Are you a beginner and do not know how to start producing music? Did you read in a forum that the best DAW is Apple Logic, in another one that nothing beats Avid Pro Tools, in a third that Cubase is the best music software around, and in a Q&A portal that you need Image-Line FL Studio or Ableton Live to properly produce music? And then came your cousin, who told you that if you don't use Reaper, you don't understand anything? And now all you have is a big headache and a lot of confusion?
You are not alone, my friend! There are many DAWs on the market, each one with its strengths and weaknesses. I personally love Cubase, and I think that there are many reasons why Cubase could be the best choice for beginners to start making music. I will list some of them below.
Cubase is an industry-standard – awards winner DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
Whether you are a novice or a pro (or anything in-between), you'll find lots of people using Cubase. It will be easy to collaborate, exchange projects and presets, find support on forums and blogs.
In 2019, Cubase 10 was voted best DAW of the year by the prestigious magazine MusicTech.
There are various versions of Cubase, from the freebies Cubase LE or AI to the powerful Pro version
You don't have to buy an expensive version of the software to get started; you can even begin without spending anything (Cubase LE or AI is included, for example, by purchasing any Steinberg sound card or many Yamaha products). You can learn the basics within the LE, AI, or Elements versions and then upgrade to the Artist or Pro version if you need the more advanced features. Here you can find a comparison chart: https://new.steinberg.net/cubase/compare-editions/. You'll find the same environment in each version. You won't have to waste time learning a beginner's DAW, to later move to a professional one. Same workflow, same basic structure, just more functions, effects, and sounds as you move to more advanced versions.
Nothing beats Cubase when it comes to MIDI editing and orchestration
Believe me, Cubase offers a MIDI workflow and peculiar tools (see Note Expression, Expression Maps, VST Dynamics – more info here: https://www.steinberg.net/en/company/technologies/vst_expression.html) that you will not find anywhere else. If you want to do classical orchestration, film scoring, complex MIDI editing (also in electronic music) look no further. And the audio workflow is excellent, too.
Steinberg offers a complete ecosystem for those who want to devote themselves to audio
Steinberg produces not only Cubase but also many other pro software, such as WaveLab (a mighty audio editor) and SpectraLayers (for spectral editing and manipulation). It produces sound cards in every price range. It offers some of the best virtual instruments around. If, at some point, you'd become interested in music for video and games, you could move from Cubase to Nuendo. Nuendo is very similar to Cubase, but it includes all the most advanced features a professional working in A/V postproduction needs. You shouldn't have to learn from scratch new software. The various Steinberg products tend to be highly integrated, making it easier for you to work.
The software and hardware ecosystem offered by Steinberg is quite impressive, don't you think?
Are you on the move?
There's no problem if you are a Cubase user. With Cubasis for Apple iPhone and iPad, you can produce music everywhere. And... yes, you can later import your Cubasis projects into Cubase (see here: https://www.steinberg.net/en/support/content_und_zubehoer/cubasis_project_importer.html)!
Steinberg offers a reliable network of Certified Trainers and Training Centers
Do you want to delve seriously into Steinberg's technologies? You have at your disposal a global network of Certified Trainers and Training Centers. Find a Certified Trainer or Center, and you'll have the best possible educational environment. Steinberg takes his educational program very seriously. I am a Steinberg Certified Trainer, and I am responsible for the Steinberg Training Center located at the Department of Musicology and Cultural Heritage of the University of Pavia (Cremona, Italy). The book Music Production with Cubase 10 and 10.5 is substantially the translation of my basic/intermediate level music production with Cubase courses.
If you are a teacher or a student of audio and music production, you can buy Steinberg software at a highly discounted price
The educational discount corresponds to about 40% of the regular price. Find more info here.
Many professionals chose Cubase, why shouldn’t you?
Here’s a brief and – of course – uncompleted list of people who uses Cubase:
- Hans Zimmer (Pirates of the Caribbean, The Gladiator, The Lion King
- Arch Enemy
- Dark Tranquillity
- Infected Mushroom
- Junkie XL
- Kraftwerk
- Meshuggah
- Zedd
Now, look at the other DAWs, can you find one that offers everything Cubase does?