Steinberg Media Technologies has released Cubase 7 and Cubase Artist 7, two new versions of the Cubase music production system for recording, editing, mixing and producing music.

The new mixing facilities feature the MixConsole including full-screen mode and scalability plus Channel Zones, A/B comparison, global bypass on effects and plug-in search for a high level of user customization. The newly developed channel strip comes with several filters, noise gate, the four-band StudioEQ, three compressors, a spectrum analyzer, tube/tape saturation, a brickwall limiter and maximize. The Channel Settings window is redesigned to provide easy access to all channel parameters, such as input metering and routing assignments, alongside the Remote Control Editor for easy mapping of plug-in parameters to external controllers. Also available in Cubase 7 are Voxengo's CurveEQ, EBU R128 standard compliant loudness metering and the latest version of MixConvert.

Other musical highlights in Cubase 7 are Chord Track, a dedicated track for identifying the music's harmony structure and providing chord and scale information to both MIDI and audio tracks processed with VariAudio, and these in return automatically follow any harmonic adjustments in Chord Track. VariAudio is exclusively available in Cubase and now runs hand in hand with Chord Track for editing multiple parts within a single editor and harmonizing lead vocals in choral arrangements, while Chord Assistant bridges chords and generates harmonic chord progressions. Hermode tuning is included in both Cubase 7 and Cubase Artist 7. Newly introduced samples, loops and presets round out the extensive spectrum of sounds.

More features and enhancements focus around the performance of Cubase. ASIO-Guard improves stability and prevents data dropouts, while the-start mode disables user preferences temporarily. Finding tracks and channels in large projects is facilitated through the keyword-oriented search engine. MemZap stores positions and zoom factors within the project at any particular time. The Steinberg Hub comprises an enhanced Project Assistant plus additional information services, such as news and a regularly updated list of video tutorials. For peer-to-peer collaboration in real time, VST Connect SE features talkback and chat functionality as well as video and audio streaming over the Internet.

Cubase 7 features at a glance:

• State-of-the-art music production system used by thousands of professionals around the world.
• 32-bit floating-point Steinberg audio engine with up to 192 kHz, 5.1 surround, flexible routing and full automatic delay compensation.
• Unlimited audio, instrument and MIDI tracks.
• Composing, editing and mixing features with multitrack editing and quantizing, take comping and automation tools.
• All-new MixConsole provides flexible mixing experience with integrated EQ/Dynamics channel strip modules for epic pro-console sound.
• Comprehensive set of 8 virtual instruments with over 2,800 sounds, including HALion Sonic SE workstation, Padshop granular synth, Retrologue virtual analog synth, LoopMash 2 and the MPC-style Groove Agent ONE drum machine.
• Complete suite of 66 high-end audio and 18 MIDI VST effect processors, including VST Amp Rack guitar tone suite, REVerence convolution reverb, Voxengo CurveEQ and many more.
• VariAudio for MIDI-style note editing of monophonic audio tracks and automatic voicing harmonization and auto-tuning effect.
• Chord Track for easy chord management and re-harmonizing plus intelligent composing assistance for generating beautiful chord sequences.
• VST Expression 2 for unique instrument articulation management and expression control on single-note level.
• Professional music notation and score printing.
• MediaBay file and preset management system.
• Cross-platform 32/64-bit for Windows 7/8 and OS X 10.7/10.8.

Availability and pricing

The Cubase 7 and Cubase Artist 7 full retail versions are available from resellers and through the Steinberg Online Shop as of today. The suggested retail price for Cubase 7 is €599, including German VAT. The suggested retail price for Cubase Artist 7 is €299, including German VAT.

Various boxed and downloadable updates and upgrades are also available from resellers and through the Steinberg Online Shop.

Customers who have activated Cubase 6.5 and Cubase Artist 6.5 since October 25, 2012, are eligible for a free, downloadable Grace Period update to the latest version.