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Cubase should be the new industry standard
July 21, 2021

Cubase should be the new industry standard

Dan Butler | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Cubase

Cubase is the core of our business. As a recording and production studio, we use Cubase as the primary recording solution. We are using this in all key aspects of the production process. Cubase excels in MIDI production with VST instruments and orchestration. Cubase is very flexible when it comes to routing and audio mixing, making it a very valuable part of our process.
  • MIDI: MIDI has been an integral part of Cubase since the very beginning. In Cubase 11, working with and editing MIDI has become a very streamlined process.
  • Advanced Audio Features: One of my favorite audio features is the ability to generate harmony voices in just one click. This speeds up the production process and helps new singers understand different harmony lines. It also gives the ability to add modern harmony sounds to our tracks.
  • Channel Strip: While we use many plugins to emulate famous consoles and outboard equipment, the stock channel strip is outstanding. The included channel strip could easily stand on its own to get a finished sound.
  • Control Room: This is an amazing tool that emulates a monitor controller right in the software. Using this allows me to set up headphone cues, headphone mixes, and different monitor configurations. I am able to insert plugins into these chains that do not affect the master bus.
  • Channel Conversion: The one thing I wish Cubase would change is the ability to change a mono channel to stereo. Sometimes when creating a new track, you realize after the fact it needs to be one or the other. There is no easy way to change this setting.
  • Automation: While the automation abilities are very inclusive, I would like to see more streamlined abilities when drawing automation curves. It can sometimes feel a little clunky in its current iteration.
  • MIDI and VSTi: During the writing process, we use a number of VSTi's. Cubase's ability to handle all of the different routing possibilities has become integral to our process.
  • Speed: The workflow improvements made in the last few versions has greatly improved the amount of work we can get done.
  • Flexibility: Being able to export mixes in multiple formats without having to use third-party software is invaluable. We can make multiple versions for online, CD, or even vinyl in just a few clicks.
  • Since converting to Cubase, we have only seen a positive impact. We are able to provide a much higher value to our clients by being able to do everything in one software solution. The price point for Cubase Pro is under $1,000, so the investment is paid for within a couple projects.
We chose Cubase in the beginning due to price differences between Pro Tools and Cubase. As we learned to use Cubase, we realized the flexibility between MIDI and audio was far more advanced than any other product on the market. We still feel like the MIDI implementation in Cubase is beyond any other product on the market. We have also found that the audio engine alone is on par with all of the industry standard software. During the 18 years we have used Cubase, we have noticed more and more high-end mixing, mastering and production studios using Cubase in their workflows.

Do you think Cubase delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Cubase's feature set?

Yes

Did Cubase live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Cubase go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Cubase again?

Yes

I have been a longtime fan of Cubase and would recommend it to anyone, whether they are just starting in recording or a seasoned professional. I find that it is really strong in the pre-production and production phases of a song. Tools like the arranger track, track versions, and the chord track make writing and experimenting very easy. I have used these tools on almost every song that I have started from the writing phase. I am able to experiment with different variations of a song, different channel settings, and even completely different arrangements all with just a few clicks. My writing process and speed have improved so much over the last few versions of Cubase.

We have also enjoyed working with the mixing process. The mixers in Cubase are laid out much like a regular console. So for an old timer like me, the learning curve is very low. Cubase did a very good job with layout and labeling. Things are labeled what you would expect them to be and laid out in an order that makes sense. The other part of the mixer that makes it great is the ability to color code and organize tracks. My mix time has drastically decreased since using Cubase.