Add to ChromeWhen comparing Studio One 4 vs Mixcraft 8, the Slant community recommends Studio One 4 for most people. In the question“What are the best DAWs? ” Studio One 4 is ranked 2nd while Mixcraft 8 is ranked 25th. The most important reason people chose Studio One 4 is:
All components are laid out in an understandable fashion and almost everything is drag and drop.
Specs
Question Ranking
Pros
Pro Easy to use DAW interface
All components are laid out in an understandable fashion and almost everything is drag and drop.
Pro Dedicated mastering page
Studio one has a page dedicated specifically to mastering which can be very useful when trying to finish your song
Pro Efficient DAW workflow
The Studio One DAW doesn't expect users to deal with a lot of windows, answer questions, or use the mouse excessively. This DAW is known for lettings users be creative without getting in the way.
Pro Creative songwriting and arrangement tools
Use the 'scratch pad' work on multiple versions for your song without leaving the main window.
Pro Melodyne built-in
The Real Melodyne is integrated in the actual DAW. No other DAW is set up to streamline Melodyne.
Pro Automatic delay compensation
When a plugin takes time to process a sound, the Studio One DAW detects the gap and compensates.
Pro Very stable DAW
Performance is rock solid and very efficient, even on lower spec computers.
Pro Bounces MIDI in place
When bouncing from MIDI to audio, a new track won't be created, the clip will stay in the same place. When bouncing a specific part of a MIDI clip, it will be placed in a new track.
Pro Insert plugins on actual events, not just tracks
Have you ever wanted a delay on just a word or so. No need to automate or move to a separate track. No need to print it to the clip and run out of room on the audio file. Simply amazing feature.
Pro Good interface compatibility
Works great with interfaces, and doesn't fight with ASIO drivers.
Pro Chord Track
Chord track can be used by inserting chords or getting them from an inserted track.
Pro Awesome smart tool
Hovering over different parts of the events in the arrange window activates different tools.
Pro Multiple key command templates
Possible to use key commands from Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, etc.
Pro Drag and Drop feature is quite flexible and allows for massive free form modification on the fly
Pro Vocalign built in
Vocalign Project is can be integrated with the option to upgrade to Vocalign Pro.
Pro Available with a rent-to-own option from Splice
For those that can't afford to pay for a full professional DAW in one swoop, this is an amazing opportunity to get Studio One 4 Professional in monthly payments.
Pause and resume payments when you want or cancel at any time.
Pro Working with your iPad makes it easier
Pro Same feel to Mixcraft as Logic Pro - if you're a migrant from Mac to Windows 10, this would be a good program to start with.
Pro Direct access to gigantic sound (loop) online databases - direct drag and drop in editor
Pro Alternative instruments and effects
Pro Easy MIDI and sample editing
Pro Melodyne included
Pro Easy to use
Pro Intuitive to use and does the job well
Pro Comes with VSTs and synths
Cons
Con No real support for synth hardware
SO3 cannot control your synth. You cannot see/control or access patches, their names, or SysEx. It seems that everything is centered around use of virtual instruments, and not hardware synth.
Con No snap to zero crossing
Snap to zero crossing lines up audio's waveform at the optimum position so it won't sound glitchy. The Studio One DAW does not directly offer this feature.
Con No score sheet
There is no built-in score sheet for MIDI tracks, not even a basic one: you must do everything with the Piano Roll. The program may interface with Notation to do that, but you have to buy it separately and it is still clumsy.
Con Interface
The interface Graphical is comic bookish. While the DAW is useful there are better interfaces out there. One of the biggest issues is how the signal path is selected. Other DAW's work more like a patchbay allowing for a more visual interaction with the program. Studio One is different and a little obtuse. For example, Digital performer 11, Protools 11, Sonar Producer provide a better experience.
Con The DAW can't be used as a ReWire component
The DAW can be used as a ReWire host, but cannot be used as a ReWire component. This is frustrating if you like some of the instrument sounds and virtual synths in Studio One, but prefer another DAW to do your main work in.
Con Poor waveform drawing
The waveform drawing looks like something from a much cheaper or free DAW from the 1990s.
Con Works out quite expensive
The full version of this DAW may justify its price by including VST and VSTi plugins, but the 'affordable' version does not support VST plugins out of the box. So you can't purchase the affordable version of this DAW and simply add VST plugins, either freeware or purchased ones.
Con Bad customer service
Con Interface signal selection is obtuse and not as intuitive as other DAWs
Con No autoplay in online or local sample navigation
You have to press the play button with the mouse.
Con Some of the effects are a bit too basic
fx, you can't set the delay by sync and BPM.
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