The seemingly annual update to Steinberg’s Cubase DAW has arrived with the launch of the customary three flavours of Cubase 15, building upon the trends from version 14 and before.
Not all new features are available in every version — unsurprisingly the more you pay the more you get.
Notable additions and upgrades include:
- next-generation articulation with a redesigned Expression Maps system offering streamlined setup and deep integration with the Key and Score Editors, making control of VST instrument articulation more straightforward.
- enhanced Pattern Editor featuring new pattern sequencer, allowing expressive melodic patterns to be created in monophonic and polyphonic modes, and including step input, custom scales, shape generators and a deep randomiser to generate innovative sequences. There’s also new pattern bank presets including bass lines, leads, chords and arpeggios.
- evolution of Cubase 14‘s Modulators with six new modulators including random generator, S&H, and wavefold LFO, plus 30 new Chord Pad presets.
- AI-powered stem separation tools.
- redesigned Hub for smoother project startup, and including resizable sections, audio setup and project preview, plus powerful search/filter tools. There’s also support for the DAWproject format for sharing projects across different compatible software.
- enhanced VST instruments and plug-ins, including Cubase Drum Machine, Groove Agent SE 6, Writing Room Synths, Songstarter Packs, Omnivocal vocal synthesis engine, and UltraShaper dynamic processing.
Features & Versions
- Enhanced Expression Maps including deep editor integration and many workflow improvements [Pro]
- Stem Separation with AI power to extract stems for remixing, sampling, and editing [Pro]
- New Modulators bring an expanded sound design tool kit [Pro]
- UltraShaper auto-compensating compressor, with EQ, limiting, transient control, and EQ shaping [Pro]
- Melodic Pattern Sequencer for creating melodic patterns with randomization, scales, step input, and more [Pro • Artist]
- PitchShifter for real-time ±24 semitone shifting, with formant control, saturation and stereo unlinking [Pro • Artist]
- Writing Room Synths with fresh presets inspired by the songwriting rooms of the professionals [Pro • Artist]
- 40 new Drum Machine kits with additional modern beats and grooves [Pro • Artist]
- Automation Enhancements for faster, simplified automation workflows [Pro • Artist • Elements]
- Redesigned startup hub with previews, filters, and audio setup tools [Pro • Artist • Elements]
- Genre-spanning new sound and loop packs to spark fast, fresh ideas [Pro • Artist • Elements]
- 30 new Chord Pads presets offering instant inspiration for chord progressions [Pro • Artist • Elements]
- Omnivocal (beta) uses Yamaha vocal synthesis to sing lyrics and notes entered into the Key Editor [Pro • Artist • Elements]
- Native macOS full-screen support [Pro • Artist • Elements]
- Add volume and pan directly to track controls [Pro • Artist • Elements]
- Improved DAWproject for sharing projects easily between all editions of Cubase, Cubasis, and other supported DAWs [Pro • Artist • Elements]
- Groove Agent SE 6 with a new UI, mixer, and effects for a streamlined drum programming [Pro • Artist • Elements]
- Improved Sampler Track allows instant hot swapping of samples with filtered MediaBay browser integration [Pro • Artist • Elements]
- All stock effects plug-ins now feature a user-defined scalable interface [Pro • Artist • Elements]
- Pinch to Zoom on macOS for effortlessly zooming the timeline [Pro • Artist • Elements]
- Bounce audio quickly with streamlined export options [Pro • Artist • Elements]
- Updated Score Editor with new tools and enhanced workflows for faster, more inspiring notation [Pro • Artist • Elements]
The Cubase website gives the full comparison chart of features for each of the versions.
