Steinberg Cubase 13 released with redesigned mixer, new effects and built-in orchestra

Steinberg has released a major update to the DAW Cubase 13. The updated version of the program received a new channel tab in the project window, a redesigned mixer interface, new effects and other changes. The main innovation of the...

Steinberg Cubase 13 released
Steinberg Cubase 13 released

Steinberg has released a major update to the DAW Cubase 13. The updated version of the program received a new channel tab in the project window, a redesigned mixer interface, new effects and other changes.

The main innovation of the update was the Channel Tab in the project window. With its help, users can mix a track and manage tracks in the mixer without closing the arrangement window. According to the developers, the tab significantly improves work efficiency.

The changes also affected the main window of the Mix Console. The remote control interface has become cleaner and simpler, has lost unnecessary visual elements and has become easier to understand, the company noted.

In the Key Editor and the Drum Editor, it is now possible to use the Range Tool. For example, users can select a range to edit, copy, and paste. In the Cubase 13 Pro edition, the editors added a modified display of tracks and the ability to change information in several parts of a part at the same time.

Steinberg Cubase 13 what's new
Changed interface of the Mix Console window

A new plugin, Vocal Chain, has been added to the program, which is a chain of effects “for quick processing of vocals.” The developers noted that the chain combines “the most important effects for vocals” within one plug-in, making it possible to mix the voice with one processing.

Cubase 13 also features Chord Pads for quickly creating chord progressions. Users can independently specify the key and character of the music, after which the system will select various progressions based on the settings. The instrument’s database contains a collection of presets for quickly getting started and a set of compositional structures that simplify arrangement planning.

The changes also affected the Sampler Track plugin. In particular, the tool received a spectrum warp mode for “interesting and unexpected transformations” of samples.

The developers noted that they have improved the Step Input and MIDI Input functions, making them more productive. For example, users can now change the duration of notes in real time and add additional voices, while at the same time entering information in polyphonic mode. At the same time, MIDI event input has been simplified for faster and easier note editing.

In the video area, a duplicates feature has been added, allowing you to store different versions of the same audio track within a video project. Users also have access to exporting an audio track from a working video file, making it possible to upload audio content without rendering the entire video file.

Steinberg Cubase 13 Vocoder
New Vocoder in DAW

Cubase 13 also received several modes for starting playback: for example, in the project settings you can specify the behavior of the locator and program when starting playback. Depending on the settings specified, the workstation will start playback from the beginning of the project, from the last locator position, from the beginning of the loop, or from other places.

In the Transport Bar, the Tap Tempo function has been added to change the tempo of the project – you can specify the tempo yourself by setting the required speed via mouse clicks. A quick channel configuration button has also been added to tracks to switch between mono and stereo. Finally, the program now supports vertical zoom in all windows: to zoom in, you need to hold Shift+Ctrl or Shift+Cmd and turn the mouse wheel forward or backward.

Another important innovation is the new Key Command dialog box for managing keyboard shortcuts and shortcuts. The window supports dynamic content filtering and macros for quickly searching and assigning commands. It is noted that the total number of shortcuts has been increased – the program can now quickly rename selected events, add or activate markers, move ranges and perform other tasks through keyboard shortcuts.

Other changes include full MIDI 2.0 compatibility in Cubase 13 and the ability to assign returns from instrument tracks, racks, and samplers as inputs to audio tracks, effects tracks, and group channels. The program also received support for efficient window management technologies available in Windows 11.

Steinberg Cubase 13 VoxComp
Vocal compressor VoxComp

As for the content catalog, Steinberg Cubase 13 has been updated with new sounds and effects. The program has added the Iconica Sketch orchestral library for “creating fully orchestral sketches and soundtracks.” The 5 GB library includes 34 instruments and more than 140 articulations and is positioned by the developers as a full-fledged orchestra available to Cubase users out of the box.

A vocoder with 24 processing bands has been added to the effects database. The effect supports sidechaining and is equipped with many different parameters that expand the capabilities of the vocoder and allow you to create not only classic robotic voices, but also more non-standard signals (for example, these).

Cubase 13 Pro also received two new compressors – Black Valve and VoxComp. The first is described as an “emulation of the famous tube compressor”, the second is a special effect designed only for processing vocals. According to the authors, VoxComp is able to significantly expand and improve the vocal mixes created in the program.

Other “new arrivals” were two equalizers – EQ-P1A and EQ-M5. Both effects simulate the operation of Pultec devices and are available in Artist and Pro editions. Additionally, three new demo projects have been added to the program, including composition projects by Austin Hull and Azodi.

Steinberg Cubase 13 is already available for purchase on the program’s official website. The workstation costs 99 €, 325 € and 569 € for the Elements, Artist and Pro editions. It is noted that the DAW is compatible with Windows 11 and macOS 12 (Intel/Apple) operating systems and newer, and its installation may require up to 75 GB of free disk space. You can get more details about the update on  the official Steinberg website .

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