I love Cubase. I think its really great. I used it on and off since 10 but I probably wont stay… There are just too many things that irk me about Cubase that other DAWs offer.
Here is a list of things i noticed / would change about Cubase to make it my ideal DAW.
-Global Copy works as intended, but global cut and delete time only affect a single track list/ arranger view at a time, so tracks in the secondary list like markers, regions, chord tracks are left untouched. Which means extra clicks to delete those and fast arranging is out the window. Other DAWs offer regions that sections of the song around for quick intuitive arranging. Cubase does not do that.
-Tracks don’t route and color themselves in any capacity. This is a big one that been asked for for a long time. Make folder tracks and Group track CAPABLE of auto coloring and routing.
-Those ugly lines that FX tracks and Groups place into the project view.
Far to easy to accidently draw in unwanted automation that needs to be undone in both the arrangement undo AND Mixer undo if you changed the level. I am aware of the lock that hides it but Cubase cant change default FX and Group you’ll be pushing those for the rest of the your time using Cubase.
-No visual Hierarchy in the mixer. No folding , no height differences . Nothing.
Cubase is already somewhat visually busy. So some indication of grouping would go far.
-Can’t rearrange tracks in Mixer view.
-16 FX insert limit. Modern sound design often needs more. Some other daws don’t have this limit.
-Sends and SC needs to be turned on. Like hello? I went through the whole trouble of creating the send and selecting it from a list, I want it on as default. Extra mouse click
-Editing the Sampler instrument automatically opens the lower zone no matter if you popped out the window previously. Why?
-Audio editor always opens far too zoomed in and often at the very end of the sample. I need to then spin my scroll wheel and orientate myself. Extra friction I don’t need,.
-The hot key commands that change the grid division ( make grid 1/4, 1/8th ,1/16 etc…) don’t erase previously set swing values and rough values so you have to use the quantize window to reset those parameters, somewhat rendering those commands useless in some cases.
-Rough in the quantize window will not move grouped audio events together, misaligning layered instruments, misaligning midi kick triggers, misaligning any thing you need to stay layered.
-Articulation maps are clunky to setup. Where simple Key Roll labeling would be ideal to trigger articulations. Labels on keys have other great uses.
-Media bay (Separate window not right panel) is pretty much useless to explore media samples. If you click on other samples to quickly Cubase will consider it a double click and automatically add it to the project. Please fix this strange behaviour.
-There seems to be multiple means to randomize the position for audio but zero means to randomize the volume. None. Not even through PLE.
-FX parameters that need to be automated need to use this strange write track, play , undo to open automation lane automatically. its 2024 many Daws have figured out last touched parameter. Extra friction+ Extra click
-You can open certain windows with a hotkey but you cannot close them with the same hotkey. For example, the color panel can be opened with a hot key but you cannot close it. Why?
-F1 function key is great real-estate to use as a hotkey but instead it opens the Cubase manual online… I understand its “traditionally” used for manuals, but the times i accidently hit it or wish i could use F1 for a hotkey is absurd.
