Why is Cubasis just a reduced Cubase? I want all features on Ipad!

Cubasis
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1

After better understanding the feature set of Cubasis vs. Cubase I am wondering why Cubasis actually exists.

I get it that 10 years ago there might be a need for a “small iphone version for marketing“ but nowadays I do not understand why on a modern Ipad / Android I do not get a Cubase version with the same feature set as on “normal computer“.

This distinction makes no sense at all. I have to say, while big respect for the developers, I feel disppointed by learning that Cubasis is actually not Cubase and there does not seem to be a Cubase Pro version for Ipad. In 2026. Seriously?

I just want to be able to use Cubase on the *Pad the same way I use it on my laptop. After some example / test / demo productions with the Cubasis / Cubase combination I just have the impression that some decision makers are stuck in the past?

I do not want to be disrespectful, I really like Cubase 15 Pro, but I totally do not understand why there is only a stripped down version available on IPad. It can not be because of processing power.

Also, while it is great that Steinberg supports the “dawproject“ spec and should keep working on this, it seems totally grotesque that every switch from Laptop / Desktop to a mobile device will force me to think heavily about versioning and (not) available features.

This is such a completely wrong way of thinking about how software should support different devices nowadays.

Of course it should be completely transparent on which device a Cubase project is worked on. Every user of any device should be able to just transfer the current project to another device and just go on with editing / recording on that device.

Yes, of course software needs to check for older devices and limit features / functionality on these, this is a standard app developer routine. But on devices fast enough feature parity is expected.

This seems to be a “sleeping manager” problem. I see very strong developers are producing great features, but somebody steering the product landscape needs to be replaced by a more modern person.

Hello, please wake up. Buy a new IPad. Get a fast Android device.

Then please ask yourself “Why does Cubasis even exist?“

It should be just Cubase. Everywhere.

And one click project sync, of course, with versioning.

PLEASE VOTE! Thanks for your support!

2

The reason is easy. The money they would earn with it (margin x amount of purchases per year based on yearly market demand) would not return the invest.

3

Easy, iPadOS is not macOS so it would would not be possible to run or install any of the desktop stuff on the iPad anyway…

4

Hi Synthlove,

The reason why Cubasis 3 exists for me is to compose, mix and create music ranging from Orchestral to Electronic, I like the challenge of replicating a piece of music that already exists and then reverse engineer it to see if I can create a double, and with all the different auv3 plugins and top quality fx available to me either as Cubasis IAP or a dedicated fx unit from the App Store, the results can be very rewarding.

Cubasis 3 only requires a one-off payment for the life of the app, all updates are free, the interaction between user and Project Management is second to none, all free.

Cubase on the other hand is an excellent DAW, I have that too, but it cost considerably more to purchase and upgrade to the latest versions, these upgrades are not free either, that’s why they continue to upgrade Cubase.

I have owned Cubasis since 2013, I have never looked back even though in those early years the editing and processing was limited due to the iPad chip and limited availability of great apps and fx processors, but the last few years has seen leaps and bounds in both iPad capabilities and vastly improved Cubasis structure and performance. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than to take my iPad and Cubasis 3 anywhere I like and continue working on projects. Even Logic Pro for iPad is subscription based at £4.99 a month or £49 annually, even this DAW has its ups and downs the same as Cubasis, one could also ask “why does Logic Pro exist” but the many users continue to swear by both DAWs, that’s why Cubasis 3 exists and is going strong​:+1:
I hope after a while you will get to appreciate how good Cubasis 3 really is, and BTW, projects can be exchanged between Cubase and Cubasis 3 using a FREE software that allows import/export of projects called Cubasis Project Importer, so you can continue working/editing on either DAW.

We are all good friends here on this forum and if anyone wants help or advice on using Cubasis 3, either Lars Slowak (Cubasis Project Manager) or any one of us (if we have the answers) will help you :+1:

Have a great day :clinking_beer_mugs:

1 Like
5

I do enjoy tinkering in Cubasis, like having a fancy sketch pad for ideas on the move, and I agree it’s great to see the improvements and the DAWProject concept made real, but I am envious of Logic Pro users working seemlessly Mac to iPad. Not sure if I’d pay that subscription for the pleasure though.

6

I guess the other thing is that a touch first interface is a very delicate thing. Real estate is limited and the hit box for touch is less precise then with a mouse. There are a couple of features that I would love on Cubasis, but hopefully they’ll come at some. I don’t mind it being a different beast to Cubase, it’s most of all fun for me, which is good because I do music as a hobby. I’ll keep supporting them