Cubase is a music software product developed by
SteinbergSteinberg GmbH is a German musical software and equipment company based in Hamburg. It mainly produces music recording, arranging and editing software as used in digital audio workstations and VSTi software synthesizers.- History :...
for music recording, arranging and editing as part of a
Digital Audio WorkstationA digital audio workstation is an electronic system designed solely or primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. DAWs were originally tape-less, microprocessor-based systems such as the Synclavier and Fairlight CMI...
. It is one of the oldest DAWs to still enjoy widespread use. The first version, which ran on the
Atari STThe Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
computer and recorded via MIDI only, was released in 1989.
On January 17, 2011, Steinberg announced that the new version, Cubase 6, was ready and officially shipping. The many new features include: multitrack drum editing and quantizing, multitake comping, advanced tempo detection, drum replacement and VST instruments such as Halion Sonic SE and LoopMash 2. This version also supports
64-bit64-bit is a word size that defines certain classes of computer architecture, buses, memory and CPUs, and by extension the software that runs on them. 64-bit CPUs have existed in supercomputers since the 1970s and in RISC-based workstations and servers since the early 1990s...
technology under
Mac OS XMac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
and Windows 7.
Operation
Cubase creates projects which allow the operator to edit MIDI files, raw audio tracks, and other associated information like
lyricsLyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
, and to present them in a range of formats including musical scores, editing console, event lists, etc. The operator can also mix the various tracks down into a stereo .wav file ready to be burned onto a
CDThe Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
in
Red BookRed Book is the standard for audio CDs . It is named after one of the Rainbow Books, a series of books that contain the technical specifications for all CD and CD-ROM formats.The first edition of the Red Book was released in 1980 by Philips and Sony; it was adopted by the Digital Audio Disc...
format or .mp3 burnt to CD or DVD as files or to be published on the Web.
While MIDI is a fairly ubiquitous standard for representation of digital music, there is no broadly accepted standard for the interchange of complete projects containing both MIDI and audio between Cubase and other competing recording/editing software (e.g.
Logic ProLogic Pro is a hybrid 32 / 64 bit digital audio workstation and MIDI sequencer software application for the Mac OS X platform. Originally created by German software developer Emagic, Logic Pro became an Apple product when Apple bought Emagic in 2002...
,
Pro ToolsPro Tools is a digital audio workstation platform for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, developed and manufactured by Avid Technology. It is widely used by professionals throughout the audio industries for recording and editing in music production, film scoring, film, and television...
,
Digital PerformerDigital Performer is a full-featured Digital Audio Workstation/Sequencer software package published by Mark of the Unicorn of Cambridge, Massachusetts for the Apple Macintosh platform.-Ancestry:...
, or
CakewalkCakewalk, Inc. is a company based in Boston, Massachusetts that develops and sells music production software. The company's best known product is their comprehensive music sequencer named SONAR, which is designed for professional use. SONAR incorporates multi-track recording and editing of both...
), so while actual pure recorded audio information can be exchanged, it is hard to import a whole project (with specific edits, instrument information and
automationModern digital audio consoles or mixers use automation. Automation allows the console to remember the audio engineer's adjustment of faders during the post-production editing process. A timecode is necessary for synchronization of automation.- Types of Automation :...
) in its native format from Cubase to another application and vice versa. The cross-platform OMFI format (which is supported by Cubase SX and newer version) resolves this issue to some extent.
Cubase 1.0 Atari
April 1989
Originally called Cubit, but changed to Cubase due to copyright reasons, this was the successor to
Pro-24Cubase evolved originally from Steinberg's 16 track MIDI recording software called Pro-16 for the Atari ST. The last version before Cubase was Pro 24 designated "Pro-24 III" and offered 24 tracks of Midi....
. Cubase for Atari was MIDI only and ran on the
Atari 520STThe Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
and Atari 1040ST. Although it would run on a colour screen, the best resolution was obtained by using the Atari SM-124 monochrome monitor which gave, for its time, an impressive resolution of 640ⅹ400.
The main innovation of Cubase was the graphic arrange page which allowed for the graphic representation of the composition using a vertical list of tracks and a horizontal timeline. This was much more intuitive and allowed much easier editing than the previous system of parameter lists. It has since been copied by just about every other similar product.
Cubase Audio
1991
Macintosh, this version relied on the TDM system from
DigidesignAvid Audio is an American digital audio technology company. It was founded in 1984 by Peter Gotcher and Evan Brooks. The company began as a project to raise money for the founders' band, selling EPROM chips for drum machines. It is a subsidiary of Avid Technology, and during 2010 the Digidesign...
for the audio portion.
1993
Release on
Atari Falcon 030The Atari Falcon030 Computer System was Atari Corporation's final computer product. Codenamed Sparrow, the machine was based on a Motorola 68030 main CPU, and had a Motorola 56000 digital signal processor, a feature which distinguished it from most other microcomputers of the era.-History:The...
. This version brings
DSPA digital signal processor is a specialized microprocessor with an architecture optimized for the fast operational needs of digital signal processing.-Typical characteristics:...
built-in effects with 8-tracks audio recording & playback using only native hardware. It was an incredible solution for the price at this time. Later versions enable 16-tracks mode using audio compression.
Cubase Score for Windows
1993
Cubase Score is released for Windows offering Key, List, Logical, Drum, and, of course, score editing and printing facilities. A GM/GS Editor is also included.
Cubase 2.8 for Windows
1996
The Arrange Window was redesigned.
Features included the Interactive Phrase Synthesizer, CueTrax and StyleTrax: the "virtual Band".
Cubase Audio 1.6 Windows
1996
Cubase Audio 1.6 supported the hard disk recording functions of Session8 and Yamaha's CBX D3/D5 Cubase Audio supported Digidesign's new AudioMedia III PCI card. Used in conjunction with AudioMedia III Cubase Audio gave 8 audio tracks, EQ and
automationModern digital audio consoles or mixers use automation. Automation allows the console to remember the audio engineer's adjustment of faders during the post-production editing process. A timecode is necessary for synchronization of automation.- Types of Automation :...
.
Cubase Audio 3.0 TDM for Macintosh
1996
Cubase Audio 3.0 TDM had up to 16 Audio Tracks with TDM Support for up to 48 Physical Audio Tracks.
Cubase Audio 3.0 TDM contained all the new features of Cubase Score 2.0. It also had OMS II Support and MovieManager Support.
Cubase VST3.0 Macintosh
1996
Up to 32 tracks of Digital Audio. Up to 128 realtime EQs. Professional Effects Rack with 4 multi-effect processors. Plug in Interface for external Plug-ins, allowing external audio technology to be integrated into the Cubase environment. Professional Score Printing, up to 60 staves per page, 8-voice Polyphony. Had a bug limiting memory in the host system to 64mb on the PowerMac. Was eventually resolved with a patch.
Cubase VST3.5 Windows
1997
Windows Cubase VST provided up to 32 tracks of digital audio, 128 Equalizers in real time, a fully equipped effects rack with four multi-effects processors, a master section and an open PlugIn interface for additional real time effects and mastering tools. VST for Windows also supported Active Movie compatible PlugIns.
Cubase Audio VST 3.5 + Wavelab 1.6 + Waves AudioTrack was bundled in the first "Producer Pac"
Cubase VST3.5.5
1998
Other new features include updated implementation of the DirectX PlugIns which allows you to organize the list of installed PlugIns according to personal preferences.
Support for Recycle Export Files (.REX-files). This allows the use of 'recycled' sample loops right in VST audio tracks without using a dedicated hardware sampler.
VST Audio Engine can now be disabled while VST is running (from within the Audio-System Menu) or by launching the program while holding the Shift key, this is also used in schools
Cubase VST24 3.6
1998
96 tracks, Submixers, ReWire, 8 FX sends and eight Aux. VST/24 3.6 supports the entire functionality of Yamaha's DSP Factory card
Cubase VST24 3.7
1999
This was the very first version that supported VST instruments. Not only was it the first Cubase version that allowed the use of VST instruments, but it was the first sequencer ever to support that format (since Steinberg invented the VST Instruments interface).
Cubase VST24 4.0 Macintosh
1998
Macintosh only. Cubase VST24 4.0 now offers 96 tracks of 24 bit, 96 kHz digital audio with Digidesign Pro Tools 24(TM) digital audio hardware systems.
Cubase VST24 4.1 Macintosh
1999
Macintosh only. Downloadable as a free upgrade to owners of VST24 4.0. Introduced VST 2.0, ASIO 2.0, DSP Factory support, TDM support and more. In addition, the Cubase VST/24 Mixer/EQ section included an extension with 5 new real-time processing modules — Compressor, Limiter, Auto Gate, Auto Limit and Soft Clip. A number of VST elements could also now be controlled remotely via external devices such as the Yamaha 01-V.
Cubase VST32 5.1
2001
Was available individually and as part of a Producer's Pack featuring Recycle loop editor and Rebirth virtual instrument (non-VST format), programs developed by Propellerheads but distributed by Steinberg. The Propellerheads products came on Mac & PC compatible CDs, but the disc and serial hasp for Cubase were PC-only.
Cubase SX1.0/Cubase SL1.0
2002
Cubase SX1.0 was released as the next generation after Cubase VST. It was based upon a contemporary sister program, Nuendo V1.0, and was a total rewrite over the previous versions of Cubase. Although bringing vast improvements in both stability and feature quality, there were many features from Cubase VST that didn't make it into the new version, much to the annoyance of users upgrading from previous versions.
One notable improvement of Cubase SX was its sound. The sound of Cubase VST was considered inferior to its competitors and Cubase SX corrected this with its inheritance of Nuendo's audio engine.
Cubase SX1 gained responsiveness, having a bare minimum of intrusive copy protection code. Notably the copy protection code was embedded in the Key Editor where users could move MIDI Notes. The cracked version of SX1 was identifiable by its tendency to crash if a user moved notes in the Key Editor. One of the caveats of Cubase SX1 was the loss of the Dynamic Events, a major feature of Cubase VST.
Cubase SX 1.0 was the first Cubase version not to open Cubase VST songs and projects. Cubase SX 1.0 allows you to import VST projects and save them in the new *.cpr format. However the import feature doesn't work very well.
Cubase SX 2.0/Cubase SL2.0
2003
Cubase SX2.0 was hailed by many as a huge leap in functionality. One of the most innovative features was called Timewarp. This allowed users to record music either as midi and/or Audio in freetime, without click or metronome, and then move the bars and beats grid to the music, automatically creating a tempo track. The Timewarp tool actually allowed the user to move the gridlines.
Cubase SX2.0 also saw the introduction of Full PDC (Plugin Delay Compensation). Many plugins, particularly those which run on DSP Cards such as UAD-1 or Powercore cannot process their audio within a 1 sample time period and therefore introduce extra latency into the system. Unchecked this will cause some audio channels to end up out of sync with others. PDC is basically an internal algorithm that checks all the various latencies introduced by such plugins and creates audio delay buffers to allow the audio from all channels to synchronize.
Cubase SX 3.0
2004
One of the major features to arrive with Cubase SX3.0 was Audiowarp. Audiowarp allowed Audio to remain in sync with the project even after changing its tempo. It also allowed the user to apply 'tempo anchors' to an imported audio file in order that it would sync to the tempo of the project regardless of the original tempo.
Audiowarp was largely successful, but had a major flaw in that it didn't work with variable tempo projects. This was because the tempo map it copied to the Audio file when musical mode was enabled was derived from the fixed tempo setting of the project rather than the tempo track.
Nonetheless Audiowarp was an important addition to the musical features of Cubase and despite the caveats, having the ability to change the tempo of a musical piece and have the audio tracks follow this new tempo was an important facility in music production.
Cubase SX3.1
2005
- Cubase SX 3.1 was released on August 31, 2005.
- Cubase SX 3.1.1 was released on October 20, 2005.
Cubase 4.0
2006
Cubase 4.0 marked the end of the SX, SL and SE designations, with SX becoming Cubase 4, SL becoming Cubase Studio 4 and SE becoming Cubase Essentials 4. It also marked the end of
DX PluginIn computer music and professional audio creation, a DirectX plugin is a software processing component that can be loaded as a plugin into host applications to allow real-time processing, audio effects, mixing audio or act as virtual synthesizers...
support. Whatever technical or economic reason Steinberg had for dropping the use of DX Plugins in Cubase 4 it had a big impact on customer satisfaction. In addition, there was no prior announcement before release to allow users to plan ahead. It was up to a user on the Cubase forums to announce that DX Plugins were no longer supported in the program.
Cubase 4 was the first Cubase version not to support the import of Cubase VST songs and projects. To give the ability to import older Cubase VST projects and songs Steinberg decided to make the previous Cubase SX3 and Cubase SL3 versions available as a download.
Cubase 4.0 brought a GUI change. In general the GUI was darker than the previous version, Cubase SX3, and on the whole was warmly welcomed, although some elements are considered by many users to be a little too dark on some monitors.
With this version the preset system was changed. The FXP
(Preset) and FXB
(Bank) files were discontinued along with the drop-down menu XML presets. They were replaced by a preset system that integrates in a new feature, the Media Bay, which allows deeper categorisation and management of presets at the expense of ergonomics/speed.
Cubase 4.1
2007
Cubase 4.1 was released on October 23, 2007. Apart from a host of bugfixes, V4.1 added some new features, including Sidechaining, Free Group Routing, Project Logical Editor, and Recording from Sum Objects. Existing Features were also improved including the Play Order Track and the Audiowarp which is now integrated into the Audio Sample editor.
Cubase 4.5
2008
- Cubase 4.5 was released on September 3, 2008.
- Cubase 4.5.2 was released on September 11, 2008.
Cubase 5.0
2009
- Cubase 5.0 was released on January 27, 2009.
- Cubase 5.0.1 was released on April 8, 2009.
Cubase 5.1
- Cubase 5.1 was released on August 24, 2009.
- Cubase 5.1.1 was released on December 12, 2009.
Cubase 5.5
- Cubase 5.5.1 was released on June 21, 2010.
- Cubase 5.5.2 was released on November 9, 2010.
Cubase 6.0
- Cubase 6.0 was released on January 17, 2011 and was designed to run on 64-bit Windows 7; its predecessor could run up to the Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
Windows VistaWindows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
operating system but it works on Windows 7 also.
Cubase 6 features the new VST 3.5 standard that introduces new features such as Note Expression. With Note Expression, the limitations of MIDI controller events are circumvented, enabling articulation information for individual notes — even in polyphonic arrangement (e.g. chords).
File format
From Cubase 1.0 (1989) to Cubase VST 5.1 (2001) the file format used by Cubase was .all (Cubase song) and .arr (Cubase arrangement) files. It was only possible to open files on a Cubase version identical or newer than the version that saved the file. The upgrade to a new version of Cubase was not a big issue.
Starting with Cubase SX 1.0 (2002) the file format was changed to .cpr (Cubase Project File) and .npr (Nuendo Project File). It is possible to open files on a newer and, in some cases, the older version. For example a file saved in SX2 will open in SX3 and work perfectly if the vst set is the same. There have also been reports that a project from SX3 will open in SX2.
Cubase SX 1.0 was the first Cubase version not to open Cubase VST songs and projects. Cubase SX 1.0 allows you to import VST projects and save them in the new *.cpr format. However the import feature doesn't work very well.
Cubase SX 3.1.1 (2005) was still able to import Cubase VST songs but with many limitations.
Some of the important data not imported from Cubase VST songs:
- tempo
- some tracks parts
- mute/un-mute track option
Cubase 4 was the first Cubase version not to support the import of Cubase VST songs and projects. To give the ability to import older Cubase VST projects and songs Steinberg decided to make the previous Cubase SX3 and Cubase SL3 versions available as a download. But, because of the limited import capability of Cubase SX, Cubase 4 users are forced to use Cubase VST to work on old Cubase VST files or to manually export single tracks and then create a new project in Cubase 4.
It has also been reported that there are backward compatibility issues between different Cubase versions using the *.cpr format.
VST Instruments
Cubase
VSTSteinberg's Virtual Studio Technology is an interface for integrating software audio synthesizer and effect plugins with audio editors and hard-disk recording systems. VST and similar technologies use digital signal processing to simulate traditional recording studio hardware with software...
3.7 in 1999 introduced a virtual instrument interface for
software synthesizerA software synthesizer, also known as a softsynth is a computer program or plug-in for digital audio generation. Computer software which can create sounds or music is not new, but advances in processing speed are allowing softsynths to accomplish the same tasks that previously required dedicated...
s known as
VSTi. This made it possible for third-party software programmers to create and sell virtual instruments for Cubase. This technology has become the
de facto standardA de facto standard is a custom, convention, product, or system that has achieved a dominant position by public acceptance or market forces...
for other
DAWA digital audio workstation is an electronic system designed solely or primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. DAWs were originally tape-less, microprocessor-based systems such as the Synclavier and Fairlight CMI...
software when integrating software based instruments on the Macintosh and Windows platforms. A new version of VST, VST3, was introduced with Steinberg's Cubase 4 which introduced sidechaining amongst other features. Cubase 6 includes VSTs such as HALion Sonic SE, Groove Agent ONE, LoopMash 2 and VST Amp Rack.
Copy protection
Most versions of Cubase use
dongleA software protection dongle is a small piece of hardware that plugs into an electrical connector on a computer and serves as an electronic "key" for a piece of software; the program will only run when the dongle is plugged in...
s for
copy protectionCopy protection, also known as content protection, copy obstruction, copy prevention and copy restriction, refer to techniques used for preventing the reproduction of software, films, music, and other media, usually for copyright reasons.- Terminology :Media corporations have always used the term...
, which allow license transfer between host machines, although current
OEMOEM means the original manufacturer of a component for a product, which may be resold by another company.OEM may also refer to:-Computing:* OEM font, or OEM-US, the original character set of the IBM PC, circa 1981...
variants use software based protection. The Atari versions of Cubase used the cartridge port for this purpose, while
Parallel portA parallel port is a type of interface found on computers for connecting various peripherals. In computing, a parallel port is a parallel communication physical interface. It is also known as a printer port or Centronics port...
dongles were used up until Cubase VST5.1 on the PC and Mac.
Cubase SX V1.0 introduced the use of cross-platform USB dongles combined with a system of code encryption licensed from Syncrosoft
The Syncrosoft protection process allows software developers to insert what are known as 'Dongle Calls' in the software to enable the program to check the dongle and the relevant license is in place before the user can use various functions. In Cubase SX1.0 the employment of dongle calls was limited to the movement of MIDI notes in the Key Editor. Users of cracked copies of SX1.0 could be identified when they complained of a bug when they moved these notes.
The dongle calls, however, were applied to many more functions with the release of Cubase SX2.0 including re-routing audio channels, inserting/removing plugins, changing ASIO buffer size and many other functions regarding the Audio Engine. Users began to complain about the program being unresponsive as after initiating these functions they had to wait some time before the program was released back to them. This 'lockup' increased exponentially in proportion to the size and complexity of the project. On Windows systems when Cubase is temporarily locked up due to the copy protection system, clicking in the GUI could cause a phenomenon known as WWNRS (White Window Not Responding Syndrome). Basically random windows would lose their contents, go white and the Windows taskbar and titlebar will show 'Not Responding'.
Further the original USB Dongles (supplied with SX1.0) which were physically longer than the newer versions were shown by a user to take longer to process the copy protection code and thus cause the program to be even more unresponsive. Subsequently Steinberg placed a page on their site explaining this for the benefit of the users.
The copy protection unresponsiveness continued through Cubase SX3.0 and into Cubase 4.0 but since Cubase V4.1, the problem has been largely eradicated.
On December 1 2008 Steinberg announced that it had acquired the eLicenser technology and know-how from Syncrosoft.
See also
- Digital Audio Workstation
A digital audio workstation is an electronic system designed solely or primarily for recording, editing and playing back digital audio. DAWs were originally tape-less, microprocessor-based systems such as the Synclavier and Fairlight CMI...
- MIDI
- Nuendo
Nuendo is a music software product developed by Steinberg for music recording, arranging, editing and post-production as part of a Digital Audio Workstation. The package is aimed at audio and video post-production market segments, but it also contains optional modules that can be used for...
- Reason
- Ableton Live
Ableton Live is a loop-based software music sequencer and DAW for Mac OS and Windows by Ableton. The latest major release of Live, Version 8, was released in April 2009. In contrast to many other software sequencers, Live is designed to be an instrument for live performances as well as a tool for...
- ACID Pro
Sony ACID Pro is a professional digital audio workstation software program. It was originally called "ACID pH1" and published by Sonic Foundry, but is now developed and sold by Sony Creative Software....
- Renoise
Renoise is a contemporary digital audio workstation based upon the heritage and development of tracker software. Its primary use is the composition of music using sound samples, soft synths, and effects plug-ins. It is also able to interface with MIDI and OSC equipment...
- Sonar
Cakewalk SONAR is a digital audio workstation made by Cakewalk for recording, editing, mixing, mastering and outputting audio. The latest versions of the software are SONAR Home Studio 7, SONAR Home Studio 7 XL, SONAR X1 Producer Edition, SONAR X1 Studio Edition, SONAR X1 Essential Edition, and...
- Rosegarden
Rosegarden is a free software digital audio workstation program developed for Linux with ALSA and QT4. It acts as an audio and MIDI sequencer, scorewriter and musical composition and editing tool...
- Ardour – DAW for Linux
- FL Studio
FL Studio is a digital audio workstation developed by the Belgian company Image-Line. FL Studio features a graphical user interface based on a pattern-based music sequencer...
- Pro Tools
Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation platform for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X operating systems, developed and manufactured by Avid Technology. It is widely used by professionals throughout the audio industries for recording and editing in music production, film scoring, film, and television...
- Logic Pro
Logic Pro is a hybrid 32 / 64 bit digital audio workstation and MIDI sequencer software application for the Mac OS X platform. Originally created by German software developer Emagic, Logic Pro became an Apple product when Apple bought Emagic in 2002...
- Reaper
REAPER is a digital audio workstation created by Cockos. It is distributed with an uncrippled evaluation license with a nag screen explaining the license cost. It is currently available for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X...