Introduction
One of the oldest sequencer, along with Logic (vintage may recall the golden age of the Pro 24 and Notator), Cubase has imposed over the years, numerous ergonomic, conceptual and technological standards for the competition. The release of a new version of Steinberg's flagship software is still an event in itself, although one must admit that today, the pretender to the throne of the king of sequencers are very numerous. They are the result of innovation and excellencemention is not the most unique of Cubase and without even another heavyweight sequencers (Logic, Sonar, Pro Tools, Samplitude, Digital Performer and Ableton Live) has to be seen in the last ten years many new challengers, with different prices and popularity, but packed with great features: Fruity Loops, Melodyne, Tracktion, Energy XT, Reaper ...
In a competitive market like this, it is obviously more difficult to emerge. Cubase 4 has its critics, but has started the VST3Standard applied, its effects and virtual instruments to date, has opened a new media management system, and could finally move the effects from one track to another by drag & drop. But it seemed they were trying to reach the competition is really innovative ... Even the original innovations, such as the management of external hardware (especially Yamaha, as the Japanese manufacturer had recently bought Steinberg) and the development of targeted control roomFeatures were interesting, but is not effective for all users and therefore does not necessarily justify the higher price of the software: about $ 879! Fortunately, as the impressive logic 8 is forced out for about $ 500 Stone Mountain, to reconsider their tariffs and marketing strategy: You can now Cubase 5 for about $ 500! With relatively interesting updates: 4.1 and 4.5, and 5 (page chain management for their effects better routing management, special HALionOne sound banks, etc..) Version,Steinberg is doing his best to seduce us. We try to go into details ...
When I'm 64
The box is heavy and this is a good sign. In addition to the USB dongle and serial number to register you, actually contains two books: a short guide and complete a manual rather large, but does not cover any more virtual instruments included with the software, but the recorded files are in PDF format . There are 4 DVD: The DVD to install the program, a DVD with sound andSamples and two DVDs with a 90-day demo version of HALion Symphonic Orchestra. Note that, in addition to instructions, the installation DVD, a large number of video tutorials that are very well done and contains the address of all the important aspects of the sequencer. If you consider that there was a time that Steinberg was only for user manuals in PDF format, we can only thank the German company to change its ways.
The installation went smoothly, and double-clicking onred symbol, I was in familiar territory: the Project window. The first novelty of this version do not jump on you because it is invisible: Cubase now supports 64-bit technology. It was not already the case? Yes and no, because even though Cubase 4 was 64-bit operating systems, the code was not really re-written for them. It is essentially a 32-bit, but in a position on a 64-bit system, while Cubase is 5 now available in 64 full-Bits.
What is the problem about 64-bit? It 'very simple: it increases the addressable memory. To handle the 32-bit operating systems, at best, 3.2 GB of RAM, while a 64-bit can theoretically reach up to 128 GB (I say theoretically, because there is currently no machine, for the general public has much RAM). A very important detail in a moment when the virtual banks with tens of Giga ROMpler come to represent a single instrument (BFD, Superior Drummer 2, Vienna,EastWest Symphonic Orchestra, Piano d'Ivoire, etc.) and simplify the lives of those who make the audio / video and have to manage video on their big sequencer.
Low Tech Propellerhead!
But not everything is rosy in the land of 64 bits. Although Steinberg is support for Mac OS X, Vista 64, and the upcoming Windows 7, Windows XP has no support for 64 is officially scheduled (which does not necessarily mean it will not work) committed. Do not forget to check the plug-ins: Some developersAlready with 64-bit compatibility Steinberg proposes to use technology through the VST Bridge, a path 32-bit plug-in 64-bit version of the sequencer, but it's still very likely that one or two effects of old, you had to be ages in your home directory VstPlugIns accident or refuse to start. With the VST Bridge also consume resources in proportion to the use of a true 64-bit plug-ins ... Apart from these minor glitches, the main disadvantage of 64-bit compatibilityPropellerheads with technology: if you Cubase in 5 to 64-bits in a 64-bit will not be able to use the REX file format, or ReWire-platform: so farewell with Cubase, Reason, Ableton Live and Melodyne, etc. ... Obviously, the Swedish developer is unable to leave the situation as it is, but currently no announcement has been made to this topic ... What are we doing here? Install the 32-bit version of Cubase 5 works fine on a 64-bit up to Propellerheadmakes a move. This is annoying, of course, but can not be held responsible for Steinberg. Let's take a look at the features that will change the way in Cubase.
Cognito, Ergo Sum
There is no revolution in terms of interface, it seems that German developers have with this version so that the work flow easier interface and more to decide. Take for example the new automation panel which brings together in a single window of the main controls automation. One click is enough now, to all the poorthe title to read or write, and how you can choose to show or hide the automation data and engage / disengage the playback or recording type features: Volume, Pan, EQ, sends, inserts. The time savings is significant!
With regard to controls, a large number of small improvements made, such as the presence of a virtual keyboard (useful when you can play on a laptop on the road, and you do not have a keyboard), music from a QWERTY keyboard, or a free application for iPod / iPhonelet the remote control of the bar traffic via WiFi ... Well, you might say, but not enough to warrant an upgrade. Only that Steinberg has also taken the opportunity to express the desire by many people to meet, first by integrating export multiple audio files.
Total exports, Alleluia!
Age is required, the total export feature now makes it possible to export your tracks at once. Up to now, in Cubase, if you wanted to, for example on a CD16 tracks of audio to a friend or a studio to work in a different sequencer without the OMF to write, had to be done track by track, with solo and mute buttons: a waste of time! Now, in the mix down the window, just check the box for the output, audio tracks or instruments and effects. The only thing missing in this window is the ability to enable / disable the effects inserted into tracks, so you can easily provide a dry track, although it is still done in a blender orProject display. It would have been nice if Cubase handles lossless audio formats (audio monkey, etc.). In any case, even if it leads to more competition Steinberg innovative in this sense, this simple function alone is worth the upgrade from any version of Cubase on this new version ...
Up to Speed
It is not so important for some but for others it is important to remember that there are two new types of marks: track time, and signature line, you can programChanges in tempo and time signature projects. Of course, Cubase already a long-editor in the past, but it was just a publisher that is not very ergonomic. Now, without so much from the project window, you can vary the rhythm and time signatures with a simple mouse click. Unfortunately, one can expect only one time and time signature for each project: you can not play a song 3 / 4 and 4 / 4 track at the same time, or track, the weather is expected to increase, while the otherremained at a solid pace, even if such examples are rare ... The addition of these two tracks should always greatly simplify the work for composers, who will be pleased to discover the new range of MIDI software.
MIDI Plug-Ins
Let's start with the MIDI plug-in starting: they added two new and completely revised: Monitors MIDI Beat Designer (later discussed)
The MIDI Monitor plug-in allows you, as the name suggests, keep aEye on all messages through the MIDI sequencer, which makes it a valuable tool for the diagnosis of a failure or connection problem, given that export the logs to a TXT file. Very useful for automating the programming complexes.
Less esoteric but equally powerful, more MIDI plugins made significant improvements, they had both in terms of graphics or functional, as Chorder now has a MIDI learn mode. Only regret: not with the toolsdesigned to simplify programming MIDI acoustic instruments to create realistic strumming or other techniques. However, in the realistic range of MIDI programming, Steinberg has not been idle, as an expression VST, another important feature of version 5 is shown ...
VST Expression: Express Yourself!
So what? It is an interface that is intuitive management and control (to change the piano roll, drum or change the score) the various joints, which can be found inlarge symphonic sound banks (Vienna, Garritan, East West Symphonic Orchestra, etc.) .. Like a Drum Map editing to simplify battery, it is now possible to map expression, the continuous controller (especially key switch) is a special playing technique (staccato, glissando, tremolo, etc.) will manage .. Once a map expression is created, all you have to do is planned changes in the joint at the base of the piano roll (in the same room for the continuousController), or use the corresponding symbol in the editor scoring.
That's all it is, but it really simplifies things, as you'll soon realize HALion Symphonic Orchestra, the demo version (limited to 90 days), or l ', brass and bass guitars samples HALion ONE Expression September 01 Like all good ideas, one wonders why nobody thought of before. In addition to simplify programming, the term VST can also be sequences from one bank to another, until youmaps corresponding expression. It is this problem that we have reason to complain, because even if Cubase provides maps expression for HALion Symphonic Orchestra HALion One, and that does not include heavy hitters of samples Symphony. So you need to roll up their sleeves and do, through a simple editor, or wait for the signs or even fans to do the work for you, what will probably happen sooner or later. But if a VST ExpressionStandard that is accepted by other sequencers remains to be seen ...
Various Nice!
The total export and have VST Expression, important additions to Cubase, but the function that has received greater attention in Cubase 5 is definitely VariAudio, which is basically a Melodyne-like application that integrates directly into Cubase. Audio editor (accessible by double-clicking a file or an audio segment) is a new tab called VariAudio. If you enable it, the software starts a processRecognition for all the notes in the audio clip that you can modify it as a simple MIDI sequence. You can change the height as well as the positioning and length of segments, while forming a curve shows. Ergonomically seen the integration is seamless: the mouse hovers over a note indicates the height and the difference in tone compared to the nearest half step, while a piano roll overlaps in order to simplify the implementation. Compared to the Melodyne plug-in is the integrationseamlessly: you are working in full screen mode and not in a minimized window, there are more concerns about the links between conflict Melodyne and Cubase, and above all, no headaches that bounces more with the audio to be only able to hear the results. There is only one thing missing from the Melodyne: VariAudio untreated, the amplitude of the different segments that you can not change the volume of each note that detects vehicles. Steinberg makes up for it by installing a beautiful soundMIDI conversion function. You can turn any mono audio clips in a sequence that can be played by each virtual instrument. Of course, depending on the quality of the audio clip and detection limits (with or without consideration Pitch Bend), the result is more or less faithfully, but with a little 'editing to clean up the order you will receive results that are used ...
How does it sound? Even if the quality of the algorithms used by VariAudio you saythan the competition, are not at par with Melodyne when it comes to extreme transpositions (plus or minus one octave, for example). All this obviously depends on what you are trying to implement some sounds work better than others, such as electric bass, while others are more complex, such as voice, artifact (noise, flange, etc.). If you are implementing more than 3 semitones . It all depends on what you use to hide in the mix are some changesundetectable, and if it is made from a mix or alone, more than likely will not be usable. Still, it's nice to have a tool like this, because it will be useful in many situations and it works quite well.
During VariAudio, which is an editing tool, Steinberg has also pitch correction plug-in, which is provided, as the name suggests, automatically corrects the tone of the song you put on (like auto-tune), with the possibility of to limit the audio to a certainChange the scale or its tolerance, forming the change, etc.. The big difference is that this VariAudio plug-in works in real time and does its job well, until you have the correct settings (shape, speed, tolerance, etc..) USA. Pitch can also add some special effects: Mickey Mouse (+ 2 octaves), Barry White (-2 octaves), the plug-in or fly via MIDI as a virtual instrument, or "Cher effect".
In short, between the Correct Pitch and VariAudio you AudioWarpcan really sculpt the songs sound as if they were sonic. This is a very good point for Cubase 5, which now claims in relation to the audio edition. Let's take a look at the effects and virtual instruments that come with Cubase 5 ...
FX-machine
In Cubase 4, Steinberg updates the included effects, and there are now no fewer than 58 audio plug-ins that come with Cubase 5. The selection of effects is comprehensive and covers almost all requirements: spectral processing (EQ, filters,Wah, Enhancer), dynamics (compressor, gate, expander, de-esser, Transient Designer), spatial (auto-pan, Stereo Widener), pitch (octave), modulation (chorus, phaser, flanger, ring modulator), distortion , amp simulator, Guitar Tuner, beeper, etc.. etc.. It should be noted that there is a slight redundancy: The same effects are sometimes available in both mono and stereo version, as the wave bundle extremely annoying effects. Instead of 4 different times,It would have been nice to have a single plug-in that was a bit 'more difficult ...
The magical effect of the stimulus
Convolution processor which incorporates reverence for RoomWorks very average (which is still available): E 'Steinberg was finally included a real high-quality reverb applause. Not much to say about, whose functions are similar to other convolution processors (reverb setting various parameters, 3-band parametricEqualizer, Reverse mode, preview ...). It should be noted that manages the plug-in stereo or surround sound and comes with a collection of impulse responses: reverb, no speaker simulator for guitar players, but there may be a lot of momentum on the web and import the files into WAV format or to find in AIFF format, this is not a problem.
Therefore, the only criticism that can be done to this new reverb is the same for all processors convolution: Reverence is a real pig in terms of CPU utilization. To circumventin stereo, not too bad, but to use it in surround mode, it would be better to have a computer powerful ... However, Steinberg really needs its own convolution reverb. If you already have one, so you do not care, but if you do not, you will save money ...
The same is true for all the expected effects plug-in, which - and this is their greatest strength - it is possible to carry out a project from A to Z: do not miss anything and you can easily work with Cubase 5 as it is. As in the case ofthe quality of the effects and processing, we just say it's bad, but not on par with other plug-ins, including EQ and dynamics processor in the department (for more plugins in the river, Sonnox, Waves, URS, PSP ... but for a price that often exceeds that of the sequencer!), or the effects found in Samplitude, for example ...
Groove Baby Groove!
Steinberg Cubase 5 provides two new virtual instruments and MIDI plug-in dedicatedto electronic rhythms: Groove Agent One, Beat LoopMash and designers.
Contrary to popular belief, Groove Agent Groove Agent is not comparable to the old, but more like the LM4 ... with a look reminiscent of the Akai MPC. It is a virtual drum sampler with 16 pads that can be assigned to an AIFF, WAV, MPC, or some portion of a cycle. Note that GA1 controls up to 8 layers per block, and you can have 8 banks of 16 pads. Assignment pad is done by simply dragging them from MediaBay been doneAudio editor, or the project window, but unfortunately not on the desktop of Windows or Mac OS. But if you put more than one file in the same block, the software automatically creates the corresponding layers dynamically deliver speeds. As for editing, GA1 has a lot of controls: Tuning / implementation sample size, multimode filter (resonant but not, unfortunately), reverse-mode ... In short, it is sufficient to deal with, although it would have been nice if the section has been modifieda little 'more developed (I was not able to change the start and end points of a sample playback), and there are no effects (distortion, delay, etc..) Although you can apply these effects in the blender with various audio outputs , is less intuitive. Do, in fact, despite their similarities, do not expect, with Groove Agent One and a quarter of the things you can do with FXpansion's Guru, but it will be a normal program with a sequencer ...
As for sequencing, we haveEnjoy the new designer MIDI plug-in called beats. The inclusion of ergonomics and the logic of a classical step-sequencer (64 steps up to the model with different time signatures), the designers quickly beats a Groove Agent Pilot or another synth or drum sampler. Its use is very simple: just click on add an event, click to clear a click and drag to change the speed, but you can control the effect of "swing". It 'a sequencer lot', although even here theirCombination with Groove Agent One is very far from offering the power and the ergonomics of a guru ...
And finally, the most original of the match: LoopMash. No samples have a shot sequence, this time we will have to do with loops, a concept which is not far from PowerFX Miracle or guru (again). The idea is to combine the groove of a master-loop with the sound of seven other rings, and compares the elements associated with loops and beats, to create new "mash-ups" of any rhythmic audio material.The software on a recognition algorithm based sound, so you can measure out the level of each cycle, and you can connect up to 8 scenes with a click. There are many settings, but that's okay, because this fact allows LoopMash remain a simple and powerful tool for finding original ideas, especially if you try to mix melodic loops and drum loops. If electro is your cup of tea, then you'll really get the idea. However, if you tend toward jazz or rock, you probably will not have much interest in thisGroove Agent One or more device Beat Designer.
I should note that one of the few real weaknesses, Cubase, was compared with some of its competitors: the number of virtual instruments. Although Embracer, monologue, Spector, or Halion One can be very pleasant for themselves and are very far cry from the performance and versatility of the Z3TA +, Dimension Pro and Rapture LE Trio Sonar, or offered the tools as Logic Pro 8 ( Rhodes did not, no organ, etc.) .. Wouldprobably be less embarrassing if Cubase with a software sampler itself (because the default HALion included) delivered. All you get is the default Halion One ROMpler enough with the sound banks from the fair to very average.
In this context, it would be nice if Steinberg had a more attractive offer, both through marketing and licensing (including versions of third-party plug-in) or, why not buy products or technologies by small specialized developers.
Completion
Cubase 5 isundoubtedly a success and shows the progress in various fields. Features more user-friendly, more powerful and better, Steinberg baby is healthy and happy! Of course, we always like to have more (especially virtual instruments), but features such as VariAudio, VST, expression, time / signature track or multitrack export feature makes this an important change. To the question "If you are upgrading from version 4 or lower", the answer is 1000 times yes, but keep in mind that the studio version of theThe software is not included (and is an important point) VariAudio, among others.
However, if you do not have a sequencer, or if you want to change, the problem is even more difficult because of surfing the Internet for a fast, it's quite surprising to discover that was not scored, except Magix, Cakewalk and Ableton demo versions have their sequencer! And it's a shame that there try before you buy at a time when differences between the sequencer is often different and adds some featuresWorkflows. But, speaking as a user Cubase unconditional past 15 years, I can not recommend it enough Cubase 5 ...
Positive:
Full 64-bit! VariAudio, efficient and fully integrated. VST expression. Finally there is a multitrack export! Finally, a hi-glare! Time and signature tracks so much easier ... A complete all-in-one. Printed manuals and video tutorials. Groove Agent One, easy and effective. LoopMash The panel automation The concept of an iPhone application to control the sequencer
Disadvantages ...
No samplers, no organ, no out of plane of the presets in HALion One Synthesizers that are not on par with the competition
