Bitwig Studio 5 now available - introduces Essentials and Producer editions

Bitwig has announced that Bitwig Studio 5 is now officially released. The new version comes with five different MSEGs, new capabilities for the Clip Launcher, an overhaul to the browsers, and upgrades to the entire modulation system, such as the ability to control track- and project-level parameters and to expand modulators with pop-out windows. These new devices and features offer the ability to draw your own envelopes or LFOs and innovative possibilities for live performance. They've also added a new sound package and a full song by bass music producer and DJ Chee that's available as a Bitwig project file.

Freeform Sound Package

Any shape can make a sound: a squiggle, a line, a curve. That's the idea behind Freeform, a Bitwig sound package that contains curves for the MSEG devices, wavetables for the Wavetable LFO, presets for instruments and FX, and note and audio clips.

Freeform's curves can be used in a broad range of musical and sound design contexts: They can be modulators, oscillators, waveshapers, sequencers etc. Dozens of Freeform's curves were specially designed for specific MSEGs, such as custom oscillators or distortion shapes. But since they're BWCURVE files, they can be loaded into any of the MSEG devices and used for your own modulations or patches. Freeform also has more than 100 presets that include MSEGs and Wavetable LFOs for a variety of Bitwig instruments, from pad sounds to bass voices and drums. You'll also find some more experimental applications of curves in audio FX, selectors, and note FX presets that generate rhythmic patterns and sequences.

New Demo Song: "Hey You" by Chee

The new demo song included in Bitwig Studio 5, Hey Now, is an example of advanced sound design, clever use of Bitwig devices, and songwriting by South African producer Chee. His music spans bass-oriented genres like drum & bass, trap and future beats, and it has been released on outposts like Zeds Dead's label Deadbeats. In addition to his solo work, Chee also produces and performs alongside fellow South African artist Jon Casey as It HZ.

I wanted to showcase a few of my favorite Bitwig features, like the MSEG modulators, the Spectral Suite, and some custom drum synths on 'Hey Now, '" Chee told us. "I'm eager to see how Bitwig will continue shaping the future of music production. They're onto something here.

Hey Now is a dramatic composition that references broken beat genres like golden era 2-step, OG dubstep and grime with a hard edge. Glance under the hood by opening the project file and you'll find custom-made drum synthesizers, Drum Machines, Samplers, synth voices, and cleverly designed Note FX. Some of these patches are also included as official Bitwig presets in Freeform.

Hey Now is available as a project in Bitwig Studio 5, so download the latest version and open the demo song in order to hear the whole composition and see how Chee made it.

Version 5 Key Features

MSEGs: Beyond Envelopes

A multi-segment envelope generator (MSEG) is a tool for drawing custom signals for envelopes, automation shapes, looping patterns, oscillator curves, waveshapers, sequencers etc. Bitwig created five different kinds of MSEGs that can be used as Grid modules, and two of them are also available as modulators. Separate devices means each one is focused on and optimized for its particular task:

Segments is a customizable envelope that can be used as a Grid and Polymer module or as a modulator that controls any parameter. Four Play Mode op­tions are avail­able for Segments:
One-shot (⇀) - Plays through the en­tire shape (while the voice is alive) when a note is triggered.
Hold (𝄐) - Can use any one of the curve's points as the hold/sus­tain lev­el, which also acts as the re­lease start.
Loop­ing (⇉) - Can loop forwards between any two of the curve's points on sus­tain; the loop end point is also the re­lease start.
Ping Pong (⇌) - Can loop forwards and backwards between any two of the curve's points on sus­tain; the loop end point is also the re­lease start.
Curves is an LFO modulator and Grid module that can sync to the beat time or groove.
Scrawl is a draw-your-own oscillator for The Grid and Polymer Bitwig's hybrid modular synth. Its anti-aliasing helps make any shape work and sound good.
Slopes is a pattern sequencer for The Grid with stereo phase options.
Transfer is a waveshaper for transforming incoming audio or other signals in The Grid.
Clicking any curve display opens the curve editor in a Pop-out Editor window that allows for easy freehand drawing. There are also shortcuts for jumping to double time or triplets. All your designs can be saved as a BWCURVE file and loaded in another MSEG. A visual browser displays all presets and user content at a glance.

Modulation, Elevated

In Bitwig's modulation system any control source — including audio or CV signals — can affect any device or plug-in. In Bitwig Studio 5, the modulators are no longer li