The anticipation for the follow up to the great Bitwig Studio DAW is finally coming to a close as Bitwig 2 gets a release date for next month.

Released back in 2014, Bitwig Studio 1 was the first music production software to combine linear and non-linear sequencing on Windows, macOS and Linux. Combining cutting edge technologies like plug-in crash protection and a highly flexible user interface, alongside a lightning fast workflow experience for keyboard, mouse and touch screens, Bitwig Studio has attracted a large and steadily growing user base all over the world.

Now after years of work Bitwig 2 will finally launch on February 28th with an early beta release for certain license holders, which you can apply for here.

There is a massive amount of new features and tools with version 2 of Bitwig, here are some of the highlights:

A UNIVERSE OF MODULATORS

The current version of Bitwig Studio already offers one of the industry’s most flexible and powerful modulation systems, and with Bitwig Studio 2 we’re taking things even further. We’ve reworked the entire modulation system and it now offers nearly endless possibilities; this is a big step towards a fully modular device architecture.

Each device in Bitwig Studio 2 (internal devices and external plug-ins) have modulation slots where you can load individual modulators. Bitwig Studio 2 comes with 24 brand new modulators; from standard modulators like envelopes and LFOs – to more unique modulator types like Random, Select-4 and Math.

An unlimited number of modulators can be added to a device by simply clicking an empty Modulator slot and choosing a specific Modulator from the pop-up browser. Assign the modulator to any number of parameters, with ease and flexibility. Modulators can also be interconnected for truly dynamic and expressive sound design possibilities.

When using internal Bitwig instruments, many modulators can be set to polyphonic mode – enabling per-voice modulation – something previously only seen in closed systems.

Click here to learn more about the new Modulators…

NEW DEVICES

Apart from totally re-conceptualizing the modulation system and introducing an entire new class of Modulator devices, we’re also expanding the standard device collection. New devices include a Phaser, Pitch Shifter, Treemonster, Multi-Note, Note Harmonizer and more.

SPECTRUM ANALYZER

This is an essential tool for many producers. Simply put, it gives you a visual representation of the audio material you feed it. The new Spectrum Analyzer allows for a freely selectable secondary input, so you can directly compare the frequency graph of two separate audio sources.

BETTER HARDWARE INTEGRATION

We’ve done a lot of work under the hood to revamp MIDI handling in Bitwig Studio; improving sync and note timing. We are also introducing a set of devices that will allow you to seamlessly integrate hardware machines into your workflow via MIDI and CV/Gate.

DEVICE UPDATES

We’ve made lots of enhancements to our existing devices, improving both sound quality and usability. Several devices now include a spectrum analyzer and dynamic display panels. In many devices, we’ve re-organized, re-designed and added new features. With Bitwig Studio 2 we’ve also improved visualization of parameters, movement and signal flow. We invite you to explore the device collection for yourself. Read about some of the highlights below.

This overview just barely scratches on all the awesome new features coming with Bitwig 2. View them in all their glory here: www.bitwig.com/en/bitwig-studio/bitwig-studio-2.html.

Bitwig 2 will be available as a free upgrade for those who buy Bitwig 1 now and will be priced as $169 for a normal upgrade from 1 to 2 and for $399 brand new.