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Cubase 5 and Cubase Studio 5 Questions:
1. What is new in Cubase 5? |
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2. What is new in Cubase Studio 5?
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3. What are the differences between Cubase 5 and Cubase Studio 5?
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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. 3 new features that you will only find in the full Cubase 5 are:
Each of these new features could be sold as stand-alone products and are well worth the difference in price between Cubase Studio 5 and Cubase 5. 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 5. Cubase 5 also supports OMF files, while Studio 5 does not. Are you in a band, or do you record bands? Cubase 5 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. If you do not need the above features then Cubase Studio 5 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 hundreds of dollars (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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5. What about Cubase Essential 5? Cubase Essential 5 is built with the same VST audio engine used in Cubase 5, and has the same audio quality. It can accommodate unlimited MIDI tracks, up to 64 Audio tracks per project (record up to 32 audio tracks simultaneously), and has all the tools you need to easily record, edit, mix and master an entire professional-quality project. Essential 5 is a great choice for hobbyists and students, and anyone looking for an affordable but highly powerful sequencer.
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6. What operating systems does Cubase 5 support? Cubase 5 and Studio 5 can be installed on any machine running Mac OS X 10.5.5 or higher, or Windows XP Home or Pro editions (SP2) or Vista, including Vista 64 bit. 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 10.5.5 or Windows XP Home or Pro or Vista, a 2 GHz processor, and 1 GB RAM. 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 2 GB of RAM.
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8. What processor/motherboard works best with Cubase 5 or Studio 5? For Steinberg's latest word on DAW components, go to Steinberg.net
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9. What soundcards and audio interfaces work best with Cubase 5 and Cubase Studio 5? 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 5 or Cubase Studio 5? Cubase 5 and Studio 5 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.
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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 must be registered with Steinberg USA Registration (714 228-3301) or MySteinberg.
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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 5, the SX 3 license becomes a Cubase 5 license. Cubase 5 licenses will run Cubase 5, 4 and any version of SX, and Cubase Studio 5 licenses will run Studio 5, 4 and any version of SL. However, in the case that you are upgrading from one "level" to a higher level, such as SL 3 to Cubase 5, then the new Cubase 5 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 5 or Studio 5? Yes. Cubase 5 and Cubase Studio 5 can open all SE, SL, SX and Nuendo projects except for version 1 (SX1, Nuendo 1, etc.). Once saved in 5, your projects cannot be opened in the previous generation programs from which they came. View the Cubase Compatibility Chart for more information.
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15. What versions are compatible with what other versions of Cubase and Nuendo? Cubase 5 and Cubase Studio 5 can open all project files from all Steinberg Cubase and Nuendo products* except versions 1. 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 5 project after it has been imported into Cubase Studio 5, which does not have surround capabilities. 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 5 to Cubase LE.
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16. Do I need a Steinberg Key to run Cubase 5 or Studio 5? Yes, Cubase 5 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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17. 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 5 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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18. 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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19. Where can I get an update? You can download free updates (opposed to paid upgrades), which include bug fixes, other improvements, added features, etc., as they become available at Steinberg.net. It is a good idea to check in here from time to time.
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20. Is there Technical Support for Cubase 5 and Studio 5, 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. Be sure you are registered at MySteinberg before you call.
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21. Do Cubase 5 and Studio 5 come with a full printed manual? Cubase 5 comes with a full printed manual. Cubase Studio 5 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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22. Can I safely use Cubase 4 alongside Cubase 5? Yes, both versions can exist on your computer simultaneously. However once a project is saved in version 5 it cannot be opened in version 4.
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