Studio One
Modern PreSonus DAW with a drag-and-drop workflow that suits speech editing.
Modern DAW newcomers
Studio One has quietly become one of the most pleasant DAWs to use, with drag-and-drop everywhere that makes it less intimidating than Pro Tools. PreSonus killed Prime and Artist in 2024, so the lineup is now just Pro 7 — $199 perpetual or $19.99/mo subscription via Pro+.
- Drag-and-drop everything feels intuitive
- Single-window UI stays uncluttered
- Pro 7 is $199 perpetual with a year of updates
- Smaller plugin ecosystem than Pro Tools
- Free Prime tier was discontinued
- Less common in podcast tutorial content
Studio One is PreSonus's flagship DAW and has built a strong following among musicians who like the single-window, drag-and-drop ethos. For podcasters, that translates to a workspace where dropping files, applying effects, and rearranging takes feels closer to building a slide deck than wrestling a traditional DAW. Recording works just as expected, ARA integration with Melodyne means you can pitch-correct an off voice if you have to, and the Project page is a built-in mastering tool, useful for prepping consistent loudness across an episode. PreSonus shook up the lineup in late 2024 — Prime (the free tier) and Artist (the mid-tier) were discontinued, leaving Studio One Pro 7 as the single offering. Pricing is now $199 perpetual with a year of updates and $149 per year for ongoing updates, or you can subscribe to Pro+ at $19.99/mo for monthly access plus Pro+ extras. There's also a $179.99/yr Perpetual License with Pro+ Plan that bundles the perpetual licence with all yearly feature releases. The Professional tier features include video tracks, the full effects suite, scoring tools, and the mastering page. The plugin and tutorial ecosystem is smaller than Pro Tools or Logic but growing. If you want a DAW that does not feel like 1995, Studio One is worth a serious look.
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Studio One FAQ
What is Studio One in one line?
Modern PreSonus DAW with a drag-and-drop workflow that suits speech editing.
Who should pick Studio One?
Studio One is shaped for modern daw newcomers. Its biggest strength: drag-and-drop everything feels intuitive. PreSonus killed Prime and Artist in 2024, so the lineup is now just Pro 7 — $199 perpetual or $19
What should I watch out for with Studio One?
smaller plugin ecosystem than pro tools; free prime tier was discontinued. None of these are deal-breakers on their own, but they're worth knowing before you commit.
Is Studio One free?
There's a free tier, and you can ship work on it before deciding to upgrade. Confirm what's included on their site.
What can I use instead of Studio One?
Closest in the same category: Descript, Audacity, Hindenburg Pro. Each has its own shape — see the alternatives page for a side-by-side.