KVR Audio

quincy · Post by **quincy** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:42 pm

Anyone?

Truth be told, after looking hard and failing i actually searched on a P2P client for a cracked version, but i didn't actually download or install anything becasue i have never done such things and i don't wish to start now.

So this is a geuine question and NOT, REPEAT NOT a cue to discuss warez or dongle or any other shit.

I simply wish to know if there is any legit way i can test this software before parting with £99.

Cheers, Quince

DevonB · Post by **DevonB** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:50 pm

What is it you wish to test? Work flow? All the features? What it's got? Reason I ask is if you can find the SX 1 demo, it at least give you the idea on work flow. The different versions are not THAT drastically different as far as workflow goes. For $99, it's an extremely fully featured host for a damn good price.

Devon

quincy · Post by **quincy** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:38 pm

Hi Devon,

In a nutshell i just need to test it for all the reasons you mention and more. To my mind its just like a pair of shoes, i'll feel comfortable or i won't. Its for use as a MIDI sequencer rewired to reason, with probably use of the beatslicing/audio features of SE3 to make up for the lack of such in reason.

I may take your advice and try SX1 demo, although it'd be nice to know EXACTLY what features are available to me, in this instance i'm trying features i may not have with SE3.

But thanks for the pointer, i wasn't even aware any demo versions existed.

bullshark · Post by **bullshark** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:11 pm

What I did was to setup an appointement with a sales rep at a local music store.

I had an "unofficial demo" which was given to me by an aquaintance, but I didn't even have to install, 2x1 hour sessions with the sales rep was enough to convince me that I had never experienced a more convoluted and inefficient workflow than Cubase and I really didn't want to work with it.

Cubase is so complex that I think it is way better to sit down with an experienced user before deciding on a purchase instead of trying it on your own anyway.

nagal · Post by **nagal** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:29 pm

A SX1 demo really won't give you an accurate example of SE3 as a lot has changed since then (as I have been told). I know my copy of SE3 came with a demo of SX3 but I already gave that to someone or I'd offer it up.

bullshark is correct in that Cubase is complex and it would greatly benefit you to find someone local thats willing to give you a tour of it.

DevonB · Post by **DevonB** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:36 pm

And on the flip side, I am confused why people think Cubase is 'convoluted'? Set up a template for all the features you want (For me, that's VST plugin selector, CPU meter, transport bar, the MIDI layout, and a mixer.) From there, I select the VST, select the track, and press record. This is no different than it was for me in Logic or Sonar. Sure, there's LOTS of options, and some manual reading to find out where some of the features are. You really need to sit down and make an environment that's comfortable for you. Now I suppose if you're into using step seqeuncers and patterns, don't record from a MIDI keyboard, and hate mixers, maybe? I'm used to working this way. I used to use Impulse Tracker/OctaMed, and the like. Totally different workflow. FL Studio, same thing, different work-flow in some respect, but not totally. Still, anything with this much depth is going to take a bit to get used to. Still, Logic, Cubase, Nuendo, Sonar, etc. all have the same general work flow. All have their high points, all have their points of irritation.

How do you write, Qunicy? Do you do step sequencing, or you record in live? Do you do a ton of MIDI editing? Is your songs more about the automation than the writing? That's what's going to help me understand a bit if it's even for you.

Devon

Muff Wiggler · Post by **Muff Wiggler** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:37 pm

everyone complains that Cubase is 'complex'

it probably is for many people, i think it depends on how you think about music and recording and sequencing, and what your experience is.

I came from 4-tracks to ADAT machines, then software. For me Cubase has always 'fit perfectly'. I think of what I want to do, and the workflow in Cubase already has me doing it 'the way i would expect to do it'.

I eventually read the full manual out of interest, but I was easily able to pick my way around Cubase, as it "works like I think".

For me, Sonor is convoluted and ackward. Same with Samplitude (though not so much), and super-same for Logic.

It all depends on the person and their experience. Don't listen to anyone who tells you a program has bad workflow - what works for them might not work for you.

If i was designing a sequencer/host/multitrack program, haha it would end up being just like Cubase and everyone would slag it

but a lot of like-minded people would love it

all depends on what you are after, what your experience has been with, and what works for you.

I wouldn't trade my Cubase for anything, most liberating program i've ever worked with in my life.

DevonB · Post by **DevonB** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:41 pm

nagal wrote:A SX1 demo really won't give you an accurate example of SE3 as a lot has changed since then (as I have been told).

I've used SX 1, 2 and 3. While a lot of features have been added, the same general 'skeleton' frame-work is still there. Nothing is that dramatic that one couldn't jump from SX 1 to SX 3 pretty quickly. Now jumping from Cubase to Live! would be another story.

Devon

nagal · Post by **nagal** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 9:52 pm

DevonB wrote:I've used SX 1, 2 and 3. While a lot of features have been added, the same general 'skeleton' frame-work is still there. Nothing is that dramatic that one couldn't jump from SX 1 to SX 3 pretty quickly. Now jumping from Cubase to Live! would be another story.

Devon

Quincy maybe it would be worth checking out Cubase LE as it is a free bundled version that comes with a lot of hardware. If I remember correctly it was taken directly from the 1 version of Cubase so with what Devon said it should give you a very good idea of what Cubase is. Of course, I oculd be completely wrong.

If you are interested, I am sure I have a copy around the house I could send you (free of charge).

Muff Wiggler · Post by **Muff Wiggler** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:00 pm

Quincy - if you get ahold of some kinda demo version and you want someone to walk you around a 'tour' of Cubase, let me know, i'd be happy to help you get your bearings.

bmanic · Post by **bmanic** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:16 pm

If you mainly need beat slicing/stretching and such for rewire then I'd also suggest you take a look at FL Studio or one of the variants. Though FL Studio's audio is not even close to the power of Cubase. It's actually rather akward.

Cheers!
bManic

Lunch Money · Post by **Lunch Money** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:55 pm

Oh, I don't know if Cubase is particularly tricky or convoluted. It just features a lot of unecessary layers of abstraction. It needs to learn to get to the point.

Greg

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 11:10 pm

I think it's a crying shame that Steinberg won't provide even a crippled version of its flagship software. They claim it's due to the protection, but the aforementioned SX 1 demo proves that wrong. I don't know why dongle companies get a stick up their ass about demos, considering their products are usually more expensive.

All I can say, quincy, is that it's a wonderful, insanely powerful host, and I find the ReWire integration to be superb. If you're starting out, you may want to take a look at some of the rather amazing emerging hosts, such as Tracktion, EnergyXT and Reaper. The VFM with these is unbelievable. I'd probably be using one or all of them if I wasn't such an old geezer/Cubase slave.

DevonB · Post by **DevonB** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 12:32 am

nagal wrote:
DevonB wrote:I've used SX 1, 2 and 3. While a lot of features have been added, the same general 'skeleton' frame-work is still there. Nothing is that dramatic that one couldn't jump from SX 1 to SX 3 pretty quickly. Now jumping from Cubase to Live! would be another story.

Devon
Quincy maybe it would be worth checking out Cubase LE as it is a free bundled version that comes with a lot of hardware. If I remember correctly it was taken directly from the 1 version of Cubase so with what Devon said it should give you a very good idea of what Cubase is. Of course, I oculd be completely wrong. If you are interested, I am sure I have a copy around the house I could send you (free of charge).

Yes, LE is a very capable host that's based on version 1. I have it with the dongle as well. It's more than capable for writing music.

Devon

t-willy · Post by **t-willy** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 12:46 am

i started on cubase le. i'm f**king retarded and figured it out pretty easily with some glances at the manual. eventually upgraded to SE3 and i wouldn't turn back. i do mostly live recording, but throw some occasional vst instruments in there. i never rewire though. anyhow, just watch ebay and pickup a used unregistered version of le or se(1) for cheap. worth a try anyway. good luck.

lates

t-willy

Is there ANY legit way i can test Cubase SE3???