Cubase

**fumblefingers** · 10-07-2015, 09:31 PM

Anybody here use it? What do you use it for? Like it, love it, hate it? Strengths and weaknesses , etc.

I'm going to get it anyway, but I'm green as can be with audio.

Thanks!

**kris** · 10-08-2015, 03:09 AM

Cubase 7 is great program for recording,composing and professional score editing.All in one. I used simply version few years ago.

**jzucker** · 10-08-2015, 06:34 AM

I use and recommend reaper

**Chimera1to1** · 10-08-2015, 07:03 AM

Originally Posted by fumblefingers

Anybody here use it? What do you use it for? Like it, love it, hate it? Strengths and weaknesses , etc.

I'm going to get it anyway, but I'm green as can be with audio.

Thanks!

Fumblefingers,

I've used Reaper and Cubase 8 Pro. I moved on to Cubase because it tended to have better off the shelf functionality with MIDI controllers and 8 Pro has chord tools that are useful in song writing. I say tended because Reaper has now caught up with manufacturers and is being included in MIDI templates now.

I found Reaper more intuitive than Cubase. It's much cheaper and support via the forum is excellent.

What are you hoping to do with a Daw?

**fumblefingers** · 10-08-2015, 07:10 AM

Daw?

told you i was green.

**Chimera1to1** · 10-08-2015, 07:56 AM

Originally Posted by fumblefingers

Daw?

told you i was green.

Digital audio workstation

**fumblefingers** · 10-08-2015, 12:58 PM

Record some guitar against backing tracks for now

**Chimera1to1** · 10-08-2015, 02:09 PM

You can raid BIAB for MIDI tracks for that too, just drag and drop

**LtKojak** · 10-08-2015, 02:13 PM

I use Presonus Studio One.

I've used Cubase for a number of years, I prefer the workflow Studio One has.

HTH,

**Chimera1to1** · 10-09-2015, 02:46 PM

If you do go for Cubase then get a copy of the book:- Power Tools for Cubase 7 by Matthew Hepworth.

Although it is for v.7 99% still also applies to v.8. There isn't an 8 book out yet.

It is a brilliant book, easy to follow, goes through setting up, key features of the software, recording and mastering. I read it in 2 days and learnt much more than I had trawling YouTube and the Cubase manual for a couple of months.

Good luck!

**wildschwein** · 10-10-2015, 05:46 AM

I've found Cubase a difficult nut to crack. I spent 2 years on Pro Tools and then moved to Reaper and never looked back. Dabbled with Cubase and Studio One but didn't really work for me. Spoiled for choices I guess.

**palindrome** · 10-10-2015, 06:06 AM

Originally Posted by fumblefingers

Record some guitar against backing tracks for now

There are hardware solutions out there, which tend to be more intuitive IMO.

Anyway, I'd recommend against Cubase for casual use. Too complicated.

(I still have Cubase LE installed but keep forgetting things when not using it regularly.)

**mambosun** · 10-13-2015, 07:41 AM

+1 for Studio One

I've been using Cubase for years and IMHO, it's major weakness is the lack of intuitiveness of the user interface for casual users.

Furthermore, VST intruments and plugins provided with Studio One software are not bad at all.

**Hep To The Jive** · 10-13-2015, 01:39 PM

Where' s Logic fit in on all of those? Im using Mac and I've heard Logic is the best for Mac, and Cubase is best for PC. True?

**rickshapiro** · 10-13-2015, 03:27 PM

I am a veteran of many a DAW. You have not explained what type of recording you are looking to do and more importantly what your desired workflow is.

Most of the DAWs are really wonderful these days. I would put Cubase, Sonar and Samplitude in a similar class. All are mature and very full featured and the price point is close for all. They all will take a bit of time to learn. I have left out Protools because their pricing and business model have not aligned with my sensibilities. Also, Protools has seemed to lag behind the other DAWs mentioned when it comes to modern features. As much as they were/are the industry “standard”, that alone does not justify its continued competitive stance.

Many folks like Reaper. The price is right and the speed of development is really unprecedented. Bug fixes and features come out regularly.

Tracktion is another low-cost option. It’s claim to fame is a single unified interface where everything is pretty much available from a single screen. It breaks come traditional paradigms such as not having a traditional mixer.

Ableton Live price-wise, is fall inline with Cubase and the others. It provides linear editing but really excels with loop=based music. The same for Bitwig studio.

Presonus Studio One costs a bit less then Cubebase/Sonar/Samplidude but has a really excellent workflow. Out of all the DAWs I would say it should be the easiest to get a handle on.

I have no experience with Logic as I am not a Apple fan.

I have played around with MOTU DP8 on Windows but had tons of stability issues.

Not matter what you pic, I would invest in a subscription to either https://www.groove3.com/ or macProVideo.com - Streaming Tutorial-Videos & HD Training Downloads for Audio, Graphics, & Video Editing Software ,they are invaluable in getting up to speed quickly.

If you want more specifics on any of the DAWS mentioned let me know.

**dingusmingus** · 10-13-2015, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by rickshapiro

I am a veteran of many a DAW. You have not explained what type of recording you are looking to do and more importantly what your desired workflow is.

Most of the DAWs are really wonderful these days. I would put Cubase, Sonar and Samplitude in a similar class. All are mature and very full featured and the price point is close for all. They all will take a bit of time to learn. I have left out Protools because their pricing and business model have not aligned with my sensibilities. Also, Protools has seemed to lag behind the other DAWs mentioned when it comes to modern features. As much as they were/are the industry “standard”, that alone does not justify its continued competitive stance.

Many folks like Reaper. The price is right and the speed of development is really unprecedented. Bug fixes and features come out regularly.

Tracktion is another low-cost option. It’s claim to fame is a single unified interface where everything is pretty much available from a single screen. It breaks come traditional paradigms such as not having a traditional mixer.

Ableton Live price-wise, is fall inline with Cubase and the others. It provides linear editing but really excels with loop=based music. The same for Bitwig studio.

Presonus Studio One costs a bit less then Cubebase/Sonar/Samplidude but has a really excellent workflow. Out of all the DAWs I would say it should be the easiest to get a handle on.

I have no experience with Logic as I am not a Apple fan.

I have played around with MOTU DP8 on Windows but had tons of stability issues.

Not matter what you pic, I would invest in a subscription to either https://www.groove3.com/ or macProVideo.com - Streaming Tutorial-Videos & HD Training Downloads for Audio, Graphics, & Video Editing Software ,they are invaluable in getting up to speed quickly.

If you want more specifics on any of the DAWS mentioned let me know.

Great rundown, thanks!

**AndrewPat** · 10-13-2015, 05:05 PM

You've got to give REAPER a try. Long full version trial, which lasts for ages! And the full version I remember being like £40 or something?! I don't know why anyone would spend so much more on a more expensive DAW - it may look nice but for most needs will have way more features than you can hope for!

**ronjazz** · 10-13-2015, 07:59 PM

Logic is awesome: very deep and full of goodies. may not be best choice for recording guitar with tracks, but if you like to orchestrate, or want to do commercial music beds or arrange for singers, Logic is remarkably deep.

**Hep To The Jive** · 10-13-2015, 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by ronjazz

Logic is awesome: very deep and full of goodies. may not be best choice for recording guitar with tracks, but if you like to orchestrate, or want to do commercial music beds or arrange for singers, Logic is remarkably deep.

Hmm, I red that Logic has the most guitar amp and pedal plug ins... What would be the best choice for recording guitar tracks then? (For Apple Mac).

**feet** · 10-13-2015, 11:59 PM

honestly, if you are just going to hit record and stop, there isn't much sense in getting a fancy one. you'd actually want the plainest, simplest version in this case, which would generally be the cheapest.

i've used various generations of sonar over the years, and even the most bargain basement one isn't what i'd call idiot proof or noob friendly. i suppose i'd take a look at reaper first. many moons ago, when i first started poking around with mics and stuff, i used something called crystal that was super butt simple. wonder if that still exists.

edit: it is now known as "KRISTAL Audio Engine" and it is free, apparently. so maybe look into it. i imagine it is still severely limited, but it doesn't get more training wheels than that. safe place to get your feet wet, and give you an idea of what your wants and needs will be when you're ready to put down some money for something better.

**John A.** · 10-14-2015, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by Hep To The Jive

Hmm, I red that Logic has the most guitar amp and pedal plug ins... What would be the best choice for recording guitar tracks then? (For Apple Mac).

I use GarageBand. It has excellent amp plug-ins; they're the same basic thing as what's in Logic, but with less tweakable controls. It's also the same core audio engine, and Logic can use GB files (I often record with a friend who uses Logic and have used this feature many times).

The overall interface is very clean and simple. If you're looking to do something relatively simple I think it's great. I used Cakewalk on a PC before switching to a mac, and much prefer GB. IME, GB's limitations are in signal routing to external devices (it has no real concept of an aux bus), and in mixing/mastering. If you want to do a complex, automated 5.1 mix, GB is not the tool.

If you want to lay down a backing track to blow over, or do a simple song demo, it can't be beat. Plus if you have a mac, it's free and just sitting there for you to try.

Johb

**wildschwein** · 10-14-2015, 09:42 AM

I'm a Reaper guy all the way because I do monster recordings, sometimes with 50+ tracks; but Garageband is a good option if you just want to get up and going fast. Really easy to use.

**Hep To The Jive** · 10-14-2015, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by John A.

I use GarageBand. It has excellent amp plug-ins; they're the same basic thing as what's in Logic, but with less tweakable controls. It's also the same core audio engine, and Logic can use GB files (I often record with a friend who uses Logic and have used this feature many times).

The overall interface is very clean and simple. If you're looking to do something relatively simple I think it's great. I used Cakewalk on a PC before switching to a mac, and much prefer GB. IME, GB's limitations are in signal routing to external devices (it has no real concept of an aux bus), and in mixing/mastering. If you want to do a complex, automated 5.1 mix, GB is not the tool.

If you want to lay down a backing track to blow over, or do a simple song demo, it can't be beat. Plus if you have a mac, it's free and just sitting there for you to try.

Johb

I'm not a fan of GB. I do use it for practicing, quick demo maybe. But for serious or semi-serious recording it's no good. When I got my audio interface Focusrite it came with a free sample of Alberton. I recorded a few tracks on it, and it sounded great. I didn't even use much plugins. What I noticed, and it's weird, if I just recording a guitar straight to interface, no plugins, no effects on either programm, it comes out better on Alberton! I can't explain it, it's the same computer, same interface, the programs don't do anything but receiving the same signal, all effects turned off... And it sound different! I'm not an expert, what do I miss? Is it core audio engine that makes difference?

**Archie** · 10-14-2015, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by jzucker

I use and recommend reaper

Isn't that the open source one?

**Archie** · 10-14-2015, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by Hep To The Jive

I'm not a fan of GB. I do use it for practicing, quick demo maybe. But for serious or semi-serious recording it's no good. When I got my audio interface Focusrite it came with a free sample of Alberton. I recorded a few tracks on it, and it sounded great. I didn't even use much plugins. What I noticed, and it's weird, if I just recording a guitar straight to interface, no plugins, no effects on either programm, it comes out better on Alberton! I can't explain it, it's the same computer, same interface, the programs don't do anything but receiving the same signal, all effects turned off... And it sound different! I'm not an expert, what do I miss? Is it core audio engine that makes difference?

Thats interesting. I use GB though an a Apollo Audio Twin and I rarely like the sound I get. Thats why I haven't been doing any guitar recordings.
I tried the amps and they just sound fake as hell or have some weird processing noises going on.

Luckily the Apollo has a build in hard drive that allows you to use their pug gins directly in the D/I so you can track real time without having to anything in your DAW. I cant recommend that little bit of kit enough

Apollo Twin Interface with Realtime UAD Processing and Thunderbolt

I want to change my DAW to Logic though.