We need to unpack Steinberg’s Audio Engine
This is not a rant. Relax!
Back when I switched from Cubase 6 to Logic, I noticed they sounded different. Developing SKYFALL has confirmed a lot. I assume Halion, Cubase, Groove Agent, etc., all use the same core audio subsystem.
If you stack 15 VSTs on one channel and mix everything to sonically form a single super instrument- this is where Logic/Apple starts to crack. The bounces are sonically different! For two years, I thought it was because I was pegging +14dB on my sounds, but it’s not. It’s the audio engine.
I’m not wasting time on bouncing and comparison nonsense, but Cubase does sound better than Logic. Halion sounds better than Battery. Halion sounds better than UVI Falcon when pushing synthesis to the extreme. We’re close to finishing and will post examples.
It gets deeper. Bounce a HyperSynth-level channel out of Cubase and play it in QuickTime—it sounds as it should. Play that same file in Apple’s Music App, and now it sounds like it was bounced in Logic—worse!
You make more money than anyone in the music game, but your stuff sounds bad? Yikes.
I still like Logic’s workflow—it’s just easier for how I work. Cubase feels like a full time job with no benefits…But giving up 20% of my sound quality off the top… for nothing?
Cubase manual.