All user reviews for the Steinberg Cubase SX 1

Cubase SX is the ideal multitrack software for PC. It is an open-ended program which supports all Re-Wire applications i.e. Reason, Ableton Live 2.0, Re-Birth etc, as well as DX ,and of course Steinbergs own VST plug-ins. The possibilities only end with your creativity. Full multitracking, editing, MIDI sequencing, and effects suite. 10/10 for features.

Price paid

$475

Flowing through a session is a breeze with the new SX layout.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

The sound quality is great but it depends on the host soundcard. I give the sound a 9 out of 10 for a very clean sound. If you're looking for that warm sound you need outboard gear or some really good tube emulating plug-ins.

Full multitracking, editing, MIDI sequencing, and effects suite. 10/10 for quality.

OVERALL OPINION

I love it. I can't imagine life without this software.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown ( 7-, 2003)

1.06 is fairly complete and the 1.01 bugs are history. Can't wait for the new features in SX 2, especially the fx returns!!

Price paid

£ 349

I'm probably not the right person to ask cos' I use Cubase since 1990 and I don't remember how the learning curve was back then. I never had problems with it, except perhaps for the awkward MIDI sysex integration. I must mention though that any hardware slightly below Steinberg's recommendations (but fairly above minimum) is struggling badly.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

The True Tape emulation is one of the best features a music software manufacturer has ever come up with. The on-board reverbs are a bit on the clangy / chilly side. The eq sounds too harsh and digital to my taste. I definitely like the A1 synth. BIG bass sounds and leads. The internal mp3 encoder is excellent.

For the most part, the quality is solid enough to not require any support. CS is ok as long as one stays on standard issues. They seem to lose it a bit when you come up with problems out of 'exotic' configurations. For those who are using Steinberg (-recommended) hardware there shouldn't be any major problems though. BTW I wouldn't use it at a gig, just like any other software...

OVERALL OPINION

It's a studio workhorse and it does what it's supposed to do, most of the time... For fancy twiddling I turn over to the 02R

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown (January 0-, 2003)

It pretty much does have everything you need in a DAW. I wish it accomidated live loop building better- like Ableton Live. I know that's not Cubase's job- still it seems possible to intigrate. If you can call it a 'feature', I am really disappointed there are no window Docking options (I always called them 'panes'). The other reviewer said exactly what i was thinking. After working with Ableton Live and thier much better pane-based interface I thought for sure everyone would hop aboard. Not yet apparently. moving windows around is not ideal.

Price paid

$199 (upgrade)

There is a learning curve- even for users of earlier versions of Cubase. The manual is good enough- though some topics were discussed only briefly when I felt I needed a bit more discussion to fully grasp the topic. The interface makes sense and includes many shortcut buttons (not menu items) that perform common tasks and view toggling.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

The included plug-ins are very good. Many accomidate electronica nicely. The sound IS better than Cubase 5.

It's no doubt a high quality product. It's using the Nuendo engine which is supposed to be well engineered. The sliders and level indicators all move smoothly and in synch with the music. the latency is reduced which is great for playing 'through' Cubase's effects. I can actually solo along now with plug ins effecting my sound in real time.

OVERALL OPINION

Other than a few user interface complaints this is a GREAT DAW. I haven't used Digital Performer or Sonor or Logic to compare but I know it's at least comprable. I would bet that the engine is a little more stable than those competitors which is pretty huge when wieghing a product.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown (January 2-, 2003)

I find it to be the best sequencer as many audio formats are supported. whether you need to use audio loops or midi its all there. more included plugins would be useful but thats the only thing i feel they are lacking in. a lot of people say they need windows that dock. I didnt mind the seperate windows structure. the windows tab makes it easy to switch back and forth between windows, and you can close a window that isnt in use and open up back later.

Price paid

$500

When you first fire it up, it can be a little intimidating, but one read through the manual and you'll be all set.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

The included plugins are decent enough to get some songs done, but to really use cubase to its full potential you gotta get some vst's.

I messed up my install once but installing too many free vst's. I wasnt sure what plugin messed with it, but i had to reinstall cubase, it would crash upon start up. that was the only problem ive had. its never crashed on me.

OVERALL OPINION

After using many programs, I have come to the conclusion that recording songs in cubase is straight forward and logical. You don't have to think about it, you just play, and nothing gets in the way of your creative process. with vst support, and of course rewire, the possibilities are endless, and i recommend every studio pick up cubase sx now.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: AntiSocialProduction ( 8-, 2005)

There isnt anything missin with cubase, you can do absolutely anything with it there are no boundaries, you can rewire some/most other prgrams to cubase i.e reason or fruityloops, its probably one step away from pro tools there isnt nothing much you cant do...you will still need to get VST's to make your production/engineering sound better and there are so many plug-ins for cubase.

Price paid

799.00

im not saying its hard as its like every other program you just need to learn it but theres alot more to learn on this program to reason or FL studios.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

I have come across nothing at the moment that is weak about Sx 3, part from the way it looks i think if it had all the updates and the same look it would be appealing.

Nope a plain and simple installation/

OVERALL OPINION

This is my favourite program ive used, fl studios and reason just seem like baby toys, i kno those people who like reason will probably disagree but FL and reason are just quickways if knokcing up a track.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: UNP_UK (January 2-, 2005)

I find Cubase to be the best program yet when it comes to plugin support and and tweeking mixes. I also love that scores editor, and absolutely love the way it accomodates other plugins and programs. Although I would have hoped that rewire could be faster.

$200

Fairly easy to learn and use.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

I use it primarility with sounds from other programs, however I to say that it sounds really good when mastering and rendering to a wav. The mp3 exports sound poor though. But for what I do I have to say im satisfied.

Good product, experience some crashes, but could have been my computer. its good.

OVERALL OPINION

Hey I love this product and all its features! It's in my top 3.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: cyptm ( 3-, 2006)