Fender Studio - A Free (rudimentary) DAW for all platforms
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- KVRian
- 814 posts since 15 Jun, 2018
https://www.fender.com/pages/fender-studio
With full support on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux, Fender Studio works seamlessly on everything from iPhones and Chromebooks to PCs, Macs, and more.
Amps: ‘65 Twin Reverb, Rumble 800 v.3, ‘59 Bassman*, Bassbreaker 15 Medium Gain*, Super-Sonic*, Redhead*, Tube Preamp*
Pedals: Overdrive, Sine Chorus, Mono Delay, Small Hall Reverb, Modern Bass OD, VariFuzz*, Vintage Tremolo*, Stereo Tape Delay*, Small Room Reverb*, Triangle Flanger*, Simple Comp*
Seems rather limited and due to lack of any MIDI functionality so far mostly aimed at guitarists. But a free daw that also works on Linux or Android? Pretty cool!
With full support on iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux, Fender Studio works seamlessly on everything from iPhones and Chromebooks to PCs, Macs, and more.
Amps: ‘65 Twin Reverb, Rumble 800 v.3, ‘59 Bassman*, Bassbreaker 15 Medium Gain*, Super-Sonic*, Redhead*, Tube Preamp*
Pedals: Overdrive, Sine Chorus, Mono Delay, Small Hall Reverb, Modern Bass OD, VariFuzz*, Vintage Tremolo*, Stereo Tape Delay*, Small Room Reverb*, Triangle Flanger*, Simple Comp*
Seems rather limited and due to lack of any MIDI functionality so far mostly aimed at guitarists. But a free daw that also works on Linux or Android? Pretty cool!
- KVRian
- 1173 posts since 9 Jul, 2006 from Germany
Based on Studio One... as it seems.
"The 'less-is-more'-guy ... he's an asshole." (Billy Decker)
- KVRAF
- 8563 posts since 2 Aug, 2005 from Guitar Land, USA
I don't want the sound of mainstream amps. The vocoder seems interesting, but only if you like line6 pod type sounds or amplitube or guitar rig and that's not right by a longshot.
The only site for experimental amp sim freeware & MIDI FX: http://runbeerrun.blogspot.com
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCprNcvVH6aPTehLv8J5xokA -Youtube jams
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCprNcvVH6aPTehLv8J5xokA -Youtube jams
- KVRAF
- 7668 posts since 2 Sep, 2019
The app and software look and feel janky. This is not up to PreSonus quality. I hope this isn't why Fender wanted to acquire PreSonus. They didn't even add the Fender amps to Studio One/Ampire. Maybe that's what we'll be getting in the next update. Really underwhelmed and unimpressed.
And before someone jumps in with the usual "but...it's free software!" KVR response, well, I didn't pay for free software, but I did pay for 12 months of Studio One 7 updates. But I got this instead.
And before someone jumps in with the usual "but...it's free software!" KVR response, well, I didn't pay for free software, but I did pay for 12 months of Studio One 7 updates. But I got this instead.
THIS MUSIC HAS BEEN MIXED TO BE PLAYED LOUD SO TURN IT UP
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- KVRer
- 1 posts since 25 Aug, 2023
You know I tried this Fender Studio today with 3 different interfaces (RME, Roland and Steinberg) and it just doesn't work. Can't get any signal into the thing, for playing or recording.
- KVRian
- 1163 posts since 20 Oct, 2023
You have to subscribe for interface usageStratosaurus wrote: Wed May 21, 2025 10:42 am You know I tried this Fender Studio today with 3 different interfaces (RME, Roland and Steinberg) and it just doesn't work. Can't get any signal into the thing, for playing or recording.
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- KVRian
- 1015 posts since 6 Nov, 2010
I registered, not the same thing? It doesn't work for me either. It just closes when I try to select my interface.VOODOO U wrote: Wed May 21, 2025 3:05 pmYou have to subscribe for interface usageStratosaurus wrote: Wed May 21, 2025 10:42 am You know I tried this Fender Studio today with 3 different interfaces (RME, Roland and Steinberg) and it just doesn't work. Can't get any signal into the thing, for playing or recording.
EDIT: Just tried it again. Now it doesn't crash but it won't accept any input on the audio device setup window. If I click on anything the window closes, even if I just click on an empty spot in the pop up window.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. - Emerson
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- KVRian
- 1015 posts since 6 Nov, 2010
Windows Apps folder in Program Files I'm guessing. I couldn't access it. I was hoping to be able to edit the ini or configuration file but didn't find it, so I'm guessing it's in there as well.
Anyway, I finally got it to work by using my Boss GT-1 as the interface and using Windows default audio driver so there's enough lag to be bothersome as far as monitoring while recording for me. I could try using my Spark amp as the interface but why bother.
If it works on the phone/tablet as advertised that's the selling point imo. I'm guessing they're going to try selling more amp and effect models for this thing in the near future.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us. - Emerson
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- KVRAF
- 3220 posts since 4 Jan, 2005
Fender link i/o is like $89 ... That is frickin stupid expensive for a one input device . .... As for the limited DAW that's free ? I don't know Apple bought Logic and had Garbageband for free ? So who knows ? Maybe StudioOne 7pointwhateverthefudge ... Will get some Fender love too.
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- KVRAF
- 3028 posts since 12 Mar, 2002 from Central NY
So they stripped out bits of Studio One to produce Fender Studio to line up with their CEO's grand
dream of dumbing down Studio One for their guitar playing customers who are also software noobs.
It would be nice if they did a little reach-around for long time Presonus customers, who now happen to also be FENDER customers, (nearly THIRTY years for me). Like, perhaps, including the FENDER amp and stompbox sims in Fender Studio into the next update of Studio One. Ampire is getting a bit long in the tooth.
Personally, I'm a bit concerned what the long term effects of this are going to be on Studio One and Presonus. First off, they are not releasing updates on the schedule they promised and what they are releasing are more useless features over longtime reported bugs that need fixing. I really hope I'm not going to have to switch DAWS again.
dream of dumbing down Studio One for their guitar playing customers who are also software noobs.
It would be nice if they did a little reach-around for long time Presonus customers, who now happen to also be FENDER customers, (nearly THIRTY years for me). Like, perhaps, including the FENDER amp and stompbox sims in Fender Studio into the next update of Studio One. Ampire is getting a bit long in the tooth.
Personally, I'm a bit concerned what the long term effects of this are going to be on Studio One and Presonus. First off, they are not releasing updates on the schedule they promised and what they are releasing are more useless features over longtime reported bugs that need fixing. I really hope I'm not going to have to switch DAWS again.
the secrets to old age: Faster horses, Richer Women, Bigger CPU's
https://soundcloud.com/cristofe-chabot/sets/main
https://soundcloud.com/cristofe-chabot/sets/main
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- KVRAF
- 9521 posts since 6 Oct, 2004
Can't speak to the mac/win versions, other than it is meant for new players, and portable players, both good future prospects. The models used are from the Mustang/Rumble series, but just cheapskate paltry few, even if you register to get more, and the 16 tracks instead of 8.
The best part appears to be the multitrack backing track capabilities, and ability to import your own. The related $90 Link I/O interface is far more than a barebones one-jack setup. The jack is surrounded by useful features and quality specs. And is not required to use the daw.
As to linux, this is the only serious linux audio app I have tried, that I can't install or get working. I can verify that one's kernel audio/video support modules, and your Wayland installation will be critical to success. They rushed out a Ubuntu-only flatpak installer which is incomplete, and will leave many linux musicians with (an arguably easy) google search to get flatpack fully installed, and then for some, a learning curve to get an acceptable Wayland implementation running on their distro. If you have a motherboard sound chip as well as a real audio interface, you may need to blacklist the chip. The video will supposedly benefit from vulkan installs, for speedier graphics.
In comparison, U-he linux products install fine with scripts that are around 7K in size, and handle placing multiple folders and componants, and links for daws to find them. For working Reaper linux installs, I just unpack the archive to a folder
Finally, this is to me, the ugliest gui I've seen in ages. There's more tattoo ink on the mainscreen backdrop character, than there is resume' ink on the same guy's application for a day-job
Apologies if the guy is an actual superstar of the product demographic 
The best part appears to be the multitrack backing track capabilities, and ability to import your own. The related $90 Link I/O interface is far more than a barebones one-jack setup. The jack is surrounded by useful features and quality specs. And is not required to use the daw.
As to linux, this is the only serious linux audio app I have tried, that I can't install or get working. I can verify that one's kernel audio/video support modules, and your Wayland installation will be critical to success. They rushed out a Ubuntu-only flatpak installer which is incomplete, and will leave many linux musicians with (an arguably easy) google search to get flatpack fully installed, and then for some, a learning curve to get an acceptable Wayland implementation running on their distro. If you have a motherboard sound chip as well as a real audio interface, you may need to blacklist the chip. The video will supposedly benefit from vulkan installs, for speedier graphics.
In comparison, U-he linux products install fine with scripts that are around 7K in size, and handle placing multiple folders and componants, and links for daws to find them. For working Reaper linux installs, I just unpack the archive to a folder
Finally, this is to me, the ugliest gui I've seen in ages. There's more tattoo ink on the mainscreen backdrop character, than there is resume' ink on the same guy's application for a day-job
- KVRist
- 387 posts since 4 Apr, 2021
I think I remember that!CapnLockheed wrote: Fri May 23, 2025 5:15 pm So they stripped out bits of Studio One to produce Fender Studio to line up with their CEO's grand
dream of dumbing down Studio One for their guitar playing customers who are also software noobs.
It would be nice if they did a little reach-around for long time Presonus customers, who now happen to also be FENDER customers, (nearly THIRTY years for me). Like, perhaps, including the FENDER amp and stompbox sims in Fender Studio into the next update of Studio One. Ampire is getting a bit long in the tooth.
Many people were concerned back then what will happen to S1… And many people were hopeful that it won’t mean anything - just the CEO rambling nonsense.
I think he said something like the DAW should be so simple that no need for manuals? Something like that? In a way that is a good idea: have a DAW that is very intuitive and easy to start using - but has power and capabilities for real work. But the fear was/is that it just means something else…..