What happens when v.9 is released??

[SCartz]

I bought the software originally, then have paid the upgrade price every time (often about every 2 years if the upgrade is a major iteration). I have never been an annual subscriber, so I am eligible for updates till 2029 or when the latest paid upgrade version is released. It is simpler, I don't need all the subscriber additions (I bought what I needed before the subscription model was introduced) and have never wanted any of the community stuff. So I am standalone - it cost more than the subscription but you pay one off for at least 2 years. If you want everything, then subscribe but it is an annual charge. It's how it works.

I too bought S1v1 and have paid for every major version upgrade since and installed the point updates f.o.c. for the last 15 years. That’s now changed and point updates have to be paid for if a year has passed since the last perpetual license payment, whether for an upgrade or update, was made.
I understand that that’s how it is now and, like yourself, I’ve never been on the subscription model, however, I can’t understand how you can be ‘eligible for updates till 2029’ which is past any 12 month free update/upgrade threshold currently held…! I’m not eligible for a free update from v8.0… to v8.1… because I’ve not made any payment for Studio One in the last 12 months as I purchased a perpetual license for v7 in 2025 and upgraded to v8 f.o.c. within a year but now that the 2025 purchase was more than a year ago I’m not eligible for the latest point update in 2026 certainly not until 2029… Have I misunderstood your post?
Regards…

 

[TDF1981]

I get you, but look: you got a major update in your 12 months from 7 to 8 when it could theoretically have been just a minor update from 7.x to 7.y so you have already benefited from an actually fair upgrade/update policy.
Also, I use a lot of DAWs like Nuendo and when I found an export bug in Nuendo 10 and reported it, they not only took months to solve it but they also decided to fix it with Nuendo 11, a paid upgrade. So all the big numbers and all the fraction numbers do not really tell you anything about what you might get, Studio One has introduced many major-worthy features like video support or stem separation with .x updates. I am very cool with the „pay for 12 months or improvements whatever they shall be then keep your product in that state“ plan. It‘s easy to understand and getting a full year of upgrades for just 99 bucks is actually insanely cheap. A DAW used to cost hundreds of dollars or about a thousand when it comes to Nuendo.

 

[stanft]

[..] Also, I use a lot of DAWs like Nuendo and when I found an export bug in Nuendo 10 and reported it, they not only took months to solve it but they also decided to fix it with Nuendo 11, a paid upgrade. [..]

But this also applies to Studio Pro. I reported a bug years ago that still hasn‘t been fixed. And if it eventually get fixed, I have to pay for the fix.

 

[TDF1981]

But this also applies to Studio Pro. I reported a bug years ago that still hasn‘t been fixed. And if it eventually get fixed, I have to pay for the fix.

Yeah but that’s the point: all DAW update models are basically the same so choose the DAW that‘s best for your workflow and make music. May I ask which bug you reported that hasn’t been fixed for years?

 

[stanft]

Yeah but that’s the point: all DAW update models are basically the same so choose the DAW that‘s best for your workflow and make music. May I ask which bug you reported that hasn’t been fixed for years?

Delay compensation for AUX busses. Have a look here:

Be aware of these Plugin Delay Compensation Fails

These are the areas where PDC is broken: 0:00 Sidechain in Groups 2:31 VST Instruments in serial 3:42 Hardware Inputs 6:18 Multi Instruments 7:03 Batch Processor - Aux Channels linked to external Instruments...

studiooneforum.com

 

[Gary Shepherd]

Not sure how that is possible.

Even if you renewed an Annual Updates plan today - the farthest in the future possible for updates would be 06-12-2027.

VP

I don't care if you don't think it is possible - it clearly is - I am a long term owner and have upgraded at every major iteration when asked to pay the upgrade price. As I said - it is not a Plan or a subscription. I bought the software originally. Clearly if they don't update to a paid upgrade, then I am fine till Jan 2029. If they Upgrade to say 8.5 or 9 in the meantime, I can pay to upgrade. I will get updates to the software until a paid Upgrade is offered. It is not an Annual Plan. Okay?

 

[Vocalpoint]

I don't care if you don't think it is possible - it clearly is - I am a long term owner and have upgraded at every major iteration when asked to pay the upgrade price. As I said - it is not a Plan or a subscription. I bought the software originally.

Well - I joined the party in April 2011 - that would make me a long term owner as well.

Respectfully - just have no idea what you mean about Jan 2029? There is nothing special scheduled for Jan 2029

I will get updates to the software until a paid Upgrade is offered. It is not an Annual Plan. Okay?

I do not know what this means.

The only way a "paid" upgrade is ever required now - is when a perpetual user on an Update Plan sees their plan run out.

They can choose to use that last version of the software - without any further updates at all - for free - forever. OR pay to renew their plan and start getting updates again. Which includes every kind of update - be it minor OR major (like a v9)

But to my knowledge - to get "updates" in any way, shape or form (unless they are basic bug fixes at the very end of a feature cycle) - you MUST be on Annual Updates plan. So either I am misunderstanding something or you have a VERY special deal that no else has.

Would love to see what your MyFender window - like this:

Looks like.

If yours actually says Jan 2029 (where that arrow is) - I will both be oddly surprised and concede defeat as this would be a very rare (and most likely unique) scenario that I would love to know how you managed to accomplish.

VP

 

[Gerran]

Several hardware purchases with a 6 or 12 month sub credit will push your 'Eligible for all updates until' parameter further into the future. At least it did for me..

 

[Vocalpoint]

Several hardware purchases with a 6 or 12 month sub credit will push your 'Eligible for all updates until' parameter further into the future. At least it did for me..

What does yours say?

Gary is adamant that he is not "on anything". ("As I said - it is not a Plan or a subscription") - so I am thinking it is unlikely he suddenly purchased a room full of new hardware to push his update parameter out by two and half years.

Again - I am happy to be totally wrong and will fully admit it - but if he IS eligible for ALL updates to January of 2029 - would love to know how that is possible - given it is June 12, 2026.

That is some kinda outstanding smokin' good "updates" window.

VP

 

[Gray Wolf]

No idea why he has 2029 but support dates can be extended for different legitimate reasons. For example:

- You bought a Fender audio device that comes with FSP, but you already have FSP.
- You bought an upgrade to FSP not realizing that it was already in your account.

Your support date can be manually extended to get additional credit for those types of things.

 

[Vocalpoint]

No idea why he has 2029 but support dates can be extended for different legitimate reasons. For example:

- You bought an Fender audio device that comes with FSP, but you already have FSP.
- You bought an upgrade to FSP not realizing that it was already in your account.

Your support date can be manually extended to get additional credit for those typers of things.

Totally understandable.

I guess if Gary would have mentioned reasons like these - that would be enough for me to understand how he got there.

VP

 

[TimC340]

What does yours say?

Gary is adamant that he is not "on anything". ("As I said - it is not a Plan or a subscription") - so I am thinking it is unlikely he suddenly purchased a room full of new hardware to push his update parameter out by two and half years.

Again - I am happy to be totally wrong and will fully admit it - but if he IS eligible for ALL updates to January of 2029 - would love to know how that is possible - given it is June 12, 2026.

That is some kinda outstanding smokin' good "updates" window.

VP

I remember quite a few people reporting very strange update validities after the introduction of v8, and indeed one or two that had 'Eligible for all updates until January 2029' in their MyFender account - I'm sure there were some posted here when there was a big discussion about whether people just past the one year would get the v8 update (several did). It was pretty obvious then that there was something odd going on at Fender HQ with these dates, but the information flow died down, probably sensibly as questioning Fender about it would probably result in an unwelcome amendment!

 

[Vocalpoint]

I remember quite a few people reporting very strange update validities after the introduction of v8, and indeed one or two that had 'Eligible for all updates until January 2029' in their MyFender account

Cool. He must have been subjected to one of these strange circumstances.

Just wish that could have happened to me

Oh well

VP

 

[Gary Shepherd]

Totally understandable.

I guess if Gary would have mentioned reasons like these - that would be enough for me to understand how he got there.

VP

I am not on any annual update plan - so I don't have to pay any more for updates after 1 year - unless the software is a new iteration that requires a paid upgrade I get all the updates free. I guess the 2029 date covers the purchase of Pro 8 and in case they do not ask for a paid upgrade for a few years.

It works out I tend to have to pay every 2 years or so for a numbered upgrade. It works out cheaper generally than an annual charge but I don't get all the software add ons or community functions. I bought the addons I needed and don't need all the other stuff - so I am not on an annual plan and not on a subscription. Is that clear ? I am not going to post a picture as I don't need to prove anything. Presonus allowed those who just paid for the upgrade to carry on - they give all the add ons free to Pro + subscribers but I don't have any of that stuff so I just pay when asked.

I made sure with Presonus that my current status was the same as before, and Presonus were at pains to point out that existing licence owners did not need to change if they did not want to - and Fender have honoured that. I am not sure why this is a problem to anyone else.

I bought the software on version 3 and have upgraded every time - through 4 to 8 (I think there were some x.5 paid upgrades). Whether someone says respectfully it is not possibe, I say respectfully it is, and they are wrong. I have never subscribeded or had a perpetual licence as a result of a subscription - so the annual date is irrelevant. I am sure there are others like me who never joined the club - and Fender/Presonus were adamant you did not have to and were very nice and clear. They had enough flak at the time for this change and made it very clear that you did not have to subscribe if you don't want to - Jonny and others were very helpful and supportive in trying to explain the changes.

Maybe if you take a subscription subsequently, then things change to a perpetual licence and you can't go back. I don't know and don't intend to find out unless things change again.

 

[TimC340]

I am not on any annual update plan - so I don't have to pay any more for updates after 1 year - unless the software is a new iteration that requires a paid upgrade I get all the updates free. I guess the 2029 date covers the purchase of Pro 8 and in case they do not ask for a paid upgrade for a few years.

It works out I tend to have to pay every 2 years or so for a numbered upgrade. It works out cheaper generally than an annual charge but I don't get all the software add ons or community functions. I bought the addons I needed and don't need all the other stuff - so I am not on an annual plan and not on a subscription. Is that clear ? I am not going to post a picture as I don't need to prove anything. Presonus allowed those who just paid for the upgrade to carry on - they give all the add ons free to Pro + subscribers but I don't have any of that stuff so I just pay when asked.

I made sure with Presonus that my current status was the same as before, and Presonus were at pains to point out that existing licence owners did not need to change if they did not want to - and Fender have honoured that. I am not sure why this is a problem to anyone else.

I bought the software on version 3 and have upgraded every time - through 4 to 8 (I think there were some x.5 paid upgrades). Whether someone says respectfully it is not possibe, I say respectfully it is, and they are wrong. I have never subscribeded or had a perpetual licence as a result of a subscription - so the annual date is irrelevant. I am sure there are others like me who never joined the club - and Fender/Presonus were adamant you did not have to and were very nice and clear. They had enough flak at the time for this change and made it very clear that you did not have to subscribe if you don't want to - Jonny and others were very helpful and supportive in trying to explain the changes.

Maybe if you take a subscription subsequently, then things change to a perpetual licence and you can't go back. I don't know and don't intend to find out unless things change again.

Gary, all perpetual licence holders get unlimited use of the product in perpetuity. That is the point of the licence. You only get updates for the 12 months from the purchase of that licence, but after that 12 month period you are free to use the product for ever at the update level it reached at the end of that 12 months. There is no version of Studio One/Pro that gives longer than 12 months of updates without further payment of some kind. There were some individuals who, in the confusion during the introduction of Fender Studio Pro 8, got a validity that suggested they'd get updates for longer than the contracted 12 months, but they were few and far between - and there is no doubt that such validities were an error on Fender's part, though I very much hope they own that and provide the updates as effectively promised to those lucky few.

It would appear, though, that you are suggesting you have a contract that is not in any of Fender's marketing information. If so, please explain it - we might like to take it up ourselves....

 

[Vocalpoint]

It would appear, though, that you are suggesting you have a contract that is not in any of Fender's marketing information. If so, please explain it - we might like to take it up ourselves....

Exactly this.

Gary's scenario makes no sense - as everyone - unless they stopped hard at Studio One v6.54 - falls into one of these categories now:

1. Plus Subscription (Monthly or Annual)
2. Perpetual (with Annual Update Plan for exactly 365 days)
3. Perpetual (with zero updates and free usage) - until said user decides to "pay" for a future upgrade (and therefore renews their Annual Updates Plan)

There is no concept of 2.5 years of usage (while getting all updates) - and also not possible to "not join the club".

If you have access to Studio One/Studio Pro in the post "v7 era" (On or after October 9, 2024) - you are in the club in one way or another as above.

VP

 

[Gary Shepherd]

Exactly this.

Gary's scenario makes no sense - as everyone - unless they stopped hard at Studio One v6.54 - falls into one of these categories now:

1. Plus Subscription (Monthly or Annual)
2. Perpetual (with Annual Update Plan for exactly 365 days)
3. Perpetual (with zero updates and free usage) - until said user decides to "pay" for a future upgrade (and therefore renews their Annual Updates Plan)

There is no concept of 2.5 years of usage (while getting all updates) - and also not possible to "not join the club".

If you have access to Studio One/Studio Pro in the post "v7 era" (On or after October 9, 2024) - you are in the club in one way or another as above.

VP

The email from Fender on 13 January 2026 makes it clear - my order was £89.99 for an Upgrade Licence to Fender Studio Pro. It makes perfect sense and Fender, and previously Presonus, agree and it is in writing. It was also on the website as a purchase Upgrade option - as it has been previously when I have upgraded the licence each time. Fender and Presonus were at pains to explain you could carry on upgrading the licence - it is not the same as a Perpetual Licence you get when you subscribe to Plus. I am not in Plus, never have been. Okay? I am not lucky - I did what Presonus and Fender allowed. It's not my fault - I am not getting special treatment.

 

[Vocalpoint]

The email from Fender on 13 January 2026 makes it clear - my order was £89.99 for an Upgrade Licence to Fender Studio Pro. It makes perfect sense and Fender, and previously Presonus, agree and it is in writing. It was also on the website as a purchase Upgrade option - as it has been previously when I have upgraded the licence each time. Fender and Presonus were at pains to explain you could carry on upgrading the licence - it is not the same as a Perpetual Licence you get when you subscribe to Plus. I am not in Plus, never have been. Okay?

No one has ever said you are on Plus.

And for the record - I did the identical upgrade as you Gary - on the very same day - 01-13-2026. Same upgrade to v8. Same everything.

As soon as I paid for my upgrade - my existing "perpetual" license (identical to yours) had it's Annual Updates plan renewed - with a new expiry of 01-13-2027.

Pound for pound and dollar for dollar - you and I should have identical expiry dates for "updates".

Yet we do not. That is the mystery.

And yes - a perpetual license that you get - at the end of a Plus subscription - is identical to the perpetual license that you and I have right now.

All we are trying to solve here is why you apparently get updates for two years longer - than I do.

VP

 

[Gary Shepherd]

I don't get updates for 2 years longer - I only get updates until the next version of the software is deemed to be a paid upgrade. That may be 2 years, it may be less. But it is not identical to a Perpetual licence - it clearly says in emails for 2026, and before that , for 2024, that I have paid for an Upgrade Licence. I followed the options provided, I asked Presonus on support tickets and Facebook forums, and I followed the link to purchase the Upgrade Licence as I have done many times.

This is beginning to sound like a hostile witch hunt and it sounds as if you want to stop what I have - please drop this.

We had plenty of time when all the subs first came in to decide what we were doing and to ask questions to make sure we got what we wanted - and Presonus explained what to do and I asked a lot of questions and had Support Tickets and at E-Meetups with Jonny. Lots of people were confused and complaining. They explained and were patient and tolerant. I was told I could do what I am doing now and this proved correct.. If I had not been happy with it I would not have continued.

 

[Vocalpoint]

I don't get updates for 2 years longer - I only get updates until the next version of the software is deemed to be a paid upgrade. That may be 2 years, it may be less. But it is not identical to a Perpetual licence - it clearly says in emails for 2026, and before that , for 2024, that I have paid for an Upgrade Licence.

"I only get updates until the next version of the software is deemed to be a paid upgrade."

This is where your misunderstanding lies - respectfully - allow me to explain...

There is NO concept of any release being deemed "a paid upgrade" now. Only a concept of a purchasing another "window of update time" (AKA an Annual Updates renewal).

Following the release of Studio One v7 on Oct 9, 2024 - to today (June 12, 2026) it makes zero difference whether a perpetual user like you (and I) - pays another $149.00 for an "upgrade" tomorrow - or in a month or in 6 months.

This is because we are not buying a "paid upgrade" (like "big" move from v7->v8) as we knew it in the "old timey" days.

Today - your $149.00 buys you an Annual Updates Plan renewal and that is all.

Paying another $149.00 (on whatever day you want) "resets" that Annual Updates window and guarantees you receive ANY kind of update - be it a basic maintenance (bug fix) release (v8.0.3), a Feature Release (v8.1.0) or even huge major new release (v9.0.0) released anytime during the 365 days following your purchase.

Bottom line: With an active Annual Updates plan - we do NOT have to shell out again if/when Fender decides to drop v9 of Studio Pro. You just get the major new version like any other update.

This is beginning to sound like a hostile witch hunt and it sounds as if you want to stop what I have - please drop this.

This is not hostile Gary. Apologies if you think it is. And no one wants to stop you.

VP