Should I upgrade VST 32 5.0?

[dad]

I’ve been using Cubase vst32 5.0 for several years. I know that there’s newer stuff out there all the time, but I like this program and I’m comfortable using it. I’m going to include some mastering software in my setup soon (I’m looking at Izotope Ozone 4, but I haven’t confirmed yet) and to do this I’m going to migrate the Cubase to another computer (again – this will be the third time I’ve moved it to a faster machine, over the years). I’ll stick with a Windows XP machine because I’ve had good luck with that and don’t know how this old software will run under Vista or Windows 7. My question is; what am I missing out on by sticking with this old software? I’m an old hacker, playing in my basement, putting guitar / bass / drums on every song and rarely exceeding 16 tracks. I’ve never installed any of the upgrades – I’m still using the software as it came out of the box. Is there some major functionality that would make a big difference to my productions, or is this as good as it gets?

[cmr]

Hello dad,

Well, after Cubase VST 5 32, the whole code was thrown away and a new Cubase version with more advanced technology was made from scratch: Cubase SX1. Now, we are in the 5th generation of this new Cubase, which has many amazing features.

Have you seen this Cubase 5 product video?
http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/musicproduction/cubase5_product/cubase5_media.html

You can watch it to get a brief overview about all new Cubase 5 features.
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Carlos M. Rohde
Cubase Product Marketing Coordinator

Support Knowledge Base
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[dad]

Hi Carlos - Thanks for your quick reply. The video and support pages do a good job of demonstrating the newer product, and I especially like the animation and tempo manipulation features, as well as the environmental sims and vocal tools. And the interface is new and shiny too, and you know how we all like new and shiny...

[ZapAxe]

They say the newer Cubase has a superior audio engine, and I think something about VST32 has summing issues with/when multiple tracks are used.

Old hacker in a basement... hmmm... you have to ask yourself what features you really need that VST32 doesn't offer. If just using Cubase as a glorified multi-track recorder using audio only, you'll never get use of all the newer Cubases have to offer. Hell, I barely scratch the surface of VST 32 in that regard. The audio in VST 32 sounds fine to me ...Comparing SX3 and VST 32 some time ago I couldn't hear any difference myself on the quality .. on the same computer.

I have to say from my own experience, for the money best spent... that it's the hardware that made the biggest differences for my growing needs... dual core CPU, butt-loads of memory, and it's especially the audio interface where I want good quality.

I'm in the same boat, I'm happy and comfortable with VST 32 and it does a good job and hasn't broke yet. I've upgraded my DAW, built with all new components aside from my Aardvark Q10 and Aark 24 cards which I love.

You ask a Cubase salemen, or anyone working for Steinberg, they will urge you to spend money on something whether you need it or not. By all means, buy a newer version of Cubase, it's much much better no one can deny that, it's only money eh?

Me I'm still on VST32 even though I have the chance to use a newer Cubase version for nothing ... which by the way, with all the people jumping on the latest and greatest newest Cubase vesrions, I would jump on a yesterdays news Cubase version for next to nothing ... but then I'm frugal
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VST 32/5.1 W.L. 3.0 Aardvark Q10/Aark 24 Cards ASUS P5KC MB Q9300 CPU 4GBRam WinXP 3 Seagate HDD's Gigabyte Radeon PCIe dual Video 2 Sony 17" Trinitrons CD/DVD-RW Logitech Cordless Keyboard/Mouse
Steve || : : || less is more

[dad]

Thanks ZapAxe, that’s the angle I was looking for. I have very good hardware here, and I’m about to upgrade my recording computer. While I’m doing this I wondered what I was missing by using the old tried and true software. I use Cubase as a glorified tape recorder – that’s exactly what I use it for. There are some nice tools and upgraded features that I would use in the newer software, but mine is already here and working. I’m going to try to add some gloss to my recordings with some mastering software. (There are people that would say that I could do this with my current software, but I’m not an engineer and look for as much one button functionality as I can get.)
Thanks for your help – you nailed it.

[ZapAxe]

[Spare]

Well I have used VST 5 since it came out and still use it today. I use it in a fairly comparable way as you do. I did get a mac laptop and bought a steinberg cc1 as an interface. Which came with cubase AI5 which does seem to be an up version of LE. I have had fun pulling audio tracks from VST projects and playing around with them in AI5 as well as messing with the newer interface. But it is still a lessoned version compared to studio or full version of 5. I was looking into the essential version which seems a nowadays comparable to features of VST 5. But does not stick you with the full reinvestment value of cubase 5

[Jim Lad]

Very interesting thread.
I finally gave in and installed Cubase LE4 and stuck VST 32 5.0 in a drawer because I never could figure out how to use it.
However, this week I discovered that my Korg D3200 will act as a control surface for Cubase. All the encouragement I needed to start learning this DAW. And in fact, it's fairly easy once you get rolling.
But.... I ran out of instrument tracks when I downloaded a midi project.
I'm really mulling over re-installing the VST 32 but not looking forward to the unnecessary hassle involved if I end up having to license LE 4 again.

What do you think?

Is it worth dumping LE 4 for VST 32?