BITWIG STUDIO 2 8-TRACK
Find out how to use this issue’s powerful DAW freebie,
As DAWs go, Bitwig Studio is a relative newcomer – it has only reached version 2.4 as of the time of writing – but it has grown by leaps and bounds in both power and popularity. It’s easy to see why, too.
Like some mutant offspring of Ableton Live, Bitwig combines tempo-matched clips with traditional DAW-style recording and playback of audio and MIDI tracks. Indeed, the similarities to Live are often striking, and for good reason – Bitwig was created by ex-Ableton boffins. Unlike Ableton’s baby, however, Bitwig is truly crossplatform, with Mac, Windows and even Linux versions available.
Bitwig Studio 8-Track is, as you might guess, a pared-down version of the full-blown Bitwig Studio. As the name suggests, the developers have chosen to limit the overall track count to eight, and while this might seem a bit stingy at first glance, it quickly becomes apparent that there is plenty of power on offer.
Moreover, Bitwig have been quite generous when it comes to what has been included. Most of Bitwig Studio’s best features are here, including an awe-inspiring list of instrument and effects devices, not least being their recently beefed-up Sampler. Though it sports a reduced set of features, Bitwig Studio 8-Track is a complete DAW in and of itself, with all of the complexity of the full version. As such, there is something of a learning curve.
Rest assured, though… ComputerMusic is here to guide you through every step of installing, authorising and, more importantly, using Bitwig Studio 8-Track to its fullest. Over the next few pages, we’ll clue you in to some of Bitwig Studio 8-Track’s best features. We’ll show you how to create your own drum machines, record audio and instrument tracks, and mix and process your projects.
Plus, we’ll give you the rundown on Bitwig Studio’s Sampler, showing you how to make the most of its sophisticated synthesis engine to wrench new life out of your samples. And while we’re at it, we’ll give you a few pointers on how you might stretch Bitwig Studio 8-Track’s limited track count to allow for full productions.
If you’re new to computer music production, you’ll find Bitwig Studio 8-Track an excellent introduction to the Bitwig approach to musicmaking. And if you’ve been around for a while, you might find that Bitwig Studio 8-Track offers an inspiring alternative to more traditional digital audio workstations.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s fire up Bitwig Studio 8-Track and start tracking!