Orchestral and cinematic music

Cubase
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Hello ,

First of all, I must admit that there are at least two mistakes I made a long time ago, a few years ago. The first was not buying a Pro version of Cubase, which was on sale at a music store in Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine, France).

At that time, I had purchased a license for Sonar 8 Producer from Cakewalk long before then, but I was also familiar with Cubase, and that was a duplication.

Then, when I retired, my passion for music led me to choose FL Studio, certainly for its fun, colorful side, and especially for its lifetime update. “I have the All Plungings Edition.”.

I found tutorials for orchestral music in French on YouTube using FL Studio, but I’m no longer the only one to realize that for composing, it may not be the best choice, because today, even this musician has switched to Cubase Pro for his compositions and tutorials.

I’m only on Elements 14, which unfortunately has limited tracks, and I hope to be able to access Artists later, and much later, Pro.

But the software doesn’t do everything, and just because you drive a Ferrari doesn’t mean you really know how to drive.

Moreover, it’s for a personal, not a professional, passion that I continue to explore this style, a far cry from the rock and blues I used to play.

I’m asking myself the question of whether I should still be in the race for an investment to go up to Pro or Artist would be a good balance Musically and financially.

Musical friendship.

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Congrats on your exploration of Cubase for orchestral and cinematic music, it’s a great choice of course!

Everyone has different needs, and you will find the answer about which version to use. It sounds like you are taking things one step at a time, which is a smart approach. No need to rush. Once you reach a limitation, you can always upgrade to the next level. Keep an eye for special sales and promotions. I believe there is one happening right now. :smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

I suggest looking closely at the feature comparison page and decide what features and tools look the most useful to you, and then only you can decide if that is worth the money. Good luck!

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Good morning @uarte and thank you for your message.

I’ve certainly compared the two versions over and over again.

However, I just found a collector’s CD sold with the magazine, which was almost a freebie in June 1996, a complete version of Cubase Lite with a Cubase demo, Wave Lab, and Cubase Score 3.0.

For now, it’s just a financial issue; maybe for Artist before April 28th.

The problem is that a couple’s budget means it’s better to work things out before breaking the bank.

In short, I had the opportunity to try Cubase Pro, but I’m having a hard time getting involved in composing, knowing that I won’t be able to enjoy it in a sustainable way right now. Furthermore, it made me a little dizzy given the complexity and multitude of possibilities, and as you pointed out, it’s best to proceed in stages.

Anyway, I’m switching from one DAW to another right now. I’m discovering Element 14 to familiarize myself so I can better adapt to it for my future musical compositions.

Musical Friendship.

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I’m retired, and was never a big earner. But I still chose the Pro version of Cubase. Because you can grow into it. If you think of a trick you want to try, Pro will usually allow you to get it done.
How important is music in your life? For me it comes after God, my wife, my son. Every thing else is a long way behind.
You used a car analogy - Elements is like a small hatchback, it gets you around, but isn’t comfortable, can’t carry all your luggage and struggles with a full load. Pro is like Gran Tourer, spacious, comfortable, all the luxuries and laughs at full loads.
Put Pro on your shopping list. Along with HALion Orchestra.

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I kind of disagree with everyone here. I don’t think that which specific DAW you are using is all that important. I know some people who are making incredible orchestral/ cinematic music in FL Studio. I know well earning professional film composers who are using Reaper (which you can use for free as long as you want).
I don’t think that just buying Cubase Pro is the best option for you.

On a limit budget I would first look to pick up some good orchestral sample libraries.
Check out this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TO3uOVF7GM . I think this guy has a very good plan on how to get into orchestral- cinematic compositions on a 300$ budget.

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Since this is a Cubase forum, most folks are going to talk Cubase, not any other DAW

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Just because we are on a cubase forum doesn’t mean considering alternatives is forbidden.

And I am a cubase user and think it’s a great software. But it still wouldn’t be my first investment on a limited budget if I was restarting with orchestral/cinematic composing today.
In my opinion having good basis of orchestral sample libraries is more important than having the best DAW, and I would first spend money on that.

And I’m ok if other users disagree with me on this opinion, in the end it will be PascalHP 's decision how to spend his money.

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Priorities in life. :+1: Always important to consider budget, especially a couple’s budget!

In this case, I suggest talking with your partner about it and involving them in more detail. This is obviously important to you. Maybe have them read this thread too! I also suggest sharing your hope and passion and honestly, even going through the feature list comparison with them. They are obviously a big part of the decision for you. Let their brain cells contribute to helping. :smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

As for the current Cubase sale, you have until April 28. And guess what? If you can’t decide by then, there will always be ANOTHER Cubase sale in the future.

Good luck in your music ambitions! I applaud your passion and willingness to expand your tools and knowledge!

(P.S. And don’t be intimidated by the massive number of features in Cubase Pro if you decide to go that direction… there are endless tutorials, and you don’t need to master everything in it. I’m still learning surprising things after decades doing this!)

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Understandable points, but I personally disagree in this case. The toughest learning curve for many people IMO is the DAW itself, and getting used to the whole process, especially for “older” or retired people. Having a good basis of orchestral sample libraries would be secondary IMO, and based on the OP, it sounds like the learning curve is long… why saddle him with trying to figure that side out now? Just set up a good baseline for him. (The OP did mention he was retired, right? “Younger” people have a different profile IMO and tend to be more naturally wired to jump from app to app to app, so I’m focusing more on the OP.)

Based on the OP’s case, Cubase is a very safe bet, there’s no point to further DAW hopping. It comes with a solid baseline collection of sounds to begin to develop his own sound and learn what he likes and eventually needs, so he would be well served by landing on Cubase and digging in. At whatever pace, upgrading now or over time later on… whatever suits his budget, etc… Out of the box, for an aspiring orchestral and cinematic composer, Cubase is a GREAT place to start and stay, and I don’t say that lightly, as an owner of most of the DAWs on the market. I’m just thinking of his case. The bundle of instruments included in Cubase these days is very good indeed. One purchase, great starting baseline, endless growth potential as his stylistic vision evolves.

By the time the OP exceeds the innate creative power of even Iconica Sketch, Retrologue 2, Padshop 2, and the various other goodies in HALion Sonic (or whatever the bundled version is called), he’ll then KNOW the kinds of libraries that he wants to explore in the future, and he’ll be ready to grab those libraries at the best prices on promos like Black Friday, etc… Then he just adds libraries he wants over time, but all the core workflows and techniques he learns in Cubase will stay the same and become second nature.

Again, for a “younger” aspiring composer, my advice might be a little different… but honestly, at these prices on sale for Cubase Artist and Cubase Pro, I’d probably say to them jump in with both feet.

If I had what Cubase Pro offers today (or even Artist!) back when I started, I’d be BLOWN away and set for countless hours of learning and experimentation. And then I’d add one library at a time as my stylistic needs, skills, and projects expanded. I would watch for sales/promos for other libraries, and boom, I’d be on my way, budget intact.

Just my opinion!

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Mhm, fair enough, these are some good arguments. It’s true that I’m on the younger side and have less problemes figuring out new software and therefore can’t relate that much to OP.

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It’s not because we can’t or are too stupid, or not “tech-savvy”, it’s because the sands of time are running out!
And we usually have more cash than time to spare. :metal:

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Hello @Joshua_Reiners and thank you for your comment.

First of all, I apologize for the translation.

You’re partly right about choosing a DAW in response to the question.

It may be that I’m looking for the one that suits me best, and it’s certainly motivated by my curiosity.

It’s like the multitude of VSTs, virtual instruments, or effects, a multitude that makes you dizzy and makes you crave the latest product.

I already own: BBC Symphony Orchestra Core, Miroslav Philharmonik 2, The Orchestra, Komplete 14 Standard, (Arturia) V Collection X, Fx Collection 5, Pigments 6, Analog Lab, and a multitude of other products, making me, like many, a collector :).

I started with a Tascam 4-track cassette recorder, but to become a skilled sound engineer would have been a miracle.

What makes me wonder about Cubase is that, while browsing the tutorials, I saw that it held a central place, and that many other DAWs were remarkable; this one was largely formatted for this style of music.

I practiced martial arts and learned a lot from different trends and styles.

As with music, I leave my door open to learning and sharing; that’s also the goal in life; we never create alone.

Musical friendship.

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Hello @Googly_Smythe , and sorry if my comments caused any inconvenience.
That wasn’t my goal.
I’m not here to evaluate one DAW over another; my main concern is to learn how to use Cubase, regardless of the version.
Musical Friendship.
Google Translate.

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Thank you all for your welcome,
for sharing your insight into my questions, and for your wise advice.
All my best from the depths of Brittany.
PascalH

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Well, I’m sorry I gave that impression. No worries. The main thing is to get the music in your head out in the open.

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I’m guessing that most DAWs have a trial version which would give you some insight as to what coincides best with “your” mental processing. You appear to have a plethora of orchestration already at your fingertips. You now just have to figure which DAW you’re most comfortable with arranging and editing your cinematic ideas. Recording your cinematic instruments is the easy part. Arranging them is also fairly simple. Editing will be a little more involved. That’s where you’ll need a little of a learning curve but that will be with any DAW. I believe Cubase is very intuitive but that’s how “I” interpret. Discover how you do.

You already have your kicks, blocks and punches (orchestration) and now you are creating your signature Katas (song arrangements). Which sensei (DAW) flows your ideas the best? If they expedite your learning curve, you’ll pay what you need for that instruction. “Be water my friend! Adapt to the shape of any container.” :wink:

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Hello @uarte

I negotiated with my wife for my birthday (I can say prematurely, June 5th isn’t coming up soon :slight_smile: ) to upgrade to the Artist 14 version by the end of the week, taking advantage of the 30% discount.

Of course, it’s not the Pro version, but it gives me time to delve deeper into a more expressive tool than Element.

And who knows, maybe by then, next year I’ll be able to upgrade to the Pro version if I feel it’s worth it.

In the meantime, I think I’ll have to devote some excellent time to learning it.

Thank you for your musical friendship.

PascalH

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Enjoy and congrats! And you’ll have plenty to explore! :smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

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Hello @uarte

it’s in the box. :slight_smile:

Have a nice day.

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I love this!!! Us lads have to negotiate for purchases with our partners, soooo true!!! :joy:

hey, good luck and enjoy your new Cubase purchase!

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