Comments on: There Is NOTHING Complicated About Cubase

By: Soumitra

Soumitra — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 18:59:50 +0000

I am just beginning to use Cubase for a home project these days. I have no experience in Home Recording whatsoever so I will be learning everything from scratch.

I’ll post my response to this thread in a few days.

Would like to add that I am extremely comfortable with using technology tools, and I figure out my way pretty fast be it computer hardware or software. So I’ll be in a good position to judge whether Cubase is really all that non-intuitive that it is made out to be.

Till then.

Cheers

Soumitra

By: Kent Keller

Kent Keller — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:28:05 +0000

I agree that most things are not difficult when you know how to do them. My point is that Cubase is difficult to figure out and counter-intuitive. I purchased Cubase in an attempt to upgrade, not switch from software to software. Changing a patch on a single track is not a big problem, I just have to count all the blank options 1,2,3,5…49 Timpani, got it. No numbers, no patch names, not intuitive way to map the VST setting so that they show up in the menu, Tech support simply blames the VST even though it happens on just about all of them. Changing a patch in the middle of the score is not intuitive.

Again, “difficult” does not mean that the software is not powerful or that things can’t be done. It just means that it is not easy to figure out. And, BTW, I spent alot of time reading the manuals. And yes, it is somewhat helpful, but alot is left out. The common wisdon is that you don’t lear CUBASE by manual, but by forum, frustrations and hours spent.

By: brandondrury

brandondrury — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 19:45:09 +0000

I have used alot of Midi/Music software

This is something I never understood. Because all recording software has a learning curve, I never saw the point in trying out zillions of programs. Purchase recording software that does what you need and learn how it works. I’m not sure why a Logic or Pro Tools guy would even try out Cubase unless there was something limiting in Pro Tools or Logic.

People that try out all kinds of different software are typically the kind of people who have a new car and a new wife every time you see them.

Brandon

By: brandondrury

brandondrury — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 19:42:22 +0000

I don’t agree. I think the documentation in Cubase SX3 is probably the best documentation I’ve seen in any high end software I’ve ever owned. The full blown manual is 1,000 pages. It covers EVERYTHING in detail. Of course,no one reads the 1,000 page manual. It’s not intended to be read. That’s what the Getting Started tutorial is for.

I personally felt that MIDI editing was extremely intuitive in Cubase. I don’t remember ever consulting the manual for that one.

Simple things like patch changes, moving musical line from one score to another, etc are not intuitive at all.

Are we talking about the same program? To change the “patch” of a VSTi, you simply click one button to change the patch within the VSTi. It’s harder to tie a shoe.

To move a MIDI line from one track to another, you simply cut the line you want and drag it down to a different track. I’m not sure how that could be any more intuitive either.

If you buy CUBASE, expect to spend hours reading documentation and being frustrated. Period. Cubase is VERY difficult, counter-intuitive, and poorly documented.

Well, I’m certainly no genius and I can honestly say that I pretty much had Cubase SX3 conquered in a Saturday afternoon simply by going through the included documentation. I consider it to be as good as anything else out there.

Brandon

By: Kent Keller

Kent Keller — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:53:57 +0000

I have used alot of Midi/Music software and I find Cubase to be one of the most difficult. The documentation is incomplete, the commands are not intuitive. For simple audio recording…easy, no problem. Midi editing is nearly impossible compared to many simple midi editors on the market for alot less money. Simple things like patch changes, moving musical line from one score to another, etc are not intuitive at all. To simply say, “You just need to read the documentation” is simply avoiding the question. No one is saying that Cubase is IMPOSSIBLE or that it doesn’t have the FUNCTIONALITY. What we are saying is:

If you buy CUBASE, expect to spend hours reading documentation and being frustrated. Period. Cubase is VERY difficult, counter-intuitive, and poorly documented.

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