Steinberg Cubase Essential 4

Cubase 4 essentials is the entry-level version of cubase 4 studio.
But it has more than enough tools for the beginning recording/mixing engineer.

Cubase 4 essentials includes 64 audio tracks, unlimited Midi tracks, 44 plug-ins incorporating Steinberg's new VST3 protocol, 16 VST instrument slots, the Halion One sample player, plus full latency compensation throughout the signal path.

There's also the new Amp Simulator, with 14 amps and 10 cabinets to mix and match to create the perfect guitar sound

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

This software works correctly and stable because it doesn't use much cpu power of the computer.

I used cubase 4 essentials for almost a year before switching to protools

OVERALL OPINION

I like the easy and clear midi editing possibilities, and i think you get pretty much quality for your money.

The only thing i dont like very much is the mix engine of cubase, thats one of the reasons i switched to protools.

(Originally written by wxc/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
No installation nor incompatibility problems. I did however update Syncrosoft to avoid any problems. I don't use the user's manual a lot since I previously used Cubase SE3.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

I installed it on a Compaq C550EM Intel Celeron M laptop running Vista Basic. Everything works fine with the sound card of the PC and I use the ASIO 4 ALL driver to get good results because CUBASE ESSENTIAL 4 requires more CPU resources than CUBASE SE3. If your PC isn't up to the task you can always use the freeze function to solve the problem. I'm personally thinking about buying an external sound card like the M-AUDIO AUDIOPHILE USB, which isn't too expensive!

The software is very stable and reliable under Vista Basic.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for a few days only and I'm very satisfied with it.

The GUI looks great (like Cusbase 4) and I love the amazing sounds Halion One provides, but the program is rather basic and has only one VST.

The product is not expensive considering its quality. I get much better results than with my Cubase SE3. I'm very satisfied so I would buy it again. I give it only an 8 because one VST is not enough. Fortunately there are many free VSTs available on the web! It's a great product.

# The installation is done it without problems?
Yes. Not rocket science in using the dongle. In addition, you can reinstall it much.

# Have you encountered any incompatibilities?
No. Except with some free VST that caused freeze but I doubt that Cubase is involved.

# The general configuration is easy?
Yes, it is very intuitive more than Live. Device configuration is fairly clear.

# The manual is clear and sufficient?
For first grip, yes, it is rather complete and well translated. Add to that the impressive amount of documentation online (forums, tutorials, written or video), Cubase has a very active community and we quickly found a solution to almost every problem that you may encounter.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

# What is your computer configuration? (Motherboard / CPU / Ram / Disk / sound card ..)
I used it on an Acer Aspire 5920 (Dual Core 2GHz, 3GB RAM), mounted on a PC by myself (Gigabyte B75-D3V and Intel Core i5-3550).

# The software works he correctly on this configuration?
In 2 cases, the app turned without any problem.

# What is performance? (If quantifiable)
I music projects "rock / metal" with twenty audio tracks, with an average of 3 or 4 VST tracks, MIDI tracks with some VSTi and projects work perfectly: no freezes, no bugs individuals observed.

# This software + hardware is stable?
So, yes, absolutely. I sometimes have crashes if I have too much instrument tracks (more than 5, approximately).

OVERALL OPINION

# How long have you been using?
I used a LE version (Light Edition) for 2 or 3 years, then this version for 4 years. However, I do not use more than 20 ¨% of possibilities offered by this software.

# What is special that you like most and least?
I love the grip very intuitive, track tempo, mixer, keyboard shortcuts.
I do not like the editor noon (issue habits to take), and the fact that we can not "annotate" or make comments on certain parts of the timeline. A notebook integrated, project would have been really handy to jot down ideas, etc. ..

# Did you try many other models before buying it?
I tried a few Live! I found much less intuitive, Reaper is very good, but I got used to work with Cubase and habits die hard with respect to the DAW.

# How would you rate quality / price ratio?
For this version, very good! I paid a little less than 140 €, which is widely profitable in 4 years of use rather intensive.
After the pricing policy practiced by Steinberg can be criticized but it is so common among publishers Audio I have a little trouble to throw the first stone.

# With experience, you do again this choice?
Without hesitation.

Installation is done safely, we must of course bring an ilok for permission (provided).

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

AMD Sempron 3000 + Windows XP SP3
RAS, the product is stable.

OVERALL OPINION

Cubase is a good product that allows for very accurate models, it has a whole arsenal of settings and plug-in for recording (égalaseur, compressor, reverb, multi-effects, etc.). MIDI tracks are very well designed with no opportunities in réglages.C also is a product of studio and only studio that requires a thorough job if we want to leverage the performance and if we remain in a use "classical" composition. (not adapted to remix and play loop synchronized kind Ableton Live)