I have been Cubase user since 1992.
Since Cubase started doing audio I have constantly monitored the sound quality of the audio engine.
VST 25 and 32, had a very decent, FAT quality to the sound.
When Cubase was re-written from the Cubase VST 32 format and moved over to the Yamaha family the audio quality changed. It began to sound flat and sterile. I was used to the sound of analogue tape, so the new “sound” made me very disappointed. I gave up on Cubase for a while, switching to DP for the “fat” sound–and it did sound fatter.
I kept buying updates to Cubase, and low and behold…CUBASE 5 sounded FAT again. Kept buying updates, and from Cubase 6 to Cubase 6.5 the audio quality again changed, but it changed back to more like how it sounded in versions prior to 5.
I keep buying updates (on 8 [pro]) now, and am waiting for the audio quality to come back. It really does sound different. I have a project going right now and for kicks I’m having the guys record in DP, then turn in Cubase. I have to work harder to make the Cubase tracks sound FAT.
C’mon—what happened? Cubase 5 had it going and I’m still waiting on the newer versions to come back to that sound that was offered in VST 24, VST 32 and Cubase 5.
I’m not nuts, and I’ve been studying this for years----
Rant over, now I will continue wishing.