Steinberg Cubase LE 4

Purchased as a bundle with a Lexicon Omega audio interface. 48 track, unlimited MIDI tracks, 5.1 Surround mixes, VST plug-ins and digital effects. My profile: Eclectic guitarist from Southwestern Pennsylvania specializing in jazz, rockabilly, swing, classic country, alt-country, and punk/new wave.

Obtained from Larry's Music Center (Rices Landing, PA, 724-966-8209) for around $120 for the bundle.

The software is quite powerful, offering 48- track recording, effects, mixing, and plenty of MIDI features. Cubase LE 4 features 'Instrument' tracks that come in handy for the solo musician. Input any MIDI file or track and select an instrument from the pre-loaded bank of sounds. Can be used as great sounding back-up tracks.

The learning curve is a bit steep and setting up the hardware can be a frustrating ordeal. The documentation is somewhat limited, a problem mitigated by the fantastic phone and online support.

The software is stable and boasts robust online support and plenty of updates.

More features than I could possibly need at home, this software does everything I need it to do and then some. Worth putting the time in to learn how to use it effectively.

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Installation without problems.
It's easy to set up. I use Cubase LE 4 ─ don't forget to update!!! The Steinberg USB key and also the software!!!
The manual comes as a PDF in different languages on the software CD.

PERFORMANCE

The software works really well with the io/2 soundcard or the Cakewalk ua-25 EX or Asio4all.
Stable software.

OVERALL OPINION

I've used it since March 2008, almost 4 years.
I tested other products, like Cubase SE 1.
Quality & price: 180 euros with the Alesis IO/2 soundcard.

Well, since you are here, you probably are considering an interface that bundles Cubase with it against another interface with another program. I want to let you know right now that Cubase is probably the biggest pain in the butt that you will set up. I do not mean to sound overly sensational, but if you are considering trying to use a lite version of this program, it is likely because you are just getting started. Cubase is not incredibly intuitive to open for the very first time because of all of the menus you have to go through to start to route the audio and set up the inputs and outputs and midi devices and what not Without a doubt, just about every other program out there is easier to learn the basics of audio on than Cubase.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Cubase is in and of itself a tried and true program that does indeed get the job done once you figure out its ins and outs. That being said, Cubase is known in the industry at being particularly great at handling data from midi files and inputs. This means that Cubase lends itself well to electronic and computer musicians. The thing that makes this particular lite version of Cubase less appealing then, is that this version is geared toward the beginning recordist, which means that it is lighter on features. It has less of the plugins that make the main version of Cubase appealing, and it certainly lacks the amount of options for midi file manipulation that the main point and selling point of this digital audio workstation is gone. Did I mention that so far, all versions of Cubase are unbelievably draconian in how they handle audio resources, and tend to crash a lot if you strain the program? Well, now I have!

OVERALL OPINION

There is absolutely no point to this program. It is simply hands down a worse option than any of the other lite digital audio workstations because it is frustrating to beginners, and because the main version's eventual draw and appeal do not sufficiently apply to it. Stick to something else more intuitive than Cubase and focus on music instead of fiddling with your program.

The installation went smoothly, it's not easy to configure, I've had Cubase SE 1.
After 4 years, I have studied the software and I had some problems,
the drivers of my Edirol UA-1EX soundcard and UM-1EX Midi interface malfunction all the time.

PERFORMANCE

Dell Inspiron 6400 PC. The software doesn't work well, it's a piece of shit, it
doesn't sound stable.

OVERALL OPINION

I tested Magix Music Studio Deluxe, which is a little better, except for the Vst plug-ins, it doesn't have too many. I also tested Cakewalk's Music Creator 4, but I had problems with the soundcard,. I also tested Magix music Samplitude Studio 2008, it ran smooth with the soundcard, but I had some crashes with my synth, a ROLAND E-50, and Cubase LE 4.
I'm a 35-year old handicapped musician.
Talk to you soon???