I decided not to update from N12 to N13 after trying the N13 Trial version, but I now find myself tempted by today’s Sale offer!
I’m Music only - no Post, don’t use DOP or VCA’s after being frightened off them in the early days, and much prefer the N12 GUI to the N13 one. Despite this, are there enough small improvements and fixes in N13 to warrant upgrading?
Short answer: Yes.
Slightly longer answer: only you know what you need, but at the current upgrade sale price, I think it’s money well spent for most Nuendo users. Forget the Nuendo-specific post features in v13 for a second in your case, just look at the general workflow improvements that N13 shares with C13, which for me, are totally worth the upgrade price. Lots of little things were improved IMO.
As for the interface, I now prefer the C13/N13 interface, after the recent tweaks they made in 13.0.30. YMMV
I agree with @uarte. But if you don’t need any of the new features right now, you still might want to buy the update for the reduced price. You don’t need to activate it but can put the activation code on a shelf instead, wait for Nuendo 14 and make use of the grace period.
Thanks Uarte, that’s exactly what I was hoping to hear.
I did not get to use N13 very much before the Trial version expired so I may not have been able to really get used to it, although I’ve just remembered that I was not very keen on the Hub being there all the time.
Sounds like a good idea Martin.
That’s what I intend to do, but I just downloaded the trial to see what I can or cannot do.
It’s inevitable that one must upgrade eventually, even if SB removes certain features, but one can also ask the question: if something was there and it was good, why then would a complete removal be undertaken, with nothing put back in its’ place at any stage or else foreshadowed in a future update?
I can think of at least one (recent) example.
The Hub is accessible from the File Menu and comes up at each program launch, unless I am just too used to trashing preferences.
I know where it is - I just do not like it being there.
Just installed N13, it seems the Hub is now a background to the app and File > Open uses the OS as previously.
Good move SB!
OK, I went for N13 and still don’t like it ( I knew I should have listened to my better self whispering “don’t do it” in the back of my mind). It’s too late now, but how can I get rid of the redundant clutter of the Network, VST Cloud and Hub options on the Main Menu as was possible in previous versions?
I bought the 12>13 upgrade recently during the 40% off sale, but I’m still using 12.0.70, which has been great for everything I do. I haven’t installed 13 yet, but I’m keeping an eye on the updates for it to see how it improves.
I’ve been working on N13 since its release (on a 12 coreMacPro). When booting back in N12 I must say I prefer the look and feel of N13. I use it it 7 days a week for sound design and mixing (I have no life as you can see) Just do it! if you’re not living on the edge, You’re taking up too much space!
and the beauty about Nuendo you get to keep the older version in the application folder if you do find you need it!
Installing the latest version, just takes settings from the previous version and each are interchangeable in terms of opening projects.
As far as usage is concerned, I have found it to be a far snappier experience, in terms of graphics repaints, so getting around the program is quicker, that in version 12.
Also, recording audio is less prone to dropouts since I am using a resource constrained machine (Kaby Lake). Stability is improved, overall but there is now a project unloader, that takes care of potential crashes on exit.
Routing has improved, you can select outputs for Instrument Tracks without going to the Mixer, which is great, so I am pleased with the update.
Thank you SB!
Still on 12.0.70 here. Too many things I don’t like about 13 (Project Browser is gone!!), too many erratic new issues reported here and elsewhere, not enough old issues fixed, not enough must-have features to be tempting enough.
That annoyed me as well since it helps with data consistency but V12 will work for some time so projects can be opened there.
Personally, I wouldn’t hold off on all the enhancements and optimizations that are available in V13 just because of one single omission.
I am hoping SB will create a new Project Browser that will become the go to for non-linear data editing in the future, but I know it would take time.
I have Nuendo 12 and if I buy Update to Nuendo 13 I can use this to update to Nuendo 14 instead.
Is that what you are saying? Are you sure this is possible? 
Yes. 
If you don’t redeem your purchased Download Access Code of the Nuendo 13 update now but wait until Nuendo 14 is released, you get the latter due to the grace period.
I nourish serious doubts that 14 will magically fix the shortcomings of 13.
I don’t see the point of waiting for a later version, when the current version works so much better on current systems, and you can always go back a version in any case, but it must be experienced to be known and understood.
I don’t know about Mac, but I believe that V13 will be the last version to work on Windows 10 so if you plan to update to Windows 11, I suggest using N13.
SB software gets better with every revision, gone are the days of half-baked programs, since Yamaha came into the picture that is.
I did the same, and I agree. However with the 40% upgrade discount and knowing N13 will get better eventually I think it was still a worthwhile investment at this time. I have both N12 and N13 installed and still prefer using N12 for the time being. Less clutter, and a much more clear and easily readable inspector than the new one.