Getting the most from Cubase - Part 1
Ian Waugh, our resident Cubase expert has a wealth of power user tips to let you get the most from the world's most popular sequencer
Cubase is the most widely-used sequencing program in the world with well over one million registered users. All versions are so feature-packed that almost every user can use the program to improve their skills - and their music.
With that in mind we've put together a huge collection of hints, tips and tricks for Cubasis, Cubase VST and Cubase SX to supercharge your expertise and creativity, and to help you realise your full music potential. But first, let's take a brief look at how Cubase got to be where it is today.
The first version of Cubase appeared in 1989 for the Atari ST computer although the programmer, Charlie Steinberg who gave his name to the company, had been creating sequencers for the Commodore 64 and Atari since the early 80s. Cubase was soon ported to the Apple Mac and then to the PC and the company has continued its policy of development on both platforms. As computers increased in power it became possible to implement audio effects and synthesisers in software, and in 1997 Cubase VST offered users a Virtual Studio Environment totally within their computer.
Nuendo, the company's high-end audio production software, was released in 2000. Cubase was over ten years old and had undergone many updates. There was a risk that further updates would make the program clunky with bits hanging off it like Frankenstein's monster so a new approach was called for. But how to present a new design that existing users would be comfortable with. The solution was Cubase SX, released in 2002, which combined the best of Nuendo with established VST features.
The changing faces of Cubasis
Steinberg has long been aware of newcomers to the music business and released a cut-down and less expensive version of Cubase called Cubasis. It was originally quite basic but it developed along with Cubase and it is now based on the latest version of Cubase VST with many of its features. In fact, it's far more powerful than those early versions of Cubase not so many years ago!
However, in comparison to the biggies, it does have a few limitations such as only 48 audio and 64 MIDI tracks. We say 'only' but that's more than enough for many musicians. It only supports 24-bit-96kHz audio - again that word 'only - and not 32-bit, and it lacks some editors and some of the more powerful edit features. On the other hand, it does have video support and comes with CD burning application so you get a lot of functionality for a small outlay.
Everything and the System Link
While having a complete studio within your computer is an attractive prospect, there is a downside - you will never have enough computing power to run all the effects and soft synths that you want. Software can always use far more power than current hardware can provide.
Steinberg developed a neat solution - System Link. Essentially, it lets you link several computers using the digital connections of their sound cards, and run effects, say, on one and the main sequencer on another. So rather than ditch your old computer when you buy a new one you can use it as an effects rack.
System Link is built into Cubase SX and it will feature in the next, and final, VST update. Cubase VST has now officially been retired although you may still find copies on some dealer's shelves, perhaps at a discount. Existing VST users, can upgrade to SX and keep their existing copy of VST, ready to System Link to SX.
Let's look at the different versions of Cubase and what they offer:
Cubasis |
Cubase VST/32 |
Cubase SX |
+ 64 MIDI tracks + 48 Audio tracks + Audio & MIDI mixers + Virtual effects and instruments + InWire/Rocket Power + Bundled CD burning program - No advanced edit functions - No System Link
|
+ 32-bit/96kHz audio + Professional score editing + Drum editor + Window Sets + MP3 support + ReWire support - No surround sound - No further development
|
+ Adaptive and configurable Track mixer + MIDI plug-ins + Unlimited Undo and Redo + System Link + Surround sound support + Video track - VST users require adjustment period - Mac version requires OS X |
