Where is Cubase 12.5 or 13? [Update: It's here C13 is released!]

[chk071]

They also modernized some parts that still remained from the Cubase SX era, such as the upper Inspector area.

Mmmmhhh, well, I think the left side looks better. The content is easier
to grasp and is easier on the eye.

Am I the only one who feels this way?

No. As I wrote above: It looks more clear.

Modern ≠ better.

[Sahul]

That part was like a blast from the past. It had a certain charm but, to say the truth, I'm happy they got rid of it for a more consistent design.

[Sahul]

Nowadays every GUI is dark grey. That's the trend. Interfaces used to be much clearer in tone a couple of decades ago:

[jens]

Yes, the old GUI imo is so much better - I don't think this is merely a matter of taste. It's just clearer and easier to find the right button/function. It also looks a lot more professionally made to me.

[AdvancedFollower]

Nowadays every GUI is dark grey. That's the trend. Interfaces used to be much clearer in tone a couple of decades ago:

To be honest I think the above looks a bit too intense and cluttered with all the bright colors, faux-3D effects, reflections and shadows. It makes it harder to focus on the actual content (channels, events etc.).

Personally I think Cubase 9 hit the sweet spot. It's more subdued but they hadn't yet made everything completely flat and monochromatic. I especially like how events in the sequencer have a bit of gradient so they "pop" more.

[Sahul]

It's curious how tastes differ. I much prefer the new look, especially seeing it in context:

[Sahul]

I especially like how events in the sequencer have a bit of gradient so they "pop" more.

I liked those gradients, too. As far as I remember, they were removed because caused a lot of strain on the graphic cards at the time and were the root of some issues.

[kritikon]

Reading the last few pages, nothing in the new one gets me excited. And the cosmetic differences look like going backwards IMO - kinda amateurish, drawn by kids. And more cluttered. I'm sure I could get used to it quickly enough but likely to keep going with 12 for quite a while. I think I like the master meter more, but even the mixer looks dull. It kinda shouts out to me...what on earth have they been doing all this time if this is all they can come up with for a whole new version?

It's not that I don't always like flat GUIs - I really like Korg Opsix native for example. Dull is all that springs to mind for Cubase though.

[Trensharo]

Iconica Sketch - Great for sketching. I hope they release a new template for Dorico to integrate it there, as well - to replace HALion Symphonic Orchestra (I am assuming that Dorico 5.5 or 6 will eventually do that, anyways).

Well, can't imagine this replacing HSO template, because that has all the percussion section and other stuff that Iconica (Sketch) doesn't provide for... Importantly by looks of it, one solitary violin isn't going to get folk that far anyway.! HSO is very much still needed.

Lol. What? Sketch has 30+ different instruments and even if it didn't provide percussion you could just sub in HSO Perc in the template.

It's impossible for anything from Iconica to sound worse than HSO, though.

One solitary violin. I don't even know what that is supposed to mean...

[thebutler]

One solitary violin. I don't even know what that is supposed to mean...

Ok, forgive my ignorance... haven't seen anything yet of course.

Was only (naively) going on the screenshot link that was posted .. where did you see that Iconica Sketch has 30+ different instruments.!?

[VitaminD]

We went from Windows XP look in 5/VST to roundy, gradients look in SX, to refined roundy, gradients look after SX, now to refined Windows XP flat look.

It does look like they made the control 'slider' size wider at least. That little square was always annoying to interact with.

I'm afraid we're going to a more generic look and feel though. Will 'DAW' software become like SUVs have in all looking essentially the same?

[VitaminD]

One solitary violin. I don't even know what that is supposed to mean...

It's to go with One Ping Only, of course.

[Scotty]

The routing of instruments available to audio inputs is the feature I’ve been wanting. I use the bouncing and reimport function now but this is going to help with my external instruments for sure. Looks like a great update.

[AdvancedFollower]

I'm afraid we're going to a more generic look and feel though. Will 'DAW' software become like SUVs have in all looking essentially the same?

Well it does make it easier to jump from DAW to DAW which saves time and money (for professionals). When I switched from Studio One to Cubase I felt right at home. I immediately knew how to do most basic things, even if I wasn't aware of the most efficient or quick way to do some things.

However I think there will always be room for DAWs that do things differently too, e.g. Bitwig, Reaper (in terms of customization), FL Studio etc.
Personally, after a few years of DAW hopping I've realized I really prefer a "boring" DAW that doesn't get in the way. If I ever owned a car, I would probably own the most boring car possible too, just to get me from A to B as easily and cheaply as possible (though currently that's cycling and public transport for me).

[T-CM11]

The routing of instruments available to audio inputs is the feature I’ve been wanting. I use the bouncing and reimport function now but this is going to help with my external instruments for sure. Looks like a great update.

Maybe this is something else or differently implemented, but it was always possible (Pro version only) to route any track to a FX/Group track and use that as an audio input.