Cubase 6 user Experience comments

[Steve Force]

Less than a year ago I upgraded from Cubase 4.5.1 to Cubase 5.

 

After seeing Cubase 6 on B3-er's DAW I decided, after much thought, to upgrade to Cubase 6.

 

I am still learning the nuances but so far I really like Cubase 6.

 

I particularly appreciate the instructional DVD that really explains the features of Cubase 6 features.

 

Question: What do you Cubase 6 users think about Cubase 6? What are your experiences?

[orangefunk]

I was a Cubase user in the 80s and early 90s... and since then didn't use anything for a good 15 years or when I got an Apple I bought Logic but I can't help feel Cubase was a bit easier to use from memory.. am I right? What are peoples experiences of Logic v Cubase? I am really thinking about going back to Cubase.

[Jim Alfredson]

I'm loving it. The batch export function has already paid for the price of the update in terms of time saved. I think the overall appearance is much better, much easier on the eyes. And the drum editing / group editing is much improved as well.

 

Groove Agent One has some really nice sounds and is fun to use. And the new Halion One SE is a great, all purpose, multi-timbral synth for fleshing out ideas.

 

I'm very happy!

[DanS]

Stop it!

[mate stubb]

They lost me when they tried to screw me over an upgrade price.

 

Sonar and Reaper now.

[e-keys]

I'm sure it will be good However, things are very competitive now. PT1, Sonar x1, reaper, reason/record, logic, live, etc. The upgrade price will be the kicker. Sonar has lowered it's prices and made some great innovations. Reason/Record is a slow train coming that is picking up speed. We all know about reaper. Tough days for software companies...

[mcgoo]

Sonar guy here too. I tried Cabase once (before CW became Sonar), but couldn't get my head around it, so I tucked my tail between my legs & crawled back to CW.

 

I'm glad Cubase is alive & well, 'cause that keeps the Sonar bakers on their toes. The new X1 is awesome (or at least it will be when the much needed maintenace release comes out next month!).

[Jim Alfredson]

Question: What do you Cubase 6 users think about Cubase 6? What are your experiences?

 

Let's stay on topic, shall we? He's asking Cubase 6 users about their opinions on Cubase 6. This isn't a "I tried Cubase, it sucks" thread.

 

Thanks.

[mcgoo]

Question: What do you Cubase 6 users think about Cubase 6? What are your experiences?

 

Let's stay on topic, shall we? He's asking Cubase 6 users about their opinions on Cubase 6. This isn't a "I tried Cubase, it sucks" thread.

 

Thanks.

 

Point taken, apologies offered, but I certainly didn't mean to imply that Cubase sucks.

[e-keys]

Question: What do you Cubase 6 users think about Cubase 6? What are your experiences?

 

Let's stay on topic, shall we? He's asking Cubase 6 users about their opinions on Cubase 6. This isn't a "I tried Cubase, it sucks" thread.

 

Thanks.

 

I see that now. My eye just saw the thread title "Cubase 6 thoughts" I missed the detail...

 

 

[Cygnus64]

And the new Halion One SE is a great, all purpose, multi-timbral synth for fleshing out ideas.

 

What else comes with it, softsynth-wise? Good pianos?

[Sundown]

 

I'm a Steinberg fan, but I don't upgrade until a release is mature (i.e. a few point releases).

 

In my current situation, I'm not upgrading because the next one will be a doozy... I'll get a 64 bit DAW, and a total software overhaul (Windows 7, new version of Cubase, new Wavelab, etc). But in addition to new hardware, I'll have to make sure my tracks that use DirectX are updated, and any old VST songs are converted to SX before updating. But I'm confident it will be worth it, as the product has grown quite a bit since my last update. Steinberg hasn't disappointed me yet.

 

[Steve Force]

It is by far the easiest release to configure to date. Of course, most of this is because I opted for Yamaha/Steinberg interfaces but ramping up is a snap. I also like how when you configure audio tracks you can use their suggested inserts as a starting point for sound shaping. This is one way they share recording techniques is a highly-usable fashion.

[burningbusch]

I am not a user at the moment but I think VST Expression and now VST Expression 2 are VERY useful innovations. Note level expression is pretty damn brilliant, IMO.

 

Busch.

[Steve Force]

And the new Halion One SE is a great, all purpose, multi-timbral synth for fleshing out ideas.

 

What else comes with it, softsynth-wise? Good pianos?

 

When I upgraded I had the option to pick up "HALion Symphonic Orchestra - VST Sound I" and "HALion Sonic" for around $250USD so I opted for them.

 

In my arsenal I have NI Komplete 6, Applied Acoustic Systems Tassman 4, and FXpansion BFD v1.5 (Older version, I know.)

 

So far, with the exception of Tassman for analog synth, I am happy with the HALion soft synths.

 

RE: Piano--the package did include a trial version "The Grand SE3" ultimate virtual piano suite; however, I haven't loaded it yet.

[Cygnus64]

And the new Halion One SE is a great, all purpose, multi-timbral synth for fleshing out ideas.

 

What else comes with it, softsynth-wise? Good pianos?

 

When I upgraded I had the option to pick up "HALion Symphonic Orchestra - VST Sound I" and "HALion Sonic" for around $250USD so I opted for them.

 

 

How is the HALion Symphonic orchestra? I have East/West Orch, Garritan Orch and Dimension pro, but I'm always on the lookout for more sounds.

[Steve Force]

Well to me they sound good but I am not a professionally-trained orchestra musician (as far as you know... )

 

Seriously, I am not in a position to compare...

[Cygnus64]

Well to me they sound good but a am not a professionally-trained orchestra musician (as far as you know... )

 

I'm not a professionally-trained vst guy, so it all kinda evens out.

[Steve Force]

FWIW They sound very realistic to me.

 

Here is some info..

[Jim Alfredson]

I haven't had the time to dig too far into HALion yet. The previous version (contained in Cubase 4.5) wasn't that great. The new one is much more useful, since it is 16 part multi-timbral. As I mentioned, it's great for sketching out ideas quickly.

 

I don't think Cubase is anywhere near Logic in terms of the quality of the included instruments; but that's not why I'm a Cubase user.

 

I'm going to be building a new music machine today. So hopefully I'll have a little more time to dig into Cubase 6 and the new features this weekend.

 

[Cygnus64]

FWIW They sound very realistic to me.

 

Here is some info..

 

The demos sound really good. Bonus, they are extremely amusing. Whoever made them has a sense of humor, the "Anitra's Dance" and "Fur Elise" made me LOL.

[DanS]

I'm going to be building a new music machine today. So hopefully I'll have a little more time to dig into Cubase 6 and the new features this weekend.

 

What did the upgrade cost you?

[Jim Alfredson]

$150 for Cubase 6.

 

$40 for a copy of Windows 7 (I have a friend who works for Microsoft that hooked me up!)

 

My current music machine, which I built in 2006, is an Athlon X2 3800 2GHz chip, 4GB of DDR2 800 RAM, and Win XP (32 bit of course). It's done me really well; solid as a rock and very quiet due to a really nice Antec case (with built in sound absorption) and a Seasonic PSU. Most people cheap out on the PSU but it's one of the most critical components of the computer, imo. Seasonics are a bit more expensive but they are extremely quiet, reliable, stable, and did I mention quiet?

 

To upgrade my computer, I bought a new ASUS motherboard, AMD Phenom X3 3.2Ghz chip (which has a fourth core that can easily be unlocked with the ASUS board), 8GB of DD3 1600 RAM, and a new 650watt Seasonic PSU. Total cost for the parts was just under $300. Newegg was having a sale on the Seasonic (normally $169, on sale for $109), the RAM (normally $90, got it for $55), and the mobo ($69). Not bad!

 

So for around $500, I'm going to have a machine that should last me another four or five years at least and has plenty of room for expansion. For instance, I'll probably add another 8GB of RAM in a year. And the mobo supports the new 6 core Phenom chips. When they come down in price, I'll grab one.

[Steve Force]

The MIDI Pitch Bend feature is cool. I like how one can change controller info graphically (even chord individual notes.)

 

I also like how they have by default DISABLED the Delete key to delete tracks.

[DanS]

Thanks Jim.

[DanS]

Did you guys have any trouble with C6 messing with youe existing VST's & settings? I upgraded to Win7 a few months ago, and sure don't want to have to go thru that again....

[Jim Alfredson]

Nope. Just had to point it to the right VST folder in the plug-in menu for a couple of plug-ins it missed.

 

 

I'm in the process of installing Cubase 6 on my new hardware. Boy, it's been a bit of a pain, only because I installed Windows 7 on a brand new 500GB SATA Seagate harddrive, was just starting to load in drivers for the motherboard / graphics adapter and the brand new -- only used for two hours -- harddrive died. Completely. Computer / BIOS wouldn't even recognize it was attached.

 

So I had to start over, using an old 160GB IDE drive I had lying around. I'm going to get everything installed on this one, get a replacement drive for the dead 500GB, and then clone the 160GB to the 500GB drive and keep the 160GB around as a system back-up.

[Geoff Grace]

Is anyone here using Cubase 6 on a Mac? I heard through the grapevine that the Windows versions were better implemented for a few revs, but that Mac versions are now on equal footing again. Do your experiences bear this out?

 

Best,

 

Geoff

[zephonic]

I'm still on 5.5.1 on Mac, but that was a noticeable improvement over 4.5.2

 

I remember reading on the Steinberg forum that C6 32-bit does not perform much better than 5.5

If you want to go 64-bit, it is best to proceed with caution:

 

http://www.steinberg.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=1538

 

 

[DanS]

Nope. Just had to point it to the right VST folder in the plug-in menu for a couple of plug-ins it missed.

 

 

I'm in the process of installing Cubase 6 on my new hardware. Boy, it's been a bit of a pain, only because I installed Windows 7 on a brand new 500GB SATA Seagate harddrive, was just starting to load in drivers for the motherboard / graphics adapter and the brand new -- only used for two hours -- harddrive died. Completely. Computer / BIOS wouldn't even recognize it was attached.

 

So I had to start over, using an old 160GB IDE drive I had lying around. I'm going to get everything installed on this one, get a replacement drive for the dead 500GB, and then clone the 160GB to the 500GB drive and keep the 160GB around as a system back-up.

 

That really blows.

I was about to pull the trigger for C6 & Wavelab 7 Elements off of Steinberg's site last night, and just as I get to checkout, they tell me I have to provide proof of student/educational eligibility to buy C6 (for $150). WTF? Nowhere else during the purchase process was it mentioned, or anywhere else on the site. Anyway, I passed, and found it on a Canadian site for $169, and Wavelab for the same price, bizarre.

Didn't actually buy it yet, still H&Hing over it.