For those who don’t know the tool: Samplitude is a Windows DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) for recording through mastering, with a video timeline and plugin workflows via VST3. The Suite edition folds in Soundly and Sound Forge for faster SFX pulls and file edits, and was acquired by BorisFX last year.

Finally video that behaves

Samplitude 2026 adds a new video engine aimed at smoother playback and better responsiveness when you keep the picture inside the session. The feature set targets full-resolution 4K footage at up to 60 fps, with GPU acceleration on NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel hardware.

Codec support gets an refresh as well. The new engine supports AVC and HEVC, via the standards behind H.264 and H.265, plus AV1. For anyone who has ever had to keep a dialogue edit locked to picture while a laptop fan negotiates with physics (Random example… *cough*), that’s amazing: get video decoding off the CPU so the machine can spend its budget on audio processing.

Samplitude also keeps its existing video import formats, and 2026 positions the new engine as the part that makes navigation, scrubbing, and playback less painful while maintaining tight sync inside the project.

Audio engine work that targets dense sessions

The 2026 update includes performance and stability work, paired with VST3 and audio engine improvements.

The goal is to keep demanding sessions running smoothly by improving CPU management and multicore performance, especially when projects lean on heavier processing chains and higher-latency plugins. This focuses on fewer workflow interruptions during recording, editing, mixing, and mastering, even when the session scales into complex multitrack mixes.

OSC control turns the DAW into a network device

Samplitude 2026 adds OSC remote support, built around Open Sound Control workflows. The feature is intended to let users trigger editing, mixing, and transport functions over a network from a phone or tablet, and it also calls out control surfaces like Stream Deck.

This is not a “single vendor controller” story – interoperability with OSC-compatible apps and controllers is reeeeeaaaally common in audio land, but in many cases not the “Headline” Feature of a new control surface. That matters in small booths, multi-room recording setups, and any environment where the person pressing record is not the person sitting at the DAW. (Get an overview of OSC on Wikipedia, and check your current hardware – some already support it, like my webcam! )

Suite-only routing and library integration aim at post workflows

Samplitude Suite adds an FX Routing Matrix designed for flexible routing through plugins, with support around stereo, surround, and more advanced effect chains. The matrix is a way to route track channels into plugin inputs and then return plugin outputs where you want them, including sidechain-style configurations and multichannel bus work.

Suite users also get Soundly integration inside the arranger window. Find an effect in Soundly, then send it into the Samplitude timeline so it appears on the project without manual file wrangling. The integration also includes organising personal clips alongside the Soundly database, for faster reuse of common assets like theme music or recurring effects beds. Or the swearing bleep, if you edit podcasts.

Finally, the Suite bundles Sound Forge 2026 as an integrated audio editor, with sample-accurate editing, finalisation, and mastering tools for stereo and surround work. The positioning here is: use the DAW for timeline decisions, then jump into a dedicated file editor for detailed waveform surgery and repeatable processing tasks.

Expanded ARA2 support adds two named tools

Samplitude 2026 expands ARA2 support with ReSing and MTrackAlign. The workflow described keeps analysis and processing inside the DAW without exports or manual file shuffling, and it frames the integration as faster clip-based correction and alignment work directly in-session.

Small fixes that add up in daily editorial

Beyond the big-ticket items, Samplitude 2026 lists a set of additional improvements that speak to everyday production friction. It includes overload and noise protection that automatically mutes audio at critical levels. Export gets an option to quickly export audio without effects via a checkbox. The plugin buffer dialogue is updated with clearer descriptions for choosing buffer settings. Navigation adds an “Open in Windows Explorer” option to the right-click menu. Marker list export gets usability and compatibility improvements. Arranger controls bring back a classic double-click behaviour for full track fit. Resampling options get a streamlined workflow. Nested VCA support allows controlling multiple VCAs at once with a single fader.

Pricing and availability in plain numbers

Samplitude is sold with subscription and perpetual options. The listed monthly subscription is $25, the annual subscription is $145, and a perpetual license is $395. Upgrade and support plans start at $185.

Samplitude Suite lists an annual subscription at $175, a perpetual license at $495, and upgrade and support plans starting at $275. The Suite does not list a monthly subscription option.

What to test first before you roll it into real work

If you are considering a move to Samplitude 2026 mid-season, the obvious test plan writes itself. Validate picture playback with your facility’s usual codecs and frame rates, prohibit acquisition from randomly integrating new cameras, and check the GPU path on the specific machine builds you actually ship work on. Then stress the audio engine with your worst sessions, including the plugin chains and routing patterns you know can break lesser setups. If you plan to use OSC control, test your network conditions and controller mapping early, before a client session turns into a Wi-Fi troubleshooting workshop.

https://borisfx.com/products/samplitude/

The post Samplitude 2026: the DAW that learned new video tricks? first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.

If you don’t know the tool: Sequoia is a Windows only high end DAW from Boris FX for mastering, broadcast and audio post. It focuses on object-based editing, precise routing and reliability rather than trend chasing.

Boris FX has released Sequoia 2026, marking the first major version since the DAW joined the company’s product portfolio. The update focuses on video playback, external control and performance reliability rather than new creative paradigms.

The release targets audio post production, mastering and broadcast environments where Sequoia is typically used alongside picture and external hardware systems. Boris FX describes the update as a consolidation release that combines visible workflow enhancements with under-the-hood engine improvements.

GPU-accelerated video, properly integrated

The most significant change in Sequoia 2026 is a new, fully GPU-accelerated video engine. Boris FX states that the engine supports NVIDIA, AMD and Intel GPUs and is designed to improve playback stability and responsiveness when working to picture.

The engine introduces native decoding for AVC, HEVC and AV1, and adds native Apple ProRes support without requiring external transcodes. Boris FX also states that the video engine provides full resolution monitoring without preview downscaling and supports frame rates up to 60 fps. These performance claims are vendor statements and not independently verified at press time.

The company positions the new video engine as a practical requirement for modern audio post-production, rather than a feature expansion, citing smoother playback and reduced friction when working with contemporary picture formats.

Audio engine refinements for dense sessions

Sequoia 2026 includes updates to its VST3 based audio engine. Boris FX states that multicore CPU distribution has been improved, with smarter allocation across cores and reduced processing load from high latency plugins and AUX sends.

The company also highlights strengthened engine testing and error handling, intended to improve playback reliability during complex mastering and mixing sessions. Additional changes include an updated plugin buffer dialog and overload and noise protection refinements.

A new one click export option allows users to bypass active effects chains during rendering, enabling clean reference exports without altering project setups. These changes are presented as safeguards for critical production and mastering work rather than new functionality.

OSC support and external control

Sequoia 2026 adds native support for OSC, Open Sound Control, enabling remote triggering of recording, editing, mixing and transport functions over a network. Boris FX explicitly references use with broadcast consoles, large format desks, StreamDeck devices and OSC capable applications. The feature is aimed at multi room studios and facilities where DAW control is distributed across operators or locations.

The available documentation does not specify command coverage, mapping depth or latency characteristics. But there is an OSC monitor to check outgoing and incoming strings, and you can use the search field to display the menu ID. The program help contains some examples and suggestions. Facilities planning to rely on OSC control should verify behaviour against their specific hardware and network setups.

Soundly integration inside Sequoia

The release integrates the Soundly cloud-based sound effects library directly into Sequoia. Users can browse, search and preview sounds from within the application and transfer assets directly into projects. According to Boris FX, the library includes thousands of sound effects, Foley recordings, atmospheres and field recordings at multiple sample rates. Organisational features include tagging, favourites and custom libraries.

Routing and fades, incrementally improved

Sequoia 2026 introduces an enhanced FX IO Matrix. The updated matrix allows more detailed multichannel routing through plugins, including channel remapping, side chain setups and a Thru mode for distributing mono or stereo effects across surround and immersive buses.

The Crossfade Editor has also been revised. Boris FX describes improved visual context, quicker access to fade shapes via object handles, real time preview of fade curves and looped auditioning without interrupting playback. These changes are aimed at dialogue, classical music and broadcast editing workflows where precision matters. The underlying object based editing model remains unchanged.

Official onboarding and training material

Alongside the release, Boris FX has published an official introductory walkthrough video. The material focuses on interface navigation and foundational workflows rather than documenting new 2026 features. The walkthrough covers the Arranger, object-based editing, the Object Editor, track-based workflows using the Track Editor and Mixer, VST instrument handling, ASIO driver configuration, project creation, recording and export. It is positioned as an entry point for new users and a refresher for existing ones.

Pricing and availability

Sequoia 2026 is available immediately. It remains a standalone DAW offered via subscription, perpetual licence and upgrade and support plans. Pricing starts at 595 US dollars per year or 95 US dollars per month, according to Boris FX. Customers with an active Sequoia or Boris FX Suite subscription, or a current Sequoia upgrade and support plan, receive the 2026 release as part of their existing entitlement. As always, new releases should be tested carefully before use in real production and mastering environments without assumptions.

The post Sequoia 2026 gives audio post a video engine first appeared on DIGITAL PRODUCTION and was written by Bela Beier.