Cubase 14 GUI design regressions

Mrhehon · August 1, 2026, 10:32am

With such a complex software package I’m sure they are some bugs somewhere.
I’ll just say in my day to day use I’ve not come across any problems and windows 11 and the latest Cubase (VST3 only plugins) not one crash.
I think Cubase should do very well in the future. Good luck with whatever software route you go with.

Duplobaustein · August 2, 2026, 9:34am

Lol. It’s over, because a few users don’t like the UI?

alexis · August 2, 2026, 11:55am

What bug-free reasonably powerful software do you prefer?

dlf · August 4, 2026, 11:34pm

Still using 12 here. 12 does look like the final version. It’s proportionate

Pablin_Drummer2 · August 5, 2026, 3:34am

12 is the best GUI for me too.

battleangel · August 5, 2026, 4:38am

I got used to the new GUI. Even forgot that it was nicer in the past. It’s functional. Feels like Excel (like it’s an office, not a creative work), but it’s functional.

Surely one day creatives will rediscover that creative work doesn’t need to feel as boring as Excel. Until then my dear friends

Btw Ableton Live in 4k looks absolutely awful. Its power is really in managing in the tiny spaces of 1024x786 resolutions. In 4k it really looks like an Excel. It feels like it can keep even more tracks in vertical space than Cubase but it’s just an illusion because without folders it’s still ass for the larger templates. Also color themes are crap too. One of them is definitely made for the wannabe rappers in mind lol Of course it depends on the monitor and on some it will looks good but so far I tried it on 2 of mine and in both cases, Cubase 15 looks less like an Excel than Live. For some reason, I preferred Live on lo-res cheap monitors. I’ll leave it for those who want to feel like they have an office job in a cubicle

AlanMahn · August 5, 2026, 2:41pm

Very subjective, this.

I personally am not a fan of flat design and consider Ableton to be the worst daw ui I have used - just text and lines.

Whereas I love the Bitwig UI - very easy to see everything.

Sergey_Berezutskiy · August 5, 2026, 3:08pm

Every Cubase redesign sparks the same heated debate

It was the same during the SX era, the same with 7.0, and now again.

Cubase needs new features, and the old design just can’t deliver them

jhonmu6584 · August 11, 2026, 10:51am

Realist:

Hi Brian,

I understand your point of view.

Cubase is a complex programme with different levels and functions.

This makes it all the more difficult to implement a single concept.

In the case of the list editor, I would also prefer the Cubase version to the Dorico version.

However, I do not see any reason to apply this concept to the entire programme.

Unfortunately, I only know a little about web design, and depending on the device, flat design can be very helpful there.

But even in this area, it’s important not to overdo it. I can confirm this from my own experience. With flat design in particular, there is a tendency to make everything even simpler, which then leads to a certain degree of confusion.

There are now two types of flat design.

Minimalism and the new neuphormism. So it once again contains elements of skeuphorism design.

Neuphormism also includes 3D elements and is the answer to the criticism that flat design is too boring.

When implemented well, this type also contributes to clarity. The emphasis is on ‘implemented well’.

Finally, here are a few disadvantages to consider:

Lack of depth and visual cues can make user interfaces less intuitive.

Reduced intuitiveness: The absence of shadows, depth, and other realistic visual cues (called affordances) makes it difficult for users to understand what is clickable or interactive.

Lowered efficiency: Users may need to guess which elements are interactive or search for hidden features, which slows down navigation and decreases overall efficiency.

Difficulty with complex interfaces: Conveying a complex message or intricate app flow can be challenging with a heavily simplified design, as there are fewer visual cues to guide the user. https://happymodz.com.mx/

Lack of distinctiveness: Using a limited set of principles and minimalist visual styles can lead to designs that are generic and easily confused with one another.

Over-reliance on trends: Flat design’s nature as a trend can lead to designs becoming outdated, as more innovative styles like neumorphism and glassmorphism emerge.

Focus on aesthetics over function: Designers can become so focused on achieving a clean aesthetic that they neglect crucial usability aspects, leading to a poor user experience.

Over-simplification: While flat design aims for simplicity, it can sometimes lead to an over-simplification of visual hierarchies, making it harder for users to prioritize information.

Thanks for sharing this.