Amped Studio 2.0: A revolution in online music making

Online music production is about to be revolutionised with the release of Amped Studio 2.0. Amped Studio is a sophisticated online DAW that lets you produce complete tunes with audio and MIDI tracks as you would with any DAW. However, because it's a browser-based DAW, it is not limited to music production on one computer – instead you can make music anywhere in the world for free, as long as you have an Internet connection.

Amped Studio already stands out from most DAWs in that you can record and play both audio and MIDI content at the same time on the same track, and also add as many virtual instruments and effects as you want. However, the latest 2.0 enhancements look set to make Amped Studio the most intuitive and inspirational online DAW out there, while also including incredible features that mirror the best in traditional DAW production.

Amped Studio 2.0 now includes external virtual instruments – just like VSTs – which are produced using the all-new WAM (Web Audio Module) technology. The two free WAM instruments are OBXD and DEXED, each based on famous classic analogue and FM synths. Augur is the first commercially available WAM instrument but, as WAM is open source, more developers are expected to release WAM instruments over the next few months. You can find more on Amped Studio's sister site WAM.fm.

Amped Studio 2.0 also features brand new pitch- and beat-detection technology called Hum and Beatz, so users can hum or beatbox into the DAW, which then automatically creates MIDI notes and beats. Simply assign a virtual instrument, sing and compose with your voice.

As well as the all-new WAM instruments and Hum and Beatz detection, other additions to Amped Studio include volume and panning automation plus a special Content Editor that allows more sophisticated audio editing.

Amped Studio 2.0 is available on a free subscription that includes the all-new WAM instruments and vocal-to-MIDI features. A premier subscription of $4.99 a month gets you more instruments, sounds and audio options. Amped Studio 2.0 has been developed within the new Web Assembly browser technology and currently runs under Chrome, Vivaldi and Opera, and will eventually work in other browsers as they move to Web Assembly.

“The 2.0 update to Amped Studio really drives online music making up to another level," Amped Studio CEO Bil Bryant said. "As well as adding sophisticated yet fun tools that help you turn ideas into music immediately, we have looked at the best features in traditional DAWs and brought those online. Our WAM open source technology could see many traditional VST instrument developers start converting their titles for online music production, so that all DAW users can enjoy their favourite instruments, wherever they are in the world.”

Amped Studio 2.0 is available for free or at $4.99 a month for extra content and instruments. You can try the WAM synthesizers directly here. For more information on Amped Studio 2.0, visit the Amped Studio website.

Below is a video tutorial on pitch & detection: