First of all, I would like to thank the Steinberg team for making trial available for evaluation so that the product could be tried before actually buying.
I have faced several issues so far. It might turn out that it is me doing something not the right way, or they are by design, thus asking. I am experimenting with Cubase Elements 7 Trial (build 2231 64 bit).
First thing is score editor. Currently I see that there is only one part viewable in it. My use case is as follows: I import a MIDI file with 1 voice ahs track and 2 piano tracks. The source of MIDI file is MuseScore 1.3 (if this is important). Then I open the score editor via main menu. I see only voice part. Moreover, the lyrics that are attached to my MIDI are not appended to the score. In the pianoroll, however, I can open any of the parts. Is it a limitation of trial version, of Elements, or? That is to say, does it work (ie. show all the parts and/or lyrics) in the full version?
Second is MS Vawetable softsynth that is avalable as an alternative to the Sonic softsynth provided with the software. I am not able to make it (MS Vawetable) working. What I do is just selecting it in the combobox instead of Sonic. No sound is produced from that point until I select the Sonic back. What is the correct way to use it? I remember there are some not so bad samples in it (at least for piano and voices it sounded better than Sonic sounds that come with trial IMO).
http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/cubase/line_up/cubase_elements_7.html states that Elements come with Prologue synthesizer. I cannot find it anywhere. Is it just a part of Sonic engine?
To sum it up, so far I felt that Cubase will suit the following of my musical ambitions:
- Ability to add pseudorandom velocity to MIDI (found in Trial).
- Ability to add pseudorandom time shift to MIDI (not found so far, but seen on videos).
- Ability to use some naturally-sounding softsynth instruments, like grand piano, drumset etc. (there are some instruments in Trial, but their sound… is very specific; I am awaiting piano to sound at least as Alesis NanoSynth from late 90-s).
- Ability to record the audio from external sound card (not tested yet, but hope it is allright).
- Expander, compressor, limiter, reverb out-of-the-box (I know that expander is only in full version, the rest is not tested yet).
- Buses/sends (saw the later are there, but not tested yet).
My main question is if the full version supports all the aforementioned features, and if someone can share their impressions/point to links I will appreciate.