I have content on Cubase 4.1.2 full version with eLicenser on a WinXP laptop. I’d like to modernize, but my non-negotiable assets are the various tracks and libraries created in v4 on the current XP OS. 2 options. I’m curious what is the highest upgrade in-place version and method using my eLicenser (yes, before May). If I need to upgrade in phases copying from a WinXP to Win 7 or 10 machine midway, I’d consider if it saves my eLicenser license and my libraries. The simpler option of course, would be to determine the highest, more “modern” level of Cubase that will natively import and resolve my v4 track libraries without error, and just pay for the new license. FWIW, the track recordings are from analog sources, pretty dry of plugins and there is no automation. I’d guess that might avoid errors in jumping ahead 2 or 6 or 10 versions!
Since Cubase 4 uses .cpr files, Cubase 14 should open them fine except of course discontinued stuff (like plugins) will end up missing. Also I’d expect Cubase 4 to (mostly?) work on later versions of Windows. I have several versions installed back to Cubase 7 & they function fine. That way if you do find stuff that only works in Cubase 4 you can render it there and import the Audio into 14.
Are you able to open and run cubase on your old laptop?
If it’s still working as it was, I would open your project and render all the vst generated tracks to audio (Can’t remember if there was Render in Place in CB4).
Save it as a new file
Then you should be able to open the project and if you’re able to find recent versions of your instrument VSTs , the (might) load up fine but if not you’d still have the midi that you can route to VSTs that work in current versions.
I was able to get a project from Cubase 4 VST into CB 12 - interesting to see what come over and what didn’t
The only choice you have is to buy Cubase 14. You can’t buy in between versions. You can however use older versions with the elicencer once you buy the latest version. You would definitely be better getting all your old projects into audio as v4 will be using 32bit plugin.
Thank you all - turns out SX3 and 4 both create .cpr files, and store tracks as audio; everything copies easily - tested it on a friend’s system. Only things I used that aren’t supported are Reverb A and DoubleDelay… so I’ll need to listen to the SX3/4 mixes and try to mimic those. Thank you to all who replied.
I’ve got Cubase 12 and 4.52 running on a Windows 10 computer no problem. I can even have both open at the same time. Biggest headache when upgrading projects are missing VST instruments. You have to go in and recreate all of those. Same with FX. Even if the same instruments are there, they may not sound the same on the upgraded VST and you’ll have to tweak.
When these kinds of situations occur I try to treat them as opportunities to improve rather than recreate.
That’s what I usually end up doing also.