# 100% FLAT GUI for Next Cubase

**URL:** <https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903>\
**Category:** Cubase\
**Tags:** feature-request\
**Created:** [February 5, 2021, 11:18pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903 "2021-02-05T23:18:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CubaseProUser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@CubaseProUser](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/CubaseProUser)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2021, 11:18pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/1 "2021-02-05T23:18:21Z")

</div>

no border  
no 3d transport / buttons /knobs / GUI / Track Hearders

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DAC\_Protogen](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/dac_protogen/32/117877_2.png) [@DAC\_Protogen](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/DAC_Protogen)\
**Post date:** [February 5, 2021, 11:42pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/2 "2021-02-05T23:42:45Z")

</div>

And other people like me would absolutely hate that flatness. I grew up with fake 3D buttons and window borders, and it makes it easier for the eye to navigate the UI. You can clearly see where the sections of the UI are separated and what is a clickable, interactive element like a button, and what is just an icon to label an information.

But hey, Ableton Live might be your thing then.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CubaseProUser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@CubaseProUser](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/CubaseProUser)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 12:07am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/3 "2021-02-06T00:07:32Z")

</div>

i hate ableton,  
daws are not visual art, sound matters ok but, flat view increases speed (workflow) this is my opinion

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DAC\_Protogen](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/dac_protogen/32/117877_2.png) [@DAC\_Protogen](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/DAC_Protogen)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 12:15am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/4 "2021-02-06T00:15:33Z")

</div>

Well, you’re free to have any opinion of course. However, I believe it would not increase any workflow speed. What actually increases workflow speed are:

- learning your software by using it often
- good UI layouts, that minimize menu diving and mouse travel distance
- good implementation of drag 'n drop
- using keyboard shortcuts or even macros
- customizing the UI elements to your needs (Cubase allows to do that in many areas)
- creating and using templates for your songs or effect chains, etc.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Nico5](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/nico5/32/92492_2.png) [@Nico5](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Nico5)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 1:27am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/5 "2021-02-06T01:27:32Z")

</div>

> [@CubaseProUser](#):
>
> no border  
> no 3d transport / buttons /knobs / GUI / Track Hearders

I disagree - since flat designs have zero impact on my workflow speed compared to the [items listed by @DAC\_Protogen](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/4)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DAC\_Protogen](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/dac_protogen/32/117877_2.png) [@DAC\_Protogen](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/DAC_Protogen)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 1:35am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/6 "2021-02-06T01:35:43Z")

</div>

> [@CubaseProUser](#):
>
> i hate ableton,

Funny, I hate Ableton Live too, _because_ the UI is completely flat. 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MarkNicholson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8491ac/32.png) [@MarkNicholson](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/MarkNicholson)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 2:01am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/7 "2021-02-06T02:01:45Z")

</div>

I must admit, I couldn’t stand using the trial version of Ableton either, because of the flat UI. For me, Cubase 11 is the easiest-on-the-eye DAW. Just personal preference.

Anything done to the UI in the 2020s should be done by template though, so that different users can configure it to their tastes. Some like dark, some bright, some monochrome, some gaudily colored. Can’t please everyone, so work on a good template and give people the ability to tweak it.

Or just leave it alone: I think it’s fine as is.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![vncvr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f14d63/32.png) [@vncvr](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/vncvr)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 6:25am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/8 "2021-02-06T06:25:11Z")

</div>

-1

I think the key with anything is to find a balance, and I would say Steinberg has found a pretty darn good balance.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ozan\_Colakoglu](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/ozan_colakoglu/32/153255_2.png) [@Ozan\_Colakoglu](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Ozan_Colakoglu)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 7:48am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/9 "2021-02-06T07:48:50Z")

</div>

I am not for a full flat GUI but I think Cubase could be a bit more calmer.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![cubic13](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/cubic13/32/286924_2.png) [@cubic13](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/cubic13)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 10:05am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/10 "2021-02-06T10:05:32Z")

</div>

Disagree, sorry. 👎

I like the UI as it is, presently (11.0.xx), and truely think that there are much more urgent things to fix in Cubase than an umpteenth change in this department…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![vncvr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f14d63/32.png) [@vncvr](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/vncvr)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 10:16am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/11 "2021-02-06T10:16:31Z")

</div>

yes it’s really been a program of constant GUI tweaks… pretty much every Cubase release. I’m glad they’ve happened, and I’m happy with where things have landed… keyword… landed.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CubaseProUser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@CubaseProUser](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/CubaseProUser)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 10:30am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/12 "2021-02-06T10:30:33Z")

</div>

![Screenshot_1](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/original/3X/c/0/c063af79ff75e46e63d34d0c8f2aec4d5982653f.jpeg) what i want to say, for example F11 this part doesn’t have to give a 3d feel, it could be modern flat that section (F11)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![vncvr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f14d63/32.png) [@vncvr](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/vncvr)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 10:35am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/13 "2021-02-06T10:35:50Z")

</div>

I dunno… check your OCD maybe.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![DAC\_Protogen](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/dac_protogen/32/117877_2.png) [@DAC\_Protogen](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/DAC_Protogen)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 10:44am UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/14 "2021-02-06T10:44:30Z")

</div>

Oh, if it is only that bit… I don’t mind. I never even use these.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Outsounder](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/outsounder/32/343_2.png) [@Outsounder](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Outsounder)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 3:41pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/15 "2021-02-06T15:41:57Z")

</div>

I would disagree on that, control knobs and buttons look horrible when flattened.

Steinberg should spend more time fixing a long list of carried forward bugs rather than fiddking around with the UI. Changes to UI are a headache for lomg established workflows. If they want to fiddle around with the UI they shoukld give the user the default know UI and then an option to change if wanted.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![JBuck](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/jbuck/32/184463_2.png) [@JBuck](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/JBuck)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 3:45pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/16 "2021-02-06T15:45:16Z")

</div>

(post withdrawn by author, will be automatically deleted in 24 hours unless flagged)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![weld77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f17d59/32.png) [@weld77](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/weld77)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 6:42pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/17 "2021-02-06T18:42:34Z")

</div>

Agree with the criticisms of the flat design fetish here. For me, the biggest problem with the Cubase UI is busyness and distraction. Mainly it’s because of a lack of hierarchy in contrast & emphasis relative to function. Between the toolbars, rulers, and inspectors, the arrange area is surrounded by a peripheral mess of unneccesarily vivid, chunky, high-contrast buttons and elements which pull the eye away from the content being worked on. It’s a subtle problem but I feel it does effect my focus just a little.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CubaseProUser](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@CubaseProUser](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/CubaseProUser)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 6:55pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/18 "2021-02-06T18:55:38Z")

</div>

example Studio one was the worst in contrast, We get incredibly tired after working for 1 hour. that’s why we don’t use studio one,  
but Although cubase is not as much, it can still be simpler

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![steve](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/steve/32/193789_2.png) [@steve](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/steve)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 7:00pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/19 "2021-02-06T19:00:19Z")

</div>

Me personally, not a fan of complete flatness. Cubase GUI _has_ grown flatter than it used to be, like in SX3.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ozan\_Colakoglu](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/steinberg/user_avatar/forums.steinberg.net/ozan_colakoglu/32/153255_2.png) [@Ozan\_Colakoglu](https://forums.steinberg.net/u/Ozan_Colakoglu)\
**Post date:** [February 6, 2021, 7:43pm UTC](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903/20 "2021-02-06T19:43:23Z")

</div>

Totally. That is what I meant by being calmer.

[Next page](https://forums.steinberg.net/t/100-flat-gui-for-next-cubase/693903.md?page=2)
