Steinberg Cubase Pro 8 Music Production Software

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A rebuilt audio engine + powerful MIDI and scoring tools = one awesome DAW! Cubase 8 delivers flexible routing, upgraded metering, render-in-place and more.

Cubase Pro 8 unites technical innovation and artistic inspiration in one awesomely powerful yet instantly accessible music production environment. Sleeker, more efficient, more creative and offering audio tools and instruments, Cubase Pro 8 will inspire the seasoned pro and talented beginner alike. An innovative audio engine, window handling paradigm and automation toolset allow you to record and mix even more productively. Yet Cubase Pro 8 also offers novel ways of working with chords, superb virtual instruments and amps, and outstanding FX plug-ins. Cubase Pro 8 blends the latest audio technology with next-generation music tools to offer an exceptionally intuitive workflow.

Massive engine rebuild

Cubase 8 is probably the most efficient, and fast DAW software available today. For this version the entire engine that runs Cubase was rebuilt to make it much faster, more fluid, more snappy. Large projects open up to 4 times faster, the MixConsole twice as fast. Cubase 8's audio engine now also means that even the most complex instruments and plug-ins run with stunning efficiency. This allows a lot lower latency while not out-powering your computer.

ASIO Guard 2

ASIO Guard 2 uses low latencies just on the tracks where latency matters, while using a larger latency that saves performance for playback tracks. It now supports instrument tracks including multi-timbral and sample instruments that feature disk streaming. The internal ASIO-Guard buffering was extended to improve read more the audio processing performance. Simply record and monitor in real time even on CPU-demanding projects.

Create more complex mixes with VCA faders

On analog consoles, VCA faders enabled the control of channel gain by using DC voltage, allowing the movement of a group of faders using a single master fader. VCA faders in Cubase Pro 8 not only assist you creating complex mixes, it also enables more advanced automation workflows using the Combine VCA fader automation feature: merge the automation curve of a VCA fader with the automation curve of a controlled fader or fader groups.

Direct routing

Cubase Pro 8 includes a direct routing section in MixConsole that allows you to set up group routing destinations for multiple channels, buses and stems at once with a single click. Create different mix versions of any session at once.

Improved channel strip EQ

The channel strip EQ module provides additional mouse-over value readouts for gain, frequency and the equivalent in note pitch. Enter pitch notes or cent values instead of Hz frequencies for each band. The Pre section now offers selectable slopes of 6, 12 (default), 24, 36 and 48 for high-cut and low-cut.

Virgin territories

Virgin territories in automation lanes improves handling of automation data: when activated, no automation data is written between two automated events on the same track, making it possible to freely use the space in between two automations for parameter adjustments.

Wave Meters

With the Wave Meters in Cubase Pro 8, upcoming audio events are displayed with the respective waveforms, scrolling through the mixer pane above the volume fader. No longer switch back and forth between the Project window and MixConsole to find out the current song position and check upcoming audio events within the project.

Dockable Instrument rack and MediaBay

MediaBay and the VST Instrument Rack can now be displayed to the right side of the Project window. The result is the Rack Zone with improved efficiency, giving you more time to focus on your creative flow and reducing the number of open windows you need to manage.

Redesigned Track List and Inspector

The redesigned Track List and Inspector offer now better readability. Track names are easier to find and the reduced set of track controls in the track list reduce clutter. And with the configuration tabs below the track list you can switch instantly between different track controls configurations. This displays only what you need to see in a specific workflow situation.

Plug-in manager

The plug-in manager lets you arrange, sort and group your effects and instruments either at the top level or in custom submenus, making finding your plug-ins easier and letting you focus on what's really important. Create multiple collections as sub-sets of all installed effect and instruments and switch easily between them!

Improved windows handling

Cubase 8 introduces a windows handling paradigm including a workspace organizer that makes for a more efficient workflow. Windows can be freely placed on any display and maximized, restored, minimized, tiled and cycled through by using standard Windows OS commands. Windows will now also group Cubase windows in the taskbar, preview window content and show mini icons. The "Always On Top" mode now organizes smaller plug-in windows even when working with maximized windows such the MixConsole.

Render in-place

The render in-place function allows you to bounce MIDI and audio parts easily. You can define exactly on what to include and for example render-in track FX in the events. Trigger the command and an audio track is created with all effects settings copied over from the original source track plus your rendered audio event, including intact event boundaries.

Features:

- VCA faders for complex mixing and automation workflows
- Render in-place: bounce MIDI and audio parts easily
- Improved windows handling on PC, dockable rack and MediaBay plus a redesigned Track List
- Chord pads: a great way to playfully and creatively compose with chords
- Mixing updates: Virgin territories automation mode, direct routing and Waves Meters
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- System Requirements PC: Windows 7 / 8.x
- System Requirements Mac: OS X versions 10.9 / 10.10
- Minimum System Requirements CPU: Intel or AMD dual core CPU
- Minimum System Requirements RAM: 8 GB RAM (minimum: 4 GB)
- Minimum System Requirements HD Space: 15 GB free HD space
- Minimum System Requirements Display Resolution: 1920 x 1080 display resolution (minimum: 1366 x 768) USB port for USB-eLicenser (li System Requirements cense management) OS compatible audio hardware
- Minimum System Requirements DVD-ROM: dual-layer drive

Customers who have activated Cubase Pro 8 on October 15, 2015 or later, are eligible to obtain a free Grace Period update to Cubase Pro 8.5.

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 844-358-4022
Email: steinbergussupport@yamaha.com
Web: https://helpcenter.steinberg.de

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (1 ratings)
Submitted August 31, 2015 by G P in Dallas, TX

"Excellent DAW - still needs improvement"

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I have been using Cubase for a while and was reasonably excited to get the Cubase 8 PRO upgrade as I was still using 5 with a 32 bit system. While Cubase 8 offers many improvements there are still some simple features missing - such as batch create Tracks/Groups at a pre-set level (i.e. -3db) - the mixer looks very busy and it's not necessarily a good thing. The VST instrument panel has changed as well as the insert and ch setting - some of those changes actually slow down the workflow because they have chose to set small little icons that you have to click to enable an insert/send, choose the plugin and/or view it - I was hoping the contrary would happen. Also, other similar GUI changes I find actually steps backward. But, all in all it adds other important features and it sounds great. I am used to it so, I am willing to put up with some of the rather strange GUI choices they made.
Sound
Excellent
Features
Very well planned set of features - flexible, powerful yet relatively simple.
Ease of Use
If you have never used it plan on taking at least a week to get familiar with basic operations.
Quality
Good
Value
Pricey for sure.
Manufacturer Support
Very good - I have had some issues with a defective DVD installer - they replied within 24 hr with a link for the download. Excellent
The Wow Factor
Look good - impressive mixer - though, better used with a multi- fader hardware controller

Musical Background:

Professional

Musical Style:

Jazz/World/LAtin/Rock/Pop/BLues
7 of 7 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
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