STEINBERG Cubase 4.0.1 (Mac/Win)

May 1, 2007 12:00 PM, By Marty Cutler

           

Efficiency Experts

FIG. 3: You use Spector's Oscillator pop-up menu to set the relative tuning of up to six oscillator pairs.

As part of the new VST3 specification, VST instruments and effects plug-ins can dynamically alter the number of buses based on the channel type they are assigned: surround, mono, or stereo. Any instantiated VST3 plug-in that is not producing sound does not drain CPU cycles. You can also save CPU cycles by defeating unused outputs of multiple-output plug-ins such as samplers.

The new Instrument track class is a great time-saver for single-timbre stereo instruments. You can insert such instruments with an associated MIDI track, automation, and audio output in one fell swoop. A handy parameter box lets you set up a batch of instruments along with their track and I/O assignments at once. However, to use several instruments and outputs on a multitimbral VSTi, you still need to use the VSTi rack and assign multiple MIDI tracks and channels, as well as audio outputs. Not surprisingly, none of the built-in instruments are multitimbral.

No sequencer that I'm aware of offers multitimbral instruments in its built-in collection. Nonetheless, plenty of third-party software instruments are multitimbral, and it would be a great convenience to have the option to include multitimbral setup capabilities within Instrument tracks.

Down by the Docs

Steinberg has reintroduced hard-copy documentation with Getting Started, an introduction to Cubase 4 and its sibling Cubase Studio 4, and a nearly 600-page Operation Manual. Getting Started is an excellent orientation to essential functions such as setup, recording audio and MIDI, and editing. It contains thorough explanations and lucidly written tutorials. When that isn't enough, there's plenty of online help, including a plug-in guide, remote controller information, a MIDI devices reference, a menu reference, and the entire Operation Manual in PDF format. Contextual help is also available at the tip of your mouse.

With Cubase 4, Steinberg has knocked the ball out of the park. MediaBay and SoundFrame provide a huge speedup in work flow. Control Room is a major milestone in centralizing the computer's role in the studio. The new synthesizers offer a fresh sonic contrast to the typical analog-modeling and sample-playback fare accompanying many software workstations. Devotees of earlier versions of Cubase owe themselves an upgrade. If you use other sequencing software, you should have a look at what Cubase 4 has to offer. I recommend it enthusiastically.

Marty Cutler will soon debut his new band, the Nigerian Banjo Scam. Kindly purchase your tickets in advance.

PRODUCT SUMMARY

STEINBERG
Cubase 4.0.1

digital audio sequencer
$999.99

upgrades from $199.99

RATING PRODUCTS FROM 1 TO 5

PROS: Control Room can replace hardware mixer. SoundFrame integrates all relevant media. Terrific-sounding new synths. Instrument tracks combine VSTi, MIDI, audio, and automation in a single track. Clear and plentiful documentation.

CONS: Instrument tracks can't handle multitimbral instruments.

MANUFACTURER

Steinberg
www.steinberg.net