Cubase UI Should Look Like a Studio — Not a Minimal DAW

[Ehabmxd]

I would like to bring this topic back because the visual direction of Cubase is extremely important for many users.

First of all, I want to express my appreciation for the work you have been doing. I fully understand that Cubase is built on a very old codebase, and rewriting major parts of the UI is not an easy task at all. It’s clear that you are working on a completely new UI engine, and this is a huge step for the future of the software.

However, based on what we are seeing in the recent versions, I would like to share some important feedback regarding the visual direction…

Cubase has always had a “pro‑studio” visual identity — a look that feels closer to real hardware, real mixers, and real studio gear. This is one of the things that made Cubase unique among other DAWs.

I sincerely hope Cubase does not move toward an Ableton‑style minimal flat design. Ableton’s UI works for live performance, but it does not represent the visual identity of a professional studio environment.

Cubase deserves a Flat 2.0 design — modern and clean, but with:

• subtle shadows
• depth
• highlights
• soft edges
• clear visual hierarchy
• better contrast
• a hardware‑inspired feel

Similar to the visual direction we see in UAD Console, Opus, Arturia, and other modern pro‑audio tools.

The current flat look feels like an early stage of the new UI engine, and I hope that once the engine is fully completed, the design will evolve into something more polished, with depth and realism — not a minimal flat style.

Cubase has always been a DAW that looks and feels like a real studio.
Please keep that identity alive.
Thank You.

[awesomeaudio]

Not another thread, is this one person with multiple accounts?

[Ehabmxd]

The forum is open to everyone, and this is simply my opinion. If you don’t like it, there’s no need to reply to me — I didn’t send you a WhatsApp message. This is a public forum, so please respect different points of view.

[fese]

I agree about the deficiencies of the current fully flat design, but the examples you listed are not what I would call “Flat 2.0” design, they are more in the tradition of a “skeuomorphic” design, to varying degrees. Especially the UA software with their ridiculous shadows on the knobs and faders are a prime example of now not to do it.

Cubase was pretty good in C12, it already had a Flat 2.0 design, it would have just needed some detail optimization. Instead, they opted to redo it all (well, except for all the dialogs that are still from SX) in a totally flat design with less contrast, tiny fonts and suboptimal color choices. But there have already been threads about that here…

[Ehabmxd]

Thank you for your reply. I didn’t mean that Cubase should copy the current designs of other software. What I meant is that the interface simply needs to be clearer. Honestly, I’m not a design expert, but from what I’ve read, these are considered Flat 2.0 designs with added shadows and details that give a slight 3D feel. But for me, the goal isn’t to make Cubase look like those programs — what matters is that the UI becomes clearer and not completely flat. The reason I wrote this post is because I was working on a project for many hours and found the current design visually tiring compared to the examples I shared.

[awesomeaudio]

Here’s two other threads recently posted… although we can excuse one for being poorly titled.

If Cubase GUI was like Apple Logic, there will be more Cubase users - Cubase - Steinberg Forums

A question for Mr. Quellmann - Cubase - Steinberg Forums

Since it’s an open public forum, I’ll just copy and paste parts of my response from the latter:

2.) Forum users are the minority of users, but also the vocal “loud” majority - which can skew perception.

3.) From what I’ve seen on the forum, for every post there has been about “GUI Needs to be better/overhauled”, I see just as many if not more people saying it doesn’t (myself included).

4.a.) I’m very curious about how long you have been using Cubase, and what you mean by “Overhaul”… Because the current iteration of Cubases GUI is the end result of “overhauling” it… over many years…

4.b.)… As I’ve said in another recent thread about “Cubase GUI not good”… People have been complaining and creating these types of threads for as long as I can remember (I’ve been using since SX3) - it has at the very least been a major back and forth discussion since version 5…

There’s always a group of people who say “Cubase GUI must change”, for example, “Cubase GUI needs to be more flat” - it becomes that and that group of users becomes placated, but then another group of users enters the chat freaking that the change is terrible and needs to be reverted and that their world is ending… and then a couple years later, another new group of people enter the chat saying, “Cubases GUI needs to be overhauled or else I’m switching DAWS”.

If Mr Quellmann does indeed end up reading this thread… I have to say as a user since SX3, and a professional/power-user since around version 8… I’m pretty tired of GUI changes. I’ve pretty well been fine with every iteration of Cubases GUI because it doesn’t affect me getting work done… It’s the constant changes themselves that are annoying, not what the changes are or are not.

It took me a bit to get accustomed to the current iteration, but I think I like it the most and am completely content with the current style… Apart from a few specific UI/UX protocols and details (like menu systems).

Imo, the more neutral and utilitarian the better - it looks the most professional, and looks best when you work with a video preview on the screen, and plugins pop nicely.

5.) when it comes to broad stylistic “overhauls” - by the time peoples requests are absorbed, and by the time the UI changes are planned/tested, and implemented - the trends have already changed again and so the company is just perpetually “behind” on UI trends.

At what point does one realize that isn’t going to work, and isn’t a good development path? Development wise, it’s a silly and immature thing to chase which hinders the software and development into a negative feedback loop of never being consolidated.

… Hence the benefit of not caring about UI trends, and developing something that is neutral and utilitarian. It just needs to be as functional as possible. There is nothing non-functional about the current UI style…

**Nothing about the UI is stopping Hans Zimmer or Ian Kirkpatrick or Tom Holkenborg or Amon Tobin or any other number of top tier talent from getting work done.
**
There might even be aspects of what you want that I agree with, but I definitely don’t agree with Cubase needing an “overhaul”. That’s an extremely drastic word for a program that just consolidated it’s GUI style across all aspects of the program, old and new.

For whatever it’s worth, apart from some of the details/UI+UX protocols, I think Cubendo has the best GUI on the market, and Steinberg have found the near perfect balance of neutral/utilitarian without being completely boring and bland looking (like Logic) or janky like Reaper, or Reskin-Old like Pro-Tools, etc, etc.

To summarize, when will it end. I dream of a day when GUI changes will stop.

[awesomeaudio]

@Ehabmxd

I was working on a project for many hours and found the current design visually tiring compared to the examples I shared.

Did you take any breaks?

[Ehabmxd]

I’m not someone who follows the forum on a daily basis — I have work and tasks I need to finish, and Cubase is one of them. I’m not talking about a matter of personal taste; I’m talking about an issue that I personally face and that many others face as well. If you don’t have a problem with the flat design, that’s completely fine — that’s your opinion, and it’s respected. All points of view are welcome.

Thanks

[awesomeaudio]

I probably average 14 hours a day engineering/producing/composing, 10-14 of those hours in Cubase.

Personally, I’ve never had a problem with any of the GUI iterations since SX3 other than the GUI itself changing and having to get used to it all over again.

UAD Console is based around a DAW that it is not intended nor optimized for huge complex projects/productions. There is a lot of wasted space in UAD Luna.

I often have many Cubase windows and organized on screen, Marker Manager Window, Left/Right Zones, MixConsole, Lower Zone, Video Preview.

For me, Steinberg have struck the perfect balance.

[fese]

@awesomeaudio

To summarize, when will it end. I dream of a day when GUI changes will stop.

I can relate to that . For the past 10-15 years, it seems like Steinberg hired a new UI designer every couple of years who felt the need to change things to the latest, hippest design trend (except maybe some years too late).

I do think though that the current UI iteration is severely lacking in some areas, and by that I don’t mean the looks per se. I can get used to any look. What I struggle to get used to is poor execution and bad UX (like too small font sizes, lack of contrast and visual separation between elements, lack of standard keyboard navigation in dialogs etc). If the design is well executed, in the end it is not important whether it is fully flat or skeuomorphic or somewhere in between.

[Ehabmxd]

**Yes, that’s exactly what I’m struggling with. Some elements in the current UI are simply tiring for the eyes — sometimes the contrast is too strong, sometimes things are barely visible, sometimes the font is large, sometimes it’s tiny. I understand that Cubase has many windows, and I understand that we often work on big projects with lots of tracks, but that actually makes the problem worse. Cubase 12 was much better in this regard.

And there’s also the issue of legacy code, which makes it difficult for Steinberg to fully remove the old windows, warning dialogs, and menus. These elements suddenly pop up with a completely different look, and they’re visually jarring. But it seems Steinberg has already started building their own new UI engine, and they’ve begun removing the legacy code step by step. It won’t be easy, but it’s definitely not impossible.

[awesomeaudio]

@Ehabmxd

Sorry to come into the thread as harshly as I did, I was still recovering from the previous threads.

But also, If I’m being completely honest, personally, I can’t stand the look of the example pictures you posted. To me, they look more like iPad App graphics designed for finger touch, than a vast and complicated piece of professional/commercial desktop software.

I can understand if someone is vision impaired or something, some text being hard to see - but it might just be up to them to choose proper screen size vs resolution and how far it is from them, as well as scaling options.

I just don’t understand how GUI is having this much of an affect on people, or if their personal thirst for certain styles of GUIs is making them think it is having an affect on them…

I do have a lot of comments on very specific UI/UX elements needing to be improved, but stylistically… Apart from having to get used to new GUI each time it changes, none of the iterations have slowed me down and I like the current iteration the most I think.

[js-soundworks]

I wonder how many people have complained to SSL, asking for a new design for the next console?

My personal opinion: A DAW and its manufacturers should focus primarily on resolving existing audio and workflow issues.

Power users want to focus on their clients and finishing their productions, rather than constantly having to learn a new interface.

[Cookie_Jarvis]

Cubendo needs skinning, then everyone can be happy…well mostly

[Sergey_Berezutskiy]

Cubase is evolving, and while the old designs are great, they have certain limitations that restrict the integration of new features.

The benefits of the new design are already showing, with exciting new features, and this is just the beginning. We’re still in the middle of the merging phase

[Greg_Purkey]

@Ehabmxd

I’m not someone who follows the forum on a daily basis — I have work and tasks I need to finish, and Cubase is one of them. I’m not talking about a matter of personal taste; I’m talking about an issue that I personally face and that many others face as well.

It’s actually refreshing to hear from someone who doesn’t follow to gain perspective. As @awesomeaudio said there have been a few similar GUI topics in the past few days sounding similar to a forum club house with poor assumptions such as “we all know,” “everyone wants” when the fact is that the OP doesn’t speak for everyone, and may be possibly skewed by forum participation vs. total Cubase users.

@Ehabmxd

The reason I wrote this post is because I was working on a project for many hours and found the current design visually tiring compared to the examples I shared.

I’m a daily Cubase user. Typically anywhere from 4-6 hours 5 days a week. I don’t think I have ever personally become visually tired of the GUI, unless it is sub-consciously. That applies for every Cubase version back to the 90s.

The most challenging one for me was Cubase 7 due to the new mix Window and Console making it look similar to a real mixing board. Mix Window meaning the 4 separate windows to mix in. Console meaning expand the console to look at traditional mixing tools such as different compression etc, that really make it look like a mixing board. That was a huge GUI thing. However today, my perception is that most Cubase users never even open the Console due to 3rd party plugs. Again, that’s just my perception based on issues here. I could be totally wrong. I’m not even sure the Console deserves more love than it gets. Have those tools been improved since Cubase 7? Today, I don’t think you can assume 3rd party is always “better” than stock Cubase plugs. Anyway, at the Cubase 7 point, the console was a pretty big thing.

My breaks are listening breaks. If I spend too much time, for example listening to a kick for over 30 minutes after layering, EQ, side-chaining, compression, and transient control, I try to force myself into a studio break to avoid fatigue and listening bias. After 10 minutes, I come back and it’s all wrong!

Again, it’s just personal experience. And it may have to do with the fact that I use 4 video displays, with certain windows continually open so I’m physically moving my head in different positions as opposed to staring straight ahead at one screen.

@Sergey_Berezutskiy

We’re still in the middle of the merging phase

Yes, I think this is far from finalized.

PS: compared to Logic, Live, PT, and FL, I’m quite content with the Cubase GUI and I would never want it to be a “minimal” looking DAW.

[ASUNDER]

@Ehabmxd

I sincerely hope Cubase does not move toward an Ableton‑style minimal flat design.

+1 on that. Hope they don’t go anywhere near ableton’s horrible gui.

@Ehabmxd

Cubase deserves a Flat 2.0 design — modern and clean, but with:

Why? What’s wrong with it as it is?

What do people mean when they say “clean”? What does that even mean? Less controls? So you’re asking for less features?

When I hear “modern and clean” I always see “boring and lazy”.
An example is architecture. Old and complex compared with modern and clean. Which is better?

Why do people assume modern is always better?

Our world is now washed out and lifeless. Classic is vibrant and full of life. Modern is a stone’s throw away from death. Which is the most minimalist you can get, but there is no movement, no color, no sound, no life.

[Ehabmxd]

@awesomeaudio

Sorry to come into the thread as harshly as I did, I was still recovering from the previous threads.

But also, If I’m being completely honest, personally, I can’t stand the look of the example pictures you posted. To me, they look more like iPad App graphics designed for finger touch, than a vast and complicated piece of professional/commercial desktop software.

I can understand if someone is vision impaired or something, some text being hard to see - but it might just be up to them to choose proper screen size vs resolution and how far it is from them, as well as scaling options.

I just don’t understand how GUI is having this much of an affect on people, or if their personal thirst for certain styles of GUIs is making them think it is having an affect on them…

I do have a lot of comments on very specific UI/UX elements needing to be improved, but stylistically… Apart from having to get used to new GUI each time it changes, none of the iterations have slowed me down and I like the current iteration the most I think.

I respect your point of view, and I understand that not everyone likes the examples I posted — that’s completely fine. My point isn’t that Cubase should look like those pictures. What I’m asking for is simply a clearer UI. Something with proper contrast, readable fonts, and a bit of depth or shadow that helps separate elements visually. Even subtle shadows and better color choices can make the interface much easier on the eyes compared to a completely flat design.

I’m not asking for a “touch‑style” look or anything overly stylized — just a UI that is easier to work with for long hours. For me, Cubase 12 achieved that balance much better than the current version.

[Ehabmxd]

I completely agree with you 100%. Your point makes perfect sense, and I appreciate the way you explained it.

[awesomeaudio]

Personally I don’t like things like shadows or gradients in Cubase. It adds a lot of visual clutter, because Cubase is jam-packed, even if your images overall stylistically isn’t what you’re talking about… if we’re just focusing on shadows, those DAWs have less complex interfaces and thus room for shadows.

Cubase MixConsole is very jampacked and also resizable - how do you reckon shadows will function when someone has zoom-minimized MixConsole?

And for me,
Having this shadow looming over ‘12’, does not look good or professional.

Maybe you can take a screenshot of just one section of Cubase you think should be shadowed/more dimensional