Steinberg Cubase 12

Cubase is one of the longest running and
most successful DAWs available. In recent
times it’s successfully streamlined its
performance, and through a succession of
regular version updates added new and
requested features.
Big news
In Cubase 11 we saw both new and improved
plugins, enhanced content and many
operational reinements. To some extent it’s the
same story in Cubase 12 and we look at some of
these below. However, irst some big news.
Cubase has inally moved away from dongle
protection to a new user-based system –
Steinberg Licensing. We found the transition
straightforward. The new system currently only
applies to new versions of softwares, so you’ll
now ind your Steinberg account includes two
separate product categories, one for Steinberg
Licensing and one for existing eLicensors. Once
we’d done our upgrade we were also left with a
heritage eLicensor version of Cubase 11. One
major advantage of the new licensing system is
you can authorise up to three devices with your
single licence.
More plugins
Cubase 12 includes two new plugins, Raiser and
S t e i n b e r g
Cubase 12 £ 4 9 7
It’s one of the major DAWs, with a wealth of awesome features. Let’s see
how the latest version 12 of this iconic application stacks up
“What makes FX
Modulator special is
that each module has
its own customisable
modulation curve”
PROJECT WINDOW TOOLBAR
This easily configurable toolbar
includes an array of key tools
and information
STATUS LINE
Provides visual project
settings and access to
the settings pages
SEPARATE
WINDOWS
To break from
panel layout,
panels can be
popped out
PROJECT ZONE
This is the main arrangement
timeline area where you
organise tracks and events
AUTOMATION
New in Cubase
12, the multi-
lane automation
now includes
sample accurate
volume
automation
LOWER ZONE
This foldaway panel has five tabs for
Chord Pads, Editor, Sampler Control,
MixConsole and MIDI Remote
RIGHT ZONE
Switch between
Media Browser,
Control Room,
Meters and
Instrument rack
TRANSPORT PANEL
Visible below or standalone, this strip has
all location and transport features
CONTROL
ROOM
Access handy
features like
mono, dim and
monitor level
with this
great feature
ZONES
Quickly select which of
the zones are visible
using the zone icons
LEFT ZONE
Here you’ll find
the context
specific track
Inspector and
also the track
Visibility list
FX Modulator. Raiser is a limiter and what marks
it out from the crowd are ive release modes.
Four of these are automatic, but with diferent
proiles. Some modes achieve really audible
efects, which is great for drums. That said, you
can also get more natural results, perfect for
submixes and the master bus. We’d normally
head for a compressor when adding lavour to
our drums, but Raiser ofers up a serious
alternative to this.
FX Modulator is a wonderfully powerful
multi-efects plugin with 14 modules and six
slots. However, what makes it special is that
each module has its own customisable
modulation curve. This controls one or more of
the module’s parameters. Couple this with some
of the more crazy efects such as Time Shifter or
Frequency Shifter and you have a truly creative
and slightly bonkers plugin, ideal for spicing up
your audio. They’ve even thrown in 100 presets
to get you started.
72 / COMPUTER MUSIC / June 2022
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