PreSonus Capture 2.0 Live Recording Software Adds Major Features, New Look

PreSonus announced Capture 2.0, a major upgrade to its ultra-easy-to-use audio-recording software for Mac and Windows. Designed specifically for live recording, Capture is bundled with all PreSonus StudioLive-series digital recording and performance mixers and is preconfigured for instant use. Version 2 further streamlines workflow -- one of Capture's strengths -- and according to the company, adds significant new safety features to an already remarkably stable recording platform.

When Capture 2.0 is launched, a new start page allows the user to instantly create new sessions and access previous sessions. Capture's overall design has been updated with a darker color scheme for improved visibility and legibility in difficult lighting conditions. A new big meter mode turns the user's computer monitor into a gigantic meter bridge that is clearly visible from a considerable distance.

Capture 2.0 includes several workflow enhancements. A user can click the record now button on Capture's start page to create a new session and immediately starts recording. A new prerecord feature captures audio on all tracks, starting up to a minute before the user presses record. Even saving a session can be automated, with user-definable auto-save intervals. Capture also stores the active session automatically whenever the transport is stopped and the session is changed.

Sessions now can store metadata, and folder structures are organized by artist, performance, location, and song (marker). When a user creates a new session, Capture uses the metadata to automatically name the session and, optionally, create the appropriate subfolders.

A new soundcheck mode makes it simple for the user to virtually soundcheck using previously recorded material. The user creates a new session and presses the soundcheck button, and Capture will try to find previous sessions. The user simply drags-and-drops the tracks to reorder them in the arrangement and match any channel layout on the StudioLive.

The company says Capture has always been a stable recording platform; with version 2.0, Capture 2.0 is virtually failsafe. If a complete power loss occurs, as soon as Capture is relaunched, it will automatically recover the session and all files. In addition, when the user begins recording, the session lock feature is automatically engaged, preventing keyboard access to Capture. The lock can only be disengaged with a direct click of the mouse. Disk performance and remaining record time can be monitored in real time.

The 2.0 update offers a variety of other useful features. Of particular importance, it adds support for 96 kHz recording with PreSonus' new StudioLive 32.4.2AI Active Integration digital mixers. A new stereo playback mode allows users to use Capture with any built-in computer soundcard so the user can edit and export with a laptop and headphones.

Capture 2.0 is free to all StudioLive users and is compatible with Mac OS X 10.6.8 and higher and with Windows 7 and 8 (32/64-bit). It is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2013.