ROAD
TEST
Steinberg Cubase Pro 9.5 Digital
Audio Workstation
S
By Eric Price
teinberg’s paid x.5 releases sit be-
tween the free maintenance updates
and the wealth of new features
expected from a full-version update.
As such, Cubase 9.5 Pro offers a
respectable mix of addressing longstanding
user requests and offering unique new features
and capabilities.
In Use
At the top of my list of major feature improve-
ments, I’d say that the new 64-bit floating-point
resolution engine feature is a winner. For those
wanting greater detail and transparency when
processing audio, Cubase has your back. You
now have the option, under what was formerly
called Device Settings and now renamed
Studio Setup, to choose between 32- or 64-bit
Processing Precision.
When an audio engine calculates really big or
really small values, they may eventually get trun-
cated or rounded. We might hear those round-
ing errors as noise – especially during events like
fades. The increased resolution of the new 64-bit
engine effectively moves those calculations out-
side of the audible realm, and I can confirm that
it results in greater detail in your mix.
There are several improvements in the project
window to go over. First up is the new Adapt to
Zoom option. With this new zooming tool, you
can make a Grid Snap adjustment according to
the degree of zoom. If you use the snap-to-grid
function as much as I do, you’ll find this addition
a real time saver.
Next, we have the automation improvements.
Track automation now supports Bezier curves for
smooth changes and faster editing of parameters.
There is now the option of using the Range tool
on an automation lane, letting users quickly high-
light an area to edit. This was something near the
top of many users’ request lists.
There are some changes, in Cubase Pro only,
to the single window layout in the Right Zone. The
zone now features two new tabs. The first allows
quick access to the metering section, displaying
either the master signal levels or the loudness
meter. Secondly, you now have a control room
tab for fast access to control room settings.
Also added to the Media Browser tab is a
very handy File Browser option that gives you
an easy way to directly access and review vari-
20 • C A N A D I A N M U S I C I A N
ous media files directly on the computer and a
Favourites button to save time accessing your
most-used files and having them at your fin-
gertips.
One update I really love is the retooled met-
ronome. The metronome is now completely
customizable. You can change the sound of the
click and incorporate dedicated patterns they
provide, or use the Click Pattern Editor, where you
can modify any facet of a click pattern, which can
then be saved and added to the pattern library.
The patterns can also be easily used between
time signature shifts. You now have the option
of being able to render the MIDI or audio click
to a dedicated audio track. Nice!
Insert slots have been doubled, now allow-
ing for up to 16 VST effects on each audio track
from the original eight. The retooled insert sec-
tion now has a draggable separator line to allow
for instant and dynamic allocation of the inserts
to a pre- or post-fader assignment.
Four of the effects have been updated. The
regular compressor now has a Dry Mix control
as well as a High Ratio (8:1) selection. The Tube
Compressor supports a whole new look, remi-
niscent of another major brand of compressor,
and now features a Character Knob that adds a
bit of top end when used, plus a Mix control and
a side-chain option. The Vintage Compressor also
sports a new look, once again based on another
famous brand of compressor, and it now has a
Mix Control added to it as well. This leaves Mag-
neto, which simulates the saturation and com-
pression of recording to analog tape and, like
the others, has a new look for its MKIII upgrade.
There are now Production Presets that offer
up plenty of useful effect chain recommenda-
tions for the master tracks covering a wide variety
of musical styles.
The video engine finally gets replaced and is
now compatible with many of the current video
codecs and external video cards. This was some-
thing I have been hoping for and I’m glad to see
it revamped.
Direct offline processing has been beefed up
and lets you use plug-ins without having to insert
them on a channel for real-time use. This allows
events to be processed non-destructively while
keeping the CPU load to a minimum.
HALion Sonic SE3 includes the new FLUX
wavetable synth with some cool sounds. One
can never have enough synthesizers!
The Sampler Track now supports the ability to
drag and drop MIDI events into it, which are then
turned into audio. There is now an A/B option to
easily compare any changes.
Under the Preferences Menu, there is now a
greatly expanded Colour Scheme interface that
allows for far more choices to customize the look
of your Cubase.
Lastly, Steinberg has promised to add support
for Softube’s Console 1 in the near future for all
you Softube fans.
Summary
Once again, Steinberg has done a great
job and made this a worthy update to the
program. I feel the changes are certainly worth
the price of admission and warrant a purchase
now instead of holding out for the next full
version update.
Eric Price is a grizzled industry veteran who
continues to press on despite everything he
believes in.