to know where to learn more, let me know and I'll provide links. Since you mention stability and system operating health being big for you, I'd be cautious here.

All that said, you're not the only one looking into the Cubase experience.

 

[MisterE]

If they don't, then just wait for the flood of negative comments about S1 when every other DAW does. MIDI 2.0 is a forward-looking, deep spec with numerous advantages for musicians, artists, and multi-media developers. For PreSonus to ignore it would be suicidal.

MIDI 2.0 will not take off in a big way until it's fully supported by the major operating systems. There's nothing DAW companies can do about that. MacOS took the lead on this. Sonoma and later have full native MIDI 2.0 support including Universal MIDI Packet. (Ventura and Monterey require a bridge layer because CoreMIDI does not natively support the Universal MIDI Packet.)

Windows has done a complete rewrite of the Windows MIDI system. This wasn't trivial, but Microsoft decided it was worth the effort. Windows Media Services is currently included in Insider Builds for Windows 11, so it's just a matter of time (probably weeks) before it's rolled out to all Windows 11 users.

All true. And not letting us know at this juncture with all that happening behind the scenes you accurately describe is equally suicidal judging by the percentage of people on this thread alone who'd like to know if Presonus is in or out on MIDI 2 right about now. Exactly what competitive advantage could Presonus possibly gain by remaining mum on this? I'd argue, as you and others already have, that this stubborn posture puts them at a great competitive disadvantage.

 

[TimC340]

As a Dorico user, I've been fairly impressed by Steinberg's communication and response to bugs and user reports. I haven't spent much time in the Cubase forum over there as I'm not (yet) that concerned about what's going on with Cubase, but it's difficult to ignore the fact that most of the music creators I follow use Cubase (or Logic) and thus anything they share is in a format that Cubase uses - and I'm doing some of the ThinkSpace courses, so being on Cubase would make some of that easier. I'm not going back to Apple whatever happens, as the flight sim community (which I also create for) is pretty much exclusively Windows.

As for MIDI 2.0, I seem to remember Gregor saying something about it in the interview YT video that was shared a couple of weeks ago. I think the thrust was that PreSonus are 'watching developments but have no firm plans to incorporate it as yet'. Forgive me if my memory is wrong, however!

 

[Vocalpoint]

Windows has done a complete rewrite of the Windows MIDI system. This wasn't trivial, but Microsoft decided it was worth the effort. Windows Media Services is currently included in Insider Builds for Windows 11, so it's just a matter of time (probably weeks) before it's rolled out to all Windows 11 users.

Craig

Just a clarification here...to tamp down any unrealistic expectations...

According to sources - the new Windows MIDI services JUST dropped into Win 11 in the month of December:

Given my experience with standard BETA and DEV flowthrough - this may be on the desktop this time next year.

We are a long long way out yet.

VP