Cubase unusable after Win11 upgrade

Hi Everyone!

I’m a long time, happy, user of Cubase and I’m currently sitting on Cubase 9. I’ve had it running happily for years on Win10, but When I recently bit the bullet and upgraded to Win11 I’ve had all sorts of audio issues. General playback of audio is bad enough with clicks and pops at random times when listening to Spotify, but the real issues come to light when I’m working in Cubase.

I have a 13th gen I7, 64gb ram, so the problem isn’t me hitting the limit of the system, but it constanly stutters and glitches when I:

  • scroll
  • record midi
  • click on anything!

Does anyone have any suggestions how I can remedy this? I have a number of tracks mid production that I just can’t abandon.

Thanks
Rob

Hi and welcome to the forum,

What Audio Device do you use, please? If you have no proper ASIO driver, install ASIO4ALL.

Also try to test your system by using LatencyMon utility, please.

Hi Martin

I use an external Tascam US144mk2.

Not currently using ASio4all. Used to use that years ago but not seen the need for it in a while. Will give it a shot and let you know what it finds.

Good luck with Win 11 + Cubase 9. I hate to sound negative, but I would seriously suggest rolling back to Win 10 if you want to stick with Cubase 9. A LOT has happened since Cubase 9 was released, and I don’t think you’ll even be able to get official support from Steinberg for Cubase 9 on Win 11. I could be wrong though.

Cubase 9 was released in 2016, I believe. Windows 11 in 2021. Even Cubase 10 didn’t originally list Windows 11 validation if I recall. So forgive me if I’m wrong, but I’d ride out Windows 10 until the bitter end if I were you. OR, upgrade to Cubase 13, which works well in Windows 11.

Not saying it’s not possible to get a really solid Cubase 9 + Win 11 system running – maybe it is… I’m guessing someone is probably doing it. But you already know you had a working system before, just save yourself more potential headaches and roll back if you can. Cheers!

What @uarte said. Go back to Win 10. Apart from a more 3D interface and rounded corners Win 11 has nothing to offer over Win 10,. And don’t get me started on the Taskbar and Start menu!

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Thanks for the replies folks.

Unfortunately rolling back isn’t an option at this stage. I’d already removed all the rollback files before firing Cubase up.

The good news is, that asio4all has made a positive difference! Should have tried this first as it has been good for me in the past, but sometimes it’s the simple things you forget.

Still the odd bit of clicking and popping, but infrequent and only when doing crazy things with Valhalla Super Massive.

As a side question, is there a reliable guide anywhere for setting up Cubase/Windows for peak performance? I came across some unusual youtube advice, so thought this would be the place to get the legit steps.

One thing that happened for me when I upgraded to Win11 was that the “Activate Steinberg Audio Power Scheme” in Studio Setup->Audio System was deselected. I also had all kinds of problems with stuttering and clicks and pops that I never had before. Took a few days before I found the culprit.

Just checked, and mine wasn’t selected.

TBH, mine has been very usable tonight after the asio change so I’m happy. I’ve done the power change, which I assume can only help matters.

Any other tips and tricks for getting the most out of my system?

There this to start with - although maybe you’ve already done most of it…

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The latest driver for that device is nearly 10 years old. There is absolutely no way I would even try to use it with Windows 11. That was the first audio interface I ever purchased and gave me nothing but problems until a functioning Windows 7 driver was released. Selling it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The only positive thing that came from it was the Cubase LE4 license which was my intro the DAW world.

Mine has been pretty solid. On Win10 I used to get a rate switching issue, so would need to unplug and replug after using cubase, but don’t get that with Win11.

I have looked at upgrading interface a few times over the years, but wondered if it was jsut a vanity purchase in the end. The tascam has all teh I/O I need and doesn’t give me any issues.

Is there a reason I’m missing ,to upgrade?

This is Reason #1 NOT to replace something.
Reason #1 TO replace something would if the current something lacked features that you want/need.