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Cubase 4 and Cubase Studio 4 Questions:
1. What is new in Cubase 4? |
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2. What is new in Cubase Studio 4?
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3. What are the differences between Cubase 4 and Cubase Studio 4?
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4. Which version of Cubase do I need? That is the question, isn't it? Well, here are some things to keep in mind when making this decision. Will you ever want to make a 5.1 surround mix? Surround is getting more and more common now, not just for film and television, but for audio as well. (Visit www.alanparsonsmusic.com for a shining example.) If you anticipate even dabbling in 5.1 surround, you will want Cubase 4. Are you in a band, or do you record bands? Cubase 4 is the only version of Cubase with "Virtual Control Room" which allows you to route up to 4 separate headphone mixes, so in a live recording each musician or group of musicians can have their own appropriately adjusted headphone mix. Are you a plug-in junkie? Cubase 4 has 4 new VST instruments and 50 VST plug-ins, while Cubase Studio 4 comes with 2 VST instruments and just over 30 VST plug-ins. If you answered "no" to the above questions, then Cubase Studio 4 will probably be everything you need and more for your projects. However, do keep in mind that one day in a professional studio can easily run you $400 or more (and who has ever completed a project in one day?). Paying for the above-mentioned features once and having them for yourself sure beats paying someone else for them over and over.
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Cubase SE 3 is built with the same VST audio engine used in Cubase SX 3 and Nuendo 3, and has the same audio quality as those professional-grade products. It can accommodate unlimited MIDI tracks, up to 48 Audio tracks per project (record up to 8 audio tracks simultaneously), and has all the tools you need to easily record, edit, mix and master an entire professional-quality project. SE 3 is a great choice for hobbyists and students, and anyone looking for an affordable but highly powerful sequencer. Steinberg is committed to the SE line, and has announced that there will be a version 4 at the same or similar price point. More info as it becomes available.
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6. What operating systems does Cubase 4 support? Cubase 4 and Studio 4 can be installed on any machine running Mac OS X 10.4, or Windows XP Home or Pro editions. Cubase 4 and Studio 4 are Universal Binary-compatible for the new line of Intel-based Macs, and they can also run on the 32-bit version of Windows Vista, though they are not yet officially supported for that platform. More information on operating system compatibility
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7. Will my current computer suffice, and how can I upgrade it for optimum performance? At the very least, you will need Mac OS X 10.4 or Windows XP Home or Pro, a 1+ GHz processor, and 512 MB RAM. While you will see a vast improvement in your CPU performance in Cubase 4 and Studio 4 with their new VST 3 plug-ins, in general, the more plug-ins and effects and tracks etc. you are running, the more RAM and CPU power you will want. More is better! Realistically, you probably will not want to run less than 1 GB of RAM, and 2 GB is ideal.
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8. What processor/motherboard works best with Cubase 4 or Studio 4? For Steinberg's latest word on DAW components, go to http://steinberg.net/547_1.html
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9. What soundcards and audio interfaces work best with Cubase 4 and Cubase Studio 4? Steinberg does not recommend any specific brands or models of audio hardware--there are simply too many on the market to test and keep track of. That said, any ASIO 2.0 (PC) or CoreAudio (Mac)-compatible hardware will work with Cubase.
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10. What plug-ins can I use in Cubase 4 or Cubase Studio 4? Cubase 4 and Studio 4 are VST and Rewire hosts. Any Steinberg or third-party plug-in that is VST or Rewire-compatible will work in Cubase. Direct X is no longer supported. However, if you are running an Intel Mac, only plug-ins that are universal binary will run inside Cubase 4 or Studio 4. You may keep your older version of Cubase on your computer to run these plug-ins for the moment, and Steinberg is currently working on updating all of their plug-ins for universal binary. Stay tuned for more info as it becomes available... Universal Binary compatible products (updated May 24th, 2007):
3rd quarter 2007:
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11. What is VST-3, and what about VST-2.4? VST-3 is the newest generation of Steinberg's VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plug-in protocol. New in version 3 is an enhanced CPU performance function, the ability for the plug-in to automatically adapt to whatever channel configuration it is inserted into (mono, stereo, 5.1), and much more. VST 2.4 plug-ins, (found in the previous "generation 3" of Cubase and Nuendo) are completely compatible with VST 3, and these older plug-ins can even benefit from VST 3's new preset handling.
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12. Can I upgrade from my older version of Cubase? Of course. Go to www.SteinbergUpgrades.com for all the upgrade paths and pricing information. You need either to be registered with Steinberg USA Registration (714 228-3301) or you will need a valid serial number from your current version. If you received Cubase LE bundled with a hardware product, you may also upgrade, but you do not need to register LE beforehand. Simply return to the retailer from which you bought the hardware, or call Steinberg Sales at 877 253-3900.
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13. Will the upgrade overwrite my current version? No, the upgrade is a clean installation, and will install as a new version. You can keep your older version on your machine or remove it as you see fit. The license on your dongle will be overwritten with the new license, for instance, when you upgrade from SX 3 to Cubase 4, the SX 3 license becomes a Cubase 4 license. Cubase 4 licenses will run Cubase 4 and any version of SX, and Cubase Studio 4 licenses will run Studio 4 and any version of SL. However, in the rare case that you are upgrading from one "level" to a higher level, such as SL 3 to Cubase 4, then the new Cubase 4 license will overwrite your old SL license and you will not be able to run the lower version.
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14. Will my current projects import into Cubase 4 or Studio 4? Yes. Cubase 4 and Cubase Studio 4 can open all SE, SL, SX and Nuendo projects. Once saved in 4, your projects cannot be opened in the previous generation programs from which they came (SE, SL, SX and Nuendo).
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15. What versions are compatible with what other versions of Cubase and Nuendo? Cubase 4 and Cubase Studio 4 can open all SE, SL, SX and Nuendo project files*. SL 3, SX 3, and Nuendo 3 project files can be freely exchanged amongst each other, as can Cubase 4 and Cubase Studio 4 project files, and if there are specific features present only in the higher versions, only those features will not translate. For example, 5.1 surround will not work with a Cubase 4 project after it has been imported into Cubase Studio 4, which does not have surround capabilities. Cubase SE 3 cannot open project files from higher versions. Go here for the Version Compatibility Chart *Remember that we are referring here to entire Cubase project files (.cpr), which include plug-in information, automation, track presets, edits, and virtually everything you do in Cubase. However, a raw wave file (.wav) is just a wave file, and a MIDI file (.mid) is still just a MIDI file, and these can be imported into any version of Cubase or Nuendo from any version, even from Cubase 4 to Cubase LE.
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16. What about Nuendo customers? Glad you asked! The Steinberg Producers Group (Rory Kaplan, Elliot Schneider, Greg Ladanyi, Fred Maher, Alan Parsons, ...) was involved behind the scenes as Cubase 4 was in development because Cubase 4 has been designed to assume the role as Steinberg's premier Music Production platform, differentiating clearly between Cubase and Nuendo, whose duties are, and will remain, fairly and squarely in Post-Production. If you would like to take advantage of the new Music Production features in Cubase 4, there is an excellent Special Offer for registered Nuendo 3 users to purchase Cubase 4 for $169.99! Buy Cubase 4 -Nuendo Special Offer
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17. Do I need a Steinberg Key to run Cubase 4 or Studio 4? Yes, Cubase 4 is USB key/dongle protected. The Steinberg Key is a small plastic device about 1.5" long that plugs into a USB port and stores the license for running the software. Any Steinberg key will work--if you are upgrading, you will put your new license onto the key you already have. New and Educational versions will come with a dongle, with the license already installed.
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18. Can I purchase a second key to run the software on another machine? The Steinberg key (a.k.a. "dongle") is simply a hardware storage device, and is useless without a license. The license to run the software comes with the software, and is transferred onto the key by the user in the case of Upgrades, which ship without keys, or prior to purchase in the case of New and Educational versions, which come with licensed keys. If you have multiple Steinberg products, you can put multiple licenses onto the same key, or you can purchase extra Steinberg keys if you would like to have licenses for different products in different places. For instance, many studios choose to have their Cubase 4 license on one key and their WaveLab 6 license on a separate key to run on a separate machine in the studio. Also, if your dongle is on its last legs, it is a good idea to purchase a new one and transfer your licenses before the old one falls apart completely.
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19. Can I install Cubase on multiple computers? Yes. Your license permits you to use the software on as many machines as you own. Simply move the USB dongle to whatever machine you would like to use at the time. Of course, since the USB key must be plugged in to run the software, you can only run the software on one machine at a time. If you need to run Cubase on two computers simultaneously, then you will need two versions and two licenses.
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20. Where can I get an update? You can download free updates, which include bug fixes, other improvements, added features, etc., as they become available at http://steinberg.net/288_1.html . It is a good idea to check in here from time to time.
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21. Is there Technical Support for Cubase 4 and Studio 4, and what does it cost? Technical Support is free and unlimited to any registered Steinberg customer! Reach them by phone at (714) 228-3301, 9-5 Eastern time, or online at the SteinbergUsers Forum.
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22. Why does the user interface look darker and flat compared with previous versions? Steinberg has employed experts to analyze and improve the user interface, focusing on ease-of-use and decreasing eye fatigue. By making the overall look darker, it is easier to differentiate between items such as channel strips, tracks, buttons, etc. that are selected (which now appear brighter) versus items that are not selected, and it allows the user to work longer without experiencing blurred vision or other unpleasant effects associated with staring at a bright screen for long periods of time.
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23. Do Cubase 4 and Studio 4 come with a full printed manual? Cubase 4 comes with a full printed manual. Cubase Studio 4 comes with a printed "Getting Started Guide". Both versions also have the full manual in PDF format in the "Help" section of the software itself.
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24. Can I safely use SX3 alongside Cubase 4? Yes, both versions can exist on your computer simultaneously. However once a project is saved in version 4 it cannot be opened in version 3.
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Steinberg has committed to supporting their products on Windows Vista, beginning with Cubase 4 and Studio 4. At the moment (Q2/2007) Cubase is a 32-bit application, and will run in the 32-bit version of Vista, but not the 64-bit version (you may need to download the Cubase Vista installer ). While Cubase can run in Vista, it is not yet officially supported for that operating system.
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