Creative Composing and Sequencing
Composing has never been easier or more inspirational. Based on more than 25 years of experience in developing easy-to-use editing and professional composing and notation tools, Cubase once again set a milestone in version 6: With VST Expression 2 Steinberg is taking sequencer-based composing to a whole new level and offers the most intuitive and functionally complete MIDI composing and sequencing toolset on the planet.
Key Editor
At the heart of MIDI sequencing in Cubase is the Key Editor: a breathtakingly powerful yet transparent tool which offers functional wealth that opens up virtually limitless possibilities for songwriters and composers. This is where melodies, chords, arrangements and performances take shape, and where ideas are sketched out, developed and taken to their full potential. Entering, cutting, moving and transposing individual notes or whole chords, editing any of the hundreds of MIDI parameters available or reworking even the most subtle nuances of a MIDI performance are just some of the tasks for which the Key Editor has been developed and refined continuously by Steinberg for over two decades.
The Key Editor’s Inspector provides smooth and intuitive access to the most important MIDI tools and functions, including Expression Maps, Note Expression, Quantize, Transpose, Length and many more in one central spot. What's more, with the In-place Editing function, you can also process MIDI parts directly in the Project window in context with other tracks.
Score Editor
The Score Editor is a full notation environment completely integrated within Cubase and lets you view your music in the form of scores, with full support for just about all symbol, display and editing options that this entails. With support for lyrics and remarks as well as drum notes, guitar tablature and lead sheets, the Cubase Score Editor includes hundreds of professional notation symbols: simply select the tools needed to create fully professional score layouts for others including soloists, orchestras and choirs. Thanks to the full Music XML Import / Export support, even exchanging scores with other notation packages is only a matter of seconds. In addition, the Expression Maps of the VST Expression 2 set have been engineered to offer new levels of speed and intuitiveness when working with large sample libraries by introducing dynamic support for articulations and expressive notation that is automatically interpreted by a VST instrument. Cubase 6 features an unparalleled combination of a fully featured composition, recording and mixing environment with comprehensive scoring features — ideal for composers.
Drum Editor
The Drum Editor is a highly intuitive yet powerful window for constructing and reworking beats, rhythms and grooves as well as creating individual drum maps for every employed instrument, offering a plethora of features to let you come up with the perfect rhythm for your song or production.
List Editor
The List Editor is a powerful MIDI editing tool that gives fast access to every single aspect of a MIDI note and can be a huge timesaver in complex projects.
VST Expression 2
VST Expression Maps provide an ultra-intuitive way of working with multiple instrument articulations, for example of huge orchestra libraries, and introduces an editing concept that is user-customizable and fully integrated with the Key and Score Editors. This groundbreaking technology makes working with instrument articulations as easy as it should be. Instead of handling all those MIDI controllers for switching articulations, VST Expression Maps allow seamlessly and transparently integrated editing as well as full control over multiple articulations. Best of all, articulations noted in the Key and Score Editors can be played back in real time by orchestra and any other sample-based libraries.
With Cubase 6, Steinberg has innovated even further to offer more creative compositional tools. Note Expression is a revolutionary approach to create and edit multiple controller values in a single graphical interface, directly on the note they belong to. Invaluable for demanding orchestral arrangements as well as cutting-edge electronic music, Note Expression significantly enhances the composer’s workflow and sets new standards in terms of creativity and musicality.
Seamless, transparent and integrated editing of articulations, with full control over multiple articulations in the Key and Score Editors.
Break traditional MIDI limitations — create and edit multiple controller values on single note-level
Invaluable for demanding orchestral arrangements, cutting-edge electronic music and unique sound effects
Immediately listen to dynamic changes noted in the Score Editor or placed in the Key Editor
Automatically transfer articulation setups of VST 3.5 compatible instruments for individual instrument sounds
MIDI plug-ins
To inspire you even further, Cubase includes a huge set of VST MIDI plug-ins. Creative tools, such as the drum step sequencer, the Beat Designer, a powerful arpeggiator, a MIDI pattern sequencer and a MIDI chord processor amongst others will take your composition to the next level. While Cubase 6 offers probably the most feature-rich MIDI sequencing toolset in the audio industry today, Steinberg’s development philosophy is constantly focused on the creativity of musicians, composers and producers, resulting in a MIDI environment that is not only technologically advanced but highly intuitive and instantly accessible for anyone.
Intuitive recording
An exceptional audio quality, a wide range of innovative tools and a truly musical feel make Cubase 6 the first choice for all kinds of music production — from lightning-fast band recording to professional studio productions. The advanced recording environment combines the functionality of high-end mixing consoles with the elegance of a state-of-the-art software system. Whether you want to record a guitar riff, a multi-miked drum kit or a full classical orchestra, Cubase 6 always provides the best set of tools for your music.
Next-generation audio engine
The award-winning Cubase audio engine delivers a crystal-clear 32-bit floating-point resolution and 192 kHz sample rate, with a pristine sound quality that is the hallmark of the Cubase 6 music production experience. The next-generation audio engine includes true surround capability throughout, with each track and channel offering up to six discreet channels, ready for 5.1 surround and powered by Virtual Studio Technology that opens up a myriad of VST instruments at your fingertips.
Convenient recording
Cubase 6 offers convenient recording capabilities such as Retrospective Record, which means that no take ever gets lost because record mode wasn’t engaged in time. With the exemplary FX handling any VST plug-in can be recorded with the signal, or simply used for monitoring while the untouched, pristine signal is recorded in Cubase.
The intuitive user interface supports even the largest recording rigs, with easy-to-use folders, customizable Track views and custom color schemes for Tracks that differentiate track types at a glance. Handling inputs and outputs in Cubase is effortless: the VST Connections window allows you to not only setup custom I/O setups and customize port names but also switch between different I/O setups on the fly.
Cubase comes with a huge range of additional functions engineered to accelerate recording workflows, including the Arm/Disarm All Audio Tracks function, the Lock Record mode, and the Remaining Record Time display. With Cubase 6 you can focus on the only thing that truly matters — your music.
