Faulty listening experience and suggestion for Imager plugin in Cubase and Nuendo

[Ultima]

Hi there,
This is Ultima. I’m writing to address an issue and a suggestion regarding Cubase and Nuendo. As someone who has been working with Cubase for a while—and based on the experience of many users—there are two main concerns:

1. A playback/listening experience issue in Cubase, often mistaken for an export problem (a serious concern).

2. Limitations in the built-in “Imager” plugin, specifically the inability to narrow the frequency-band width and the restriction to only four bands.

Let me explain both in simple terms. I’m not an expert, so I’ll describe everything in a straightforward way.

1. Playback and listening experience issue

When I import audio tracks into Cubase and use them as reference tracks, I notice that Cubase plays them significantly louder than their original volume. I have tried disabling Control Room and setting it to 0 dB, but the playback level is still higher compared to the original track.

In addition to the volume difference, Cubase tends to make audio sound noticeably wider and bass-heavier. This affects mix decisions and can lead to inconsistent results. Many users assume Cubase is altering the audio signal itself and attempt null tests to investigate. While Cubase does not change the digital audio, the problem lies in how the audio sounds during playback within Cubase.

To confirm this, I tested the same audio files in FL Studio and regular media players on my PC. In those applications, the tracks play at the correct volume without exaggerating width or bass. But in Cubase and Nuendo, the listening experience is noticeably different. Anyone can try comparing the same track between Cubase and another DAW to hear the difference.

2. Imager plugin limitations

The built-in “Imager” plugin allows only four frequency bands. The bands cannot be narrowed beyond a certain point, and it’s difficult to position them precisely at specific frequencies. Adding the ability to use more bands, narrow them further, and adjust them more accurately would be extremely helpful. I hope the issue will be resolved soon.

Thanks,

Ultima

[XLColdJ]

@Ultima

When I import audio tracks into Cubase and use them as reference tracks, I notice that Cubase plays them significantly louder than their original volume. I have tried disabling Control Room and setting it to 0 dB, but the playback level is still higher compared to the original track.

If you use the loudness meters to measure the loudness (in LUFS) of the track, it should be the same in Cubase as it is in any other DAW. As for the volume–that depends on your signal path, the volume you have set for your monitors, and the software you’re using for playback.

@Ultima

In addition to the volume difference, Cubase tends to make audio sound noticeably wider and bass-heavier.

That’s not something I’ve noticed. Through the same signal path to your monitor speakers? What audio interface are you using? What monitors? What project pan law do you have configured? If it sounds different–something in the signal path is different.

@Ultima

Cubase does not change the digital audio

No–not by default–but if you have any EQ or effects in your path, it will.

@Ultima

the problem lies in how the audio sounds during playback within Cubase.

Once again–that all depends on what path the signal passes through on playback.

@Ultima

To confirm this, I tested the same audio files in FL Studio and regular media players on my PC. In those applications, the tracks play at the correct volume without exaggerating width or bass.

You’d need to measure it with meters to confirm this.

@Ultima

Imager plugin limitations

The built-in “Imager” plugin allows only four frequency bands. The bands cannot be narrowed beyond a certain point, and it’s difficult to position them precisely at specific frequencies. Adding the ability to use more bands, narrow them further, and adjust them more accurately would be extremely helpful. I hope the issue will be resolved soon.

With Imager plugins on Effect Tracks, you can route the signals to Group Channels, and use EQ to bandpass them before sending each band to a separate Imager.

[fese]

Not really no. Works completely as expected, and not different to a correctly configured playback in another program.

Usually, if something like this happens, it is some kind of setup/configuration problem, like e.g. having control room active and still have ports configured in the Audio output connections.