Cubase Pro for Mac

What's new in this version:

Cubase Pro 14
Improvement and changes:
Performance:
- We have updated key data structures in our code base to optimize memory allocation. This is positively impacting overall performance, especially in areas where large amounts of data are handled—such as start-up time, loading and saving large projects, and moving a significant number of events at once.
- Single Installer for Pro, Artist, Elements, AI, and LE
- All Cubase versions are now available through a single installer. Whether you’re installing Cubase Elements or Cubase Pro, the same installer applies, with the version that opens determined solely by your license. Upgrading from Elements to Cubase Pro no longer requires a reinstall.

The new Score Editor built upon Dorico technology:
- Cubase 14 introduces a completely revamped Score Editor powered by Dorico, our renowned music notation and composition software. This new Dorico-based Score Editor replaces the previous version, bringing numerous enhancements and a refined focus.
- The new Score Editor is designed to provide a powerful and intuitive notation-based MIDI editor. It allows you to quickly and easily view and edit your music in notation form, producing clear and legible parts ideal for simple live recording projects.
- You can now export your Cubase projects directly to Dorico, enabling you to leverage Dorico’s advanced music formatting and layout features when needed.
- Utilizing Dorico’s sophisticated quantization and transcription algorithms, the new Score Editor automatically splits music into independent polyphonic voices and applies publisher-quality music spacing and layout algorithms, resulting in more beautiful and readable notation both on screen and on paper.
- While the new Score Editor incorporates some of Dorico’s features, it is designed to look and feel consistent with other MIDI editors in Cubase. This ensures a seamless experience whether or not you are familiar with Dorico.
- If you found the previous Score Editor challenging to produce legible results, we encourage you to try the new version. It significantly reduces the time and effort required to achieve professional-looking notation.

Still, there are some limitations you should be aware of:
- MusicXML import is not supported yet, but it will be implemented in the future.
- Some score symbols, such as Arpeggio, Glissandi, or Octave lines, are not available yet.
- Since the technology behind the new Score Editor is completely new, importing scores from projects created with the previous Score Editor is only partially possible. We have created a Steinberg Help Article that documents the limitations in detail.
- Cubase 14 marks the beginning of a new era in integrating our leading DAW with our music notation software. We are committed to extending the functionality of the new Score Editor and developing additional features to further integrate Cubase and Dorico in future updates.
- To learn more about the story behind the development of the new Score Editor, check out this blog article by Daniel Spreadbury (https://blog.dorico.com/2024/11/cubase-14-score-editor/).

DAWproject Support:
- We are excited to introduce support for DAWproject files in Cubase 14. DAWproject is an open file format enabling seamless project transfers between DAWs, offering users greater flexibility and efficiency. This format allows you to transfer entire projects with the full structure—tracks, channels, and groups—preserved, eliminating the need to export individual stems and reducing time and effort.
- When importing a DAWproject file into another DAW, all elements remain intact, including tracks, groups, colors, markers, events, fades, MIDI, and plug-in settings. This facilitates smooth collaboration, easier transitions between music software, and a greater focus on creativity over technical tasks.
- We collaborated closely with the Bitwig team to integrate DAWproject support in Cubase, and we’re thrilled about the benefits this will bring to customers working across multiple DAWs. While automation and crossfades are not fully supported in this initial Cubase 14 release, we plan to expand these features in upcoming maintenance updates.

Project compatibility:
- Cubase 14 introduces two major changes affecting forward compatibility with older Cubase versions, meaning that not all previous versions will be able to open projects created in Cubase 14. However, the backward compatibility of Cubase 14 is not impacted—you can still open projects from previous versions in Cubase 14.
- With a complete redesign of event volume curve technology, Cubase 14 projects have limited forward compatibility in versions before Cubase 13.0.50. Event volume curves created in Cubase 14 can only be correctly reproduced in Cubase 13.0.50 or later. In earlier versions, these curves will reflect incorrect volume levels.

This applies to:
- Cubase 14 projects
- Tracks from Cubase 14 projects
- Cubase 14 track archives with event volume curves
- Older version event volume curves remain compatible in Cubase 14. For versions 13.0.50 and later, a converter is included to ensure correct reproduction of Cubase 14 event volumes. Additionally, in the Export Track Archive function (exporting selected tracks), there is a new compatibility option to support earlier versions.
- Cubase 14 also introduces a 64-bit project file format, enabling project files larger than 2 GB. This improvement addresses limitations encountered with audio extensions and certain third-party instruments that store data directly within project files. Projects saved in Cubase 14 will default to this 64-bit “RIF2” format, compatible only with Cubase and Nuendo versions 13.0.30 or newer. Projects saved in the older 32-bit format will remain in that format unless specific conditions are met, as detailed in the Help Center article.

End of VST 2 Compatibility Support:
- As previously announced, Cubase 14 marks the end of official compatibility support for VST 2 plug-ins. By default, the VST 2 plug-in scan is disabled in the VST Plug-in Manager, with only the VST 3 plug-in folder being scanned.
- VST 2 plug-ins can still be loaded (except on native Apple Silicon) if the VST 2 plug-in scanner is manually enabled in the VST Plug-in Manager. However, Steinberg will no longer provide support for any issues related to VST 2.


Cubase Pro 13
- The update introduces many fixes and improvements in several areas of the application. Instantly noticeable are the improvements to the user interface. We have carefully analyzed the user feedback after the release and made several refinements, mostly in the MixConsole and the Project window. Another major improvement is the change to the project file format which now allows file sizes of more than 2GB.


Cubase Pro 12
Cubase 12 features significant new features and workflow enhancements which make composing, recording, and mixing music even more creatively rewarding. From improved MIDI Remote integration and improved editing tools to enhanced audio-to-MIDI and new effects, Cubase 12 will bring your creative ideas to life better - and faster - than ever.


Cubase Pro 11
- Cubase returns with this major release that encompasses all three editions: Pro, Artist and Elements. Cubase 11 boasts a sheer endless number of new features and enhancements to its studio-grade audio and MIDI tools for composing, recording, editing and mixing.
- The Cubase 11 editions are available from resellers and through the Steinberg Online Shop. Various downloadable updates and upgrades, crossgrades, and education versions are exclusively available through the Steinberg Online Shop and the Steinberg website.
- Customers who have activated Cubase Pro 10.5, Cubase Artist 10.5 and Cubase Elements 10.5 or earlier versions since October 14, 2020, are eligible for a free, downloadable Grace Period update to the latest version, respectively.

New features:
- Advanced Audio Export: Save time with new export queues [Pro]
- Sampler Track 2: New creative features including slicing, LFOs and legato glide [Pro, Artist, Elements]
- Scale Assistant: Follow, quantize and play live to a set scale [Pro, Artist, Elements]
- Advanced Key Editor: Create perfect pitch bends and more [Pro, Artist, Elements]
- Global Tracks: Stay in sync more easily [Pro]
- Frequency 2: Amazingly precise dynamic EQ for better mixing [Pro]
- Squasher: Improve leads, tame bass and enhance reverb for EDM [Pro, Artist, Elements]
- Score Editor: Workflow improvements and beautiful new fonts [Pro]
- New Samples: Six fresh, exclusive sound and loop sets [Pro, Artist, Elements]
- SuperVision: Super-flexible, customizable metering [Pro, Artist]
- Imager: Multiband stereo placement for perfect panning [Pro, Artist]
- MultiTap Delay Surround Support: Delay in up to 5.1 surround sound [Pro]
- Windows 10 Variable DPI: More scaling settings [Pro, Artist, Elements]
- Cubase Artists/Elements Upgrades: More bang for fewer bucks [Pro, Artist, Elements]
- Multiple Side-Chain: Improved input architecture [Pro, Artist, Elements]
- Eucon Support: Latest Avid console compatibility [Pro]
- VST Connect SE 5: Resizable HiDPI-ready interface for remote recording solutions [Pro]
- Workflow and UI Improvements: Refinements to make your working life easier [Pro, Artist]
- Apple Metal Acceleration: Enjoy maximum Mac performance [Pro, Artist, Elements]
- SpectraLayers One: Remarkable visual editing and audio source separation [Pro, Artist]