NextStudio User Manual

1. Introduction

Welcome to NextStudio! This manual guides you through the basic functions and operation of this Digital Audio Workstation (DAW).

NextStudio is a music production application that allows you to record, edit, arrange, and apply effects to audio and MIDI tracks.

NextStudio Overview
Main window overview

2. Getting Started

  • Starting: On first launch or when no project is loaded, NextStudio opens an empty default project or the last saved temporary project (if available).
  • Managing Projects:
    • Open: Use the "Projects" area in the Side Browser (see Section 5) and click "Load" to select a .tracktionedit project file, or double-click on a project file in the browser.
    • Save: Click "Save" in the "Projects" area to save the current project under a new name or location as a .tracktionedit file.
    • New: Click "New" in the "Projects" area to clear all temporary data and start with a fresh, empty project.
    Project Browser
    The Project Browser in the Side Browser
  • Settings: On first launch, you should configure your audio and MIDI devices in the "Settings" area of the Side Browser.
  • Auto-save: NextStudio regularly saves your work automatically to a temporary directory. When closing, you'll be asked whether to save unsaved changes.

3. Main Window Layout

The NextStudio main window is divided into several main areas:

  1. Header Bar (Top): Contains transport controls (Play, Stop, Record), time display, and global switches (Loop, Metronome, Follow Playhead).
  2. Side Browser (Left): Provides access to projects, instruments, samples, effects, files, settings, and the render function. The width is adjustable via the splitter to its right.
  3. Song Editor (Center/Right): The main area for editing your tracks and clips. Consists of the Track List on the left and the Arrangement area on the right.
  4. Lower Zone (Bottom): A flexible area that displays either the MIDI Editor or the Effect Rack. The height is adjustable via the splitter above.
NextStudio Overview with Annotations
The main areas of NextStudio

5. The Side Browser

Side Browser Menu
The Side Browser menu

The left area provides access to various resources and settings. Click on the icons in the narrow vertical menu to switch content. Clicking again on the active icon collapses/expands the browser.

  • Projects:
    • Shows project files (.tracktionedit) in the project directory.
    • Buttons: "New" (New project), "Load" (Load project), "Save" (Save project).
    • Sort and search function.
    • Double-click on a file loads the project.
  • Instruments:
    • Lists all detected instrument plugins (VST, AU, etc.) and internal instruments.
    • Plugins can be dragged from here to a track in the Track Header or to the Effect Rack to insert them.
    • Sort and search function.
    Instruments Browser
    The Instruments Browser
  • Samples:
    • Shows audio files (WAV, MP3, AIFF, FLAC) from the sample directory.
    • Sort and search function.
    • Selected samples are displayed in the lower sample preview window and can be played there.
    • Samples can be dragged to the Song Editor onto an audio track.
    Sample Browser with Preview
    The Sample Browser with preview window
  • Effects:
    • Lists all detected effect plugins and internal effects.
    • Works analogously to the Instruments Browser.
  • Home:
    • A general file browser that starts in the set working directory.
    • Allows navigation through folders.
    • Also supports sample preview and drag-and-drop of audio files.
  • Settings:
    • Audio: Configuration of audio hardware (drivers, inputs/outputs, latency).
    • MIDI: Selection of default MIDI input device.
    • Plugins: Plugin list management. Here you can start scans for new plugins, clear the list, or manage individual plugins.
    • Keys: Keyboard shortcut configuration.
    Settings
    The Settings area
  • Render:
    • Opens a dialog for exporting (rendering) your project as an audio file.
    • Options for selecting destination folder, filename, and time range to render (Entire Edit, Loop range, or manually entered range).
    Render Dialog
    The Render Dialog
  • Sample Preview:
    • Visible when the Samples or Home browser is active.
    • Shows the waveform of the selected sample.
    • Buttons: Play, Stop, Loop, Sync Tempo (adjusts sample tempo to project if possible).
    • Volume control.

6. The Song Editor

Song Editor Overview
The Song Editor: Track List (left) and Arrangement Area (right)

This is the central workspace for your project.

Track List

Track Header Detail
Track list with Track Headers
  • Shows the headers of all tracks arranged vertically.
  • Track Header:
    • Color stripe (left): Shows the track color. Clicking the arrow minimizes/maximizes the track (for folder tracks, the contained tracks are hidden/shown).
    • Track name: Can be edited by double-clicking.
    • Type icon: Shows whether it's an audio (wave), MIDI (piano), or folder track (folder). Folder tracks serve to organize other tracks.
    • Arm (A): Arms the track for recording (audio/MIDI only).
    • Mute (M): Mutes the track.
    • Solo (S): Mutes all other tracks.
    • Volume/Pan Knob: Rotary control for volume (click & drag). Right-click opens automation options. (Not for folder tracks)
    • Level Meter: Shows the current audio level of the track. (Not for folder tracks)
  • Context Menu (Right-click on header):
    • Delete track.
    • Enable/disable input monitoring (if an input is assigned).
    • Select/deselect audio/MIDI inputs.
  • Change track height: Click and drag the bottom edge of the Track Header (not for minimized or folder tracks).
  • Move tracks: Click and drag a Track Header up or down to change the order. Tracks can also be dragged into folder tracks.
  • Folder Track: Allows grouping of tracks. Tracks below are displayed indented. Clicking the arrow in the folder track header shows or hides all contained tracks.
    • Folder Track Header
    A Folder Track Header
  • Automation: When automation exists for a parameter, a separate header for this automation lane appears below the main header. The height of the automation lane can also be changed by dragging the bottom edge.
    • Track Header with Automation Lane
    Track Header with visible automation below
  • Minimize/maximize all tracks: Buttons in the toolbar.
  • Add tracks: Buttons in the toolbar above the Track List for audio, MIDI, and folder tracks. Alternatively, right-click on empty area in the Track List.
    • Track List Toolbar
    Toolbar for the Track List

10. Keyboard Shortcuts (Selection)

Transport

  • Play/Pause: Space, NumPad 0
  • Play (without pause): Enter
  • Stop: NumPad .
  • Record: NumPad *
  • Toggle Loop: Cmd/Ctrl + L
  • Loop around selection: Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + L
  • Loop around everything: Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + Alt + L
  • Toggle Metronome: Cmd/Ctrl + M

Global Editing

  • Undo: Cmd/Ctrl + Z
  • Redo: Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + Z

Song Editor

  • Delete Selected Clips/Time Range: Backspace, Delete, Cmd/Ctrl + X
  • Duplicate Selected Clips/Time Range: Cmd/Ctrl + D
  • Select All Clips: Cmd/Ctrl + A
  • Render Selected Time Range to New Track: Cmd/Ctrl + R
  • Transpose Clip Up/Down: Cmd/Ctrl + Up/Down
  • Reverse Clip: Cmd/Ctrl + B

Track List

  • Delete Selected Tracks: Backspace, Delete, Cmd/Ctrl + X
  • Duplicate Selected Tracks: Cmd/Ctrl + D

MIDI Editor

  • Delete Selected Notes: Backspace, Delete, Cmd/Ctrl + X
  • Duplicate Selected Notes: Cmd/Ctrl + D
  • Nudge Notes Up/Down/Left/Right: Arrow keys
  • Nudge Notes Octave Up/Down: Cmd/Ctrl + Up/Down

Virtual MIDI Keyboard (Computer Keyboard)

Virtual MIDI Keyboard Layout
Virtual MIDI keyboard key mapping
  • Upper Octave (C5): Q, 2, W, 3, E, R, 5, T, 6, Z, 7, U
  • Lower Octave (C4): Y, S, X, D, C, V, G, B, H, N, J, M
  • Highest C (C6): I
  • *(Mapping can be customized in Settings)*

11. Conclusion

This was an overview of NextStudio's main functions. Experiment with the features to become familiar with the workflow. Have fun making music!