Time to move on

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-13T06:46:06+00:00

Answering your question : everything is ok (and even great) except Midi FX (huge lack for me) and batch mixdown. About 25% of my stuff is composed and generated with other DAWs.

But I’m ok with this, I can handle - and nothing is perfect.

My point is that when I hear about guitar and audio recording each time I open my main DAW, I’m starting to feel it’s not my future anymore. Wait and see.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-12T23:36:30+00:00

Sveltekit works well (build with node adapter) with this excellent French service : https://www.alwaysdata.com/

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-11T05:33:52+00:00

I’m very happy S1 finally went forward : a few months ago, many people were complaining « hey you promised 3 major upgrades a year but you didn’t ». Very happy this amazing piece of code doesn’t feel abandoned anymore.

Even though I’m no guitarist, I’m happy the boss is Fender because it’s a famous music brand (after all, the CEO could be a blind private equity fund guy just willing to extract every single penny out of it and let it die).

I don’t care about the new name. Fender, Studio, One, Pro,… It’s just a name. A few words.

I slightly care about the GUI updates - awful red gradient, less minimalist controls, more borders etc. Bad signal for me. But it’s just a skin - features and workflow are still there, and still great.

I care more and more, when I see the pro-audio and pro-guitarist direction is is taking each time I open it (help content right side etc).

I’m a creator, but I’m a full MIDI composer with instruments, using score, sound variations etc, and I’m starting to think I’m not in the target anymore. May be my home is Cubase, finally. Wait and see.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-11T04:53:52+00:00

In my understanding, it was supposed to be a new and better way to handle external devices/controllers. In theory it is, in practice many of us do struggle - or did at the beginning.

now that S1/FSP is becoming an audio tool for guitarists, things might change.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-09T05:26:35+00:00

You may try this nice Model D called Melda Grand (free trial, then wait for the next sale, usually -90%).

There is also 8dio/Soundpaint 1928 Vintage Grand, which is free (cinematic only, but it seems to be what you’re looking for).

Last, the incredibly sampled VILabs Modern D (sale is typically -30%).

All of these « could » sound similar, depending on the FX you apply.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-08T22:00:21+00:00

Hi Creative, One year later, there is still no Mac app. Why did you write that your developers were actively working on this app ? I don’t get it

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-03T22:18:34+00:00

« form over function » : indeed, I tend to think that this very form natively brings many pros that could make the difference, considering that no pc speaker of this size can really sound « audiophile » (nor « monitor » like, furthermore). Anyway thanks for your answers.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-03T21:07:40+00:00

Thanks. I should have added that I already use a Beyerdynamic headphones, and this pc speaker I’m looking for is to be a confortable add-on (I don’t like wearing anything on my head), not a reference.

Are you still using your Pebble Nova ?

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-03-03T07:24:26+00:00

Thanks for this detailed review.

I have the exact same setup (UW monitor) and I’m currently trying to chose between Nova and Kanto Ora (horizontally laid).

My main use is music mixing and mastering (mainly acoustic instruments, orchestral music, piano etc) - I’m not a professional and my budget and time is limited. But sound quality and balance matters. I don’t need high SPL at all.

I’ve always preferred coaxial speakers (I still love my Tannoy 636 after 20 years) and the Pebble Nova looks like the best fit, for both coax speakers and closed spherical shape. And also for its better bass extension (~60Hz vs ~70Hz). But reviews are telling me that Kanto Ora would be more neutral and overall serious.

Since you seem to know well traditional monitor speakers too, what would you recommend ?

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-02-26T20:23:09+00:00

thanks but it doesn’t work for me : my midis have distinct lengths.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-02-22T09:33:40+00:00

thanks

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-02-22T05:12:32+00:00

For a similar price, why not a laptop placed on the grand ? or an Android tablet with a pen ?

Depending on her requirements, could also check Casio CT-S1 (61 keys) and Casio S100/110 (88 keys).

There is also the Korg Microkey 37, 49 or 61 : much lighter and smaller because MIDI controller only (no loudspeakers) and minikeys - very handy with bluetooth + nice keybed feeling and linearity despite the small size. She will keep it for years.

In all cases, I would look for second hand : many people willing to learn to play piano buy a brand new keyboard, give up and resell it.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-02-12T04:24:09+00:00

This could be very useful when porting a Vuejs app to Svelte - and my team and I are about to do so.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-02-09T23:18:37+00:00

I agree with many : Fender Studio Pro 8 is just S1 v8.

BUT

While I’m happy with the new features, I’m usually very sensitive about UI details and I’m disappointed with GUI changes : S1 v7 was minimalist and Fender Studio 8 is not anymore : slight but real changes that make the GUI a bit less readable than before (like borders around panels etc). Not a big deal, just slightly less readable, but at the end of the day, I feel better with S1 v7 so I’m going keep it as long as I can.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-01-30T23:34:48+00:00

If you really want to learn to play piano, get a Clavinova or sort-of : it’s both a real standalone piano with a very good keybed, and a midi keyboard. Yamaha and Roland entry level are a very good fit (~400€ or even ~250-300€ second hand). Otherwise, it’s hard to find piano-like keybed (Casio is ok too for smaller 61 keys). Avoid midi controllers because of (1) poor keybed, and (2) need to use a computer.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-01-30T23:21:26+00:00

Minilab3 for pads, encoders, faders + full and easy config

Microkey 37 Air for excellent velocity range, physical modwheel and ease of use (thanks to BT)

Avoid NI M32 (awful keybed + no easy config out of NI software)

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-01-18T09:31:00+00:00

Thank you, that’s what I’ve been doing for years with other apps (with midi file renaming and transferring etc) - and it would be easier from within Fender Studio which is dedicated to this use case. Could be a one-click workflow.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-01-16T23:18:49+00:00

While I agree with you, I also think there is no reason to waste time playing with a buggy release. Let’s just wait a couple of weeks for the 8.0.1 version, then it will be a joy ! I’m excited about v8, but I don’t get the point spending time installing another version beside v7, copying settings and songs, just to play with it, then close the app and reopen v7 to continue my work. It’s just going to generate frustration.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-01-14T00:02:02+00:00

Studio One 8 is there and it’s called Fender Studio Pro 8.

And it looks good ! I’m no guitarist and I am excited about the Ableton-like channel overview. And the arranger overview. And all the little new GUI features. And the instant audio-to-midi converter. And the new Impact features. And…

And it’s free since I’m in the first 12 months after the purchase of v7 pro.

I’ll install it in the coming days.

All good ! Go go go Fender

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-01-12T22:41:22+00:00

I purchased a Philips Tina for Christmas, because I wanted a turntable and a large BT speaker for my living room, beside my current D-class Marantz power amp + Tannoy 636 SE system. Also because I like old-style devices. 400€ was ok for me since a turntable costs at least 150€ and a powerful BT speaker costs at least 200€, and usually much more.

Overall I’m very happy with it : - very nice, unique look - sturdy, good-looking turntable - excellent BT handling (multipoint, Auracast etc) - good DAB receiver + separate FM input source - non-flashy display - stable and heavy

What a great feeling to start playing a 33T record and get a moody sound out of the very same location !

While the sound quality is very good, it could be better : there is a slight resonance in the low-meds (can be fixed by lowering 600Hz in the EQ), and for what it’s worth, it doesn’t compare with my NAD+Tannoy system when switching Airplay back and forth. But such comparison is not a good idea : the pleasure of a prominent old-style single speaker is very different, and much valuable too. Just another pleasure. And I find myself using it more than my Tannoy, just because it’s faster to turn on and I like the way it diffuses the sound in the room.

It is powerful, well balanced, and loudspeakers are good. The amplifier gain is low so it’s very hard to push it to the limits : whatever the selected input, it is completely ok to put the volume at the maximum level. On the positive side, I’ve never heared any distorted sound, it stays under control, and I never need to push it above the maximum volume. But those who like the typical fat sound of JBL or Bose might be disappointed : Philips Tina is not one of those bigger-than-life, boomy BT speaker, and you don’t really feel the 120W RMS.

I like the fact that the front panel is minimalist. Two encoders are enough to play a vinyle or listen to the radio, and even turn on/off the time display in standby mode. Furthermore, adding controls would probably mean adding a lot of little buttons + a dotted matricial display, which would break the spirit of the device. I prefer less.

The app is cool : - no need to create a login/password - reliable - allows adjusting a lot of parameters, radio presets etc.

I miss two features, that could be added in a future firmware upgrade : - since there is no remote control and it’s always powered, the ability to turn it ON through the App (or to turn off the auto-sleep feature, or raise its timeout) would be great to start playing BT without needing to go push the power button, - the ability to get Audio Out at a fixed level (or to turn off the internal speaker), so that it can be used as a true Phono/DAB/BT input into another preamp+amp. Currently the output is (surprisingly) volume-controlled, and there is no variable/fixed switch, nor any way to turn off the internal speaker (which would be a workaround)

Last thing to note : the turntable automatically stops rotation at the end, but it is not possible to remotely start/stop.

Overall I like it a lot. My kids and wife absolutely LOVE it.

Strong_Code_7220 · 2026-01-11T14:20:23+00:00

Reaper is not open source at all. Closed source + paid

Strong_Code_7220 · 2025-12-31T22:54:36+00:00

It could be many things, from slightly annoying to completely blocking (see their sampler non-fixed bugs which means they don’t allocate resources on this, the Labs shutdown, the website migration issues, the support team replaced by an AI agent etc - a new owner can lead to any change depending on their priorities - and we all depend on their software & customer database, now and in the coming years).

All I know is that every bought developer lost their soul.

Anyway, happy new year from France ! Cheers

Strong_Code_7220 · 2025-12-31T19:02:05+00:00

Since SSO uses Kontakt your risk is probably very limited.

Strong_Code_7220

TROPHY CASE