Newbie Questions (Cubase user answers appreciated :D)

[altimore]

Hi everyone

So I'm a complete newbie when it comes to the world of digital composition. I know a bit about music, know how to play the piano and have already tried composing some sheets on Finale Notepad. But after a while, I got pretty annoyed at the limits this style of composing presented for me, and I decided to do some research on how to make creating music easier. But I was sorta buried under (and slightly intimidated) by all the terms and concepts that I discovered I still had yet to learn in the world of digital composition.

Which is why I'm here.

So now I've decided to try out Cubase Essential 5 - I hear it's one of the better Music Sequencers out there. I'm also aiming to get an affordable MIDI Keyboard/Synth. I've checked out what's out there - Roland, Korg, Yamaha, M-Audio - and I think I want to go for M-Audio. I'm not aiming to record any instruments other than the ones from within Cubase, and the ones my keyboard will be able to generate. I'm going to be focusing more on creating melodies and drum beats first before moving on to better quality recordings.

So with all that said, here are some questions that have been bothering me for a while.

1st - About Cubase. So I've seen different versions of Cubase being sold - 5, 6, Essential, etc. But I've been wondering if those presented on Steinberg are being sold just as updates to the software, or as stand-alone packages. If I do get Cubase Essential 5, will that just be an update that I'll need to buy additional software for, or can it run just by itself?

2nd - I presented my goals up there. What else would I need other than a good computer, a music sequencer and a synth? I don't plan on trying my hand at professional recording just yet, but I do want to be able to make decent enough tracks. XD

3rd - Any general tips or good learning sites/books you guys could suggest for me to look up for help on composing using Cubase/composing in general from home?

Thanks everyone )

 

[ido1957]

- You need to buy the "FULL VERSION" - ask before you buy.
- nothing
- play around and when you have an issue/question = Cubase forum

 

[Seidy]

2nd - I presented my goals up there. What else would I need other than a good computer, a music sequencer and a synth? I don't plan on trying my hand at professional recording just yet, but I do want to be able to make decent enough tracks.

good set of monitor speakers won't hurt

 

[Chili]

So with all that said, here are some questions that have been bothering me for a while.

1st - About Cubase. So I've seen different versions of Cubase being sold - 5, 6, Essential, etc. But I've been wondering if those presented on Steinberg are being sold just as updates to the software, or as stand-alone packages. If I do get Cubase Essential 5, will that just be an update that I'll need to buy additional software for, or can it run just by itself?

From your description, it sounds like Cubase Essential would serve you well. If you have an older version of Cubase, you can update to CE5 for not a lot of money. If you don't, then you'll have to buy the Full Version, but that's not a lot of money, either. Cubase 6 is the latest version that just came out this week. I didn't see that there was a Cubase Essential 6, but perhaps it lays in future plans.

2nd - I presented my goals up there. What else would I need other than a good computer, a music sequencer and a synth? I don't plan on trying my hand at professional recording just yet, but I do want to be able to make decent enough tracks. XD

Yup, as mentioned, Monitors and a good room to mix in. This would include sound treatment. There are plenty of the threads on this subject in the Studio Build section of this site. You need to accurately hear your mixes to know when they sound right.

3rd - Any general tips or good learning sites/books you guys could suggest for me to look up for help on composing using Cubase/composing in general from home?

The Newbies section here is good. If you have specific questions, do a search or browse titles. Most everything you want to know has been discussed already. The trick is to find the one thread that best pertains to your situation.

I always recommend Home Recording for Musicians for Dummies by Jeff Strong. It covers a lot of ground and can get your level of knowledge up to a point where you know what you need and/or lacking and can make sound purchase decisions. Wish I read this book when I first started... could have saved me a lot of money.

Welcome ot the site.

 

[grimtraveller]

Cubase 5 essentials is just a cut down version of Cubase 5 so it basically will serve all your needs. You'll need some sort of interface to get your sounds via the computer to the recording software.
I'm unclear as to what you mean by "digital composition", forgive my ignorance. Do you mean literally just composing or creating songs ?
This kind of influences what I would have answered for your questions of recommendations; if 'recording' is what you meant, then in addition to the book Chili mentions, I'd recommend "Guerilla home recording" by Karl Coryat, "The mixing engineer's handbook" by Bobby Owsinski (both second editions) and "Emergency ! First aid for home recording" by Paul White. But you know, for all our flaws and battles, you're actually on a really excellent site for tips, advice and information. It's like a huge living book.

 

[dastrick]

If you're going to be using a midi keyboard and virtual instruments, then you won't *need* an interface. But, you will need a way to get the midi data into the computer which would be some sort of MIDI to USB device. There are plenty of options out there for that. Although now that I think about it, most audio interfaces have midi so you might as well just go ahead and get one that has a few line inputs and preamps, also.

And I use Cubase Essential 4. It's a full version. Make sure you get the full version of Cubase Essential 5 and you shouldn't reach it's limitations for a long time (if ever). I did see Cubase Artist 6 on the Steinberg website. That may be worth looking into.


And Welcome.