Bitwig Studio 6.1 — an update to the well-known DAW

Bitwig has introduced an updated version of its digital audio workstation. A public beta is available to users with an active update plan.

Photo: official website bitwig

Version 6.1 improves Sampler with expanded Slicing in all playback modes. Samples can be divided quickly for triggering from a MIDI controller, using equal slices, the bar grid or pitch-change points detected automatically. Each slice has independent looping and modulation settings. Clips can be sliced directly into Sampler from the Arranger or Launcher.

Photo: official website bitwig

Repitch mode speeds up or slows down samples according to the notes played, offering Bitwig's own take on an auto-tune effect. Spectral mode provides clean time-stretching while preserving sound quality. Preserve Onsets stretches around transients to keep attacks sharp, and automatic tempo detection synchronises samples to the project. Spectral also controls formants and reshapes harmonics with Bend, which supports quantisation to octaves or the project's selected key.

Photo: official website bitwig

The new Fragments engine provides advanced granular synthesis with up to 256 independent grains per voice. Controls adjust grain size, direction and random Motion. Repeats, with up to 16 repetitions, creates dense soundscapes through Massive Density. Updated Repitch adds Analog for saturation and tape colour, and Digital for vintage 1990s sampler character or extreme distortion, with independent per-voice processing. Other additions include three Cycles algorithms for PWM, harmonic balance and phase modulation, Freeze to turn Sampler into an oscillator, and Duophonic crossfading between two Cycles engines for a smoother sound.

Photo: official website bitwig

The Bitwig Studio 6.1 beta is free for users with a valid licence and an active Upgrade Plan.