What happened to Bitwig 6?

Summary

In this update on Bitwig Studio 6 beta, the speaker discusses the new features and improvements in beta 9, highlighting enhanced automation lanes, a more intuitive workflow, and new clip management tools. Key updates include a flying automation lane, customizable clip editing preferences, improved automation editing with hold and normal modes, and interface changes like the return of the volume slider. The speaker also shares thoughts on the upcoming release, speculating that a stable version will likely arrive early next year. Overall, Bitwig 6 is shaping up with many fixes and new features, making it more user-friendly and streamlined.

Takeaways

• 😀 Bitwig Studio 6 is still in beta, currently at beta 9, making it the longest-running beta version of the software so far.
• 😀 Despite many new features, there are still bugs that need fixing, and a stable release is expected in early next year, though a surprise release before Christmas is possible.
• 😀 The flying automation lane feature, added in beta 9, allows more flexible and intuitive automation editing, eliminating the need to switch between modes for each parameter.
• 😀 The global automation mode has been improved, now allowing users to edit multiple parameters and clip automation at once, which was a major issue in earlier beta versions.
• 😀 A new feature lets you record automation in real-time while playing, making automation more natural and dynamic during playback.
• 😀 The default behavior of opening new clips in the detail editor can now be turned off, improving workflow by allowing users to create clips without automatically opening the editor.
• 😀 A new shortcut (H) has been added to switch between hold and stepped automation modes, making it easier to create precise automation curves.
• 😀 The track header settings now include the option to switch between numeric and slider volume controls, allowing users to choose their preferred method for volume adjustment.
• 😀 Meta clips, when grouped, have some automation behavior issues, such as automation not moving with the clip when grouped, which still needs fixing.
• 😀 The clip launcher now includes a 'Back to Arranger' button, allowing users to easily return to the main timeline if they accidentally engage the clip launcher.
• 😀 Bitwig Studio 6 continues to have a lot of small updates and bug fixes, with more improvements expected, especially for automation and workflow features.

Q & A

What is the current status of Bitwig Studio 6 in terms of its beta cycle?

Bitwig Studio 6 is currently in beta 9, making it the longest-running beta version for the software so far. The speaker anticipates a release in early next year, with a small chance it might be released around Christmas.

What is the 'Flying Automation Lane' feature in Bitwig Studio 6?

The 'Flying Automation Lane' feature allows for more consistent automation control. When enabled, it ensures that the last touched parameter remains visible and editable, making it easier to draw and manage automation without switching between parameters or tracks.

Why did the speaker dislike the automation mode in earlier versions of Bitwig Studio?

The speaker found the automation mode in earlier versions restrictive because it only allowed editing one parameter at a time, and you couldn't move or cut the clips beneath the automation. The 'Flying Automation Lane' now addresses this issue by allowing more flexible editing.

What improvements were made to automation recording in Bitwig Studio 6?

Bitwig Studio 6 now allows users to record automation while playing, creating a more natural feel to the sound. The speaker uses a keyboard shortcut to record automation in 'touch' mode, making it easier to tweak parameters during playback.

What is the new behavior for opening clips in the detail editor?

In previous versions, creating a new clip would automatically open the detail editor. Now, users can disable this behavior in the settings, allowing them to create a clip without it automatically opening the editor. This streamlines the workflow for users who prefer manual control.

What is the issue with meta clips and automation in Bitwig Studio 6?

The issue with meta clips is that when they are moved around, the automation associated with them does not always move as expected. This behavior is inconsistent with how individual clips and their automations are handled, and some users have raised concerns about this.

How does the clip launcher now handle playback and re-triggering?

The clip launcher now allows for re-triggering clips by holding the Alt key, ensuring clips play from the beginning. This fixes previous issues where clips would start playing from an unexpected position. The 'back to arranger' feature also provides more intuitive clip control.

What changes were made to the volume control in Bitwig Studio 6?

Bitwig Studio 6 reintroduces a volume control slider in the track headers, which was a widely requested feature. Users can switch between a slider and a numeric value, depending on their preference.

What bug was identified related to automation lane deletion?

A bug was identified where users could not delete automation lanes as expected. The feature was previously available in Bitwig 5, but in Bitwig 6, it seems that the option to delete automation lanes is either missing or functioning incorrectly.

What are some of the minor bugs and issues mentioned by the speaker?

The speaker mentions several minor bugs, including issues with deleting automation, visual glitches in the GUI, and inconsistent behavior with meta clips and automation. These bugs are expected to be addressed in future updates.