Bitwig Studio 5 is OUT NOW and it introduces five new MSEGs.
Developing this family of modulators and modules led to a major upgrade for our entire modulation system.
In version 5, modulators can do more, like control track- and project-level parameters and expand into pop-out windows.
We also created new ways to perform live with our software, and overhauled the browsers to make it easy to find what you need.
MSEGs: Beyond Envelopes
A multi-segment envelope generator (MSEG) is a tool for drawing custom envelopes, automation shapes, looping patterns — and just about anything else. We created five different kinds that can be used as Grid modules, two of which are also available as modulators.
Segments allows you to draw your own envelope with as many points as you need and loop it if you want, while Curves enables you to paint geometric patterns onto a changing beat grid for a unique LFO. And if you can draw your own control signals, why not draw oscillators, too? That's a job for Scrawl, an MSEG with clever math to make handmade waveforms sound good at any pitch. You can even make custom waveshapers with Transfer, or use the phase-driven sequencer Slopes for a deeper level of control.
Segments is an envelope with global time-scaling and loop modes. Use it as a Grid and Polymer module or as a modulator controlling any parameter.
Curves is an LFO modulator and Grid module that can sync to the beat time or groove.
Drawing in the MSEGs' Pop-out Editor windows is a breeze, with tools for freehand entry or shapes, and shortcuts for jumping to double time or triplets — even while still holding the mouse.
All your designs can be saved as a BWCURVE file and loaded in another MSEG. And a visual browser lets you see your content (and our presets) at a glance.
Modulation, Elevated
You can now animate your entire mixer with any of our 40+ modulators, from step sequencers to audio sidechains or envelopes. One LFO can modulate any device on the same track, as well as the track's panning, sends, and other parameters. And if you move that LFO to the project level, you can add modulations to all devices, channel strips, and transport targets, too. Want to sidechain the Fill button, or MSEG the project tempo? Now you can.
MSEGs aren't the only 5.0 modulators with Pop-out Editor windows. The Steps and Keytrack+ modulators and The Grid's data sequencers also got resizable panes for cleaner editing and some helpful new functions.
New Performance Gestures
And now you can choose between two ways to trigger clips and scenes with a new ALT trigger option. The defaults are simple: tap a clip (normal trigger) to launch it at the next bar line, or ALT-trigger to immediately swap in the new clip, legato style. So decide in the moment and perform freely.
Project-wide normal and ALT-trigger gestures can be set in one place, and you can customize any clip or scene to have its own settings. That includes release options for both normal and ALT gestures, legato options for following the playing clip or the project transport, and a revamped Next Action section with simple loop counts.
Now that all tracks have their own remotes, the mixer offers a bird's-eye view of your most important parameters. That way, you can build a customized set of mix and performance controls. And new mapping options allow you to launch scenes and clips with any hardware.
Browse Better
- All Sources — including sounds by type, packages, your folders etc.
- Current Source — including hybrid sources, like Drum Hits (drum presets + samples)
- Quick Sources — customizable by drag‑and‑drop
- Minimize option
- Favorites view filter
- Filters
- Recent searches and snapshots
- Free search entry
- All search results
- Favorites & collections indicators
- Current selection
- Show presets for devices, plug‑ins
The new browsers implement a modern, flexible approach that does away with hierarchies. You can search through devices, presets, and everything else — including different types of media or content — all in one screen.
Watch this video to explore the browsers in Bitwig Studio and learn a few tips about using them.
And then some…
The foundations got some love too, with a brand new onset detector that makes audio work better from the moment you drag it in. We're also introducing Spanish and Korean language support for Bitwig Studio. A dead-simple Keytrack+ modulator has an embedded MSEG editor window so you can draw your settings or load and save curves. And for morphing control signals, you'll love the new Wavetable LFO modulator/Grid module, equally suited for irregular shapes AND instant techno. Yes, please.
By The Numbers
v5 is our 20th major release of Bitwig Studio, which currently has 112 native instruments, note FX, and other devices. The semi-modular Polymer synth now has 270 combinations (9 oscillators × 6 filters × 5 envelopes). With the new MSEG family, Keytrack+, and Wavetable LFO, there are 42 modulators for controlling everything from the project mixer to CLAP/VST plug-ins. And The Grid now has a fleet of 200 modules, including all five MSEGs, Wavetable LFO, and some other helpful new friends.
New Sound Package: Freeform
Any shape can make a sound: a squiggle, a line, a curve. That's the idea behind Freeform, a Bitwig sound package that contains curves for our MSEG devices, wavetables for the Wavetable LFO, presets for instruments and FX, and note and audio clips. Freeform is out now and available for Bitwig Studio 5.
”Hey Now” — See Chee's song as a Bitwig project file
”Hey Now” shows you what a finished track looks like in Bitwig Studio. This new demo song included in Bitwig Studio 5 is a stellar example of advanced sound design, clever use of Bitwig devices, and superior songwriting by rising South African producer Chee.
Start Bitwig Studio 5, open the Dashboard, and navigate your way to the Quick Start menu. Here you'll find a link to download and open this demo project for an exclusive insight into this exciting artist's work and methods.
Availability
Bitwig Studio 5 is out now and it's a free update for everyone who has an active Upgrade Plan – so existing users can download it and get started straight away.
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