Is Cubase the most frustrating DAW ever created?

[electro]

The thing is it can basically do everything including things you would never really want or need.

Cubase is the best DAW featurewise. Only thing Missing is Ableton Link

[seangm]

I started with Digital Performer, Cubase is a walk in the park compared to that one.

[VitaminD]

This is another entirely subjective discussion that I suspect is going to net no positive result.....

I'll say Cubase is the most straightforward and logical host I've interacted with.

But different brains click with different workflows and processes. So there isn't really a 'bad' system, there are just different systems in this case. Again purely subjective discussion. I wouldn't worry too much about it and just make music with what works for you.

[eLawnMust]

The 'positive result' is that opinions vary...

Cubase VST24 3.70 from 1999 very good & fast also very small sized tight code-


Cubase SX3 from 2005, tolerable with workflow gone pear-shaped but at least it looks way better than modern 'black' GUIs that are like SUVs, they all look the same...



Find Cakewalk SONAR easier & better workflow & Project5 1.5 or 2.51 even better yet>>>

[EfreetiSultan]

Agreed but your word frustrating is incorrect it should spell best

[InTheBox]

I've used Cubase for 20+ years. It's a very deep DAW and can things many DAW's cannot do. Especially when it comes to midi and audio editing. However, the learning curve isn't easy and often not as straightforward as I would like. For new users, I'd reference all the Steinberg Cubase tutorial videos. They are quite helpful. I experience crashes at least once a week, but I love to use my effects so the problem may be as much my problem as Cubase's. That said, I've also used Cakewalk, Ableton Live, and Luna. I like the way Luna sounds but it is also frustrating to use and not very deep in it's capabilities, but their sound is a bit more upfront without any effects in play. I'd give Studio One a try but I have so much invested in Cubase I don't think that is going to happen. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best.....I give Cubase a strong 7.5.

[chagzuki]

After a couple of days of using it I wonder if I can customise the UI colours... the options in preferences seem minimal. Muted clips are near-white, and the background it near-black, close to the highest contrast possible. That means my muted clips are shouting for attention, when generally I want them recessed/ghosted. There's a hell of a lot of black/white contrast with the text and buttons, which is aggressive. Overall the layout is good, but I hear that a faction of users preferred the appearance of version 12.

[kritikon]

Agreed. I feel the workflow has been improving on the last few Cubases, and there's more customisability in some areas, but the GUI is going backwards. Absolutely agree on the muted parts, and the mixer is looking more and more like some kind of cheapo DIY toy from the bargain bins at Tandy, with a free soldering iron in every box. Even the slider handles look wobbly, which shouldn't be technically possible with a digital GUI. Still my preferred DAW though. I find it very logical in the way it works.

[VOODOO U]

This is another entirely subjective discussion that I suspect is going to net no positive result.....

Congratulations; you just described the internet in general.

I wouldn't worry too much about it and just make music with what works for you.

Amen.

I haven't used Cubase since version 5 but I do recall hating it. So what. It works for others including Kraftwerk using it for live performances. To each their own.


Reaper.

[billcarroll]

I have to drop some love for Cubase & Nuendo. It has been solid and straightforward to use. If I could only use one DAW, it would be Cubase.

[Alexander_D]

Cubase is really sweet and deep DAW! I worked in Logic about 9 years. Then in Ableton about 4 years and now - Cubase from version 11. In my thoughts for the film scoring and also for orchestral music it's the best DAW! Some stock plugins are really nice! And I like the workflow of Cubase for sure.

[_leras]

Cubase is a great DAW. So many great features like control room. Takes some setting up to have a good workflow, templates and the like.

If you're recording live music it's really great. For mixing it's excellent. Very deep.

I do mainly use Bitwig these days though as I'm making electronic music and need very little multi track recording, plus I find the Bitwig workflow very fluid, especially FX chains, routing and grouping things.

[legendCNCD]

No, Logic takes that place for me. Also so many re-renders because automation was not read for some reason.. jeez. Glad it is over forever now.

[chagzuki]

On a Macbook with Cubase I can plug headphones in and there's no having to mess with audio output, it just automatically plays via the headphones. This actually feels like some kind of magic, since Logic has to reinitialise the audio device and reload every single plugin, basically the whole project (which takes a long time since they introduced plugin sandboxing). Unless I was doing something wrong in Logic, in which case I have to wear the idiot hat.

[Alexander_D]

Logic is a nice DAW for sure. But Control Room in Cubase is a king feature! I don't know now how peop producing without CR ?