Cubase VST 32 5.0 Is it any good?

Jim Lad · New Member Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 13

Hi Folks:
I've had Cubase VST 32 hooked up for about a year and a half now but have been doing all of my editing on Mixcraft. I pop in once in a while and play around with it but I do find the software to be somewhat, complicated. I also have the "Getting Started" manual so no excuses for not learning if I have to.
My question is simple enough.
Is this software worth the time and effort. I know it's old but if it's really worth it, I'll do it.
I also have Samplitude Magix (MS 12) and Cubase 4 LE, neither of which I'm using.
Thanks for the advice.
Cheers!
Jim ♫

pavlii · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 2:31 am Post subject: :-)

Hi Jim, I use it still because I like it. I have a newer version (SX3 and I am planning to buy an upgrade to C5 too) but due to my computer setup I cannot use it anyway Very Happy

I know its limitations but I do mostly amateur projects so there is no need for me to begin using the upgrade(s). I would set up the new computer anyway...

So I am only "collecting" the upgrades to be ready for the moment my computer will crash totally Laughing

or there would be some other reasons to stop working with such this old system (I mean SW and HW too) and start playing with complete new platform.

In general I think: if you do not create large projects then the C4 would be the better choice. If its limitations (it is LE version) would be critical for you then the older VST/32 should work fine! I suggest tu update it to the latest (5.2 PB2) release.

P.
_________________
musical studio Kappka
http://www.studiokappka.cz/loga_ostatni/logo_kappka_filled_small.jpg

Actually:
PIII/550, 320MB RAM, Win ME
Yamaha SW-1000XG+DS2416+SW-60XG+SB AWE32 Gold
Cubase VST/32 5.2 + SX3.1, Wavelab 4.01
MOTIF ES8
Yamaha AW2400

Jim Lad · New Member Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 13

Thanks Pavlii:
I've tried upgrading from 5.0 to 5.01 but had no luck. Maybe I'll have another go now that I'm a bit more computer savvy.
I only use about three or four tracks with maybe a little reverb and sometimes, compression.
About one song in ten gets a few midi tracks.
I use the Keyrig 25 for midi instruments and for reasons known only to M-Audio, I cannot register their product (I bought it new) so I've had to rely on Mixcraft for their virtual instruments. Just some whistle and accordion here and there.
I'm not sure if Cubase has its own instruments but I can spend some time on the manual to figure that out.
My time spent with Mixcraft has held me back in one way. Most other DAWs appear to be modelled on Cubase so when it comes to learning them, I'm basically back at square one.
For this reason I want to be sure that the program I choose will be relevant for some time.
Cheers!
Jim

pavlii · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 7:46 am Post subject: :-)

Hi Jim, yes - there are a few virtual instruments as a part of Cubase installed, some synths and a drum machine.

So in my point of view you should install and start working with C4 LE - it is newer and much more user friendly than the VST 5 version.

Good luck, Pavel
_________________
musical studio Kappka
http://www.studiokappka.cz/loga_ostatni/logo_kappka_filled_small.jpg

Actually:
PIII/550, 320MB RAM, Win ME
Yamaha SW-1000XG+DS2416+SW-60XG+SB AWE32 Gold
Cubase VST/32 5.2 + SX3.1, Wavelab 4.01
MOTIF ES8
Yamaha AW2400

JohnatSongLand · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 4:40 pm Post subject:

I've been using Cubase VST 32 5.1 and/or 5.2 since before the turn of the century and I love, love, love it! Smile

I tried a later version, didn't like it and went back to 5.2. You can download the upgrade from 5.1 for free here: ftp://ftp.steinberg.net/Archives/Cubase_VST/PC/Cubase_VST_5.2.pb1/ - the file was called Setup_PC_Cubase_VST_V52_PB1.exe but it seems to have changed now. I'm not sure if it's CubaseVST32_52pb1.exe or CubaseVST_52pb1.exe that you need. Maybe someone can advise us...??

Don't forget to back up your songs/arrangements before trying the installation. Wink

Good Luck,

John.

P.S. This is some of what I've done with Cubase VST 5.x : http://www.broadjam.com/johnlord - it is complicated, and I wonder if anyone really knows their way around all of it. But I recommend that you learn it - at the time that it was the latest version, let's not forgot that it was very widely used in professional recording. My advice is for you to use trial and error as well as reading - frankly, the documentation is not that wonderful, but here's a great site that could help you: http://www.espace-cubase.org/anglais/page.php?page=accueil

Jim Lad · New Member Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 13

Thanks John:
I replaced it with 4 LE last night but I am going to install it on the back up PC. (one of the benefits of using a dongle) I really hate to give up on it. I believe it's a great DAW. Less flash than the others, I know but the learning curve is a bit too steep right now. I think I learned more about Cubase 4 last night than I have on VST 32 since I got it.
I like your idea about reading the book. Not exactly entertaining but a little at a time over a long time and maybe I'll get the hang of it.
Cheers!
Jim ♫

JohnatSongLand · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject:

Pleasure, Jim. Smile

I have a book called "Cubase VST - Tips & Tricks (Paperback)" by Ian Waugh. You can get it for a penny at Amazon, UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/1870775635/ref=dp_olp_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1258738322&sr=1-1 - if you're in the UK, I thoroughly recommend investing your £0.01 (!!!) - it's a great little book and so interesting that I usually read it on the tram, a thing usually reserved for novels!

If you can't afford it (LOL), then your local library may have a copy. Believe me, is it very helpful. Applause

Regards,

John.

Jim Lad · New Member Joined: 15 Nov 2009 Posts: 13

I've heard about it. Thanks.
I'm from Scotland but have settled in Canada so I can afford it now. Laughing

Right now, I'm learning the Korg D3200 and transfer my files over to the PC for editing.
Next step is to buy some good VST instrument software to use with my Key Rig. I'll pop into the local music shop for that.
Regards
Jim

JohnatSongLand · Posted: Fri Nov 20, 2009 10:18 pm Post subject:

OK. Great stuff. Canada's a nice country - lovely people ... so that must include you! Wink

Regards,

John.

ZapAxe · Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 4:31 pm Post subject:

Old post but since I'm still using VST 5/32 it's still relevant Smile

As I've said before I compared my trusty, crusty Old' VST 5/32 against a later version (SX3) on the same machine, using the same good quality sound card and personally I cannot tell any difference on the audio quality between them so I had no reason to switch. The later versions as I understand are able to handle things such as acidized audio drum loops and stretch their timing, better midi drum editor and overall less summing which does make it a better version of course. Both can be had for next to nothing these days.

If one already has VST 5/32 or other versions, especially later versions, and is just an amateur, I don't see a reason to upgrade unless a feature is greatly needed or desired. Jumping on the band wagon for every single release is just plain dumb, keeping up with the Jones' and a waste of money ... IMO. However if I was just beginning and had to buy for the 1st time I would buy among the newest but PREVIOUS/OLDER relelase to save my money, yet have the benefit of added features from newer releases.

Me, I'm not about to do another DAW rebuild for quite a while, as mine is less than 2 years old, has 4 GB ram, quad-core etc and I'm running XP Pro, so whatever I may switch to from my VST 32/5 will have to work on my current machine, OS and with all my favorite VSTi's.
_________________
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
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