What version of cubase is best for a digital virgin?

gdkjones · Joined: Jan 24, 2005 Posts: 1 Location: scotland

Boo hoo. My dilemma. ..I am recently purchasing a powerful new desktop which I have been assured will allow me to realise an ongoing ambition to start laying down tracks solo.
I've been involved with bands before, but alas, I have a brain the size of a planet when it comes to shaping music within the confines of my head . The trouble lies in trying to project and evolve those ideas into something they can understand.
I have obviously heard many good things about cubase, but my concern is quite simply one of how difficult the more up to date versions will be to get to grips with. I have recently downloaded samples of KORG's virtual synth set up, which incorporates the poly six, legacy cell, the wavestation and the ms-20. I love the idea of having all these very versatile synths at my fingertips, and I am hoping that this combimed with my current guitars and effects units will merge together with cubase in a wonderful ballet of audio bliss. I realise the downside of using a mouse system for playing keyboards, it just aint gonna work well...and not at all live, so I have considered the purchase of a roland pc-300, and another possible dilemma. I hear that the roland unit just doesn't like winxp.
My proposal to you my dear people. Throw suggestions my way which I can evolve and hopefully use to massage your collective ears and subconcious into a musical euphoria. Very Happy

Yours with faith and good music.

ps- remember that the whole world conspires to help you achieve your dreams.

paul e. · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 4:21 pm Post subject:

hi there..welcome

can you simplify your question ? ..what are you asking

p.s. which part of scotland are you from /

elektro80 · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 4:43 pm Post subject:

THe easiest version of Cubase is Cubase 5.2 VST32. It is powerful and kinda looks like an old studio. The new versions are a bit way out there.. but manageable anyway.
Steinberg just ended the Cubase 5 upgrade path.. and I have seen shops are starting to sell the old high end shrinkwrapped VST32 for like 50 GBP or less.

The next and possibly best option is getting Cubase SE. that one is inexpensive and you are only missing out on features that you probably would never want to use on a laptop.

The Korg Legacy Collection is GREAT.

Try any of those low end M-Audio USB controllers. Those are great with XP and OS X. 49 keys is a minimum.

Invest some time in Cubase. This application is extremely good and you can upgrade it later to the full SX version.

seraph · Posted: Tue Jan 25, 2005 1:01 am Post subject:

I can't be of any help about Cubase but the title of this thread is very amusing Very Happy

zynthetix · Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2005 10:14 pm Post subject:

are you aiming to record audio or use software synths? That can make a difference.

If you are new to cubase, the newest VST 32 releases are very good and significantly cheaper since it is the previous generation.

Cubase SX series has some neat features...but almost too many. I could get away with using the SL (or is it called SE?) version...I do not need all the fancy plug-ins, bells and whistles. I just need good soft synth support and sequencing capability.

Especially if you are on a tight budget, do consider the SL (SX-like but minus some extras) or VST 32 series...just because they are not the MOST current doesn't mean they are not strong, formidable, flexible tools.