Bitwig Studio Essentials 5

New In Version 5

Msegs: Beyond Envelopes

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. A multi-segment envelope generator (MSEG) is a tool for drawing custom envelopes, automation shapes, looping patterns — and just about anything else. Bitwig 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.

Modulation, Elevated

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 modulators aren't limited to devices — they can grab the mixer and project controls as well.

You can now animate your entire mixer with any of the 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.

New Performance Gestures

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 the 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 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

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

Powerful Editing Tools

Audio clips are your musical blocks, and edits can be made within them. Split at onsets, repitch with curves, or scale and stretch in various ways. And when the tempo changes, your audio will match it, courtesy of time-stretching options from us and Zplane.

Notes are dynamic, allowing micro-pitch, pressure, panning, and more for each individual note. So get true polyphony from Bitwig's instruments, or send these notes as MPE or CV signals. Or even add some musical logic with Operators, modulating when and how notes play.

Comping is a clean workflow for recording and then combining the best parts of many takes. This works on any audio clip in Bitwig, so move freely between the Arranger and Launcher. Even drag in long audio to “fold” a new comp, exploring old tapes in a new way.

Instruments & Effects

Polymer starts simple: pick an oscillator, a filter, and an envelope generator. Swapping out Grid modules within a dedicated synthesizer is both fast and quick, helping you craft production-worthy sounds from minimal controls immediately.

The Bitwig Studio Sampler is a powerful tool for playing and manipulating audio. It boasts several playback modes, advanced looping features with crossfades, endless modulation possibilities, a massive multisample editor, and more.

Phase-4 is a four-oscillator synthesizer powered by phase modulation and phase distortion. This unique synth can do classic, modern, and beyond.

EQ+ is a feature-packed graphical equalizer with up to 8 bands, mouse gestures, and excellent visualization and algorithms.

The Drum Machine is a container device that you can fill with sonic goodness. It's never been easier to create unique and great-sounding kits.

Individual controls for step velocity, note length, and pitch. 17 note patterns, and three modes for handling octaves. Full MPE support. Even modulate the timing for shifting patterns. Holding chords has never been so musical and dynamic.

Micro-pitch is a Note FX device that allows you to re-tune your note streams in new ways. Transform scales, fine-tune individual notes, shrink or expand octaves, or even slice the octave into a different number of pieces. Play something unimaginable, today.

Inject a bit of virtual analog grit into your sounds with the Amp device, a remarkable piece of amplifier-simulation technology.

Convolution is an effect that can take any sound anywhere — even places that don't exist. All convolutions imprint your sound with an “impulse,” and Bitwig's comes ready-made with 270 of them, ranging from 12th-century cathedrals and legendary studio effects to more abstract “environments.”

Delay+ is Bitwig's latest boutique audio effect. By balancing familiar controls along with a few thoughtful new ones, Delay+ can either add a little character or fully transform your sound as it ping-pongs along.

Enter The Grid

The Grid is a modular sound design environment, open for you to build your own creations from scratch. It's also an expressive instrument with hundreds of high-quality patches for you to explore, ready to play. It's sophisticated yet easy and fast at the same time. Explore it, build it, play it.