STEINBERG CUBASE UPGRADE
STEINBERG CUBASE SOFTWARE

When you first launch Cubase 12 it takes a minute or so to rummage around the insides of your computer, checking licenses and plug-in locations.

STEINBERG CUBASE UPGRADE

Existing users of dongles who upgrade have a grace period to migrate across, which even Steinberg admits can be ‘challenging’ and has added the tempting carrot that now up to three computers can use the same license. All the same, Cubase 12 has introduced a website license ‘portal’ system and Activation Manager that eschews any dongles along with a Download Assistance app and a separate Library Manager app that guide you safely through downloading, installing, and authorising Cubase and its add-on VST instruments (VSTi) and plug-ins.

We’re a lot more comfortable with USB-based licenses now.

Getting a replacement dongle wasn’t easy. Steinberg wasn’t the only one, and dongles caused quite a stir for a while because everyone envisaged putting them through the washing machine, or accidentally feeding them to their dog, or being abducted by aliens with the dongle in your pocket… and your DAW wouldn’t boot up.

STEINBERG CUBASE SOFTWARE

Cubase was one of the first DAWs to introduce a USB dongle license, or eLicenser system, which required a physical USB key to be attached to your computer or the software didn’t work. I must touch on one important change in Cubase 12 that sets it apart from earlier versions and affects everyone. Instead, I’ll address why you might consider Cubase over the competition. Those long-time users will assess all these on merits relevant to their individual needs, and I’m going to leave those nitty-gritty comparisons for others. When it comes to upgrades, Cubase 12 is an important release that incorporates lots of new features, fixes a few niggles, and dumps a selection of old favourites. My point is that with such a lengthy and impressive pedigree, like many DAWs that have withstood the test of time, Cubase enjoys a large fanbase of rusted-on users who are well-familiar with the program, and they’re likely never going to switch to another DAW. SX1.0 in 2002 was only the beginning of the current generation of Cubase, and prior to that, it first appeared on Atari computers in 1989-yes, 33 years ago. Cubase has seen a lot more than 12 incarnations (ignoring the varying different versions with each release). Cubase 12 is a major release for Steinberg, and there is a great deal more history behind that 12 figure than first appears.

Steinberg cubase