ROAD TEST Steinberg Cubase 9 Digital Audio Workstation
By Eric Price
I
finally came up for air after spending days checking out Steinberg ’ s latest Cubase Pro release to write this review . Steinberg has released a major paid update for Cubase every December for the past several years , with a full version update every two years and a . 5 update in between . Version 9 marks the first time the entire lineup has been updated simultaneously , as the entry-level Cubase Elements has usually trailed the Artist and flagship Pro tiers by a few months . One thing I can say for sure is that Steinberg never leaves me any shortage of things to write about !
The first thing you see upon opening a project is an updated interface with new zones . The interface , which already had docking windows on the left and right sides , now features a “ lower zone ” as well . The zones are scalable and can be easily turned on and off as needed . The new lower zone can be assigned as an abridged MixConsole or as any one of the other editors , i . e . MIDI , audio , chord pads , etc ., as well as the new sampler track . ( More on that in a moment .)
You ’ ll now find the transport bar docked along the very bottom of the screen , though the regular floating transport bar can be called up if so desired . I did find the new transport control location quite practical .
New to the MixConsole is an onscreen history list for viewing and editing every nuance of your mix . One small disappointment here is that the history is not saved with the project , meaning the history is available only during your current session . Something to add to the wish list for a future version …
Crossed off the “ long overdue ” and “ much requested feature ” lists would be the addition of a sampler track . This new track type is of course dedicated to working with samples . A sample can be easily added to the track by dragging it from an audio track above or importing from a sample library . Once added , the sample is automatically mapped to the notes of a piano keyboard where it can then be triggered via a MIDI keyboard . Now you can play the sample at various pitches without having the headache of mapping it to each key . Well done !
There are plenty of editing options avail- able such as envelopes and looping plus the samples can be transferred back to a VST sample instrument like HALion . As an added bonus , Cubase now comes with a new sample pack called Caleidoscope with hundreds of sounds ready for you to use .
Now , over to the plug-ins to see what Steinberg has whipped up for us there . I noticed a few of the plug-ins , such as the AutoPan , Maximizer , and Compressor , all have a smart new interface redesign . The Maximizer now features a “ Modern ” algorithm alongside the “ Classic ” algorithm from its previous version . AutoPan has also had some new panning variations added .
The cool new plug-in on the block is an EQ called Frequency . It features eight bands of EQ with each band having high and low shelving , peak , and notch options . Each band can be set to stereo , independent L / R , and even more interestingly , a very useful mid-side option . Other brief notes : the highest and lowest bands feature a 96dB brick wall filter as well as each band now having a much desired Linear Phase option . They have also added a piano keyboard reference tool along the bottom of the EQ window so you can select your frequencies based on an actual musical note . This tool has been well thought out , is incredibly useful , and sounds great . Bravo to Steinberg on this plug-in !
Lastly , the new version of Cubase is solely 64-bit , meaning you will no longer have support for 32-bit plug-ins . Bridge software , like J-Bridge , wasn ’ t working at press time , so you may be in for some challenges when loading old projects ! For now , you may want to keep an older version of Cubase installed just to access older projects that used 32-bit plug-ins .
Filed under the quick observations department :
• There are now multiple marker tracks available with the ability to batch export audio between cycle markers .
• A new library for the Groove Agent SE called Production Grooves adds over 400 drum loops and preset kits .
CUBASE 9 ’ S ZONE CONCEPT
SAMPLER TRACK
• The Plug-in Sentinel checks on the status of your plug-ins to help ensure maximum DAW stability .
• Finally added from the wish list , there ’ s an Audio-In function where you can side-chain a signal to various VST3 instruments – for example , send the drums or vocals into Retrologue and take advantage of its effects and filters .
• Some tweaking has been done with VST Connect SE 4 to better assist you in finding new partners to collaborate with , and the improved VST Transit services make it easier to share projects among those collaborators .
As the saying goes , Cubase 9 is “ not so much a revolution as an evolution ,” but it ’ s these innovative and well-defined improvements that maintain Cubase ’ s status as one of ( if not the ) strongest and most versatile DAWs on the market .
Eric Price had been working with music and computers since 1985 and has been writing for Canadian Musician for 10 years . He still walks to work uphill in the snow , both ways ! He can be reached at eric @ gepconsulting . ca .
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