Cubase Pro is one of the most established DAWs available in the industry today. If you don’t know what a DAW is, it stands for Digital Audio Workstation, which is responsible for the production of music, to say the least. Cubase Pro was first released in the late ‘80s, which speaks to the pedigree of the software.
With the latest version, it has become a go-to tool for professional producers, composers, and music designers. It offers an incredibly deep environment for recording, mixing, and mastering music. There are features like advanced MIDI sequencing, VST instrument support, a powerful mixing console, and industry-standard editing tools.
It is widely used in both studio and live production. But its professional-grade depth comes with a steep learning curve and a premium price tag.
Recording and editing
Cubase Pro comes with unlimited audio and MIDI tracks capability, allowing it to record high-quality audio (up to 192 kHz/64-bit). There are features like AudioWarp and VariAudio 3, which allow pitch correction and timing adjustments at the level of Melodyne, which make it great for vocal editing.
While the learning curve is a bit steep, once you do get used to it, editing becomes very intuitive as you get familiar with the layout, customizable key commands, template, and the drag-and-drop workflow.
Virtual instruments and plugins
For any DAW application, a major part is the additional plugins and VST instruments that you can use at your disposal. With Cubase Pro, you have dozens of professional audio processors (EQs, compressors, reverbs, delays, etc.), Groove Agent SE (drum machine), HALion Sonic SE (sampler/synth), and so much more.
It also supports third-party VST3 plugins, so if you need something that is not available, you can always use a third-party one. Do keep in mind that a lot of these plugins and instruments are quite heavy on your hard drive, so we are expecting that you will have enough space on your drives.
Pricing
Cubase comes in various versions, which vary in price and capabilities. There is a 30-day free trial, which you can use before making your decision.
The Pro 14 is the top-tier version, while the Elements is the base-tier. The prices themselves vary based on region, version, and any ongoing discounts/promotions.
Mixing and mastering tools
The MixConsole is probably the software’s strongest feature. It is a fully featured mixer that comes packed with channel strip modules, routing options, VCA faders, automation curves, and so much more. It also has 5.1 and 7.1 surround support.
Workflow and MIDI powerhouse
For the longest time, Cubase has been known for its MIDI sequencing. Tools like the Key Editor, Drum Editor, Score Editor, and Chord Pads make composition extremely smooth. Features like Expression Maps and Logical Editor cater especially well to film and game composers.
Conclusion
Cubase Pro is one of the most comprehensive and popular DAWs available currently. It comes loaded with professional tools for enterprise-grade recording, composing, and mixing music covering every genre. It is an absolute powerhouse.
Best for?
Professional producers, composers, and audio engineers who want a complete, all-in-one DAW with exceptional MIDI tools and mixing capabilities. Perfect for film scoring, orchestral arrangements, electronic music production, and large-scale studio projects.
