Cubase 4 FAQ

Georg Bruns · Administrative Moderator Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 995

CUBASE 4 FAQ

1. Can I install Cubase 4 next to existing Cubase installations?
Yes, you can. Different Cubase versions won't harm each other as long as each installation gets its own directory (PC) resp. application name (Mac).
By default an additional Cubase 4 installation will be named "Cubase 4".

2. Will Cubase 4 be compatible to previous Cubase versions? Can I share Cubase 4 project files with users of previous versions?
No, project files created by the current version of Cubase 4 (4.0) cannot be read by previous Cubase releases.

3. Is Cubase 4 demanding a faster CPU?
No. If you're running a Cubase SX 3 project in Cubase 4 you won't notice any differences regarding the CPU charge. This is why the stated system requirements for both products are almost the same. Of course some of the 33 new high-quality VST effects will be more demanding than their resembling predecessors.

4. Has the audio engine of Cubase 4 been changed?
No, Cubase 4 is handling audio in the same established way Cubase SX 3 does. (Only if you consider VST3 as a part of the "audio engine" you could say it has been changed in the broadest sense of the word. Either way the quality of audio processing is not affected at all.)

5. What are the main benefits of VST3? Is it fully compatible to VST 2 plugs?
This Knowledge Base article will kindly answer all your VST3 related questions in detail: => Information about VST3 in Cubase

6. Is Side Chaining finally available? Could the Group Channel routing limitations be conquered?
Yes, both has been introduced with Cubase 4.1

7. Any "Known Issues"?
"Known Issues" are listed in the document "Issues & Solutions" that can be found on the Cubase 4 installation disc.
As usual updated "Issues & Solutions" lists will come with according update patches.

8. Can I place the Cubase 4 upgrade licence on my Steinberg Key holding the Cubase SX license or do I get another dongle?
When you upgrade to Cubase 4 the Cubase SX3 licence will be "upgraded" to a Cubase 4 licence. All Cubase 4 licenses include licenses for Cubase SX 1, 2 and 3. More FAQ regarding the Steinberg Key can be found in the Knowledge Base article => Steinberg Key - Details, tipps and troubleshooting.

9. Will Cubase SE 3 be updated, too?
Yes, there will be a "future" for Cubase SE 3. The previous product lines were Cubase SE, SL and SX. Cubase SL 3 became Cubase Studio 4 and Cubase SX 3 has been replaced by Cubase 4. So now it's Cubase SE's turn. When? Sorry, we tell you as soon as we know.

10. What about remote controls? Will they be supported from start, or will I have to wait until the respective companies release new drivers?
The following remote controls are in the package: CM Motormix, Generic Remote, JL Cooper CS-10, JLCooper MCS-3000, Mackie Baby HUI, Mackie Control, Radikal SAC-2k, ROLAND MCR8, Steinberg Housten, TASCAM DM-24(HUI), TASCAM US-428, Yamaha 01v, Yamaha 01v96v2, Yamaha 01x, Yamaha 02r96v2, Yamaha DM 1000v2, Yamaha DM 2000v2, Yamaha Dm2000. The most other templates for other devices can still be used with Cubase 4. Please understand that they are not tested with Cubase 4 / Cubase Studio 4 !

11. Is the HALionOne sound set expandable? Can HALionOne import other formats?
HALionOne only accepts HSB files which have been exclusively created for it, which is currently only the content delivered with Cubase 4 or Cubase Studio 4. HALionOne HSB files can be only used inside HALionOne, not in other HSB format supporting products, such as HALion3. Expandibility is given in a form that we could of course create additional HSB banks to be used with HALionOne for future updates. Opening HALionOne to generally accept all sorts of HSB content could be possible as well for the future, but is not yet planned.

12. Can I install Cubase 4 or Cubase Studio 4 on a Windows 2000 machine?
No, Cubase 4 and Cubase Studio 4 cannot be installed on a Windows 2000 machine. The installer will deny the installation. The minimum requirement is Windows XP Service Pack 1. Recommended is Service Pack 2.

13. Can I install Cubase 4 or Cubase Studio 4 on a Mac system with no OS X 10.4 (Tiger) installed?
No, Mac OS X 10.4 is the minimum requirement. The installer does not allow installations on a previous Mac OS version.

14. Why should I update to Cubase 4?
You will find some answers by users in => this thread.
Of course there are information on the new features on the => Cubase 4 product site.

Further questions might be answered in the general => Cubase 4 announcement that is located right above this sticky in the topic list of this forum.
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Kitchen Sink · Grand Senior Member Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 4336

Basjoe · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 3:35 pm Post subject:

Please indicate whether support for the Yamaha DSP factory has been dropped.

Eddie Macarthur · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 7:07 pm Post subject:

point 11 about Halion one seems to contradict the plugin reference manual. the manual seems to say that halion one can import other halion libraries (like halion se can do).
is this the case?
thanks.
ed
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Jeffmac · New Member Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 4

hi

Activating/Deactivating Busses works for vst2 plugins? Or is this only a vst3 plugin feature?

Cheers
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Georg Bruns · Administrative Moderator Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 995

Georg Bruns · Administrative Moderator Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 995

Christian Dettner · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:43 pm Post subject:

The FAQ above has been updated in regards to HALionOne and supported OS systems.
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mhelin · Member Joined: 28 Jan 2005 Posts: 104

Christian Dettner · Posted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 5:36 pm Post subject:

Both is true.
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Waywyn · Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 4:43 pm Post subject:

Can we have an official statement of Steinberg that opening e.g. a single audio track needs around 3MB of RAM?
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Georg Bruns · Administrative Moderator Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 995

The RAM usage per channel is not an issue that needs to be officially commented.
If you worry about your RAM resources please take a look at the according monitor of your system (Mac: Applications > Utilities > Activity Monitor, PC: Task Manager).
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Waywyn · Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 11:09 am Post subject:

Georg Bruns · Administrative Moderator Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 995

Now I see your point!

At first: Can you tell me where you've read that C4 does need less RAM?
This indeed would be a wrong information.

I've done some testing and can confirm that C4 needs more RAM per track than SX 3.
Depending on the platform, project and track class I experienced that C4 consumed ca. 2.5 - 3.5 MB/track while SX 3 is content with 1.7 - 2.5 MB/track.
So in extreme cases C4 may ask for twice as much RAM. But I couldn't reproduce a ratio of 5:1 like you've stated.

I'v got to admit that I didn't take such a close look at the differences in RAM usage before. But the results did not surpise me at all.
Cubase 4 got a lot of new features, particularly features that are track related (e.g. customizability). VST3 also offers more possibilities for each track.
More features, more options, more code. That needs more RAM even if the exisitng code might be optimized.
I cannot remember that there ever has been a Cubase update that asked for less RAM than its predecessor - this is even valid for almost all applications.

Nevertheless I'll see if I can get some background information.
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Waywyn · Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2006 1:48 pm Post subject:

Thanks Georg,

actually I have to admit that I had the "silent mode" feature in mind and it saves RAM, but it's not actually stated somewhere that it needs less RAM in general. Sorry about that Embarassed

The only thing which bugs me, is that it's getting really narrow when working with big project files on a 2GB PC.

I also know that previous versions in general use less RAM and CPU than the newer releases, no need to discuss that, but it was just terrifying to see that it did such a big jump in RAM consume. Usually I am not impressed if Amp simulation software is released and almost takes about 30% of CPU in high quality mode while the previous version used around 5% - no problem, but a sequencer just needs so much more RAM and that I couldn't go on working with it, was just a bit shocking.

In this case I either have to buy more RAM or getting a 4th slave PC and hope that the crossover version of True Strike for Kontakt2 will be release soon to get rid of that .. sorry... crappy Halion player. This thing really shakes my PC. (While I handle lots of tracks with Kontakts on one PC I simply need to play 2-4 instruments really fast with Halion player and my whole PC starts stuttering and almost crashing because of the weird DFD of Halion. Sorry but that's another topic Smile

So all in all the update on C4 gets a little bit more expensive rather than just paying the upgrad itself Smile

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Patanjali Sokaris · Guest

I get the feeling that the SL/SE, etc lines are delayed in the hope that existing users upgrade to the top-of-the-line rather than stay at the same level. In other words, it is a strategic marketing and economic ploy, rather than a technicaL one.

After all, if Cubase was appropriately architected, flicking a few compile-time switches would be all that is required to build simultaneous releases for all product levels and all platforms. As a side benefit, the Software development Lifecycle would be more streamlined, with better synching and versioning between product and component module levels.

Roel · Member Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 121

I disagree with item 3 CPU usage.

Cubase SX is idling at 10-15% whereas Cubase 4 is idling at 15-25%.

With idling I mean doing ABSOLUTELY nothing!
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sonicboomboy · Posted: Sat Nov 25, 2006 7:45 pm Post subject:

Hi, can someone point me to the 'known issues' thread?
Surely there should be a 'sticky' for known issues, otherwise known as the 'Steinberg ToDoImmedietly' list ?!
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Roel · Member Joined: 17 Mar 2006 Posts: 121

Try this:

ftp://ftp.steinberg.net/Download/Cubase_4/4.0.1.2074/C4_CS4_4.0.1_Version_History_Issues_Solutions.pdf
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dustybottoms · New Member Joined: 06 Dec 2006 Posts: 8

I just bought cubase studio 4 containing the HalionOne plugin. Is it possible to use an update from Halion 1 to Halion 3.1. (about 80€) or are these two different plugins (Is there a difference between "Halion Player" and "Halion", an is there a difference between "HalionOne" and "Halion 1"). Sorry, I'm pretty new with cubase and I'm looking for a way to load samples (wav etc.) an do keyboard mapping. What do I do?
Thanks for reply,
Micha
(Bremen, Germany)

Georg Bruns · Administrative Moderator Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 995

HALion 1-3 are the original versions of Steinberg's VST sampler.
HALion Player is the "playback only" version. It comes with the same sound library as HALion but does not allow to create own sample programs.
HALionOne is a special playback only version of HALion which is included in Cubase 4 and Cubase Studio 4. It has an own sound library that is based on waveforms from Yamaha's Motif.

Since HALionOne and HALion 1 are two different pairs of shoes there's no upgrade path from HALionOne to HALion 3.

Cheers,

Georg
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swiharta · Member Joined: 12 Jan 2005 Posts: 266

Aspyrant · Junior Member Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 31

you're right swiharta I'm confused too!

anuthagreenworld · Member Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 104

I notice a small difference in load between SE3 and CS4.1 on a much slower machine than any listed here. Up to 8% maybe. More RAM, yes definitely, less than 2GB is no good at all unless you plan not to use Mediabay/Soundframe.

Jpu4ea · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:35 am Post subject: Bounce n Add !!!!

http://www.mp3unsigned.com/showmp3.asp?mp3id=54261 Hmmm seems some of you are not remembering the Days of Old ...Bouncin&Addin.... Rolling Eyes

.... lol DJ_Dence/JPU4ea Wink

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mansh · Junior Member Joined: 11 Nov 2008 Posts: 28

Hi I'm confused with all the Halions as well: Now, I have Cubase LE and want to know if I should upgrade to Essential 4, with HalionOne built in, or if I should buy Halion Player - what has the best sounds? I'm after drums, bass, pianos, organs, brass and some strings. I don't need loads of 'programability', just the most realistic natural sounds.

Chris Beuermann · Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject:

Hallo Mansh,

If you want to load your "own" sounds / sample libraries, then Halion Player is the better option. HalionOne can only play his own factory sounds. It is not possible to load other sounds.

Please have a closer look at the Halion Player product page for more information. You should know that you have not that much editing posibillities with Halion Player. When this should be important for you then Halion 3 would the other option. Should you have some more detailed questions, then I recommend you to contact Steinberg support, so they can give you answers on your questions. The contact details can be found here http://www.steinberg.net/en/support/steinberg_support_contact.html

Gr,

Chris
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sodacide · New Member Joined: 15 Oct 2008 Posts: 1

hey all..

hope to get answers to these:

1. i'm wondering, how and where can i buy a new Cubase SX3? Is it already discontinued?

2. i'm using Cubase Essential 4. if i want to upgrade to Cubase 4, i just buy the Cubase 4 upgrade pack, am i right?? Just want to be sure bout this one before buyin'.

thanx..

Georg Bruns · Administrative Moderator Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 995

1. SX 3 has been discontinued 2 years ago.
2. Your are absolutely right. There is a upgrade offer from every Cubase version to all versions above.

Cheers,

Georg
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