how to buy cubase

What is Cubase?

Cubase is a music software composing tool for a PC or Mac computer (systems such as these are known as a DAW's - Digital Audio Workstations, other examples being "Logic" and "Pro Tools").

What Can You Do With Cubase?

So with Cubase it's possible to:-

1. Record and edit MIDI information (e.g. record from your keyboard)

2. Record and edit audio information (e.g. record vocals, guitars etc)

3. Mix and playback many MIDI and audio tracks all at once (the amount is only limited by the power of your computer) and create a stereo mix to burn to a CD.

4. Create music scores (from simple one stave scores to complex orchestral ones)

5. Add countless types of audio effects to your recordings. There are several effects that come as standard such as reverb, delay, compression etc. Other effects can be added (there are many free VST effects available)

6. Enhance your arrangement with many instruments that play within Cubase, such as "Halion One" (this has lots of sounds to get you started, such as pianos, bass instruments, strings etc.) Cubase also has other VST instruments that come as standard in Cubase 5 and Cubase Studio 5. There are many, many different types of VST instruments that can be bought and added to Cubase, such as the dedicated orchestral one "Halion Orchestral".

There's currently three versions of Cubase available - Cubase 5, Cubase Studio 5, and Cubase Essential 5. Cubase 5 is the full studio program, the "Studio" is slightly scaled down (and cheaper of course!) and the "Essential" version is the entry level version of the software.

Cubase Terminology

If you're new to music computer recording, your going to run into lots of unsual words and phrases in the sales descriptions that you probably haven't heard before!

What is quantization?

This is a tool used to correct the performing of the music. When a musician plays a piece of music into the computer, there may be "timing" mistakes - notes may be played slightly to late (or early). Quantization can resolve these issues by "correcting" the notes so that they become more accurately "in time" (on the beat or sub-beat).

What is "MIDI" short for, and what does it do?

"MIDI" is short for "Musical Instrument Digital Interface", and is a technology that enables different electronic instruments (such as keyboards, modules and your computer) to "talk" to each other. E.g. it's possible to play something on the keyboard and record this on the computer via a "MIDI" cable.

What does VST mean?

VST is short for "Virtual Studio Technology". It is a software interface that enables other musical software to work within the Cubase environment. Various types of "effects" (such as delay and reverb) can be virtually "plugged in" and used to process the audio recording.

What is VSTi?

VSTi stands for "Virtual Studio Technology Instrument" and is a development of VST. This technology enables software instruments (such as virtual electronic organs or drum machines) to be recorded and played within Cubase.

What is 64-bit technology?

This refers to the processor in the computer. A "bit" is the smallest unit of information that a computer can process, so a 64-bit processor can compute 64 bits of information at the same time. 64-bit processing has been possible since the advent of operating systems such as Windows Vista and Windows 7. Additionally, much more RAM memory can be addressed (up to 1 terabyte, far more than the conventional 4 gig of RAM in 32 bit systems). This is especially useful for Cubase, as it is very RAM intensive, especially if you are running a number of VSTi's and audio tracks simultaneously. More information about 64-bit technology is available here.

What is multitrack recording?

This is where several instruments can be recorded on their own track, and then played back together. Originally this was an analogue technology with 4, 8, 16 or 24 track tape machines. Since the late nineties, computers have generally replaced tape machines in studios for multitrack recording.

What are Sound Cards?

A sound card is a physical device that is plugged into your PC or Mac computer. It enables higher quality audio performance and sound reproduction.