Cubase 12 arrives with MIDI Remote integration, audio-to-MIDI Chords and serious workflow enhancements
Oh, and no USB eLicenser dongle. So long, 90s-era validating.
Following Steinberg’s announcement of Cubase 12 in November 2021, the brand new iteration of the DAW is available now.
So, what’s new? Firstly, the long-opposed USB eLicenser dongle is no longer required to run Cubase. Steinberg promises that, for all versions of Cubase 12, you can activate your copy of Cubase with a new digital licensing system. In addition, the new licensing system “lifts many restrictions of the past,” the brand says. No doubt many Cubase users will rejoice at this news.
All three editions of Cubase 12 – Elements, Artist, and Pro – all offer access to MIDI Remote integration. This enables you to plug in any MIDI controller and have Cubase automatically detect and map the controls to suit the DAW. Alternatively, create your own mapping scripts using the MIDI Controller Surface Editor.
In addition, Steinberg has improved the Chord Track with audio-to-MIDI capabilities. This lets you drag any audio event into the track and extract MIDI chord progressions to play with your preferred soft synth or MIDI-enabled instrument. Perfect for laying down ideas on your MIDI controller alongside a sample.
Scale Assistant in VariAudio lets you make quick edits to pitch and timing, too, while the all-new FX Modulator effect gives you control of multiple effects modules with an envelope editor. In Cubase Artist and Cubase Pro 12, you’ll have access to Verve – a new felt piano recorded at Yamaha Studios in Los Angeles.
Check out Steinberg’s intro to Cubase 12 in the video below.
Steinberg also says that Cubase 12 brings a swathe of workflow enhancements. This includes the Raiser Limiter dynamic processing effect, AudioWarp improvements in Pro and Artist editions, and the Free Warp tool for making timing corrections across multiple tracks.
Across all versions of Cubase, you’ll experience other editing enhancements and “near-sample-accurate volume automation, which is no longer affected by the set buffer size” Steinberg says.
Cubase 12 also boasts Dolby Atmos support and pulls over features that were previously available only in Steinberg Nuendo.
Steinberg promises plenty more performance improvements and Apple silicon support.
Cubase Pro 12, Artist 12 and Elements 12 are available through retailers and the Steinberg Online Shop. Cubase Elements 12 has an RRP of $/€100; Cubase Artist 12 has an RRP of $/€329; and Cubase Pro 12 has an RRP of $/€579.
Learn more at steinberg.com
