Following their acquisition by guitar giants Fender, PreSonus has experienced significant momentum and innovation. The company has introduced a refreshed and more versatile version of their digital audio workstation, Studio One, as well as the cross-platform Notion Mobile, which drew attention last year. We spoke with PreSonus to learn more about their strategic direction and future ambitions.
Studio One users have long requested enhanced video support, and the positive reception of the new video features in Studio One 6 reflects this demand. While PreSonus remains focused on music production, nearly half of their user base identifies their primary activity as “content creation” involving mixed media. The boundaries between pure music production and multimedia content creation are increasingly blurred. Studio One distinguishes itself from other DAWs by adapting to specific workflow needs, such as convenient drag-and-drop import of both audio and video files. PreSonus has plans to introduce additional video-related features in upcoming updates, and they are eager to see the innovative ways users will leverage these capabilities.
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) acquired PreSonus for its unique strengths, not to transform it into something else. PreSonus enhances Fender’s brand portfolio by adding recording, production, live sound, and performance products and services. This focus predates the acquisition and remains unchanged. Since 2012, PreSonus has experienced steady growth, and joining forces with Fender has accelerated this progress. With increased resources for the software team, PreSonus users now benefit from even more exciting products and updates.
PreSonus Sphere exemplifies the synergy of application software, sound and learning content, and services for a rapidly expanding user community. Although PreSonus continues to offer a perpetual Studio One licence, PreSonus Sphere has surpassed the perpetual licence product in monthly new users in less than a year. This success demonstrates the value of the membership package, which complements Studio One’s user-oriented and workflow-driven platform. Content, features, and services are added monthly, ensuring members have clear expectations with their subscription. Studio One continues to receive regular updates with new features and workflow improvements.
This year, several exciting updates are planned, all of which will be free for PreSonus Sphere members and Studio One 6 and Studio One 7 PRO users. In addition, new hardware products are anticipated, making 2023 an outstanding year for the PreSonus creative community.
“After more than 25 years, PreSonus feels it has found the right partner to support continued growth,” says Jim Odom, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of PreSonus. The company looks forward to demonstrating to both current and future music communities the benefits of this partnership. Jim Boitnott, CEO of PreSonus, adds that the shared vision and aligned goals between PreSonus and Fender have made the collaboration compelling from the outset.
Fender, with more than 75 years of dedication to supporting artists through technological advances, recognizes the evolving nature of music creation and recording. While many musicians still use traditional amplifiers, an increasing number are embracing interfaces and virtual effects to shape their sound. Musicians at all levels are spending more time online, utilizing various technologies to learn, practice, perform, record, and share their work. This shift has expanded the creative workflow to include not only music creation but also the capture and distribution of content globally.
Fender envisions a seamless ecosystem that integrates hardware and software to deliver a streamlined, end-to-end experience for creators of all skill levels. The partnership with PreSonus is a key step toward realizing this vision.
At this stage, the future of PreSonus within the Fender family remains uncertain. It appears that PreSonus will continue as a distinct brand under the Fender umbrella, with Fender likely leveraging the acquisition to offer users comprehensive music recording and production solutions. The pandemic has fuelled demand for both electric and acoustic guitars, suggesting that many players will seek software and hardware to record and produce their music. There is hope among fans that this acquisition will not mark the end of PreSonus’s unique identity. The company’s work and product catalogue are highly valued, and anticipation is high to see how this new chapter unfolds within the broader music industry.
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