Steinberg CUBASE 4 Review Guide

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Cubase 4

Review Guide

September 2006

Review Guide

Cubase 4

Designed for professional music production from the ground up, Cubase 4 comes with a brand-new VST3 plug-in set and four new integrated software instruments with more than 1000 sounds. The revolutionary SoundFrame Presets, Instrument Tracks, and MediaBay database, to help organize all your sounds from every instrument - both software VSTi and hardware. Cubase 4’s mixer now offers a flexible Control Room section and up to four independent studio mixes. Composers and musicians benefit from a streamlined and enhanced score editor. A redesigned user interface with many new features speeds up workflow and boosts creativity to new levels.

What’s unique about Cubase 4? 1) Exclusive virtual Control Room section, based on Steinberg’s world-class audio engine, processing and mixing environment

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2) SoundFrame from any source

3) Unique combination of timeline-based and pattern-style arranging and composing using Steinberg’s exclusive Play Order Track

4) Seamless integration of external hardware instruments and effects processors.

5) Studio Connections “Total Recall & Audio” – Use Yamaha and third-party hardware like plug-ins.

Top-10 New Features

• SoundFrame

Universal Sound Manager manages any sound

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is a powerful combination of Track

[100]

– Universal Sound Manager

• Control Room

• 33 All-New VST3 Audio Effects Plug-ins

• Four New Virtual Instruments

• Major Score Editor Enhancements

• MediaBay

• Instrument Tracks

• Track Presets

• User Interface Redesign

• Drag & Drop for Insert FX

Additional New Features

• Mac PPC/Intel - Universal Binary

• Advanced AudioWarp Realtime Transpose

• New Trim Tool

• User-configurable Track Inspector

• New state-of-the-art Channel EQ

• User-configurable Channel Strip

• Intuitive Audio + MIDI Hardware Setup

• MP3 Surround

• MPEX 3 – High-quality audio time-stretching and pitch-shifting

Added Value

• Complete printed “Getting Started” and “Operation” manuals

• New tutorial manual including video tutorials

Competitive Comparison

Feature Cubase 4 Sonar

Producer 5.2

Supported Platforms Win (32; 64-bit

Audio Tracks unlimited unlimited 255 32 MIDI Tracks unlimited unlimited unlimited 256 Virtual Instruments unlimited (via VSTi Rack

Supported Plug In Formats

Included Plug-ins

Realtime Audio Plugins:

Offline Audio Plug-ins: 15 9 5

Realtime Midi Plug-ins: 16 8 6 0

Virtual Instruments: 6 8 14 1

compatible)

OSX (Universal)

and Instrument Tracks)

VST 2 and 3 VST 2, DirectX AU and TDM RTAS and TDM

50 37 53

Win (32 + native

64-bit)

unlimited 64 (VST only with

Logic Pro 7.2 ProTools LE /

M-Powered 7.1

OSX (Universal) Win (32-bit)

Wrapper) (128 software instrument tracks)

OSX (Universal)

RTAS only, via Instruments Tracks

Media file database management system:

Sound Management New Instrument Tracks,

Control Room yes, provides full control

Realtime time stretching and pitch shifting with formant preservation

Full score layout and printing

Full multi-channel audio path

Play Order Track for pattern style arranging

Recording with Effects Extended Freeze

Full latency compensation, including external instruments and effects

OMF Support yes yes yes optional Extensive Timecode and

Sync features User-Configurable

Toolbar, Track Inspector, Track Controls & Transport bar

Supported Hardware Windows DirectMusic,

Free MP3 Encoder yes no yes yes Price (US Retail excl. tax) $ 899.00 $ 799.00 $ 999.00 $ 299.00 (MP)

Powerful media file management system known as MediaBay. The central place for browsing, searching, managing and categorizing any type of media files.

Track Templates, and VST3 categorization functions

over external sources, alternative monitor sets, talkback and independent studio mixes inside the VST mixer

yes, extended AudioWarp (realtime transpose with formant preservation)

yes, redesigned Score Editor with new features

yes, Surround with real multi-channel audio path up to 5.1

yes no no no

yes

yes, extended Freeze function for CPU preservation (VSTi and audio channels) and Instrument freeze with or without effects

yes yes only partly no

yes yes yes no

Multiple new possibilities for the user to customize the client, like the fully customizable Inspector and Channel Strip window.

ASIO or OSX CoreAudio

Track

Only file management tool with navigator pane and track folder

no Channel-Strip

no no no

yes, but only with a Plug-In, no formant

preservation

no yes no

no, only for bus tracks

no yes no

yes, Freeze function for tracks, FXs and synths

yes, extended customize functions

Windows ASIO/WDM only

Small loop browser (AppleLoops) and small file explorer

Presets, but no attributes and search engine

with AppleLoops only, no formant

preservation

no no

yes, but only for tracks

yes, but only some possibilities like changing the Track column view

OSX CoreAudio only Windows ASIO or

Optional DigiBase

yes, but only for Acid-File playback

OSX CoreAudio

$ 495.00 (Mbox 2)

Product Facts

Control Room

The mixer in Cubase 4 has been expanded with a powerful Control Room section. You’re now able to connect multiple sets of control room monitors and external sources (CD, DVD, DAT, iPod) directly to your audio hardware and switch between them from a convenient Control Room panel. All connections are defined under a new tab in the VST Connections window. The Control Room section also offers a talkback channel, independent headphone channels, and the ability to create up to four studio mixes (monitor mixes). Therefore, each mixer channel now offers a separate studio send section for controlling those mixes.

The Control Room section in Cubase 4 is identical to the same section in Nuendo 3.2. If you are familiar with Nuendo, you already know about this powerful feature. Please check out all the details in our separate documentation.

Major Score Editor Enhancements

The score editor in Cubase 4 has seen a major redesign, including many usability and workflow improvements as well as new features. Composers don’t despair! None of the existing functions have been lost. All functions from previous versions are still available, albeit in different places. Here’s just a brief overview:

• The Score menu is now slimmer and better organized. Some functions are now available via dedicated context menus and therefore easier to use

• The symbol palettes have their own “inspector” which is organized in tabs – similar to the track inspector

• Several dialogs have been combined into a single “main” score settings dialog

• The Drum settings are now part of the main Drum Map Setup

• Cubase 4 now offers two additional high-quality score fonts:

“Jazz” and “Classical”. The original Cubase font is now available as “Legacy” font.

New Plug-in Set – VST3

Cubase 4 not only includes a completely new set of audio effect plugins, it also marks the next step in VST plug-in technology! VST3 offers major new features both for plug-in developers and users. VST3 plugins can adjust their number of audio busses to the channel they’re inserted to (mono, stereo, 5.1, etc.). A silence detection function makes sure that a plug-in only processes audio when there’s actually a signal present. This helps to reduce overall CPU load. VST3 plug-ins natively support Mac Intel and 64-bit processing. For developers there are many more features under the hood.

In Cubase 4, there are more than 30 all-new audio plug-ins. In addition, some of the previous plug-ins have been reworked and updated for this version, pushing the total number of plug-ins to 66! The original SX3 plug-ins will still be available to update customers. New customers may install these plug-ins as a “Legacy” set for project compatibility.

One of the highlights of this new plug-in set is a powerful new state-ofthe-art 4-band parametric Equalizer, which is also available within the newly enhanced channel EQ. Other highlights include a Vintage Compressor, Studio Chorus, a new Multiband Compressor, a voicedoubler called “Cloner”, and a great-sounding modeling guitar amplifier with speaker cabinet simulation.

A feature not related to VST3 but to Cubase 4’s mixer: effects can now be re-arranged using drag & drop. This works both within a single channel, as well as between channels.

New Virtual Instruments Cubase 4 adds four new virtual instruments: HALion One, Prologue,

Spector and Mystic. HALion One is a special player version of

HALion and comes with hundreds of ready-to-use instruments. Prologue is a polyphonic subtractive synthesizer with great-sounding filters and powerful modulation capabilities. Spector offers spectrum filter synthesis, while Mystic uses a combination of physical modeling and comb filtering to generate unique and colorful sounds. Prologue, Spector and Mystic are powered by VirSyn technology and also come with hundreds of fantastic preset sounds.

MediaBay – media file management system

To keep up with the ever-growing number of sounds, samples, loops and presets, Cubase 4 is equipped with a powerful media file management system known as MediaBay. MediaBay is the central place for browsing, searching, managing and categorizing any type of media file. This includes audio and MIDI files, instrument and plug-in presets, video data and even project files. Files can be organized in a folder structure, using attributes, or a combination of both. Powerful search tools support even most complex tasks. A user-friendly musical category search system helps finding sounds or loops fast. MediaBay also includes a tag editor to apply attributes. A Scope section features previewing options. Loops can be auditioned in the song’s tempo.

Instrument Tracks

Cubase 4 introduces a new track type: Instrument Track. An Instrument Track provides a fast and convenient way to use virtual instruments. As a quick alternative to the VSTi Rack, Instrument Tracks provide a single MIDI Input and a single stereo Output within a single channel/track. Setting up a VST Instrument and getting ready to play is now just one step away. As a limitation, Instruments in an Instrument Track only provide a single MIDI Input and one Stereo Output. Multitimbral VSTi’s and Instruments with multiple outputs may also be used in an Instrument Track, but they will automatically be restricted to one MIDI channel and one stereo output. Of course, the VSTi Rack can still be used in the familiar way.

Track Presets

One of the most powerful new features in Cubase 4 is Track Presets – especially when they’re combined with the new MediaBay. Track Presets are presets for complete track/channel settings. They are available for audio, MIDI, and Instrument tracks. Combinations of tracks can also be saved as Multi-Track Preset. Most track and mixer setting are stored, as well as Instrument/Preset information for an Instrument Track, or MIDI Port/Channel/Patch information for a MIDI track. Also included are all insert effect settings as well as EQ.

Track Presets can be saved with attributes like Category/Style/Character etc. This opens up a whole new dimension in sound management….

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SoundFrame

The real power of Cubase 4 only reveals itself when combining some of the new key features and using them in conjunction.

One of the biggest problems in typical project studio environments is the management of plug-ins, instruments, loops, presets, etc. Cubase 4 now offers a powerful solution to this problem: SoundFrame

What is SoundFrame

• SoundFrame

– Universal Sound Manager

™

allows you to manage ANY sound from ANY software or hardware synthesizer under a single, unified user interface (using MediaBay)

™

can help you find any sound, not only by instrument but also by category, type, style, character or other attributes (Track Presets organized in MediaBay)

™

even comes with more than 1000 ready-toplay sounds, which are also conveniently organized by instrument category, type, and character. These can even be instantly previewed before loading. (Instrument Track Presets managing the new included VST instruments – again organized in MediaBay)

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can even manage your VST effects plug-in presets as well. These can also be organized and categorized to form one big effects library.

User Interface Redesign

The first thing you will notice when opening Cubase 4 is the redesigned user-interface. The overall look has become a notch darker (although this can be changed in the Appearance preference pane) and less “3D”. The overall visibility of active items versus inactive items has been vastly improved. In fact, although there are more screen elements in this version, it looks like there was less, especially in the Mixer and Inspector areas. You will notice that selected mixer channels are now very clearly highlighted. Also, smaller fonts are now more readable.

The new user interface also introduces a number of new features:

• The Track Inspector is now fully customizable. A new setup panel allows each item in the Track Inspector to be made visible or hidden. Also, the order of items can be changed – individually for each track type, of course. In addition, entire setups can be stored as presets.

• The Channel Strip window is also fully customizable. It also features its own setup panel and individual sections can be configured in the same way as the track inspector. Here as well, presets can be created for later recall. You will also notice the new EQ section with its larger display area.

• The Mixer window has many new functions, most of which deal with managing views, applying those to selected channels only, changing view/hide status of individual or multiple channels. Notice the new items in the mixers common panel.

Additional New Features

• Extended AudioWarp: realtime transpose with formant preservation. Solo instruments and vocals can be transposed at much higher quality and still sound natural. Just select the new “Solo” Preset in the Warp Setting menu of the sample editor.

• Much-improved Audio and MIDI Hardware Setup panels. Parameters are now consolidated and better organized. Port handling has been simplified.

• A new Trim tool in the key editor allows for trimming start and end for multiple events

• MP3 Surround: not only, Cubase 4 provides full MP3 encoding and decoding where similar products only provide demo versions of MP3. Cubase 4 also supports MP3 surround, the latest achievement in audio compression. MP3 surround is fully backwards compatible with stereo decoders and provides a convenient solution for multi-channel media distribution – for example via Internet or email.

Key Features & Benefits

Feature What it does Benefit

SoundFrame™ – Universal Sound Manager

Combines the new Instrument Tracks, Track Templates, and VST3 categorization functions with a powerful database system (MediaBay). Cubase’s MediaBay is the central for organizing, categorizing, searching and even previewing sounds.

™

SoundFrame

is present throughout the entire program and serves as a universal interface for managing and accessing sounds.

Control Room Provides full control over external

sources, alternative monitor sets, talkback and independent studio mixes inside the VST mixer

New VST3 Plug-in Set More than 30 new plug-ins have been

designed based on the new VST3 plugin standard. These professional quality effects cover a wide range of types and applications and showcase some of the new features available in VST3.

Four new Virtual instruments

Adds three new virtual synthesizers – Prologue, Spector and Mystic – as well as a special optimized player version of Steinberg’s HALion sampler: HALion One.

New Score Editor Settings Dialog

All settings in the Score Editor have been consolidated into a new intuitive settings window incorporating project, layout, staff and text settings.

New Symbol Inspector in Score Editor

The symbols pallets have been consolidated into a new “inspector-style” sidebar with collapsible tabs and a new favorites section

MediaBay Integrated media management system

featuring file browser, database, search engine, preview functions and attribute editor

Instrument Tracks Instrument Tracks combine MIDI Input

and Audio Output into one single track and mixer channel.

SoundFrame when combined – turn Cubase into a powerful sound management system.

SoundFrame browse any sound from any source – regardless from where it’s coming from. The user can preview sounds before loading, mix, and match or replace sounds on the fly, as well as substitute missing sounds from imported projects.

With the addition of Control Room in Cubase, many project studios will no longer require an external mixer or monitor controller. In combination with suitable multi I/O audio hardware, Cubase now provides a full-functional user-definable control room monitoring system.

These great-sounding plug-ins showcase brand-new VST3 features like multi-channel capability and SoundFrame They are highly optimized for different processor platforms, run natively on MacIntel systems and support the VST3 “silence flag” to reduce processor load when no signal is present.

With these four additional virtual instruments, Cubase 4 now offers a powerful built-in synthesis engine equipped with more than 1000 ready-to-play instruments and sounds.

The new Score Editor settings window is a major workflow improvement and speeds up the process of setting-up Cubase’s score editor drastically.

Another major workflow improvement for score layout work. All available symbols are now conveniently located in a separate window section and no longer cover other windows.

More than just a database, MediaBay is the new central media management system that handles all your media files: audio, MIDI, video, plug-in presets, track presets and even Cubase project files. Organize, catalog, categorize and preview files – even in project context.

Instrument Tracks are a huge time-saver for using virtual instruments in Cubase. Setting up a track for a VSTi is now only two clicks away. Instrument Tracks are fully integrated with Cubase’s new SOUNDFRAME Universal Sound Manager, create only a single channel in the VTS mixer and have the additional benefit of showing MIDI and plug-in automation in the same location.

™

is a set of features which –

™

can be used to organize and

™

integration.

Track Presets Track Presets are snapshots of entire

User Interface Redesign The entire Cubase user interface has

Drag&Drop for Insert FX Insert FX plug-ins can be copied or

Advanced AudioWarp Realtime Transpose

Trim Tool The key editor has a new tool to cut the

User-configurable Track Inspector

User-configurable Channel Strip

Dynamic Output Configuration for VSTi’s

New state-of-the-art Channel EQ

Intuitive new Audio+MIDI Hardware Setup

track/channel strips. They are available for Audio, MIDI and Instrument Tracks and can be categorized using MediaBay attributes. Audio Track Presets contain EQ and insert effect information, MIDI Track Presets save MIDI port, channel and patch data, as well as additional MIDI track parameters like MIDI plugins. Instrument Track Pr esets include a combination of all of the above, as well as selected instrument/preset information.

been cosmetically updated. Several dialogs have been redesigned. The mixer has many new view options.

swapped using drag & drop, even across channels.

A new realtime audio pitch-shifting and time-stretching algorithm has been added to provide formant preservation.

heads or tails of multiple selected MIDI events.

As part of the UI redesign, the track inspector can now be custom configured for each track type. Any Inspector section can be switched on or off, plus the order of sections can be changed. Furthermore, configurations can be stored as view presets and quickly recalled.

Just like the Track Inspector, the Channel Strip window for audio and MIDI tracks can now be custom configured as well. Sections can be switched on or off, and their left-to-right order can be changed as well. Configurations can be saved as view presets.

Virtual Instruments with multiple outputs no longer create return channels for each available output. Instead, the user can change the output configuration on the fly.

In line with the new plug-in set, the Channel EQ has been converted into a high-end multi-mode studio equalizer that provides unparalleled sonic detail and flexibility when compared to “standard” channel EQs in other DAWs.

Audio and MIDI Hardware Setup control panels have been consolidated and simplified. Management of missing or replaced hardware has been improved as well.

Track Presets open a whole new dimension in sound and track management. Besides being used as templates for new tracks, Track Presets can also be used to extract EQ or FX settings and paste these into other tracks. Track Presets are also the basis for Cubase’s SOUND-FRAME Universal Sound Manager. Since any type of sound (external MIDI or internal VSTi) can be organized in Track Presets, searching sounds across instruments is possible. Finally, even multiple Tracks can be saved into a single (Multi-) TrackTemplate. This allows for complex sound textures from multiple sources.

Although many functions have been added, the overall look of Cubase is now clearer and more concise. Inactive objects no longer distract, while active objects have more focus.

Allows for more flexibility in routing effects and speeds up the process of setting up and comparing multi-effect chains.

Solo tracks like vocals or single instruments can now be transposed in realtime without the unwanted artifacts of formant shifting.

This has been a long requested feature from Cubase VST power-users. Now it’s back in Cubase 4. Can be used to create arpeggiated chords, strums or more accurate note-offs.

With more and more items added to the Track Inspector, visibility has suffered especially on smaller monitors. With the new configuration features, Cubase users can customize the Track Inspector to their taste and improve overall usability of this important Cubase feature.

With the addition of new sections like the studio sends, this allows for more flexibility in working with the Channel Strip view.

Managing multiple-output VSTi’s has become a lot more flexible using this new function.

This new EQ – and the new StudioEQ plugin – represent a major advancement in sound quality. Instead of the previous “analytic” EQ, this new EQ is a creative tool, which adds character and depth to any sound – and it’s fully backward compatible.

This not only improves the entire hardware setup and management process, it also speeds up the entire workflow, especially when projects are exchanged between users working on different hardware setups.

VST3 backwardscompatibility

MP3 Surround The latest Fraunhofer MP3 codecs are

MPEX3 MPEX3 is the latest and highest-quality

Existing VST2 plug-ins run smoothly within the new VST3 plug-in system. Although they do not benefit from proprietary VST3 features,

included with Cubase 4. MP3 Surround is a special extension to the existing MP3 format which encodes multichannel audio information into a compressed file that is playable on both stereo and surround playback systems.

MPEX time-stretching and pitch-shifting algorithm available. It offers improved overall sound quality, MacIntel compatibility, support for more sampling rates, better performance, and seven different modes to chose from.

VST3 is a major technological advancement with major code changes under the hood of Cubase. Still, users can continue to work with most of their existing VST plug-ins and projects are still compatible.

MP3 Surround is a convenient way to deliver multi-channel audio files in a spacesaving compressed format. With the great benefit of backwards-compatibility to MP3 Stereo, a single MP3 Surround file can be used even if there’s no surround playback hardware present.

MPEX3 sounds fantastic and the new modes are optimized for specific audio material, which improves sound quality even further.

Cubase 4 – a closer look

Control Room

Without drawing a lot of attention, the control room section of a mixer is one of the key elements in every studio. No matter if it’s just about controlling the level of studio monitors, switching between different sets of monitors, communicating with musicians in a recording booth, or quickly switching to a external source like CD, DAT or DVD player: the control room section of a professional mixing desk brings all these signals together and distributes them within the studio.

Equally important and often missed on smaller mixing consoles is one or more independent monitor or headphone mixes, specially when recording a live band or multiple musicians at the same time. Many of today’s studios still require a hardware mixer just for that purpose.

Cubase 4 completely redefines the computer-based recording and mixing workflow in music production systems by recreating the complete Control Room section originally found only in high-end hardware mixing consoles. With the addition of this virtual Control Room and suitable multi-channel audio I/O hardware, external mixers are finally a thing of the past.

The Control Room section in Cubase 4 includes the following functions:

• Completely separate output busses for Control Room and Headphone Monitoring, leaving the main mix output

untouched by control room specific settings.

• Four user-definable Monitor Setups allow for quick switching between monitor systems including “Foldback” and convenient solo functionality for surround setups such as “Solo to Center” or “Back to Front”

• Up to six External Inputs for external sources such as DAT, Tape, CD or DVD can be played through any Studio, Track, Headphone or Control Room Bus.

• A total of up to four separate Studios/Monitor Mixes, each getting their signal feeds from any audio channel, group channel, or FX return channel within the Cubase mixer. All of these channel types are now equipped with four independent Studio Sends, each offering level and pan.

• Talkback function allowing producers and engineers to speak directly to musicians/artists in any or all of the studios.

• Automatic Dim, when Talkback is used, as well as manual Dim button to reduce Control Room output levels by 20dB.

• Copy function to apply the main mix to any of the Studio mixes with a single mouse click or key command.

• Separate Click Bus allows for individual distribution of a metronome click to Studios, Headphone and Control Room busses.

Up to 4 Studio Busses

Up to 6 External Inputs

Independent Click- and Talkback levels per studio

The routing of all Control Room busses can be monitored and edited via the Control Room Overview window.

All elements and their possible connections are displayed with green dots marking existing connections. Connections can be changed directly in this view.

Solo and

Downmix

Buttons for

surround

setups

Folddown

buttons for

checking of

different speaker

setups

Up to 4

studio

monitor

setups

Enhanced Score Editor

The Score Editor in Cubase 4 has received several major enhancements, including a new inspector-style Symbol Tabs that can be individually collapsed and expanded, a special userdefinable Favorites tab, and editing of multiple events using the info line.

New configurable Symbol Tabs re-organize Cubase 4’s symbol palettes and facilitate score editing and layout.

The Score Menu and Score Settings Panel have been reorganized and consolidated. This dramatically simplifies and improves the workflow inside the score layout editor.

The Staff Presets have been linked to Cubase 4’s SoundFrame™ and its new Track Presets. Whenever a track preset is used that contains sound category information, a suitable staff preset is automatically assigned to that track. Vice-versa user defined MIDI or Instrument Track Presets can save custom staff settings together with the instrument and sound.

Last but not least, two brand-new master-quality Score Fonts have been added: “Jazz” and “Classic”. These are now available together with the original Cubase Score Font, which has been renamed to “Legacy”.

MediaBay

Cubase 4 introduces a powerful media management system called MediaBay. MediaBay gives Cubase users total control over all of their instrument sounds, plug-in presets, audio loops and clips, MIDI Files, Track Presets and even video files or entire Cubase project files. It is the centerpiece of Steinberg’s unique SoundFrame architecture.

But MediaBay is more than a database. It also includes a smart file Browser with “Flat” and “Focus” modes, as well as user-definable presets for Search Locations. The powerful Filter section offers both a multi-level Detail Search mode and a convenient Category Search mode, which is perfect for browsing instrument presets or track presets.

The Viewer area displays search results and can be quickly reorganized by sorting after category or type using its user-

definable column views and column order. Files can be imported into the current project either by context menu command or simple

drag & drop. Even editing operations on the file system level such as Cut, Copy, Paste, Delete or Rename can be executed from the Viewer area of MediaBay.

The Scope section of MediaBay gives a closer view at the selected media file. It features preview functions, including Auto Preview and Preview in Project Context to play loops in the project tempo. Audio files have a ruler waveform display. Standard Transport Controls are available as well.

The Tag Editor is used to apply and edit standard and user- definable Attributes to any media file that is supported in MediaBay. Using Attributes are the key to MediaBay’s powerful search and filter functions. Cubase 4’s included content such as track presets and instrument presets have pre-defined attribute information and can be used to demonstrate the speed and convenience of SoundFrame

™

Besides the standard MediaBay window, there are multiple adapted views of MediaBay available everywhere across Cubase

4. This includes a special SoundFrame

™

Browser view for

browsing sounds across all available internal and external instruments, a convenient Loop Browser, as well as any Load or Save dialogs for VST Presets and Track Presets.

™

MediaBay

The Browser section shows the current file system in a tree perspective.

The Viewer includes the Filter section and the search result list. In this window, Detail Search mode is active.

The Tag Editor is used to apply and edit standard or user-definable attributes to the selected file(s).

MediaBay sections can be individually switched on or off. The entire window or individual sections can also be resized.

The Scope section is used to preview the selected file.

Two additional MediaBay windows provide direct access to either sounds or loops without the need to reconfigure any windows. Since each of these windows remembers its last setting, users can conveniently switch between browsing for sounds or searching for a specific drum loop or audio sample.

MediaBay, SoundFrame Browser and Loop Browser can be accessed directly via key commands as well (F5, F6, F7).

(see following page)

The SoundFrame™ Browser window is specially configured to browse sounds across the entire studio. This can include any or all virtual or external instruments that are known to Cubase. Sounds can be previewed/played before they are loaded into a track. Instead of a “favorites flag”, SoundFrame personalize a sound library and get to the right sound quickly.

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features a convenient rating system to

With Cubase 4’s Loop Browser, users can directly access their existing loop library and preview any loop with just a single click, even in context with the current arrangement. Because of the flexible structure of MediaBay, users can work in either folder-based or category-based organization systems – or a combination of both.

New Virtual Instrument: HALion One

With HALion One Steinberg adds powerful sample playback synthesis

Preset Name Display

to Cubase 4. Based on Steinberg’s award-winning HALion 3 architecture, HALion One is optimized for use with SoundFrame comes with more than 650 brand-new ready-to-play sounds covering dozens of acoustic and electronic instruments, as well as hundreds of colorful synth timbres. This extremely versatile sound set is optimized for lightning-fast preset switching and low memory consumption.

HALion One plays one single VST3 Preset at a time and provides one pair of stereo audio outputs. Sound and effect parameters can be tweaked using eight convenient Quick Controls. Edits can be saved as user presets. SoundFrame

™

manages all of HALion One’s

presets, user presets and track presets. So finding the right sound is equally convenient and fast.

FX Bypass button

Efficiency Slider provides control over CPU load

™

. It

Eight QuickControls for sound editing and realtime control

• Integrated sample-based instrument with more than 600 instruments/sounds

• Includes 58 drum kits

• Eight QuickControls

• FX Bypass button

• Variable efficiency to control CPU load

• One MIDI In, stereo audio out – perfect for Instrument Tracks

New Virtual Instrument: Prologue

Prologue is a powerful virtual analog synthesizer and represents a

further development of Steinberg’s critically acclaimed D’cota synthesizer’s Analog Page. It offers up to 128-voice polyphony and comes with hundreds of great-sounding presets covering a wide range of sounds reaching from traditional analog to indescribable. Prologue’s intuitive user interface provides full editing capabilities with access to its three oscillators, powerful multi-mode filter, four

envelopes, two LFOs, a powerful modulation matrix, and on-board effects.

• Virtual analog synthesizer with hybrid analog and digital waveforms

• Three oscillators

• Multi-mode variable resonance filter

• Four ADSR envelope generators

• Two LFOs

• Powerful modulation matrix

• On-board effects (Distortion, Delay, Phaser, Flanger, Chorus)

New Virtual Instrument: Spector

The second new integrated synthesizer of Cubase 4 – Spector – is based on two extremely colorful and versatile spectrum filters and is a further development of the Spectrum Page of Steinberg’s D’cota Virtual Instrument. It also comes with hundreds of VST3 Presets. This unique instrument can utilize up to six oscillators per voice with two different waveforms each. Separate independent spectrum filters process each of the two waveforms. Creating new, unique sounds by simply drawing new filter curves and then shifting or morphing the two filter’s spectrums is pure fun.

Identical to Prologue, Spector offers four envelope generators, two LFOs, a powerful modulation matrix and on-board effects. With access to all sound parameters, Spector provides full editing capabilities.

• Up to six oscillators per voice

• Two variable spectrum filters with morph control

• Four ADSR envelope generators

• Two LFOs

• Powerful modulation matrix

• On-board effects (Distortion, Delay, Phaser, Flanger, Chorus)

New Virtual Instrument: Mystic

The third new integrated synthesizer in Cubase 4 goes by the name Mystic and is a further development of the Wave Page of Steinberg’s D’cota Virtual Synthesizer.

Mystic’s synthesis is based on three parallel comb filters with feedback. Sound source is an “impulse sound” based on physical modeling technology. The harmonic spectrum of this sound is based on one of six waveforms and a set of two spectrum filters. The sound can be shaped with a filter (Damping), by adding an offset to the comb filters (Detune), or by adding a noise component (Crackle).

Mystic is a very unusual but inspiring instrument with lots of personality. That makes it the perfect complement to Cubase 4’s other integrated instruments.

• Impulse oscillator with spectrum filters

• Three parallel comb filters with feedback

• Four ADSR envelope generators

• Two LFOs

• Powerful modulation matrix

• On-board effects (Distortion, Delay, Phaser, Flanger, Chorus)

New VST3 Plug-in Set

Not only Cubase 4 is world’s first VST3 host, it also comes with a brand-new set of great-sounding VST3 effects plug-ins featuring some of the new functions of VST3. Check out the section on VST3 in this product guide for more information and some technical background on this new technology and find out how VST3 is going to take the world’s #1 plug-in standard into the future.

The new effects plug-ins in Cubase 4 make Steinberg’s most complete plug-in set ever. They come with more than 800 great-sounding presets, which allow you to experience the excellent quality of these effects from the first moment on.

Here is a complete overview:

Group Plug-in Description

Delay MonoDelay

StereoDelay

PingPongDelay

ModMachine

Distortion ToneBooster

AmpSimulator

SoftClipper

Dynamics Compressor

Expander

Limiter

Gate

Maximizer

EnvelopeShaper

VSTDynamics

Monophonic delay processor with filter stage and tempo sync. The Steve Reich of delays.

Dual-channel delay with separate and independent left and right delay stages. Features variable filters and tempo sync for each channel.

A mono delay with automatic L/R bounce for the classic ping-pong delay effect. Also features a filter stage and tempo sync.

A powerful multi-stage delay/modulation effect (see diagram for signal flow). Combines a wide-range delay with LFO controlled delay time, as well as a resonant filter with dual LFOs for frequency and resonance modulation. The filter can either be inserted into the output stage or into a delay feedback loop. A "Spacial" parameter controls the modulation offset between channels.

Simple volume booster with a variable filter stage for tone control. Simulates classic stomp boxes like Range Booster. Very useful in combination with AmpSimulator to adjust output volume from low-level output instruments.

Guitar amp simulation with speaker simulation. Features various amp and cabinet models to chose from. Additional controls resemble a classic guitar combo. Also suitable for bass. May be used in combination with the "ToneBooster" if the guitar lacks output gain.

Soft clipping with independent 2nd and 3rd harmonics controls.

Classic compressor with auto release, auto make-up gain, hard/soft knee, RMS/Peak, and "Live" mode which disables look-ahead for low latency use.

Classic expander; also features auto-release and "Live" mode for low latency use.

Straight-forward low-distortion limiter with auto-release; puts a "hard ceiling" on any signal. Also suitable for the master stage.

Flexible gate with independent attack and release controls, auto-release, a sidechain input filter for ducking effects, as well as a "live" mode for low-latency use.

Hard limiter/loudness enhancer for master channel; features soft clipping and automatic attack/release.

Envelope Shaper. Manipulates the transients of ideally percussive input signals; offers variable attack gain and length, as well as release gain controls.

This is the VST3 vers ion of the classic VST Dynamics multi-effect plug-in. Combines Compressor, Gate, Limiter and Soft Clipper with flexible routing capabilities.

VintageCompressor

MultibandCompressor

EQ StudioEQ

GEQ10

GEQ30

Filter WahWah

Modulation StudioChorus

Flanger

Phaser

Tremolo

Vibrato

AutoPan

Cloner

Rotary

Spacial MonoToStereo

StereoEnhancer

Reverb Roomworks SE

Modeled after one of the most famous vintage compressors. Easy to use but very effective.

The new Multi-Band Compressor features four independent bands with three crossover-frequencies. Each band has its own independent compressor (with Threshold, Ratio, Attack, Release und Makeup Gain); it features independent Solo and Bypass per band, and auto mode for automatic attack/release control. Each compressor band has an independent automatic make-up gain.

This powerful and versatile equalizer offers full four-band parametric control with variable response curves and shelving modes, as well as analog-style peak filters. The new EQ types are also available in Cubase 4’s new channel EQ.

Graphic Equalizer with 10 bands; features drawing of EQ curves, an invert parameter, and seven different response types. Also features a global range control for overall amount of equalization.

Graphic Equalizer with 30 bands; features drawing of EQ curves, an invert parameter, and seven different response types. Also features a global range control for overall amount of equalization.

Typical wah-wah pedal modeling effect - lets you emulate your favorite wah-wah pedals. Features parameters for frequency-range, filter-width, and gain range.

Powerful dual-stage chorus with two identical stages running in serial; each stage also features a filter stage and a spacial parameter which creates modulation offsets between channels, also in surround configurations.

Powerful flanger with editable Lo/Hi Range, a filter stage, manual mode and a "spacial" parameter for multi-channel modulation offsets.

Classic phaser with variable filter stage, manual mode, tempo sync and a "spacial" parameter for multi-channel modulation offsets.

Classic tremolo effect with optional tempo sync and a "spacial" parameter to add multichannel modulation offsets.

Classic vibrato effect with optional tempo sync and a "spacial" parameter to add multichannel modulation offsets.

Automatic panning effect with adjustable width, rate, two waveshapes; features tempo sync.

The Cloner simulates the effect of doubletracking by creating up to four "cloned" signals from the original input source. Cloned signals have variable delay, detune and panning, Very useful - not only for creating thick backing vocal performances from single tracks.

Rotor speaker cabinet effect with very powerful editing capabilities. Features independent Lo/Hi cabinet control, overdrive, slow/fast/stop modes.

Can create a pseudo-stereo signal from any mono source. Also includes controls for "color" and "delay".

Can enhance the stereo width of a stereo input signal. Features controls for "color" and "delay" to further enhance the effect.

A new “light” version of Steinberg’s appraised Roomworks reverb. Great sound – low on CPU load.

Other Octaver

Tuner Instrument tuner plug-in.

Sub-octave pitch shifter creates two additional signals, one and two octaves below the input signal, each with variable level.

In addition to these 33 new plug-ins, the following 17 original Cubase SX plug-ins have been updated for Cubase 4:

MIDI Gate, DaTube, StepFilter, Tranceformer, Metalizer, RingModulator, Chopper, Bitcrusher, Grungelizer, Roomworks, Tonic SMPTE Generator, MultiScope, TestGenerator, Mix6to2, UV22HR DeEsser

MultibandCompressor

GEQ30 – graphic EQ

ModMachine

Cloner

StudioEQ

Not available for MacIntel

VST3 – Technical Background

Cubase 4 is the first host application to support VST3, the longawaited major update of the world’s leading universal plug-in standard. VST3 marks an important milestone in virtual studio technology and incorporates countless updates, enhancements, changes and new features. Following is a brief overview of the major new features included with VST3. Continuing on the next page is a FAQ section.

Improved Performance

Some current plug-ins are known to be heavy on CPU load. Managing large plug-in sets and multiple virtual instruments on typical project studio computer systems can often be difficult because of CPU performance limits. VST3 helps to improve overall performance by applying processing to plug-ins only when audio signals are present on their respective inputs. So instead of always processing input signals, even when there is only silence present, VST3 plug-ins can apply their processing economically and only when it is needed.

Multiple Dynamic I/Os

VST3 plug-ins are no longer limited to a fixed number of inputs and outputs. Their I/O configuration can dynamically adapt to the channel configuration they’re inserted in. For example, the new VST3 plug-ins in Cubase 4 can work in stereo-mode when inserted into a stereo channel, but switch to 6 channels when inserted into a

5.1 channel. In any case, each audio channel is processed independently. Interaction between channels depends on the type and design of the plug-in. While it is still eligible to have dedicated surround plug-ins, basically any VST3 plug-in can be surroundcapable with true multi-channel processing. In addition to their flexible audio bussing capabilities, VST3 plug-ins may also offer a dedicated event bus. Typically, this is a MIDI input for control/modulation but these busses are no longer restricted to MIDI standard only. Future plug-ins may replace the common MIDI interface with alternative control methods.

Activating/Deactivating Busses

A typical issue with current virtual instruments is their audio output bussing system and how they’re connected to the mixer after loading. Especially virtual samplers with multiple outputs often occupy more mixer channels than need. The VST3 interface offers the possibility to deactivate unused busses after loading and even reactivate those when needed. This cleans up the mixer and further helps to reduce CPU load.

Routing Possibilities

Plug-ins can be connected to the host environment in many different ways: Future VST3 Instruments can have audio inputs. As an example, a synthesizer that offers a built-in vocoder will be able to directly receive an audio signal to control the effect. A VST3 plug-in may have multiple MIDI inputs at the same time.

Parameter Handling – Tree Structure

In general, parameter handling did not change with the integration of VST3. However, there are some improvements to the handling of parameters. Parameters can be organized logically in a tree structure to improve handling of complex plug-ins or instruments with a large number of parameters. It’s now a lot easier to locate specific parameters, for example on an automation track.

Resizable Edit Windows

VST instruments become more flexible and complex, which results in bigger editor windows. Some instrument edit windows may fill up more than half of the entire screen. In VST3 editor windows can be resized. As a result, multiple windows can fit on a single screen without overlapping each other.

SDK and Plug-in Test host

A new SDK will be available by the end of 2006 and allow 3 developers to produce updates and new plug-ins for the VST3 standard. In order to facilitate design and testing of VST3 plug-ins, Steinberg has developed a VST3 test host application, which offers audio and MIDI playback to test any VST3 plug-in in a simple host environment. One special feature of this test host is a “unit testing” section. It allows testing of the plug-in’s stability and consistency and executes automatic stress tests designed by Steinberg developers.

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VST3 – Frequently Asked Questions

With VST (Virtual Studio Technology), Steinberg established the world’s leading and most widely supported standard for plug-ins and virtual instruments. Cubase 4 is the host application to support VST3 – Steinberg’s latest version of the leading plug-in standard. Here are just the key facts about VST3 as well as some answers to frequently asked questions:

What is VST3?

VST3 is the next major revision of Steinberg’s Virtual Studio Technology and follows VST 2.4, which is the latest current version of VST. VST3 is a plug-in standard, not a product or host application. In order to run VST3 plug-ins or instruments, the host application must also support VST3.

Can I still use my existing plug-ins and instruments?

Yes. Existing VST 2.4 plug-ins and instruments are fully compatible with Cubase 4. Any plug-in or instrument older than VST 2.4 must be tested and potentially updated.

Can I load projects from my previous Cubase version?

Yes. Projects created in Cubase SX or later can be opened in Cubase 4 and included plug-ins should work as expected if they were designed and tested for VST 2.4.

Can my old plug-ins and instruments also use the benefits of VST3?

Yes, they can. Although they do not offer the exclusive features of VST3 such as sample-accurate automation, improved performance or dynamic I/Os. VST2 plug-ins may benefit from VST3’s new preset handling. FXB or FXP presets can be converted into VST3 preset format and then benefit from Cubase 4’s SoundFrame Management System.

When will I get a VST3 version of my favorite 3 instrument?

This depends on the availability of the VST3 software development kit (SDK) and the time it takes for the developers to update their plug-ins and instruments. The SDK is scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Is VST still an open and free standard?

Yes. VST is still an open and free standard.

How will developers learn about VST3?

All necessary documentation will be available in a new VST3 software development kit.

When is the SDK (software development kit) going to be available?

The SDK is scheduled for a release in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Will there be free upgrades to VST3 for all Steinberg plug-ins and virtual instruments?

The new plug-in set and some of the virtual instruments in Cubase 4 are already VST3. New Steinberg virtual instrument products will also be VST3. The same goes for new versions of existing Steinberg virtual instruments.

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Media

party plug-in or

Pricing

(Euros incl 16% VAT)

Cubase 4 €879.00 Cubase 4 Update from Cubase SX 3 €169.00 Cubase 4 Update from Cubase SX 2/1 €199.00 Cubase 4 Upgrade from Cubase Studio 4/SL3/2/1 €479.00 Cubase 4 Upgrade Cubase SE 3/Studui Case II €729.00 Cubase 4 Upgrade from Cubase SE 1/Cubase LE €779.00

Minimum System Requirements

Macintosh Windows

Power Mac G4 1 GHz or Core Solo 1.5 GHz 512 MB RAM OS X Version 10.4 Display Resolution 1024 x 768 pixels CoreAudio compatible audio hardware DVD-ROM drive USB component port for copy protection

key Internet access required for license

activation

Pentium / Athlon 1.4 GHz 512 MB RAM Windows XP Home and XP Professional Display Resolution 1024 x 768 pixels Windows DirectX compatible audio

hardware; ASIO compatible audio hardware recommended for low latency performance

DVD-ROM drive USB component port for copy protection

key Internet access required for license

activation

For recommended systems, please refer to our website: Home>Support>DAW Components

Cubase 4 – Complete List of New Features

Mixing

New Control Room Mixer with Talkback and Headphone busses, External Inputs, Control Room Monitor busses

Up to four Studio Send busses for each audio channel

Solo and Folddown functions for stereo and surround monitor setups

Drag & Drop copying and swapping of insert plug-ins

New high-quality Channel Equalizer with multiple filter modes and characteristics

Re-organized mixer control strip “Command Target” controls in mixer control

strip Improved Show/Hide management for mix er

channels Improved channel selection and visibility Inserts show preset names for plug-ins User-configurable channel strip window for

audio and instrument tracks, including preset management

User-configurable track inspector with preset management

Dynamic output configuration for VSTi’s

Files and Formats (Import and Export)

MP3 Surround import and export

Audio

AudioWarp realtime pitch shifting with formant preservation for natural realtime audio transpose

MPEX3 high-quality time stretching and pitch shifting algorithm for offline processing and editing

MediaBay

New MediaBay media management system with extensive search, preview and attribute editing functions

SoundFrame (links MediaBay with Track Presets, VST3 Plugin Presets and built-in synth engine)

Preview function to play loops in project tempo Auto-Preview for Track Presets and VST

Presets

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– Universal Sound Manager

Editing

Combined editing of notes and controllers Key Editor: New Trim Tool for trimming event

start or end points for multiple events Improved selection of tool modifiers in editors,

controller lanes and automation lanes New preference: track selection follows event

selection

Plug-ins and Instruments

New VST3 plug-in set: Delay: MonoDelay, StereoDelay,

PingPongDelay Distortion: ToneBooster, AmpSimulator,

SoftClipper Dynamics: Compressor, Expander, Limiter,

Gate, Maximizer, EnvelopeShaper, VSTDynamics, VintageCompressor, MultibandCompressor,

EQ: StudioEQ, GEQ10 10-band graphic equalizer, GEQ-30 30-band graphic equalizer

Filter: WahWah Modulation: StudioChorus, Flanger, Phaser,

ModMachine, Tremolo, Vibrato, AutoPan, Cloner, Rotary

Spacial: MonoToStereo, StereoEnhancer Reverb: Roomworks SE Other: Octaver, Tuner (Plus 17 original VST plug-ins) New Virtual Instrument: Prologue – professional

analog modeling synthesizer New Virtual Instrument: Spector – spectrum

filter synthesizer New Virtual Instrument: Mystic – impulse/comb

filter synthesizer New Virtual Instrument: HALion One – sample

playback synthesizer More than 1000 ready-to-play instrument

sounds, drum kits and effects

Project/General

Instrument Tracks combining MIDI Input and Audio Output for VST instruments into a single track and mixer channel

Track Presets save entire channels and track parameters without events for convenient sound management

Integration of VST3 for plug-ins and virtual instruments

Re-organized Preferences dialog with extended customization features

Freeze button in Track Controls Part/Event names are preserved after bouncing

a selection Option to use L/R keys to set range or move

playhead Improved snapping, including option to snap

events to the right side Track Controls context function for multiple

selected tracks Option to have track selection follows event

selection “Snap to Zero-crossing” button in tool bar Display time format in time display devices Reverse time keyboard input for faster editing Scrolling improvements

MIDI & Music

Score Editor: Redesigned settings dialog with consolidated setup parameters for score layout, staff settings, and more

Score Editor: New inspector-style symbol pallets for improved layout workflow

Score Editor: Category system for staff presets linked with SoundFrame

Score Editor: Two new score fonts: “Jazz” and “Classic”

Score Editor: Improved Auto-Layout function Score Editor: Function to import lyrics from

MIDI file Toggle selection status with control modifier

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Various

Redesigned User Interface with new look & feel Mac OSX Intel support (Universal Binary) Complete printed operations manual and plug-

in reference New set of key commands:

• Constrain delay compensation on/off

• Switch automation modes

• Deactivate all solo

• Unmute all

• Grid and snap modes

• Lane display type

• Enable/disable track

• Lock/unlock track

• Open channel settings window for

selected track

• Switching of ruler modes

• Show sends

• Inserts

• EQ

• FX

• Etc. for selected track

• Jump to cycle marker

• Zoom cycle marker

• Add cycle marker

• Toggle auto-monitoring

• Toggle mixer views

• Open Control Room

• Open MediaBay

• Open SoundFrame Browser

• Open Loop Browser

Steinberg CUBASE 4 Review Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual