Hello. The last time I used any software for my compositions was at school 20yrs ago. I am looking to start writing music again but have absolutely no idea where to start! I primarily write orchestral multi instrument pieces. I have a Yamaha CVP-20 which has 5 pin midi in/out/through sockets. I am thinking of buying Cubase Elements 9 but my dad mentioned I may need a sound card to get the different instrumental sounds? I am literally not technical at all so please could you advise me on what I would need to be able to start writing symphonies again? Hardware wise.
Many thanks in advance as I literally have no idea what I need Jemma x
Hi, I would recommend the UR22mkII Recording Pack which come with a free copy of Cubase AI which you could upgrade to a another Cubase version later. You will also get a mic and headphones for when you need to record vocals or live instruments. I would also recommend a new USB midi controller, plug and play instead of your current midi keyboard because Cubase doesnât play nice with old midi keyboards.
Basically all you need is a decent ASIO compatble soundcard and a MIDI interface (Which most interfaces have onboard), like for example the one mentioned above.
Iâd suggest using which ever system youâre already most familiar with.
Then an ASIO soundcard or interface ideally with MIDI (like the Steinberg UR22 already mentioned). Thereâs no reason you shouldnât be able to use the old MIDI keyboard. I still use some very old MIDI controllers with no issues.
What you can do on a computer today is so much greater than it was 20 years ago that it would have been unimaginable back then. It is something a musician can be really excited about. The activity you have mentioned is composing symphonic material. Iâm wondering whether you might be happier in the long term with Dorico rather than Cubase. Speaking only for myself, I think of Cubase as recording software, and Dorico as composing software.
If you are primarily interested in composing using notation and producing scores and printed music, I would suggest looking at Dorico, instead of Cubase. Yes, Cubase has (limited) scoring functionality, BUT it is quite primitive in comparison to Dorico. I doubt you would find Cubase conducive to this type of workflow.
You WILL need a hardware interface in any event, and buying a Steinberg interface seems like a good starting point, as it would include a free version of Cubase. If you go this path, be sure to get an interface with MIDI I/O so that you can use your MIDI keyboard. This would give you a quick picture of what Cubase is, though in doing anything approaching a symphonic composition you would find yourself quickly exceeding the available track count in the free version.
Dorico does provide a trial version, so you can try it out and see which approach would better suit your working style. There is a quite substantial learning curve for both of theses titles, so give yourself some time to make a fair comparison.
For example: A Mac with 3 DAWs Logic Pro X, Protools and Cubase. AU for logic, RTAS for pro tools and VST for Cubase. When you install a plugin like native instrumentâŚ
Those 3 plugins formats will go to their separate folders on installation.
When you use logic Mac OS will use AU
When you use protools Mac OS will use RTAS
When you use Cubase Mac OS will use VST
Itâs the operating systemâs job
As for audio interfaces you have 2 basic choices, built in / core audio or your audio interface. A smart 10 year old could install and use 3 different DAWs / plugin formats and audio interface without issues.
Youâre confusing the OP by writing about a situation / issue that would never happen.
Like open a studio one, protools or logic project in Cubase
You will not need a âsound cardâ (actually the term is Audio Interface nowadays) to access the sounds that come with Cubase, or any other VST Instrument plugin. You could actually get started using the built in audio device in your computer.
If you use it that way for a while youâll gain an understanding of a variety of elements. One of those will have to do with an inconvenient delay in producing sound between the time you hit a piano key and when the sound is produced. Audio Interfaces reduce that to almost nothing.
The interface AP recommended is a good place to start, itâs inexpensive, and whether you buy the package deal with mic and headphones, or you buy the UR22 by itself, it includes a copy of Cubase AI, the intro-level version of Cubase to play with.