energyXT and Cubase SX2?

[cobalt]

I'm thinking about whether I am going to upgrade to Cubase SX3, but since I switched over to a laptop I'm getting tired of the security dongle. (Strangely, it hasn't grown on me at all over time.)

I like Cubase SX2 fine for when I'm sitting at my desk with my external LCD plugged in. I do a lot of note by note entry when I'm trying to work out complex musical passages. But I would like to have a way to play soft synths, record midi files, and automate VSTs.

I've tried out demos of Live and eXT, and I find eXT to be far more intuitive. I don't do any live performance, and I don't work with audio loops much.

What's my point exactly? I'm curious how well eXT works with Cubase SX2. This boils down to a few questions:

1. Can I export anything I do in eXT to Cubase in the form of MIDI files and modulation automation for later editing and mixing? (Is this even necessary?)

2. Or more generally, how are people using eXT with Cubase SX2? (Has eXT replaced Cubase for people who have both?)

3. Finally, am I just fooling myself into thinking that getting eXT means that I won't get the upgrade to SX3, while secretly knowing that there's no way I won't get the upgrade? (Am I a fool for putting off getting the upgrade to SX3?)

Any help would be much appreciated.

-c

[puerileboy]

1. Can I export anything I do in eXT to Cubase in the form of MIDI files and modulation automation for later editing and mixing? (Is this even necessary?)

2. Or more generally, how are people using eXT with Cubase SX2? (Has eXT replaced Cubase for people who have both?)

3. Finally, am I just fooling myself into thinking that getting eXT means that I won't get the upgrade to SX3, while secretly knowing that there's no way I won't get the upgrade? (Am I a fool for putting off getting the upgrade to SX3?)

Any help would be much appreciated.

-c

Well there is no need to export it at all

A, Write a bunch of cool shit in eXT (standalone).

B, Copy that file to your Cubase machine

C, Open Cubase and insert an instance of eXT (VSTi)

D, Open the 'cool shit' eXT file within eXT (VSTi) within Cubase.