SX3 more intuitive and user friendly?

[hebex]

1. The hype and some magazine reviews say that Steinbergs Cubase SX3 is more user friendly than before. Would you agree, and why?

2. As a Cubase SX2 owner I haven´t tried SX3 yet, since the upgrade costs some bucks. Meanwhile, I have had an eye on Tracktion, that compared to SX2 seems to be extremely intuitive and user friendly. The thing I like with Tracktion is that is allows me to have an immediate overview of the tracks, the order of VST-instruments and effects and volume levels at the same time, without having to open several windows/mixers. Is this possible to achieve in SX3?

[electro]

SX 3.01.514 is very very solid. Freeze & Audiowarp kill.

[electro]

1. The hype and some magazine reviews say that Steinbergs Cubase SX3 is more user friendly than before. Would you agree, and why?

2. As a Cubase SX2 owner I haven´t tried SX3 yet, since the upgrade costs some bucks. Meanwhile, I have had an eye on Tracktion, that compared to SX2 seems to be extremely intuitive and user friendly. The thing I like with Tracktion is that is allows me to have an immediate overview of the tracks, the order of VST-instruments and effects and volume levels at the same time, without having to open several windows/mixers. Is this possible to achieve in SX3?

It is not much different than SX2 in that sense, but as far as I know, everything can be accessed via the project window.

[hebex]

as far as I know, everything can be accessed via the project window.

Of course you can access everything via the project window!

But the question is if it´s possible in SX3 to get an *immediate overview* of the order of VST-instruments and effects and volume levels at the same time, *without having to open several windows/mixers*?

[original flipper]

HI

I was new to SX when I purchased SXV3 and although my needs for lots of midi facilities was met I found that even with 2 monitors the program is unweildly when you start running lots of midi based synths.

For instance you load a synth up and you not only get a mixer channel for the track you get a second one for the synth, in the main screen you get a menu item placed in the track along with the track that has the synth, if you want to start a project with say 4 aux send/returns you get all this info on the main arrange screen along with duplicates in the mixer - god forbid you open a program like battery - you get 32 mixer channels!

I think graphically SX is very nice but the the interface/gui quickly becomes over burderened with too much duplication which leads to a mega cluttered feel and a hinderance to workflow.

I have been using Tracktion recently and it is like a breath of fresh air - I will still use SXV3 but only on specific projects.

Flipper.

[hebex]

For instance you load a synth up amd you not only get a mixer chanell for the track you get a second one for the synth, in the main screen you get a menu item placed in the track along with the track that has the synth, if you want to start a project with say 4 aux send/returns you get all this info on the main arranger screen along with duplicates in the mixer

Really, isn´t there an option to turn all extra info off except for the mixer channel??

I think graphically SX is very nice but the the interface/gui quickly becomes over burderened with too much duplication which leads to a mega cluttered feel and hinderance to workflow.

I agree.

I have been using Tracktion recently and it is like a breath of fresh air - I will still use SXV3 but only on specific projects.

I´m thinking of doing the same. But, at the same time, to need to have two programs doing basically the same thing is insane! Why not have two word processors? Steinberg, come on!!

[Hellbilly]

I personally am getting tired of all the windows and channels and this and that in SX2 and i will probably not upgrade to SX3, so a new host is in order.

Is it safe to go to Tracktion? Does it handle VST+Audio well? I use alot of synths/effects/drumstuff, but i also record guitar and singing (read: screaming ).

Too bad i missed the free Tracktion thingie

[original flipper]

HI

Practically everything on the arrange page can be expanded/contracted via menu items - It nevertheless is crap that I don't want in the first place - I tend to think that perhaps in the future SX might see the light and go minimalistic and allow the user to dictate the level of complexity they want - until then I think I am coming around to liking the Traction way of doing things.

I discovered how simple it is to use multiple filters to link up say ERA and 'anysynth' - in any other host this is a pain; in Tracktion it takes like 10 seconds.

Flipper.

[hebex]

I personally am getting tired of all the windows and channels and this and that in SX2 and i will probably not upgrade to SX3, so a new host is in order.

I´m also VERY tired of all unnecessary windows and channels etc, but maybe SX3 is so much more faster and intuitive, so going the Tracktion route won´t be necessary? (Hoping, hoping... )

Is it safe to go to Tracktion? Does it handle VST+Audio well? I use alot of synths/effects/drumstuff, but i also record guitar and singing (read: screaming ).

Basically, it can take care of most needs. But for example pitch shift, several audio editing/processing functions, efficient time stretching, and notation is unfortunately not available in the forseeable future of Tracktion (to my knowledge, at least).

[hebex]

I discovered how simple it is to use multiple filters to link up say ERA and 'anysynth' - in any other host this is a pain; in Tracktion it takes like 10 seconds.

I agree completely. Steinberg, take note!!

[koolkeys]

With Tracktion, I think it's a no-brainer that it's a whole lot less cluttered and more intuitive. Of course, for some it may not be. And you also have to realize that T is still technically in the early stages. There's only one developer and that's pretty much it(unless Jules has a secret team). So you won't find some of those features in T, but you will find the workflow. I don't think that can be disputed. Plus, T is a whole lot cheaper at the moment. Try the T2 demo when it comes out. It may just have some of the features that you mentioned, as the full list hasn't been disclosed yet. Good luck with your search for a host. Let us know what you find!

Koolkeys

[hebex]

To answer myself, judging by this thread:

SX3 appears to be as cluttered, overcrowded and tedious as SX2, and far from as user-friendly and intuitive as the hype says. What a shame!

[ahja]

I guess its how well you use and know the program. I, personally, have no problems with overcrowding in any of my projects, which tend to get quite large. In my opinion sx3 is very user friendly and work flow efficient. Setting up workspaces and custom mixers as a default project/templete is a great idea, and learning your key commands so you can quickly navigate to anything you wish to do. Use the inspector... use workspaces... No problems...

[hebex]

In my opinion sx3 is very user friendly and work flow efficient.

Good to hear there is *someone* out there who has faith in Cubase SX3...

Is there a significant difference in the ease of use between SX3 and SX2 in your opinion?

Setting up workspaces and custom mixers as a default project/templete is a great idea, and learning your key commands so you can quickly navigate to anything you wish to do. Use the inspector... use workspaces... No problems...

Any hints of a site where this is explained? The SX2 manual isn´t too clear about this...

[steffensen]

Emagic Logic 5.5.1 !!