Introduction to Cubase
When it comes to digital audio workstations (DAW), Cubase is a name that you will hear frequently among music producers, composers, and sound engineers. This software has been around for more than three decades and has gone through various changes to keep up with the industry’s demands.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive in
to Cubase and explore its history, versions, and features.
History and Development of Cubase
Steinberg, a German audio software company, created Cubase in 1989. It was one of the first software programs that integrated MIDI sequencing and audio recording capabilities.
Cubase gained popularity quickly and became the go-to software for music production in the 1990s. One of the significant changes
to Cubase came in 1996 when Steinberg introduced the Virtual Studio Technology (VST) plugin architecture.
This allowed third-party developers to create VST plugins that could be used within Cubase, expanding the program’s functionalities. In the early 2000s, Steinberg introduced a high-end audio post-production DAW, Nuendo, which was similar
to Cubase but focused on video editing features.
This showcased Steinberg’s commitment to creating software that catered to different types of audio production needs.
Overview of Cubase Versions
Since its inception, Cubase has undergone several updates and transformations. The current version of Cubase is Cubase Pro 11, released in November 2020.
Cubase has three primary versions, Cubase AI,
Cubase Elements, and Cubase Pro.
Cubase AI is an entry-level version of the software that serves as a stepping stone for beginners.
Cubase Elements provides more functionality than
Cubase AI but is not as feature-rich as Cubase Pro. Cubase Pro is the most advanced version of the software, which comes with all the features and functionalities you need for professional music production.
Still, it also costs the most.
Cubase AI
Cubase AI is an entry-level version of Cubase, designed for beginners who want to get into music production. Despite being an entry-level program,
Cubase AI packs a punch with its robust features.
Definition and Features of Cubase AI
Cubase AI has recording, editing, and mixing capabilities that allow beginners to create high-quality audio. It also comes with Virtual Studio Technology (VST) instruments, such as HALion Sonic SE and Groove Agent SE, which provide a vast library of virtual instruments, including drums, pianos, and orchestral sounds.
Audio/MIDI/Instrument Count
Cubase AI can accommodate up to 32 audio tracks, 48 MIDI tracks, and 16 instrument tracks. This allows users to create complex arrangements of their music while still maintaining good quality.
Differences from
Cubase Elements
While
Cubase AI shares some features with
Cubase Elements, there are several differences. One significant difference is the track count.
Cubase AI can only have 64 audio tracks, 128 MIDI tracks, and 32 instrument tracks, while
Cubase Elements supports unlimited tracks.
Cubase AI also has limited VST inserts and channels compared
to
Cubase Elements. It does not have an Arranger Track function, which allows users to quickly reorder sections of their song.
However,
Cubase AI still supports 24-bit quality recording, which is essential for producing professional sounding music.
Conclusion
Cubase has come a long way since 1989 when it was first introduced. It has now become a powerhouse in the DAW industry, offering a wide range of features that cater to the needs of different users.
If you are a beginner looking to get into music production,
Cubase AI is an excellent starting point. However, if you are a professional music producer or sound engineer, Cubase Pro has everything you need to take your productions to the next level.
Cubase Elements
Cubase Elements is one of the three versions of Cubase, positioned between
Cubase AI and Cubase Pro. It provides a balance of affordability and features, which makes it a popular choice for those who want more functionality than
Cubase AI but do not need everything that Cubase Pro offers.
Definition and Features of
Cubase Elements
As the name suggests,
Cubase Elements provides the basic features related to audio editing, recording, and mixing. It includes a 32-bit floating-point audio engine that allows for high-quality audio processing.
Cubase Elements allows users to create up to 48 audio tracks, 64 MIDI tracks, and 24 instrument tracks. It also comes with several VST instruments, such as HALion Sonic SE, Groove Agent SE, and the Prologue Synthesizer.
With these instruments, users can create a vast range of sounds and melodies. Audio/MIDI/Instrument Count
While
Cubase AI has a maximum of 16 instrument tracks and 32 audio tracks,
Cubase Elements provides double the number of audio tracks, MIDI tracks, and instrument tracks.
It is a significant increase that allows users to create more complex arrangements of their music.
Differences from Cubase AI
One of the significant differences between
Cubase Elements and
Cubase AI is the Arranger Track function. This feature allows users to move sections of their music around quickly and create different versions of their tracks without redoing the entire project.
Cubase Elements also provides more VST inserts and channels than Cubase AI. This feature gives users more flexibility in adding different effects to their music, such as EQ, Compression, and Reverb.
Another significant difference is the Hermode Tuning system. This unique feature automatically corrects the intonation of any out-of-tune notes, making it useful for creating complex, layered harmonies.
Cubase Elements also features a Remote Control Editor, which allows users to customize the controls of their hardware. This feature is useful for sound engineers who need to make quick adjustments to their equipment.
Lastly,
Cubase Elements provides the Dither Effects feature, which reduces noise that may arise when converting audio from one bit depth to another. This is useful for sound engineers who need to create high-quality recordings for different devices.
Comparison
When it comes to comparing
Cubase AI and
Cubase Elements, there are several key differences.
Audio Quality:
Cubase Elements offers 32-bit floating-point audio processing, making it better than Cubase AI’s 24-bit quality recording.
Track Count:
Cubase Elements allows for up to 48 audio tracks, 64 MIDI tracks, and 24 instrument tracks, while
Cubase AI only supports a maximum of 32 audio tracks, 48 MIDI tracks, and 16 instrument tracks. Arranger Track Function:
Cubase Elements has the Arranger Track function, which allows for easy movement of sections of music.
Cubase AI does not have this feature. VST Instruments and Inserts:
Cubase Elements offers more VST instruments and VST inserts than Cubase AI.
Additional Features: Several unique features, such as Hermode Tuning, Remote Control Editor, and Dither Effects, are exclusive
to
Cubase Elements and are not available in Cubase AI.
Conclusion
Cubase Elements serves as a bridge between
Cubase AI and Cubase Pro, offering a balance of functionality and affordability. With its 32-bit floating-point audio engine, track count, VST instruments, and inserts,
Cubase Elements enables music producers and sound engineers to create high-quality audio.
The Arranger Track function, Hermode Tuning system, Remote Control Editor, and Dither Effects make
Cubase Elements an attractive choice for users who want more advanced features than Cubase AI. Overall,
Cubase Elements provides an excellent value for its price and is perfect for users who want to take their audio production to the next level.
Conclusion
In summary,
Cubase AI and
Cubase Elements are two versions of Steinberg’s widely-used digital audio workstation, Cubase.
Cubase AI is an entry-level program designed for beginners who are new to music production, while
Cubase Elements offers more features and flexibility, making it suitable for both novice and professional users.
Cubase AI provides basic audio editing, recording, and mixing features. It can accommodate up to 32 audio tracks, 48 MIDI tracks, 16 instrument tracks, and supports 24-bit quality recording.
Cubase AI also includes powerful VST instruments such as HALion Sonic SE and Groove Agent SE, enabling users to create a broad range of sounds and melodies.
Cubase Elements, on the other hand, offers more advanced editing and sequencing tools. It provides 48 audio tracks, 64 MIDI tracks, 24 instrument tracks, and a 32-bit floating-point audio engine, which provides better-quality audio processing.
Cubase Elements also features unique functionalities like the Hermode Tuning system, Remote Control Editor, Dither Effects, and the Arranger Track function, all of which are not available in Cubase AI. While both
Cubase AI and
Cubase Elements have their features, the choice of which version to use ultimately depends on the user’s intended use and budget.
Cubase AI is a great starting point for beginners who want to dip their toes into music production, and
Cubase Elements provides advanced functionalities that enable users to take their productions to the next level. In addition
to
Cubase AI and Elements, Steinberg also offers Cubase Pro, which provides the most advanced features, including unlimited track counts, VCA faders, and advanced sampling and slicing tools.
Cubase Pro caters to professional audio producers, sound designers, and music composers who require all the tools and features necessary to produce high-quality audio. Overall,
Cubase AI and
Cubase Elements offer users a broad range of features that cater to different music production needs.
From basic audio editing and mixing to more advanced sequencing tools, Cubase continues to be one of the most reliable and widely-used digital audio workstations in the industry. Whether users are getting started with their music production journey or working on a professional project,
Cubase AI and
Cubase Elements provide the features and capabilities required to create great-sounding audio productions.
Cubase is a well-known digital audio workstation (DAW) that has undergone several updates and transformations since its inception in 1989.
Cubase AI and
Cubase Elements are two versions that cater to different music production needs.
Cubase AI is an entry-level program designed specifically for beginners, while
Cubase Elements provides more advanced editing and sequencing tools. The choice of which version to use ultimately depends on the user’s intended use and budget.
Regardless of which version users choose, Cubase remains one of the most reliable and widely-used DAWs in the industry. Its features and capabilities enable music producers and sound engineers to create high-quality audio productions from basic audio editing and mixing to more advanced sequencing tools.