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Steinberg's Cubasis VST 3 and Cubasis Go 3

Ian Waugh reviews two excellent VFM entry-level priced music creation programs

Requirements: Pentium II (Pentium III recommended)/AMD Athlon, 64Mb RAM (128Mb recommended), DirectX- or ASIO-compatible soundcard

To musicians, Steinberg's Cubase VST range of sequencing software needs no introduction. But these two programs - Cubasis VST 3 and Cubasis Go 3 - are not aimed at the seasoned musician but at those looking to get started in the wonderful world of computer-based music production for the first time.

Unlike previous versions of Cubasis which were based on Cubase VST 3.7, these are based on the new Cubase VST 5.0 and when you first launch the programs it's easy to think that you're sitting in front of VST 5.

Cubasis VST 3 features 48 audio channels and 64 MIDI tracks. Cubasis Go 3 only has 24 audio channels although many musicians will never use 24, let alone 48. The audio tracks support Wave, MP3, and REX (audio files created with ReCycle especially for looping) files and you can drag 'n' drop files directly onto the Arrange page.

There is an audio mixer which supports automation and each channel has a two-band parametric EQ. There's also a MIDI mixer with support for GM, GS and XG sound sets. Editing is provided by Key, List and Score editors.

These programs also have some features which the full VST does not. For example, they come with Mastering and CD burning software, video software and WaveLab Lite 2.0 (an entry-level version of Steinberg's premier audio editor). They also have an interactive tutorial which is a great idea for beginners. A Toolbar runs along the top of the screen and gives one-click access to oft-used features, another neat feature for beginners.

Both programs include InWire, a facility that lets you produce music with friends over the Internet. They also include the Universal Sound Module VST virtual instrument (commonly called a VSTi), a collection of sample-based General MIDI sounds. It's not earth-shattering but it does provide a common core of sounds that you need when sharing music in this way.

Cubasis VST 3 also has other virtual instruments including a synth, bass and drum machine.

The programs are scaled-down versions of Cubasis VST 5, of course, so there are a few things they don't have. Most are the heavyweight features such as more tracks, a more sophisticated mixer and associated effects, a Controller editor, ReWire (used to link Cubase with software such as Propellerhead's ReBirth and Reason), 24-bit audio and various other bits and pieces that the more advanced user will require.

The price of "budget" music software keeps coming down. Older versions of Cubasis used to cost over a ton and had far fewer features so these programs are stonking VFM. "Entry level" software from other companies can still be found at the Cubasis Go price level but they tend not to have an accompanying high-end professional software for users to upgrade to.

The differences between VST and Go are small, mainly the 48/24 audio channel capability and some virtual instruments, and it's difficult to see why the distinction has been made. Why not simply release Cubasis VST 3 at thirty quid and have done with it? - that would scupper the competition!

However, no doubt there are some inter-market politics going on and some manouevring among budget-priced software companies vying for domination of the entry level market.

But in whatever way the situation pans out, Cubasis VST 3 is currently one of the top entry level sequencer available. Users know they can upgrade to one of the Big versions, take all their songs with them and they'll know how to use the new program, too.

In all, Cubasis VST 3 is a super program and highly recommended. If you want to dabble without spending even sixty quid then Cubasis Go 3 will serve you well and, assuming you don't need the extras, is even better VFM.

Ian Waugh