Cubase fans 3.1 full details...worth it?

[christianmusicmaker]

I found this doing a simple google search...

http://www.ocremix.org/phpBB2/viewtopic ... 7&start=15&

Scroll down for a pdf download with details of the full Cubase 3.1 update.

Personally I did not see much here to make me switch hosts (happy with Sonar e.t.c) but do you think it was worth the wait for you?

If you cannot wait to download the pdf then here are the details from the PDF file...although more detailed info is in the pdf.

Cubase SX/SL 3.1 – Complete List of New Features

Mixing
Mixing and Monitoring of External Instruments in VST Mixer (SX-only)
Copy/Paste channel settings for multiple selected channels in one go
New Panner Mode: Equal Power
Panner Bypass Function
New Key Command Set for Mixer functions
Command Target filters for Mixer functions
Inspector sub-section for MIDI Tracks routed to a VST Insert Plug-in

Files and Formats (Import and Export)
Extended Search functions in Pool (SX-only)
Exclude Media when exporting Tracks as Track Archive (SX-only)
Select individual Tracks when importing a Track Archive (SX-only)
Support for Steinberg Dolby Digital and DTS encoders (SX-only)
Automatic level compensation for MP3 export

Recording and playback
Smart controller reset after recording
Recovery of audio recordings after system failure
New precount options, sensitive to tempo and time signature changes
Optional Sample-Rate Conversion when importing Tracks

Editing
Freeze Function for External Instruments and FX (SX-only)
Glue multiple parts with single mouse-click
Glue all following parts on selected track
New Crosshair-Cursor option
Process Bars in Tempo Track
Duplicate Track option
Freeze MIDI Track Play Parameters
Optimize Display when dissolving Parts
Apply Legato to selected notes only
Select equal Pitch > all Octaves/same Octave for all Positions
Transpose for single or multiple Audio Events via Info Line

Project/General
New “External Instruments” options in VST Connections (SX-only)
External Instruments added to VST Instrument Rack (SX-only)
Associated External Instruments Track Inspector added to MIDI Track Inspector
Associated Audio Track Inspector added to MIDI track inspector routed to VST Insert Plug-in
External FX/Instruments Favorites (SX-only)
Advanced CPU-saving scrubbing mode (SX-only)
New Appearance options: Brightness, Contrast and Saturation
Sophisticated user-definable level meter coloring (SX-only)
Automatic Track Coloring
Incremental Auto-Save
Track Folding: Toggle Selected Track
Track Folding: Fold/Unfold Tracks
Track Folding: Flip Fold States
Resize Tracks without selecting
OSX Performance Optimization: integrated support for MacOSX Quartz 2D graphics system
Additional Processor Optimization: support for DualCore, Dual Processor and Quad Processor PC systems)
Safe Recovery of corrupt projects after system failure

MIDI & Music
MIDI Output Delay Compensation for External Instruments (SX-only)
Associate MIDI Device to External FX (SX-only)
Associate MIDI Device to External Instruments (SX-only)
Option to convert MIDI Controller Lane volume data to Track Automation volume data
Studio Connections
Studio Connections Audio Integration (SX-only)

Remote
Access Mixer Device Panels (user Panels) from Hardware Remote Controllers (SX-only, for Houston, Mackie Control/HUI, Yamaha DMxxxx series, 02r96/01v96, Radical SAC2K und CM Motormix)

Various
Preferences: Redesigned Appearance settings panel
New preference: Use Up/Down Navigation Commands for selecting Tracks only
New Preference: Default Track Time Type (Audio and MIDI)
New Preference: Auto Track Color Mode
New Preference: Sync Project and Mixer Selection
New Preference: Deep Track Folding
New Preference: Enlarge Selected Track
New Preference: Select Channel/Track on Solo
New Preference: Select Channel/Track on Edit Setting
New Preference: Maximum Backup Files
New Preference: Insert Reset Events after Record
New Preference: Chase Events – Chase not limited to Part Boundaries
New Preference: Option to export warnings as text file
New Preference: Warn on Processing Overloads
New Preference: global Tail value for External Instruments and FX (SX-only)
New Preference: Map Input Bus Metering to Audio Track (in Direct Monitoring)
Single Key command to open and close Pool Window
New Key Command to open Device for selected Track
Appearance: User-definable intensity for active drum lane
New Key Command to toggle status of “Select Channel/Track on Edit Settings”

[Bas]

Let me put it this way. As an SX user I am more interested in the SX updates than any Sonar updates.

Are you actually slighly unhappy with Sonar really ?

[original flipper]

HI

What a weird post!

An up-date is simply that: a consolidation of what is already there - I don't imagine people expect the world, it's a freebie.

Flipper.

[efluon]

Are you actually slighly unhappy with Sonar really ?

lol - that seemed to be implied, a slightly jealous undertone...

[HanafiH]

What do you need to answer a Cubase question?

A] The Organ Grinder

B] The Monkey

C] The Organ Grinder's Monkey

[christianmusicmaker]

Let me put it this way. As an SX user I am more interested in the SX updates than any Sonar updates.

Are you actually slighly unhappy with Sonar really ?

No Bas. Not really. Not at all.

[Bas]

LOL. I think

[griels]

Hmm.. I wasn't really waiting - I'm happy making music with SX3.01 by and large... Still, nice to see those new features.

[MacQ]

Personally, I'd really like to see a better channel EQ, since the included one is terrible.

~MacQ

[griels]

Ah.. The EQ is pretty harsh yep, I pretty much exclusively use NyquistEQ in its place (learnt to remember where the frequencies are roughly). Would be great if there was a facility to use your own EQ in place of the Steiny one... Or maybe they could just introduce a 'high quality' mode...

[kritikon]

Good to see they're bringing back the crosshair cursor option...I'd forgotten how much I missed that.

But, yeah...seems like a reasonable set of improvements for an update - that's what updates are about innit? It's not a new version of SX, so of course it won't have any major revamps - did anyone seriously expect any?

[flugel45]

CMM,

Fess up now. It's not like anyone's gonna retaliate. I'm curious to know if you find something lacking in Sonar or is it something else?

I'm a Sonar user, and have seen you at the Sonar forum (though not a lot lately), and can't seem to recall you voicing any major criticisms.

So what is it? Because if you're truly not interested in changing hosts (and I personally would have to be really discontented with mine before I jumped ship -- too much money, time invested...), like someone said, this is a really strange post...

How about it? What's the truth?

JD

[ermi]

I don't see an "In-place Drum Editor".

Are they holding it for the SX4 -payware- update? SX5?
Because only this would make sense to me.

Like they don't have enough of new ideas to come up with, so they'll just try to sell us a -super cool- "In-place Drum Editor" along with a -professional, high resolution, Dolby Digital, 10.2 surround( )- "Mono Button".

[christianmusicmaker]

CMM,

Fess up now. It's not like anyone's gonna retaliate. I'm curious to know if you find something lacking in Sonar or is it something else?

I'm a Sonar user, and have seen you at the Sonar forum (though not a lot lately), and can't seem to recall you voicing any major criticisms.

So what is it? Because if you're truly not interested in changing hosts (and I personally would have to be really discontented with mine before I jumped ship -- too much money, time invested...), like someone said, this is a really strange post...

How about it? What's the truth?

JD

Hi flugel45...this is not really a strange thread because I am always interested in peoples usage of various hosts and their impressions of updates and upgrades, hence this post.

phz started the Tunafish thread, which has had 1100+ hits so far, clearly many of those hits are from people like myself who are simply curious about the competition and other options. That simple.

CubaseSX is Sonar's direct competitor, I am very interested in the development of both products but prefer Sonar as I beleive it provides me with all the tools I need with far better support and a product set that suites my way of working.

However just like many others who frequent the hosts forum I am interested in finding out information on developments with other packages elsewhere.

I have an ancient copy of Cubasis and about a year ago bought Cubase SL. I really, really liked it but it just would not work with my Firewire audiophile and all I had to do was click too fast anywhere on the screen and *blue screen* .

I called M-audio who tried to solve the problem but ended up saying it must be Steinberg and had to wait on more than one occasion for up to 20 minutes for someone to pick the phone up when I called Steinberg for support.Many times the phone simply went dead after 20+ minutes and it became quite clear to me that either there are just a few people catering for the whole of Europe or they just don't want to answer the phone.Very strange.

Complete opposite with Cakewalk.

I know many others have had the complete reverse of my experience.Thats life.

After about 7 - 10 days of intense testing and trouble shooting I exchanged my copy of SL2 for P5v.1

I bought Cubase SL because I was struggling with the comnplexity of Sonar at the time. My knowledge of hosts was not too great and I do not have a hardware background.In time I have grown to really like the workflow and feature set that Sonar provides, but still use other hosts like Tracktion for collaboration work with other Tracktion users.

Cubase and Sonar are very similar, neither are perfect (the perfect host is has not been released...yet )I just prefer the workflow in Sonar and like the pace at which Cakewalk develop their products, P5v.2 and Sonar4 have been massive updates for me anyway, but like many others I will always be interested in other thoughts on the products they use, why not?

I went through the digital doctors comparison of Sonar and Cubase SX and really went through it with an open mind but I found nothing there to make me switch but it was very interesting to read.

http://www.digitalmusicdoctor.com/shootout.htm

The information on SX3.1 was of interest to me but it does not mean I think my host is better than yours or anyone elses.

It's meets my needs...each to his own. Just interested in Cubase users feedback on this forum. I know other Cubase users and it's always interesting to find out information about peoples workflow and views on other hosts.

I also have friends who are in the market for a new host.

I really do not beleive in a pointless attempt to smear or put down other hosts. Competition is great but being happy with a host does not mean you cannot start a thread about another...

As for the Sonar forum...I still post there of course but spend more time reading than posting. It's a very busy place, with loads of great info and helpful input from users and Cakewalk staff.

[jacobh]

Ah.. The EQ is pretty harsh yep, I pretty much exclusively use NyquistEQ in its place (learnt to remember where the frequencies are roughly). Would be great if there was a facility to use your own EQ in place of the Steiny one... Or maybe they could just introduce a 'high quality' mode...

Have you tried the Cubase SX plugin called Q? It's a new EQ plugin they implmented a while back, and to me doesn't sound harsh at all. This basically is their reply to a "high quality mode". It sounds very smooth! If I remember correctly, I think this plugin they use double the sampling frequency to get it sounding as good as they do...

Cheers,
Jacob H.