The new version of Cubase delivers an increase in efficiency thanks to a rebuilt audio engine. ASIO-Guard performance has been refined, improving audio processing for multitimbral instruments and instruments based on disk-streamed samples.
Here is a rundown of what the package offers, from improved drum and bass virtual instruments to visual enhancements to its interface, routing and other features that will help you record better and faster.
Other new additions are VCA faders and "virgin territories" (exclusive to Cubase Pro 8). The new VCA faders emulate gain control through a DC voltage channel, so it is now possible to move an entire group of faders with a single master fader. We can go one step further by combining the automation function of the VCA faders, which combines the automation curve with that of a controlled fader or group of faders. Another addition to the automation tools is virgin territories, which omit redundant automation between already automated events.
Both the Pro and Artist versions now offer “Render in place”, which lets users export audio and MIDI parts, creating a more efficient and flexible working environment and offering a wide variety of export options. Chord pads, chord assistant modes and MIDI timing detection are added to the creative toolset in Cubase Pro 8 and Cubase Artist 8.
Chord pads are an extension of the chord track first introduced in Cubase 7. They let the user trigger chords and change voicings and tensions via MIDI parameters on any MIDI or instrument track. The new chord assistant modes provide chord suggestions using a specific chord as a reference, taking the rules of harmony into account. The circle of fifths helps you understand the theory behind those rules.
The new MIDI timing detection identifies MIDI recordings that are out of time and aligns them to the grid and the tempo track. User interface improvements in both new versions of Cubase include window docking for the VST instrument rack and the MediaBay, a redesigned track list and inspector for better readability, a new plug-in manager that makes customization easier, global workspaces and flexible window layout on the PC version.
New effects and instruments are covered by the VST Bass Amp bass amplifier – with a collection of amps, cabinets and effects pedals: the Quadrafuzz 2 distortion processor, a multiband expander and multiband envelope shaper, as well as an improved DeEsser, multiband compressor and tuner.
A new acoustic drum set and Acoustic Agent for Groove Agent SE 4, with 20 different patterns and styles, are included in Cubase Pro 8 and Cubase Artist 8. Other advances in Cubase’s mixing capabilities include an improved EQ module on every channel strip, showing gain, frequency and note pitch values, with the option of entering pitch values in cents instead of frequencies. The “pre” section now offers selectable slopes for the high-cut and low-cut filters. The new direct routing available in the Cubase Pro 8 mix console makes group routing easier for multiple channels, buses and systems.
Another Cubase Pro 8 exclusive: waveform meters display audio events as waveforms inside the mixing console, giving the user additional visual feedback without having to look at the project window.
Along with the new content for Groove Agent SE 4 comes Allen Morgan’s “Pop-Rock” toolbox with 30 construction kits, each with 25 or 30 audio and MIDI loops routed to predefined instruments, including channel strip and mixing console settings.
VST Connect SE 3 is a feature unique to Cubase Pro 8, providing the ability to organize remote audio and MIDI recordings over the internet. Version 3 has been redesigned and is fully integrated into Cubase.
The suggested retail price of Cubase Pro 8 is 549 euros. The suggested price of Cubase Artist 8 is 299 euros.
Cubase Pro 8 specifications
• State-of-the-art music production system used by thousands of professionals around the world • Award-winning 32-bit floating-point audio engine at up to 192 kHz, with 5.1 surround and automatic delay compensation • Unlimited audio, instrument and MIDI tracks • The mixing console offers the ultimate mixing experience with unmatched flexibility and integrated EQ/dynamics modules on the channel strip for an epic sound • 8 virtual instruments with more than 3,000 sounds, including the HALion Sonic SE 2 workstation, the Padshop granular synthesizer, Retrologue virtual analog synthesizer, LoopMash 2 and the Groove Agent SE 4 drum machine • 73 VST audio effect processors and 18 MIDI effects, including Quadrafuzz v2, VST Amp Rack, VST Bass Amp, REVerence convolution reverb, Voxengo CurveEQ and many more • VCA faders for complex mixing jobs and automated workflows. TrackVersions for playlist-style editing and render-in-place to simplify editing tasks • VariAudio, for editing monophonic audio tracks as if they were MIDI. Automatic vocal harmonization and auto-tuning effect • Chord track and chord pads to easily manage chords and harmonies, plus an intelligent composing assistant for creating beautiful chord sequences • VST Expression 2 for creating unique instrument articulations and expression levels for individual notes • Professional music notation and score printing Main features of Cubase Artist 8 • Complete music production system offering an unrivaled toolset for recording, editing and mixing audio and MIDI • Award-winning 32-bit floating-point audio engine at up to 192 kHz, with automatic delay compensation • Supports 128 MIDI tracks and 64 audio tracks simultaneously • The mixing console offers the ultimate mixing experience with unmatched flexibility and integrated EQ/dynamics modules on the channel strip for an epic sound • 8 outstanding virtual instruments with more than 2,600 sounds, including: the HALion Sonic SE 2 workstation, the Padshop granular synthesizer, Retrologue virtual analog synthesizer, LoopMash 2 and the Groove Agent SE 4 drum machine • Includes a set of 53 VST audio effect processors and 18 MIDI effects, including Pitch Correct for correcting vocal intonation, plus VST Amp Rack, VST Bass Amp, Quadrafuzz v2 and many more • Chord track and chord pads to easily manage chords and harmonies • Thousands of MIDI loops in building blocks that let you create songs in just a few steps • Modern, easy-to-use score editor
