Steinberg Cubase Studio 4 or SX/SL3?

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 12:19 pm

Just wondering what you guys think. I'm doing my own comparisons online also.

What are some of the different tools on each that you guys found especially useful? What is the SL3 "Hybrid" version?

I do basic audio and midi single-track recording, editing, and am learning to do some mastering. I've been using Cubase SE for about a year now and am thinking of upgrading.

Thanks!

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 6:46 pm

Actually how would you compare SX3 to Studio 4?

Posted: Sat Jan 06, 2007 9:51 pm

Are you finding that SE is limiting you? If not, why upgrade? That's just my personal opinion. If you're not doing more than 32 tracks or if 32 of audio seems plenty to you then I personally think the upgrade is a waste of money. Spend your money on a nice mic or a half decent pre-amp. That'll be fare more usefull than the handful of improvements of a higher end software.

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 12:06 am

I don't know I've been finding em pretty cheap around town...

I can get the educational version Studio 4 since I'm a student and I'm starting to see SX/SL3 deals all over the place now, EBAY included.

I get your point though and I'm definitely gonna keep that in mind. I've been reading some of the features offered on ALL of these versions and they have lots of things I'm missing. I can't freeze, no audio or time warp, no stacked recording... I see some other things that would help my CPU out and enhance my workflow but, u're right, maybe not worth the money...

I guess I'll keep everyone posted on whether I upgrade or not.

Any other comments on this?

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 12:58 am

my only comment is if i were going to upgrade i would'nt just go to sx/sl3... go ahead and go to C4 even if it's the studio version... while sx3 will be around for sometime to come it is after all the old version and you'll want to go to 4 eventually so may as well bite the bullet...

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:37 am

JLiRD808 wrote:

I can't freeze, no audio or time warp, no stacked recording...

In the Audio menu select "Freeze Edits". That will save all parameters to your audio file or a new audio file if you wish.

Time stretching: page 238 of the operational manual.

This function IS supported in SE.

Stacked recording: Are you referring to recording in Cycle mode? This is where you are able to record several takes over an section of a song and then choose between or even meld takes. Page 32 of the Operational manual.

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 2:40 am

On the other hand. Are you sure you're using SE or is it LE?

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 8:20 am

just keep in mind this: LE and SE project files CANNOT BE OPENED by SL/SX.

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:11 am

hueseph wrote:

In the Audio menu select "Freeze Edits". That will save all parameters to your audio file or a new audio file if you wish.

Time stretching: page 238 of the operational manual.

This function IS supported in SE.

Stacked recording: Are you referring to recording in Cycle mode? This is where you are able to record several takes over an section of a song and then choose between or even meld takes. Page 32 of the Operational manual.

Ok I never knew this but I'm not sure if that's right. Especially "freezing".

http://www.steinberg.net/932_1.html

I'll try go thru the manual again when I have time but I swore these were missing in SE.

Cresta wrote:

just keep in mind this: LE and SE project files CANNOT BE OPENED by SL/SX.

Are you sure? Steinberg always says how easy it is to upgrade to SX/SL but my Project files will not be able to be transferred? I swore I read that u could somewhere. AGain, I gotta look it up. Even so I wouldn't mind starting over. My SE projects I would say are pretty much done.

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 9:12 am

hueseph wrote:

In the Audio menu select "Freeze Edits". That will save all parameters to your audio file or a new audio file if you wish.

Time stretching: page 238 of the operational manual.

This function IS supported in SE.

Stacked recording: Are you referring to recording in Cycle mode? This is where you are able to record several takes over an section of a song and then choose between or even meld takes. Page 32 of the Operational manual.

Ok I never knew this but I'm not sure if that's right. Especially "freezing".

http://www.steinberg.net/932_1.html

I'll try go thru the manual again when I have time but I swore these were missing in SE.

Cresta wrote:

just keep in mind this: LE and SE project files CANNOT BE OPENED by SL/SX.

Are you sure? Steinberg always says how easy it is to upgrade to SX/SL but my Project files will not be able to be transferred? I swore I read that u could somewhere. AGain, I gotta look it up. Even so I wouldn't mind starting over. My SE projects I would say are pretty much done which is why I'm in the upgrading transition phase.

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 11:59 am

take a look here Smile

http://forum.cubase.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=33209&view=previous&sid=44fd38f6c995ff2bc9348820cf289858

Posted: Mon Jan 08, 2007 4:31 pm

Cresta wrote:

take a look here Smile

http://forum.cubase.net/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=33209&view=previous&sid=44fd38f6c995ff2bc9348820cf289858

I didn't read the whole thread but it looked to me like they were discussing the inability to open SX/SL3 files in SE3, not the other way around.

Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 4:36 am

I remember there was a freeware converter for LE to S* projects files, but it seems that all Steinberg line has been updated, because I have found this:

Compatibility and interchangeability of project files
http://knowledgebase.steinberg.de/110_1.html

well, it is a good thing Smile

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 10:06 am

Apropos the general question. Santa upgraded me from SL2 to CS4 at Christmas. I'm a long time member of cubase.net forums and the general consensus appears to be:

1. The new mediabay / track present handling is excellent, but "unfinished".
2. There are complaints of CPU "spiking" and overloads (I share this experience)
3. The new VST3 software developers kit is not sheduled for release till later in the year, so third party plugins won't be updated by vendors for some time to come.
4. The GUI colour scheme is giving some folks the blues.

Generally, experienced Cubase users appear to be very happy, whereas others tend to have more complaints. It's an early release so it has it's bugs and bug fixes. Nothing new there in the DAW world.

I like it and don't regret the upgrade. I do a lot of audio editing and that part is fabulous.

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 11:06 am

It's a tough choice, and it really depends on which features you want. SX3 is going to have some of the more advanced features that Studio 4 won't have. These are nice, but perhaps not necessary. On the other hand, Studio 4 has some great new features that you will miss out on if you stick with SX3, like the improved score editor, which might not be an issue if you never have need of that function anyway - but it is nice. Also, do you have any other production software, like Reason, Sonar, etc...? If so, you can get the cubase 4 crossgrade version, which would drop your price down to $200 USD for studio 4 and about $435 USD for the full version. These are fully functional and you can market music with them legally, unlike the educational versions, and all you need is to previously own any competing audio production software.

This topic sponsored by: