Press Reviews for Cubase 5
Recording (US) September 2009
Reviewer: Paul Vnuk Jr.
This is one of the most stable DAW releases I have experienced in a long, long time … Add to that the seamless integration of VariAudio, a fun freaky collection groove tools, a killer REVerb and a time-saving track export, and Steinberg has another winner. If you are in the middle of making a new DAW decision, or on the fence about upgrading – consider the cost of a third-party reverb of this quality, or standalone pitch-correction software, and you’ll see Cubase 5 is really a bargain.
Electronic Musican (US) September 2009
Reviewer: Marty Cutler
Features: 5/5, Ease-of-use: 4/5, Quality of Sounds: 5/5, Value: 5/5
This revamped sequencer has rhythm and then some … Steinberg has updated and streamlined its workflow in many more ways than I have space to cover. Cubase has grown into a pliable, professional DAW, equal parts uncompromising recording workstation and composer’s musical playground. I had lots of fun putting Cubase 5 through its paces. Can you think of a better recommendation than that?
Sound on Sound UK March 2009
Reviewer: Mark Wherry
Overall, Cubase 5 is a really fantastic update ... Rather than simply focus on redoing the user interface, or adding only "me too" features from competing products, Steinberg seem to have really thought about functionality that will help users get more from the application ... Cubase 5 is arguably the most impressive release of Cubase since its reboot with SX seven years ago. It offers useful, fun and innovative new fetaures and improvements that should benefit both existing Cubase users and the new users this release will surely attract.
Keyboard USA August 2009
Reviewer: Jim Aikin
Cubase 5 is a class act … Optional Steinberg hardware such as the MR816 CSX audio interface and CC121 controller turn Cubase 5 into a no-compromise studio tool. All of [the new Cubase 5] features have been integrated into a sequencer and DAW that was already an industry leader. For the past year or so, I’ve been drifting away from my computer-based music system in favor of just playing my Yamaha grand piano. But Cubase 5 has me fired up again about composing and recording in the computer. It’s so good, it’s inspiring.
www.keyboardmag.com/
Musikermagasinet Sweden 04/09
Reviewer: Frederick Norén
Cubase 5 feels like a massive update and confirms position of Cubase as one of the absolute best music software applications on the market. While other manufacturers brag about new functions that have been in Cubase for a long time, the developers at Steinberg have created completely new tools to help you create music in an easier way. LoopMash and VST Expression are good examples of this. And when you consider that VariAudio, PitchCorrect and REVerence all offer the same quality as similar, third-party products the price for Cubase 5 is very good indeed. I’m happy to conclude that the world’s best music software has become even better!
Musikkpraksis Norway 02/09
Reviewer: Simen Fjeld
Cubase 5 is overall a fantastic update with a long, long list of big and smaller improvements far beyond what we can cover in this review … VariAudio and VST Expression gives Cubase an extra edge that we’ve not previously seen in a DAW, and this is surely something that will be copied by Logic and ProTools at some level in future updates. The workflow is greatly enhanced making the way from idea to result shorter. With Cubase 5 Steinberg has dared to lead us one step further, not by copying cool features from other applications, but by thinking in new ways and by raising the bar considerably. VariAudio alone will justify the update price for existing users, and for first time buyers Cubase 5 should be a very strong candidate and an application you can grow with for a long time to come.
Music Tech Magazine UK March 2009
Reviewer: Hollin Jones
Cubase 5 is a worthy and important upgrade to a much-loved DAW, maintaining its famed ease of use and flexibility while embracing next-generation operating systems and technologies. It feels snappy both in PC and Mac and despite its wealth of new features, it still comes across as a creative tool rather than a sea of buttons and menus … [Cubase 5] focuses mostly on heavyweight improvements but with some fun stuff thrown in for good measure. Cubase continues to be a powerhouse for music composition and production. Overall: 9/10
Future Music UK April 2009
Reviewer: Bruce Aisher
I have to admit that I really like where Steinberg are taking [Cubase 5]. VariAudio is very useful, the new plug-ins are great and the Nuendo-style automation is welcome … I found the transition from C4 to 5 completely painless and was using the new features almost immediately without any teething problems. I have no problem in recommending Cubase 5 as the core of a high-quality writing, recording and production system.
Computer Music UK
For first-time buyers looking for a complete production solution, Cubase 5 is up there with the best of 'em, while for those coming from another DAW, features such as VariAudio and VST Expression are no doubt highly attractive ... For serious users, though, workflow features like Tempo/Signature Tracks, VST Expression and Batch Channel Export may be of greater value in the long term, and Cubase 5 scores strongly in this department. The verdict: a solid update to an already great app ensures that Cubase remains a front-runner in the great DAW race.
Reasd the full review at musicradar.com
Professional audio Musik & Equipment Germany April 2009
Reviewer Georg Berger
With Cubase 5, Steinberg has been able to tailor its bestselling sequencer precisely to the user, featuring many new professional features that do not only enhance workflow and usability. This major update’s new instruments help boost the fun factor while producing and composing music. In sum, the fifth version of Cubase has grown to be full-fledged sequencer as well as an inspiring tool for your creativity.
Beat Germany April 2009
Reviewer: Diana Ioannides
With Cubase 5, Steinberg has once again proven why Cubase is among the top audio sequencers, meeting the demands of all musicians with features such as VariAudio, the new groove tools and VST Expression. The rock-solid stability of the initial Cubase 5 version is very gratifying. And so it seems that Steinberg isn’t making any boo-boos in its anniversary year.
Beat Germany April 2009
Comment: Thomas Raukamp
Alongside other respectable examples such as Photoshop and Quark, Cubase most possibly can count itself to the dinosaurs of creative software applications. All the more impressive that the Hamburg-based guys from Steinberg always manage to make their latest version look fresher than the last, even though it has grown tremendously over time. By all means VariAudio supersedes other plug-ins used for vocal editing, whereas VST Expression might seem a little inconspicuous at first glance, but will certainly set new standards in the field of "big" music.
Keys Germany March 2009
Reviewer: Frank Mischkowski
Making a very positive first impression with its major update of Cubase, Steinberg has impressively confirmed its leading position among software sequencer manufacturers. The new groove tools are great, the intonation correction features are unmatched by competitors. […] At this early phase Cubase is extremely stable on both Windows and Mac OS platforms — not a single crash was encountered during preview.
Studio Magazin Germany 02/09
Reviewer: Friedemann Kootz
Generally speaking, next to some outstanding additions such as the integrated pitch editing and exciting tools for music-making, the update also offers good further development of existing functions … Looking at just the pitch tools and the convolution reverb, one can calculate what the competition on the plug-in market would cost. Seen from this perspective, the prices are actually a bargain … Throughout my extensive testing phase I was unable to provoke a single crash. Even elaborate calculations, actions carried out after one another in quick succession and enormous projects with over 120 tracks weren’t able to affect the stability of the system. That’s a comforting feeling.
Audiofanzine.com
Reviewer: Los Teignos
Cubase 5 is undoubtedly a success and shows progress in several areas. More user-friendly, more powerful and better equipped, Steinberg's baby is alive and well ... features like VariAudio, VST Expression, Tempo/Signature tracks, or the multitrack export feature make this an essential update. To the question "Should you upgrade from version 4 or lower", the answer is a 1000 times yes.
Keyboards Recording France May 2009
Reviewer: Michel Geiss
With this version, Cubase stays unmistakably one of the most “in view” workstations today … This new version crosses over an important step in the musical use of the software … The quality of VariAudio is at the height of the best current pitch-shifting products … The new version brings a good number of new musical features integrated in the software and clearly oriented to effectiveness and creativity, pushing even further the basic concept.
Musicianslife.de Germany
Reviewers: Markus Cremer and Andreas Ecker
This review could be titled making something good even better. Seriously, the new Cubase version is without doubt the most comprehensive and best Cubase version to date. The update is from my point of view recommended for all those who don’t already cover many of the functions with other plug-ins. But at least for LoopMash, multi-channel export, VST Expression and the many smaller changes under the hood there is no plug-in alternative. That’s why Cubase 5 is a very clear recommended buy for any Cubase user. Newcomers will find it even more difficult to find an alternative that offers a similarly complete feature set … Just the possibilities of VariAudio combined with the convolution reverb are worth the money for the update. On top of that, Cubase 5.0.0 ran during this test cleanly and with no bugs. This is the first time I have experienced this with any Dot-Zero release of a major piece of software.
PC Pro UK
Reviewer: Ben Pitt
Steinberg has responded with a swathe of inspired new features, many of which will have a big impact on the creative process ... the full-blown Cubase 5 is more appealing than ever ... A generous helping of superb new features puts Cubase back on top ...
Read the full review here at pcpro.co.uk
Riffi Finland 04/09
The way Cubase 5 has been developed is healthy and inspiring. Cubase 5 is a fine update which makes things needed every day a lot easier to use than before. [Cubase 5 now has] a high quality REVerence convolution reverb plug-in. VST Expression is probably not necessary for everyone, but those who need it will be very pleased.
djmag.it Italy
Cubase is often considered the most intuitive DAW software of the market, also because it's one of the few presenting the location in Italian language. With so many innovations and simplifications, we can say that users will have several more reasons to say so.
Read the review here
Keyboard Player UK April 2009
Reviewer: John Bates
Version 5 is a highly significant upgrade for Cubase and one that delivers some very creative and expressive tools for the musician. It delivers on its promise of merging technology with creativity and the results are excellent. Current users should be very tempted to upgrade and newbies will not find its outline difficult and will be able to grow into the facilities.
PC + Musik Germany 04/2009
Reviewer: Steffen John
Even it doesn’t look it at first glance, this is a massive leap from Cubase 4 to Cubase 5. The sequencer includes a wealth of new features, plug-ins and functions that not only enrich the process of working with it but at the same time also get the job done more easily and quickly … As always, one feels at home and in good hands, which heightens the fun of exploring new features. Many functions have been optimized, new functions have been added, and somehow everything is still quicker and easier than ever.
music-und-pc.schiele-schoen.de
DE:BUG Germany
Review by Benjamin Weiss
With Cubase 5, Steinberg has again shown that it can keep up and offers functions that are not offered by the competition. Rough edges in the workflow have been thoroughly smoothed out, and sensible new features have been integrated. Above all LoopMash really excited me, because although there are several specialized loop-mangling and rearranger products out there, this is a fresh approach with an intuitive graphic interface … During the review, Cubase 5 ran with high level of stability – In short, this is a successful update to an absolute classic DAW.
Wusiksound Magazine
Reiew by Aleksander Arsov
All those new exiting beat, vocal, and mixing tools, along with the ones that have already been implemented in the past like MIDI editing-in-place or warping audio, make this version of Cubase one of the most complete and desirable sequencers at the moment. … [Cubase 5 is] mature and experienced, stable and reliable. VariAudio, PitchCorrect ,VST 3, Groove Agent One, REVerence, LoopMash, and Beat Designer are not just another set of plug-ins squeezed under the hood. Along with all other improvements and rock solid stability Steinberg again proved itself as one of the leading companies in the sequencer market … Cubase 5 is a big winner at the moment.
Read the full review here
Tunes Norway 2/2009
Reviewer: Lars Rune Rebbestad
I have used Cubase myself for the past 20 years. What application you choose to use very much depends on old habit. When you finally have learned a new program and got the feeling of the program, you need some pretty good reasons to change to something new. Steinberg have not given me any reason to change with the release of Cubase 5 – quite the contrary. If you have not checked out Cubase before, then the time is now. Run and buy!
Soft Synth Forum Netherlands
Reviewer: Marc van den Hurk
I think Steinberg has chosen a new path in music production this new update. Many useful features are better ... I am in any case a very satisfied user!
Read the review here (Dutch)
