Studio One - Any basic modulation tool?

[RafaelMorgan]

Hi everyone,

Studio One is my main DAW, but I've been using Bitwig a lot lately; Its modulation capabilities are nothing short of amazing.

Unless I'm missing something, there are modulation tools in Studio One, right?

Is there any third party plugin or workaround to make some basic parameters modulation in it?

Thanks!

[antic604]

Unless I'm missing something, there are modulation tools in Studio One, right?

Right, there are no modulation tools in S1
But I'm really hopeful they'll add something in v5

Is there any third party plugin or workaround to make some basic parameters modulation in it?

Yes, those plugins can send out MIDI CC that can be mapped to VST parameters:
LFO Tool : https://xferrecords.com/products/lfo-tool
Cableguy's MIDI Shaper : https://www.cableguys.com/midishaper.html

Also, if you have Reason 11 the Rack VST can host several of Reason's CV generators that can be translated into MIDI CC and can now output that to the host DAW! However for the time being both S1 and Bitwig (and Live, too) don't support this for VST3, but I'm sure will be patched in soon.

[VariKusBrainZ]

But it has better automation and transform tools than Bitwig

[antic604]

But it has better automation and transform tools than Bitwig

True, but how is this relevant for OP's question?

[dupont]

Reaper has great modulation tools

[antic604]

Reaper has great modulation tools

Compared to S1 or Cubase, sure!

[Trancit]

But it has better automation and transform tools than Bitwig

True, but how is this relevant for OP's question?

Modulation is nothing else than changing a parameter over time...
Many modulators of Bitwig can be simulated with automation...
Not the most comfortable way but it works/works better in many situations ...
And there it´s very important to mention the advanced ways/method S1 got... with the pen tool and it´s different shapes/transformation tool you can mimick all repetitive modulators of Bitwig with much better control and being completely editable...
It´s more work to do but more flexible too...

For i.e. S1 user´s it´s perhaps clever to invest in i.e. MUX or Bidule...
Subhosts which can host any VST2 plugin and modulate everything to your liking...
Many companies like Unfiltered Audio, Melda or kiloHearts have very interesting solutions available for their own plugins too and most instruments nowadays ship with tons of modulation possibilities anyway...

[antic604]

Modulation is nothing else than changing a parameter over time...
Many modulators of Bitwig can be simulated with automation...
Not the most comfortable way but it works/works better in many situations ...

Sure, but the difference is there's plenty of modulators in Bitwig that you can't easily - or at all - replicate (Envelope Follower, Audio & MIDI Sidechain, Keytrack, Math, MIDI, Note Counter, ParSeq-8, Pitch-12, Random, S&H, etc.).

I mean you can replicate their end result (final movement of the parameter), but not the dynamic interconnection between other tings happening in the project and the result. Furthermore, you can use random modulators and modulate modulators, which results in unexpected things.

Automation is great, when you know exactly what you want to get AND you want it repeatable.

Modulation is great, when you're looking for inspiration, happy accidents and are experimenting, especially for generative / random stuff.

A DAW being great at one of them doesn't automatically mean the other is not necessary or shouldn't be improved.

[magicmusic]

i think this static modulation tools not usefull. sound boring when it always modulate same. in S1 you can draw sine lines (in midi editor too ) and can change later frequency in some parts or reduce or increase level of some parts maybe you like it more.

[Trancit]

Modulation is nothing else than changing a parameter over time...
Many modulators of Bitwig can be simulated with automation...
Not the most comfortable way but it works/works better in many situations ...

Sure, but the difference is there's plenty of modulators in Bitwig that you can't easily - or at all - replicate (Envelope Follower, Audio & MIDI Sidechain, Keytrack, Math, MIDI, Note Counter, ParSeq-8, Pitch-12, Random, S&H, etc.).
...

Of course... nevertheless there is the question how often they are used in reality...
I´ve seen countless videos where the tutors used a LFO after a LFO after a LFO... etc...

Bitwig is king in terms of useablity and variety... no question...
The need for that has to decide everybody on his own... I found myself using nothing else than I got available in most of my plugins anyway so I sold Bitwig as it didn´t bring on the table anything useful for me...

[antic604]

static modulation

Read. It. Slowly.

[Trancit]

... in S1 you can draw sine lines (in midi editor too ) and can change later frequency in some parts or reduce or increase level of some parts maybe you like it more.

...or use different shapes for certain sections...etc...etc...

That´s what I meant with being more work but more flexible...
You can define exactly at which point the modulation shall do what without complex routings...

[Trancit]

static modulation

Read. It. Slowly.

I think everybody knows what this shall mean...

[antic604]

Of course... nevertheless there is the question how often they are used in reality... I´ve seen countless videos where the tutors used a LFO after a LFO after a LFO... etc...

And that's a good reason to discredit the functionality? Because some (most?) people don't need it or don't know how to use it? That's a pretty selfish view point, isn't it? You don't see me go to Cubase's forum urging them to stop working on VariAudio or their comping features, because I - personally - have no use for them! Neither do I go there saying those features aren't needed, because people should just learn to sing in tune and play their instrument right the 1st time...

Can you please stop derailing this topic?

[antic604]

static modulation

Read. It. Slowly.

I think everybody knows what this shall mean...

Enlighten me what it is other than an oxymoron, please?