Which version of Cubase to use?

[af-woodman]

Hi everybody,

I'm a longtime musician but first-time composer. I'm hoping someone can offer me some guidance on what software to use. Cubase appears to be the standard for composition; however, there are many different versions and I have no idea what the difference is between them all, and / or if they matter. Any suggestions? Cubase 5? Studio 5? Essential 4? Cubase iC?

Thanks in advance!

[Arpatle]

Here and here are feature comparison charts. Make clear for yourself what you really need. I think Cubase Essential is sufficient for most beginners.

[af-woodman]

Thanks Arpatle, that helps a bit. I intend to do most of my composing with an electronic keyboard hooked into the computer, as well as hooking up a mic or two into the computer and recording some musical instruments + voice.

With that in mind, could someone please explain what is:

-external FX
-VST instrument slots (64 vs. 32)
-mixer views - (3 vs. 2)
-Control room
-Extended channel EQ
-external instruments
-advanced options in Tempo Editor
-MIDI devices
-VariAudio

These are "available" in the Cubase Studio 5 version, but not the Cubase 5 version. Should I be concerned?

Thanks again!

[af-woodman]

...for that matter, upon more research I've read about Digidesign Pro Tools. Is this in fact better than Cubase? More / less compatible with VST's? Or would I be buying too much capability in Pro Tools?

Thanks.

[af-dcwave]

...for that matter, upon more research I've read about Digidesign Pro Tools. Is this in fact better than Cubase? More / less compatible with VST's? Or would I be buying too much capability in Pro Tools?

Thanks.

If you are composing using soft-synths and doing complex midi arrangements, stick with Cubase.

[af-dcwave]

Thanks Arpatle, that helps a bit. I intend to do most of my composing with an electronic keyboard hooked into the computer, as well as hooking up a mic or two into the computer and recording some musical instruments + voice.

With that in mind, could someone please explain what is:

-external FX
-VST instrument slots (64 vs. 32)
-mixer views - (3 vs. 2)
-Control room
-Extended channel EQ
-external instruments
-advanced options in Tempo Editor
-MIDI devices
-VariAudio

These are "available" in the Cubase Studio 5 version, but not the Cubase 5 version. Should I be concerned?

Thanks again!

-external FX = I use hardware based compressors and reverbs. This allows me to route the inputs and outputs through the software and use them as though they are software plugins.

-VST instrument slots (64 vs. 32) = You can use either 64 software instruments or only 32. I have never gone above 12.

-mixer views - (3 vs. 2) = One gives you 3 mixers, one only 2. I have 3 mixers a) Inputs, b) groups and FX, and c) Everything else. This saves time having to scroll through one mixer

-Control room - useful for setting up different monitors, and headphone sends into a tracking room.

-Extended channel EQ = not sure what they mean by this. I don't use the Cubase EQ for anything.

-external instruments = like external FX, you can setup an external instrument / sampler/ slave PC with virtual instruments, and run them like they are an internal soft synth - a plugin.

-advanced options in Tempo Editor = automation and editing so that you can be uber cool with odd time signatures and tempo ramps.

-MIDI devices - templates for midi devices

-VariAudio = ability to pitch shift audio and create hit points and tempo maps.

[sharma]

Probably best going with Cubase 5, not the studio version if you have no previous plug-ins.

I'm sure you know about the educational discount so you can get it half the retail price as long as you don't use it for commercial use.

[sobotka.frank]

Obviously this is a very old thread but still crops up when you search about which version to use.

I found the article 'What version of Cubase do I need' recently which compares Cubase Elements, Cubase Artist and Cubase now that version 7 is being released.

I think Cubase Artist offer the best value as it includes all the audio effects and virtual instruments and more than enough tracks for the home studio.