Bitwig Studio 5 introduces five new MSEGs. Developing this family of modulators and modules led to a major upgrade for their 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 their software, and overhauled the browsers to make it easy to find what you need.

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.

Bitwig's modulation system sets itself apart with a powerfully simple approach: Any control source — including audio or CV signals — can affect any device or plug-in. Now their modulators aren't limited to devices — they can grab the mixer and project controls as Bitwig have. You can now animate their entire mixer with any of their 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.

In Bitwig's Clip Launcher, you press a clip to launch it. But what should happen when you let go? Maybe this clip should stop when you pick up your finger, or it could return to whatever was playing before. In fact, any of their Next Actions can be used, so just pick what you want from the clip’s On Release menu. 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 customise 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.

The browser improvements are more than just a fresh coat of paint. Now, search results for plug-ins, presets, and wavetables all live in one place. The updated browsers also provide better ways to find their devices, customisation shortcuts, and a more visual way to browse your content. 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.

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.

v5 is their 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.

Features

• High-performance audio software, with full multicore and multiprocessor support
• Over 90 different instruments, audio and note FX, container devices, and signal routers you can translate any idea into music
• ASIO, Core Audio, and JACK support including JACK transport on all platforms
• 32-bit floating point audio processing, up to 192 kHz audio sample rate
• Scalable vector-based GUI
• Unlimited amount of Audio (instrument, hybrid) tracks, Effect tracks, Group tracks (with groups in groups) & Scenes
• VST/CLAP plug-ins (with side-chain support, 32-/64-bit bridging, delay compensation, and crash protection) with VST/CLAP plug-in multi-out
• Audio comping w/ Audio export (including multi-track export) - 16-bit, 24-bit, 32-bit & Bounce in Place
• Supports: WAV, AIFF, MP3, AAC, WMA, FLAC, OGG Vorbis, MIDI
• Time stretching, Layered editing (notes and audio), Display profiles & Seamless integration of clip launcher and timeline
• Plug-and-play MIDI controller support

For more information, please visit the manufacturer's website.