Product ReviewsMultimedia software
Cubase SX 2 is the first significant upgrade to Cubase SX since its debut in late summer 2002. More than 100 features have been added and many enhancements made to the Cubase SX routines and tool sets. Cubase SX 2 also heralds the return of many Cubase VST features that disappeared during the metamorphosis to Cubase SX 1.0. The most significant new features are the new VST 2.3 Audio Engine, multi-take Stacked Cycle Recording, extended time and tempo functions, and the revamped Mixer. The VST Audio Engine is inherited from Nuendo 2. It includes 32-bit, floating-point audio resolution, multi-channel surround and improved audio hardware channel routings. Full plug-in delay compensation provides sample-accurate timing for the whole audio signal path, including the auxiliary sends, group channels and the effects matrix. Into the mix The effects architecture has been improved, and the VST effects rack has been replaced by effects return tracks, making it easier to equalise and to chain effects modules. Individual audio tracks can now contain up to six channel sound files. The VST Connections window is now where you define and name your audio interface buses and sound format. Any source connected to your audio interface can then be defined as an input object in the VST mixer. This is a great improvement, as it simplifies the use of multi-channel audio sources, which can now be accessed from a single track. The appearance of Cubase SX 2 has been improved, and the new Skins and Appearance controls let you customise its colour scheme. You can
The introduction of Stacked Cycle Record Mode for Audio and MIDI improves recording and editing multi-take parts. The newly recorded parts appear in their separate lanes as a vertical stack on your audio track. The redesigned Mixer is highly configurable. Each channel features an EQ curve display, a surround panner, jumbo VU meters, new pan modes, phase reverse and gain trim. There are four Mixer modules that can be configured to display any combination of inputs, audio tracks, MIDI tracks, VST instruments channels and outputs. Mixer channels not in use can be hidden and each channel can be viewed in narrow, wide and extended widths. Cubase SX 2 introduces a number of editing refinements, many of which will be familiar to Cubase VST users. Multiple audio parts can be block edited, multiple velocity values can be edited from the info line, and the local loop facility is restored to the editors. You can once again reverse the Project window locators to create a skip range, automatic Scale Correction can again be applied in the MIDI Transpose window and chord recognition is added to the Key editor functions. The Score editor also has new features, including improved guitar tablature and improved lyric handling. Time bandit Another useful new Cubase SX 2 feature is the VST instrument rack Freeze function that renders the VST instrument tracks to audio files. The frozen VST instruments can be 'melted' for further MIDI editing. Cubase SX 2 addresses the time and tempo mapping deficiencies of version 1.0. The Time Warp tool can be used to quickly build a complex tempo map; you can now add tempo changes in the Tempo Track editor with the new Tempo Record slider; and the Mastertrack is augmented with timeline editing and a tap tempo function. Cubase SX 2 is a very worthwhile upgrade and is recommended to both Cubase SX users and those new to the program alike. By Janet Cook |
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