What's New in Cubase Artist 6

Drum Editing (Faster with Less Clicks)

Intelligent Transient Detection

• Based on a state-of-the-art algorithm
• Finding all drum hits is easy with intuitive preview feature and two specialized filters, called Peak and Beats
• Detect single hits, rolls and ghost notes faster and more accurate than before
• After the transients have been detected they are merged across multiple tracks by taking user definable priority of individual tracks into account
• The drum hits are then cut up and grouped together ready for detailed tweaking - in this way, copying a great fill from verse 2 to verse 1 is solved with minimum effort - select one, move them all

Straightforward Drum Replacement

• Hitpoint-to-MIDI function makes it very easy to replace, double or enrich live-recorded drum sounds
• When the transients have been detected, a single click on the Create MIDI Notes button creates a MIDI track containing a MIDI note for each single drum hit
• It's then up to the user which sampler or synthesizer they want to fuel with the note - one choice could be the included Groove Agent ONE drum sampler

Comp the Perfect Take

Lane Track

• New Lane Track concept for lightning fast multi-take compositing
• When recording several takes, the software instantly creates a Lane Track for each take
• Simply swipe across the best parts of a take and Cubase automatically creates a master take that contains all selected parts
• For comfortable compositing, each Lane Track sports a solo button and full editing functionality

Processing and Instruments

VST Amp Rack

• Featuring the best in convolution technology, VST Amp Rack delivers a comprehensive collection of outstanding guitar tones across an array of genres and styles, from vintage to modern, available with the simple push of a button
• Based on some of the finest guitar amplifiers ever created, the rack comes with 7 distinct amplifier models that exactly reproduce the unique character of their originals
• Whether it is clean, crunchy, or sustain, VST Amp Rack can delivers the perfect tone for studio-grade guitar tracks
• The customizable guitar rack allows guitarists, bassists, engineers and producers to create complete setups, consisting of amplifiers, classic stomp box effects, speaker cabinets and microphone models
• Sixteen legendary stomp boxes are available, including Wah Wah, Tape Delay and Fuzz, in combination with 6 classic speaker cabinets, 2 microphones, and a tuner

HALion Sonic SE

• Streamlined version of HALion Sonic, Steinberg's premier VST workstation
• Incorporates the same pristine audio and synthesizer engine as its brother, offering tight integration with Cubase 6 and more than 900 production-ready sounds and instruments
• Intuitive handling, instant playability and VST 3.5 support make this new instrument the perfect choice for creative songwriting or just playing along
• Equipped with detailed acoustic instruments and brilliant synthesizers, the SE version is an extensive pool of sounds for everyday studio work
• Supports VST 3.5 and benefits from VST Expression 2 technology, includes time-saving tools for composers such as the automatic VST Expression map setup and the Note Expression features
• Eight intuitive Quick Controls provide fast access to the most important sound-shaping parameters
• MIDI file import mode makes full use of HALion Sonic SE's 16-part multi-timbral mode

HALion Symphonic Orchestra VST Sound Instrument Set

• Contains a 60-day fully functional trial version of the HALion Symphonic Orchestra VST Sound Instrument Set, providing a wealth of acoustic orchestral instruments
• The trial version can be upgraded online to a permanent license at a very special price exclusively for Cubase 6 customers
• Existing HSO users can use HALion Symphonic Orchestra VST Sound Instrument Set with their existing license as a free update right away
• Capturing every nuance and detail of a full palette and dynamic range of strings, brass, woodwind and percussion instruments, the library includes an almost inexhaustible range of articulations and expressive playing technique, directly accessible in HALion Sonic SE with VST Expression 2

LoopMash

• LoopMash 2 offers more ways to remix loops and create new fresh variations while providing total control over the process
• Over 20 new MIDI-controllable live and slice-based effects such as scratches, stutters and tape stops
• Contains twice the amount of scenes (a total of 24) to inject more variety into a performances
• Scenes can be rearranged using drag-and-drop and renamed by double-clicking on them
• With full Undo/Redo support the user has the freedom to try every parameter combination that comes to mind without worrying about the consequences
• Drag-and-drop slices from one LoopMash 2 track to another, or even into Groove Agent ONE

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Please Note:

HALion Sonic SE replaces HALion ONE, but all HALion ONE sounds have been refurbished and are now included in HALion Sonic SE together with new content

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Workflow

Graphic User Interface

• Significantly redesigned GUI that not only looks good but also makes the huge software feature set even more accessible
• Color and contrast optimization minimize eye strain and viewing fatigue during extended viewing sessions, pivotal when working long hours to meet project deadlines
• The brand-new look for Parts, Events, Arranger and Marker tracks helps distinguish between what's important and what may not be so important in the Project window, while the revised Inspector and the overall new color scheme round out the new design

X64 Support for Mac

• The native Cubase 64-bit support under Mac OS X 10.6 64-bit increases the addressable amount of RAM from 2GB to 1TB
• More RAM allows for the use of more tracks, plug-ins and samples
• Allows for the use all the compatible libraries available on the market today

Enhanced Accessibility

• Key Editor has been extended to provide smooth and intuitive access to all pivotal parameters
• Command console for all the most important MIDI tools and functions in the form of the new Inspector
• New scaling tools for controller and automation data offer a highly intuitive user experience when working with MIDI data, including simultaneous editing of several events and a dramatically streamlined look-and-feel
• Scale, rotate and move marked events up or down - all events are scaled smoothly in relation to each other
• Parameters can be directly assigned to a Quick Control by simply right-clicking a VST 3 plug-in or instrument control
• Use the Quick Control's "Learn mode" button to assign a plug-in or instrument's control to an empty Quick Control slot

Video Tutorials

Included

• Features detailed video tutorials produced by Streamworks Audio
• Instructions range from step-by- step for beginners to advanced workflow and editing techniques
• Recorded in finest HD quality

Other Details

Composing and Sequencing

Key Editor

• At the heart of MIDI sequencing is the Key Editor, a powerful yet transparent tool which offers functional wealth that opens up virtually limitless possibilities for songwriters and composers
• Entering, cutting, moving and transposing individual notes or whole chords, editing any of the hundreds of MIDI parameters available or reworking even the most subtle nuances of a MIDI performance are just some of the tasks for which the Key Editor has been developed and refined
• The Inspector provides smooth and intuitive access to the most important MIDI tools and functions, including Expression Maps, Note Expression, Quantize, Transpose, Length and many more in one central spot
• With the In-place Editing function, users can also process MIDI parts directly in the Project window in context with other tracks

Score Editor

• Completely integrated, full notation environment for viewing the music in the form of scores, with full support for just about all symbol, display and editing options that this entails
• Support for lyrics and remarks as well as drum notes, guitar tablature and lead sheets
• Includes hundreds of professional notation symbols - simply select the tools needed to create fully professional score layouts for others including soloists, orchestras and choirs

List Editor

• The List Editor is a powerful MIDI editing tool that gives fast access to every single aspect of a MIDI note and can be a huge timesaver in complex projects

MIDI Plug-Ins

• Huge set of VST MIDI plug-ins, including the drum step sequencer, the Beat Designer, a powerful arpeggiator, a MIDI pattern sequencer and a MIDI chord processor

Recording

Next Generation Audio Engine

• Delivers a crystal-clear 32-bit floating-point resolution with a pristine sound quality

Convenience

• Retrospective Record means that no take ever gets lost because record mode wasn't engaged in time
• VST plug-in can be recorded with the signal, or simply used for monitoring while the untouched, signal is recorded in Cubase
• The intuitive user interface supports even the largest recording rigs, with easy-to-use folders, customizable Track views and custom color schemes for Tracks that differentiate track types at a glance
• The VST Connections window allows the user to not only setup custom I/O setups and customize port names but also switch between different I/O setups on the fly
• Additional functions have been engineered to accelerate recording workflows, including the Arm/Disarm All Audio Tracks function, the Lock Record mode, and the Remaining Record Time display

Editing

Sample Editor

• Allows almost limitless creative freedom while editing audio
• A full editing toolset offers a huge range of functions that not only cover common editing tasks right down to the sample level
• The loop functions are a boon for anyone using loops in their project, including state-of-the-art transient and tempo detection, as well as audio quantization functions to perfect the timing, feel and flavor of live-recorded drum tracks

Multi-Track Editing

• An intuitive toolset for multi-track audio editing and phase-stable quantization
• Overcoming the differences between audio and MIDI, the software allows the user to quantize audio material just like any MIDI note, offering numerous possibilities to fix timing issues and to change the groove and feel of live-recorded drums and percussion instruments

Mixing

Professional Mixer

• 32 physical inputs and outputs, 8 inserts per Channel, 64 FX sends as well as 32 groups/busses and unlimited routing between audio channels, busses, groups and FX returns
• Even in the largest projects, the system-wide automatic latency compensation synchronizes all audio streams in the system automatically
• Single mixer view shows specific combinations of channels, channel types and zoom, guaranteeing full control over the session.
• Track Presets system lets the user store, recall and archive track settings for just about any audio track or VST instrument for almost instant recall through the MediaBay

Full Automation

• Enhanced transparency and flexibility provides professionals with the capability to set up a complete automation within minutes and control the session clearly

Free Routing

• Routing capabilities allow totally unlimited routing between group channels regardless of their order, and supports sending from groups to FX returns as well as from FX returns into group channels
• For even more flexibility, audio tracks not only send signals into groups and FX returns with help of the pre fader sends, but also patch signals post fader from the output tab to group channels and FX returns

Sidechain Input

• Available on most VST 3 plug-ins included with Cubase Artist 6
• Thanks to the "free routing" architecture virtually any signal in the VST mixer can be used as a sidechain input signal
• Sidechain is a crucial function for audio-controlled effects such as ducking (compression controlled by an audio source), but can be used creatively in many ways (for example controlling the LFO in modulation effects)

Instruments

• HALion Sonic SE - streamlined version of HALion Sonic, Steinberg's premier VST workstation, incorporating the same pristine audio and synth engine as its award-winning brother, HALion Sonic SE offers tight integration with Cubase 6 and more than 900 production-ready sounds and instruments that will truly inspire your creative work
• Groove Agent ONE - combines sampling with sound shaping and includes sliced loop and MPC-import, plus a custom library of acoustic, urban, hip hop and dance drum kits - each of the 16 virtual pads feature a complete sound processing section that gives full control of textures, timbres and expressiveness
• LoopMash 2 - offers a unique and innovative way of working with loops and beats to create stunning new rhythms and grooves, seamlessly blending variations of both the included loops and any loop from the user's library, opening up a myriad of new creative possibilities
• Prologue - polyphonic subtractive synthesizer with multi-mode variable resonance filters, powerful modulation capabilities, on-board effects and hundreds of presets
• Spector - based on 2 spectrum filters, utilizing up to 6 oscillators per voice, with 2 different waveforms each - new sounds are created by drawing new filter curves and then shifting or morphing the two filter's spectrums
• Mystic - synthesis using a combination of physical modeling and comb filtering to generate unique sounds - the sounds can be shaped with a filter (damping), by adding an offset to the comb filters (detune), or by adding a noise component (crackle)

Effects - EQ and Dynamics

EQ

• Standard Channel EQ - full 4-band parametric control with variable response curves and shelving modes
• Studio EQ - full 4-band parametric control with variable response curves and shelving modes, as well as analog-style peak filters
• GEQ10 - graphic equalizer with 10 bands features drawing of EQ curves, an invert parameter, and 7 different response types - also features a global range control for overall amount of equalization

Filter

• Dual Filter - classic dual low and high pass filter with resonance: filters out certain frequencies while allowing others to pass through
• Step Filter - pattern-controlled multi-mode filter that can create rhythmic, pulsating filter effects - supports up to 16 steps for individual settings of cutoff-frequency and filter
• WahWah - typical modeling effect that emulates wah-wah pedals - features parameters for frequency range, filter width, and gain range

Dynamics
• Compressor - classic compressor with auto release, auto make-up gain, hard/soft knee, RMS/Peak, and "Live" mode which disables look-ahead for low-latency use
• VSTDynamics - multi-effect plug-in, combining Compressor, Gate, Limiter and Soft Clipper with flexible routing capabilities
• Limiter - straight-forward low-distortion limiter with auto-release puts a "hard ceiling" on any signal - also suitable for the master stage
• Maximizer - hard limiter/loudness enhancer for master channel; features soft clipping and automatic attack/release
• Gate - independent attack and release controls, auto-release, a side-chain input filter for ducking effects, as well as a "live" mode for low-latency use
• EnvelopeShaper - Manipulates the transients of ideally percussive input signals; offers variable attack gain and length, as well as release gain controls
• MIDI Gate - gate effect not triggered by threshold levels, but instead by MIDI notes - silences audio signals depending on incoming MIDI notes and their velocity
• Chopper - combined tremolo and autopan effect which can use different waveforms to modulate the level (tremolo) or left-right stereo position (pan), either using tempo sync or manual modulation speed settings

Effects - Distortion and Modulation

Distortion

• VST Amp Rack - virtual guitar tone suite, featuring 7 legendary amp models, 16 vintage stomp boxes, 6 classic speaker cabinets and 2 studio-grade microphone
• AmpSimulator - guitar amp simulation with speaker simulation, also suitable for bass
• ToneBooster - simple volume booster with a variable filter stage for tone control
• Distortion - simulates the characteristic warm, lush sound of a tube amplifier
• DaTube - simulates the characteristic warm, lush sound of a tube amplifier
• Grungelizer - adds noise and static to recordings
• Bitcrusher - offers the possibility of decimating and truncating the input audio signal by bit reduction, to get a noisy, distorted sound

Modulation
• Chorus - single stage chorus effect with filters
• Flanger - flanger with editable Lo/Hi Range, a filter stage, manual mode and a spatial parameter for multi-channel modulation offsets
• Phaser - classic phaser with variable filter stage, manual mode, tempo sync and a spatial parameter for multi-channel modulation offsets
• Tremolo - classic tremolo effect with optional tempo sync and a spatial parameter to add multi-channel modulation offsets
• Vibrato - classic vibrato effect with optional tempo sync and a spatial parameter to add multi-channel modulation offsets
• AutoPan - automatic panning effect with adjustable width, rate, two wave shapes - features tempo sync
• Rotary - features independent Lo/Hi cabinet control, overdrive, slow/fast/stop modes
• Tranceformer - ring modulator effect, in which the incoming audio is ring modulated by an internal, variable frequency oscillator, producing new harmonics
• RingModulator - can produce complex, bell-like enharmonic sounds by multiplying two audio signals
• Metalizer - feeds the audio signal through a variable frequency filter, with tempo sync or time modulation and feedback control

Effects - Reverb, Delay and Spatial

Reverb and Convolution

• Roomworks SE - "light" version of Roomworks reverb - low on CPU load

Delay
• MonoDelay - monophonic delay processor with filter stage and tempo sync
• StereoDelay - dual-channel delay with separate and independent left and right delay stage
• PingPongDelay - dual-channel delay with tempo sync

Spatial
• MonoToStereo - can create a pseudo-stereo signal from any mono source. Also includes controls for "color" and "delay"
• StereoEnhancer - can enhance the stereo width of a stereo input signal. Features controls for "color" and "delay" to further enhance the effect

Effects - Pitch, Mastering and Tools

Pitch

• PitchCorrect - the VST3 plug-in brings easy and automatic intonation control and scale correction of vocal and monophonic instrument recordings
• Octaver - sub-octave pitch shifter creates two additional signals, one and two octaves below the input signal, each with variable level
• Tuner - instrument tuner plug-in

Mastering
• UV22 HR - dithering plug-in, based on an advanced algorithm developed by Apogee

Tools
• Test Generator - generates an audio test signal for measurements and testing purposes of various kinds