Studio One V2.6 Provides A Higher Quality GUI Than V4.6

[apoclypse]

I've been an S1 user since v2.0 and while I like v4.x I think there are a lot weird design decision that took place when the new UI was implemented in 3.x. 4.X just made it weirder. One thing I hate about 4.x is that IO section is hidden by default in the console. You have to drag it up to see them. That was never an issue before in 2.x-3.x. I remember the first time opening 4.x and being confused as to how to route to a bus until I noticed the IO section was missing. Its something that was so intuitive before the I never even thought about it until it was missing. The reason they did that is because for some reason they decided to change the locations of the Mute, Solo, Record and Monitor sections. before they were on the side of the fader, now they are are on top, leaving less vertical room. It's an extremely silly decision imo.

On that same note I hate the faders in S1 v4. In v2.x-3.x they were larger. I still have no idea why they did that.

V3


V4

[THE INTRANCER]

V2...

Enlarge

[CapnLockheed]

If you prefer 2.6 then just use it. No one put a gun to your head and forced you to update to 3 or 4. Personally, the current S1 GUI doesn't bother me that much. I've gotten used to it. I still use various older versions of Cubendo for some projects as I can't stand Steinie's current GUI's. There's no law that says you have to stay on the "upgrade" treadmill. Heck I still run a legacy XP machine because I have some software & hardware that I like and use that require it....if it aint broke......

[Orbit-50]

V2...

Enlarge

I CAN FINALLY SEE!!!!

[Orbit-50]

If you prefer 2.6 then just use it.

I might just take you up on that!
You have a good point there. Who's to say that we can't use v2.6 I mean hell, I'm sure it's missing some of the features of the later versions, but who says we can't make music without those fancy shmancy features. I'm going to try to install it and see if it works.

[THE INTRANCER]

I hate you INTRANCER for opening this old wound! It's the very reason I stopped updating years ago, and I've been bitter about it for a long time. I won't say that the whole design of the post Studio One 2 theme looks like garbage, but what they turned it into overall with that flat dark theme is just unacceptable to me. The last demo I tried was the worst.
They just ignore it, just like Steinberg is doing with Cubase in which they actually removed the ability to make a good light theme. These companies need to realize that there are some people that don't use their DAW in a bathroom with the lights turned off, and actually need a light theme. To me, Studio One 2 had the perfect balance, and is the very reason that I hopped on board. IIRCC, Cubase 7 had that same balance and lost it an update or two later. Why the hell they didn't just keep that balance while giving those who wish to use a dark theme their fair share, is beyond me. Total trash, because I loved Studio One's workflow and feature set, but I just can't use it without getting pissed off after a couple of hours of using it. I gave up on thinking that they would improve this a while ago. Thanks INTRANCER, now it's gonna take me at least a month to calm down from this...

As someone who migrated from the multi-coloured GUI experience of Reason after 13 and half years, to S1 2.6, I wasn't a great fan of the stark grey and day glow blue look, but the 3D depth and stylised look did counter that somewhat so got use to it as if the GUI became transparent into the background whilst aspects of what was important, had much more clarity and contrast in which to focus on. The GUI did actually feel like it had it's own intelligence to it, which was highlighted by the track scaling in that video, something I had forgotten about, but is in the many years I've been using Studio One since, an irritating workflow issue that one constantly has to deal with still which slows things down. Since 3.0 I've appreciated not being blinded by a grey and white screen because I do produce in the dark... the downside is that it does make the GUI look like crap, and then they go and add a Shop tab in 4.6, 6 months ago. How ugly Studio One is now, doesn't go unnoticed every time I start it up. They have essentially gone from the Professional Producer / Engineer to the Magix Music Maker market, by that move, because it's something they would have done... Not sure what move on the chessboard Presonus are gonna do next...

Studio One 4.6 Pro is a great program full of features, but some things are frustratingly, still not being addressed properly. Going back to S1 2.6 would mean sacrificing so much, and really impractical( No mixer undo for example). Some of my primary and expensive software I use is 11 years old now and still works with Windows 10 without issues... Not sure if S1 2.6 still does though.

[Orbit-50]

I totally get what you're saying. I really miss being able to, in .02 seconds, visually lock on to any element in Studio One. Just can't do that after v3.

[antic604]

I remember the first time opening 4.x and being confused as to how to route to a bus until I noticed the IO section was missing. Its something that was so intuitive before the I never even thought about it until it was missing. The reason they did that is because for some reason they decided to change the locations of the Mute, Solo, Record and Monitor sections. before they were on the side of the fader, now they are are on top, leaving less vertical room. It's an extremely silly decision imo.

Well said!

[Ghostwave]

One thing I hate about 4.x is that IO section is hidden by default in the console.

When I first got v4, I set it up to have the mixer section come up full screen. I had the same problem with the IO section, figured out I had to drag it up to see it. The problem is saving a template with the IO section visible doesn't work as opening a template resets the mixer view.
The only workaround I could come up with was to set everything up and save it as a song file (which does remember what templates don't) and use that as a template. Pretty annoying!

[recursive one]

I also preferred the look of v.2 for aesthetic reasons, but v.3 is still perfectly useable. Haven't uprgaded to v.4 yet and not sure if I ever will.

[EnGee]

Yes! I miss the Pen in version 2! It was fat and lovely

Can you install version 2 if you just have version 4 license?

[chk071]

I really hope they re-arrange the track inspector for version 5 (accordion roll-ins (or whatever they're called) would be great). It's just way too crowded in S1 4/4.6. Maybe fine-tune the GUI as well. As mentioned, I can see the point how 2.6 is more clear. I just think that it looks a bit antiquated.

[jens]

You have a good point there.

No, not at all - it's a completely nonsensical point - the mind boggles at how nonsensical it is. :doh:

There's a world of changes function-wise between 2.6 and 4.6 and preferring the GUI of 2.6. over the current GUI does not say anything regarding these changes.

I we like these functional changes and therefor by far prefer 4.6 over 2.6 function-wise we should not be allowed to say we prefer the look of 2.6? There really is not an ounce of logic in that argument.

[CapnLockheed]

I we like these functional changes and therefor by far prefer 4.6 over 2.6 function-wise we should not be allowed to say we prefer the look of 2.6? There really is not an ounce of logic in that argument.

First of....I we? Who is this "we" you speak of? Like "I" said I prefer the functionality of S1 4.6 and don't mind the GUI. So I use that. HOWEVER, I not only prefer the GUI of older versions of Cubase but from 9 on it was a big fat bloated pig full of "features" that I have no use for and an ugly ass GUI....oh and it's harder on th 'ol CPU. So THERE is your ounce of logic smartass. Just because a piece of software OR hardware isn't the latest with all the shiny bells and whistles doesn't mean there are not some users that stick with older versions for various reasons. There are MANY high end pro studios that employ older software AND hardware because they get the job done and they suit their engineer's workflow.

I'm not going to throw that vintage Teletronix LA-2A, '67 Stratocaster or Neve console in the trash just because they're old. There really is not an ounce of logic in that.

[Orbit-50]

I we like these functional changes and therefor by far prefer 4.6 over 2.6 function-wise we should not be allowed to say we prefer the look of 2.6? There really is not an ounce of logic in that argument.

Just because a piece of software OR hardware isn't the latest with all the shiny bells and whistles doesn't mean there are not some users that stick with older versions for various reasons.

Thank you. You saved me the typing. @jens, this is why I found it to be a good point. See, I'm one of those snobs that feel that I'm too good to use older versions of anything, be it software, blankets, women, etc... I find it unthinkable to not have the latest of anything because I might be missing out on some of the newer features.
So I just disregarded using the older version of Studio One. What I've found, is that all of those new and improved features, while helping workflow in some cases, really don't help you make good music at all. Literally!
CapnLockheed's point of view made sense to me, because he's actually right. One doesn't need all of the useless, and latest fluff that some of these updates have been offering these days. Granted, there are things that are great, and would suck not to have, but in this case, the parameters are right in front of me.

A.I hate using Studio One 4 because it's just one dark mess and the mixer is a disaster that has already happened
B.I love Studio One 2.6 because I can actually see everything and I have always, and still love the silvery blue thing. Even the included plugins looked super cool to me and were a pleasure to use.

What am I to do? What do I do?

My Method: Be miserable over this, and let principle stop me from using a software that I've always adored because it's not the latest version.

The CapnLockheed Method: Just STFU and join all of the happy peppy people who use older versions of software and are productive using it. If you feel that you like Studio One 2.6 that much, use it, and forget v4 features. You can still make music with with the older version.

Thank you CapnLockheed for solving this long time simple problem for me. I am forever indebted to you. I've reinstalled it, it works, and I love using it as is, and it's just fine. I'm happy.

Now if I could just get over my hangups about "free" software, this would be "The Year of Change" for me, but that one would be way more difficult of a problem to solve than this one. That one might require a tagteam lashing from Micheal L, and there was this other guy that was a longtime rabid crusader of free plugins, I forgot his username. I wish I could remember. Well anyway, TaTa guys...

Oops, I almost forgot, a very warm thanks to THE INTRANCER!