New Features in Nuendo 4.2
Advanced Integration of Steinberg’s new hardware
Experience a new level of true integration with Nuendo 4.2 and the new Steinberg audio hardware. The MR816 CSX and the MR816 X are a new generation of solutions for audio professionals. Together with the CC121 Advanced Integration Controller, MR 816 CSX and MR 816 X are the first products, melding with Nuendo to form a new level of all-round solution.
MR816 CSX and MR816 X Advanced Integration DSP Studio
Developed by Steinberg and Yamaha and precision-manufactured by Yamaha to the most exacting standards, the MR816 CSX and the MR816 X are a new generation of advanced integrated interfaces of solutions for audio professionals.
All aspects of I/O setup and configuration, handling and routing are mirrored between Nuendo and MR816 CSX and MR816 X.
- Outstanding Sound Quality
16-channel I/O FireWire Interface with 8 discrete Class A ‘D-pre’ mic preams - True Integrated Monitoring
Thanks to the new True Integrated Monitoring™ it’s now easy to create real-time, unique – and most importantly, no-latency – mixes with DSP FX from different audio input sources all from within Nuendo - Complete Nuendo user interface integration throughout
MR816 CSX and MR816 X both feature direct integration into Nuendo 4.2 through unique windows and views within Nuendo that give full access to all hardware functionality. - Control Room – with no latency
The Advanced Integration DSP Studio series enable the Nuendo mixing engine to create no-latency monitor mixes, using onboard VST3 DSP FX to include EQ, Compression and Reverb to quickly tailor a mix for a performer. - DSP Power for Nuendo
Nuendo 4.2 can take full advantage of the MR816 CSX and MR 816 X onboard DSP chip. Both units feature Yamaha’s renowned REV-X reverb and the MR816 CSX can run up to 8 instances of the first-class Sweet Spot Morphing Channel Strip plug-in, featuring the latest compression and EQ technology. The full DSP capability is also accessible VST plug-in for mixing playback tracks in Nuendo!
- Quick Connect and Integration
The unique Quick Connect feature allows for instant routing and rerouting of inputs to Nuendo tracks on the fly from the front panel of the I/O with the push of a single button.
Find out more about MR816 CSX and MR816 X.
Steinberg CC121 Advanced Integration Controller
Nuendo 4.2 supports all functions of Steinberg’s new Advanced Integration Controller – the next-generation dedicated USB Controller. CC121 provides totally integrated, full tactile control of Steinberg’s Nuendo.
- Advanced Integration Controller Knob - ‘point&control’ for any Nuendo, FX or VSTi parameter
- Dedicated controls for EQ, transport and Channel Settings
- 100mm touch-sensitive motorized fader
- Instant Plug & Play: no additional setup required
Find out more about CC121 Advanced Integration Controller
Improved support of Yamaha Hardware
Yamaha MOTIF-RACK XS / MOTIF XS6/7/8
Completely new and extended support for the MOTIF XS has been added to Nuendo 4.2.2. Nuendo automatically detects any Yamaha MOTIF XS unit which is connected via FireWire (IEEE1394) to the computer. The detected MOTIF is automatically configured and immediately ready to use as an external VST3 instrument.
Yamaha KX25/KX49/KX61/KX8 USB Keyboard
The improved support for the KX series introduces direct control of the Track Quick Controls. This way the most important parameters of a Nuendo track, including effects, MIDI FX and track settings are always present on the KX hardware knobs with direct access and always in sync with the currently selected track.
Enhanced support for existing audio hardware under OSX
- Under OSX the newly available Core Audio ASIO Panel allows specifying which input and which output port should be active, for example for using the Microphone input instead of the Line input, without ever leaving Nuendo.
- Under OSX it is now possible for audio hardware, to automatically retrieve their “ASIO” channel names for each port from the names defined in the Core Audio Panel.
Workflow enhancements and other improvements
- Several new key commands relating to the MediaBay were introduced: using the new keyboard shortcuts is for example especially useful to quickly browse through presets without even touching the mouse.
- The new synchronization options “Send MIDI Clock in Stop” allows sending MIDI Clock signals even when Nuendo is in Stop mode.
- Monitoring improvements: Control the monitoring level and panning directly from the mixer (including the Control Room section)
- Compatibility with Sequel 2 project files and Sequel 2 Content Sets
- VST Sound™ - new and improved universal media management format
- Even more smaller detail enhancements and improvements can be found in the Nuendo 4.2 version history
New Features in Nuendo 4
New Automation System
The completely redesigned Automation System in Nuendo 4 was engineered with the demands of today’s mixing engineers in mind. The new dynamic automation is a perfect fusion of functionalities found in traditional mixing consoles and the innovative possibilities of a modern, feature rich and flexible DAW like Nuendo 4. The large, fully customizable automation panel provides access to all automation functionality and settings.
- Individual punch out modes per channel
- Optional Virgin Territories
- Fill commands for writing automation to end, start, punch or loop
- Multi-functional Preview Mode helps find the right parameters, changes multiple settings at once and much more
- Automation Suspend for read and write excludes parameters
- Unique Touch Collect Assistant
These new Features and much more puts Nuendo on par with world-class automation systems. Additional unique features such as the Touch Collect Assistant and a stack of Punch Logs turn mixing with Nuendo into a comfortable and creative process. Reflecting the scalability inherent to Nuendo systems, the new Automation System offers outstanding automation tools.
MediaBay Database Environment
To keep up with the ever-growing number of sounds files included in sound effects libraries, sample databases, loop collections and preset libraries, Nuendo 4 is equipped with a powerful media file management system known as MediaBay. MediaBay offers full control over sample and FX libraries from within Nuendo, with lightning-fast browsing, searching and retrieving of media files, including audio and MIDI files, video data, project files as well as instrument and plug-in presets. The files can be organized in a folder structure and at the same time be outfitted with a variety of predefined or user definable attributes. Using any one or the combination of these two file management mechanisms will provide instant results for any search. The powerful search tools support even most complex tasks such as simultaneous searching in various attributes or extremely fast filtering of results. The latter is achieved by a very user-friendly category search system which includes an intuitive list of graphical filter elements. This way hundreds or even thousands of search results can be downsized with very few mouse clicks. MediaBay naturally includes a tag editor to apply existing attributes or create totally new ones and a Scope section features previewing options of selected material.
New Post Pro Editing Features
To speed up the editing workflow, Nuendo 4 features a total of twenty new editing commands and tool modifiers. Included are often used standards like “Cut Head” “Cut Tail”, daily helpers such as “Enlarge/Move Range to previous/next Event” and a long list of key modifiers which support aligning of events with other events or the cursor.
The new editing commands and shortcuts mean extremely fast and easy positioning events to end at the play head position, stack events vertically or lay them down as a string of events across multiple tracks with Nuendo 4.
38 all-New VST 3 Audio Effect Plug-ins
Nuendo 4 includes 38 all-new surround-capable VST3 audio plug-ins that deliver a powerful set of next-generation processing tools of the very highest quality. Reworked and updated versions of plug-ins from previous Nuendo versions push the total number of plug-ins to over 60 right out of the box, often obviating the need for additional plug-ins.
Among the new plug-ins is a first-class 4-band parametric equalizer that is featured as standard on every audio channel. Specifically designed for post production, the new Post Filter is ideal for quickly finding and removing unwanted noise with standard low/high cut, an extremely narrow banded notch filter as well as a useful Preview facility.
Nuendo 4 also includes new VST3 dynamic tools including three compressors, an Expander and a Limiter, which, like all VST3 plug-ins, can be inserted on surround tracks and automatically adapt to provide full surround processing. A series of great sound design plug-ins allow creative shaping and crafting of sounds.
Advanced Routing and Recording from Summing Objects
Nuendo 4 introduces completely reengineered routing capabilities throughout the entire VST Mixer that allow unrestricted and free routing between group channels regardless of their order, and support sending signals from groups to FX returns and from FX returns into group channels. In addition, audio tracks can not only send signals into groups and FX returns by using the pre fader sends but now also patch signals post fader from the output tab to group channels and FX returns. Another major new feature is the ability to re-route signals of all summing objects such as buses, FX returns and groups directly into audio tracks, allowing instant re-recording of signals from summing objects onto audio tracks in real-time. To prevent feedback loops that can damage equipment and hearing, Nuendo 4 automatically detects which routing combinations would cause a feedback loop, and disables those combinations.
Side Chaining and Drag & Drop for FX plug-ins
The new side chaining ability of selected new VST 3 plug-ins included in Nuendo opens up new creative possibilities for Nuendo users.
Signals received from the channel sends or track outputs and can be routed to any side chain-enabled plug-in and control predefined parameters in the plug-ins or used as a modulation source. This allows fast and easy setup for ducking effects, frequency-specific dynamic processing or controlling a modulation effect with another signal. Nuendo 4 insert FX plug-ins can be copied or swapped using drag & drop both as inserts on individual tracks and between tracks for fast, smooth effect handling.
Track Quick Controls
A new section has been added to the Track Inspector: Track Quick Controls. This set of eight user-definable real-time controllers can be assigned to any parameter available on the current track. Track Quick Controls are available for Audio, MIDI and Instrument Tracks. These parameters include any mixer parameter for audio and instrument tracks, insert plug-in parameters, VSTi parameters and MIDI controllers for MIDI and instrument tracks. Track Quick Controls are assigned individually for track and saved with the project, as well as in the new track presets. MIDI Learn functionality makes setting up Track Quick Controls with a remote controller extremely easy. Once assigned, remote control knobs or fader functions will follow the track selection.
Track Presets
A further convenient and powerful new feature in Nuendo 4 is the ability to work with Track Presets - especially when they’re combined with the new MediaBay. Track Presets are snapshots of entire track/channel strips. They are available for Audio, MIDI and Instrument Tracks and can be categorized and managed using the MediaBay search engine and attributes such as Category, Style, Character etc. Audio Track Presets contain EQ and insert effect information, while MIDI Track Presets save the MIDI port, channel and patch data, as well as additional MIDI track parameters like MIDI plug-ins. Instrument Track Presets include a combination of all of the above, as well as selected instrument/preset information.
Track Presets open a whole new dimension in sound and track management. Besides being used as templates for new tracks, Track Presets can also be used to extract EQ or FX settings and paste these into other tracks. Track Presets are also available in the Nuendo MediaBay. Multiple Tracks can even be saved into a single (Multi-)Track-Template, allowing swift access to complex track setups for multiple tracks.
New state-of-the-art Channel EQ
The new Channel EQ in Nuendo 4 is one of the key new plug-ins in Nuendo 4. One of the best-sounding ‘onboard’ EQs available today, the Nuendo 4 Channel EQ provides unparalleled sonic detail and flexibility when compared to “standard” channel EQs in other DAWs. The new Channel EQ now provides up to 7 different characteristics per band and features an inverse switch for quick flipping between amplification and gain reduction. The Q factors of the new shelving modes now act as adjustable slopes of the shelf, allowing creation of resonant peaks for more punch and advanced frequency differentiation. This new EQ - also available in the new StudioEQ plug-in - offers great tools to add character and depth to any sound and represent a major advancement in sound quality and usability for Nuendo.
Ready for Intel-based Macintosh computers, Windows Vista 64
Not only does Steinberg continue to deliver a cross platform product in a single Nuendo package but Nuendo 4 is also ready to run on the latest operating systems by both Microsoft and Apple. While Windows XP and the Apple PPC platform continue to be supported, Nuendo 4 also runs on latest Intel-based Macintosh computers and on Windows Vista. The latter, of course, not only in 32 Bit mode, but also as a real 64 Bit compilation allowing the user to scale projects to an unknown maximum and address up to 128 GB of RAM in a single computer. If plug-ins need to be used which are not available for these new platforms, the included VST Plug-In Bridge for Intel-based Macintosh and Vista 64 will start them in a separate process, thus allowing these plug-ins to run side by side with the native ones.
Redesigned Sample Editor
The Nuendo 4 sample editor now features a new inspector-style section to the left. Features that were spread across many different parts of the program are now in one place. This includes tools for audio tempo definition, quantization, audio warp and Hitpoint-related functions.
Project Logical Editor
A new powerful logical editor opens up countless new possibilities for task automation and project-wide “power-editing”. The Project Logical Editor allows manipulation of tracks and parts/events, including folder tracks with actions such as deleting everything beyond the cursor, un-muting all muted parts, renaming tracks/events or even deleting automation of a specific type. And this can selectively be done to any, all or multiple selected parts/tracks in one single step. But the Project Logical Editor comes with a large selection of presets, which are available directly from the Edit menu. In addition, users can create their own presets, which are automatically added to the preset menu. All Project Logical Editor presets are also available as targets for user definable key commands, making it an extremely powerful tool that can significantly speed up production and editing
Instrument Tracks
Instrument Tracks combine MIDI Input and Audio Output into one single track and mixer channel, and are thus a huge time-saver for using virtual instruments in Nuendo 4. Setting up a track for a VSTi is now only two clicks away. Instrument Tracks are fully integrated with Nuendo’s new SoundFrame Universal Sound Manager, use only a single channel in the VTS mixer and have the additional benefit of showing MIDI and plug-in automation in the same location.
MPEX 3 – High-quality audio time-stretching and pitch-shifting
MPEX3 is the latest and highest-quality MPEX time-stretching and pitch-shifting algorithm available. It offers improved overall sound quality, support for more sampling rates, better performance, and seven different modes to choose from. MPEX3 sounds fantastic and the new modes are optimized for specific audio material, which improves sound quality even further.
New Nuendo EuCon Adapter (Optional)
The optionally available Nuendo EuCon adapter, which provides integration with Euphonix hardware controllers and mixers, has been updated to map the new functions of Nuendo 4 directly onto the hardware surfaces of MC, System 5 MC, System 5 Hybrid and S5 Fusion. The all-new automation system of Nuendo is fully controllable from the hardware. The new routing capabilities of Nuendo 4, including side chaining of the plug-ins and the new recording from busses option, can also be easily controlled. And lastly, the new version of the EuCon adapter further enhances the MIDI implementation by providing access to MIDI routing and the new Instrument channels.
Additional New Features
Nuendo 4 also includes a range of additional new features that can make all the difference:
- VST Plug-in Bridge
- Updated WK-Audio ID Support
- Use Mouse Wheel for Event Volume and Fades
- Fade Handles always-on-top option
- Advanced QuickTime 7 Support
- Separate Goto Timecode command window
- Apple Remote support
- Direct X ASIO 64 Bit
- MP3 Surround
- New Trim Tool
- Load Projects inactive
- Arranger Track: new performance funtions
- Global Track Transpose
- New File Type: MIDI Loop
Detailed information: Additional New Features in Nuendo 4 (PDF, 139 KB)
Important Product Improvements
In direct consultation with users and industry partners, Steinberg has implemented a range of enhancements to existing Nuendo functionality to offer more streamlined and powerful tools in a range of tasks and processes.
- Improvement for Output Configuration of VSTi’s
- Improved Channel Strip
- Improved Waveform Resolution
- Improved Audio Warp Real-time Transpose
- Track Control Context Functions Improvements
- Improvements on the Track Inspector
- Improved Audio & MIDI Hardware Setup
- Track Sheet Printing Improvements
- Time Displays Windows Improvements
- Improved Remote Controller Support
- Improved XML scripts for EuCon mapping of VST plug-in parameters
- ADM (ASIO Direct Monitoring) Improvements
Detailed information: Nuendo 4 Product Improvements (PDF, 130 KB)