What is the difference between cubase and sequel

The main arrange panel is devoid of toolboxes or right-click menu options, which makes arranging MIDI and audio recordings neat, intuitive and highly efficient. The tabs below reveal a simple mixer, more comprehensive mix settings for the selected channel, the Media Bay for choosing sounds, an audio or MIDI editor for the selected object, pads for triggering sections of an arrangement and general preferences. It not only manages to look elegant but also succeeds in distilling a range of complex functions into a digestible format for inexperienced users.

The fixed signal path includes compression, EQ and just two other effects per channel, plus two shared global effects. Instrument loops, by contrast, are short MIDI sequence patterns used to drive Sequel 's internal instrument engine, which appears to be some kind of sample-playback instrument. Sequel 's instrument engine is fully integrated with the application, and editable parameters appear directly in the Multi Zone pane, rather than in a separate editor window as would be the case with a plug-in instrument in Cubase , for example.

Although Sequel boasts a 'VST 3 audio engine', the program doesn't actually allow the use of third-party VST Instrument plug-ins, and seemingly not third-party effects either.

Certainly I was unable to load any VST 2 effects plug-ins; there are no third-party VST 3 plug-ins as yet, and I didn't have any of Steinberg's own installed on my machine. No mention of third-party effects plug-ins is made in the manual, and the person I emailed at Arbiter, Steinberg's UK distributor, told me he thought Sequel was limited to using its bundled effects.

You aren't limited to only using the supplied loops, however. Sampled loops can be imported into a Sequel Project by simply dragging and dropping them from your desktop. Once imported, they can be treated in exactly the same way as the factory loops. Mix automation is very straightforwardly implemented in the Arrange Zone. Automation can also be recorded by moving a GUI control for example, a track's pan control with the mouse pointer while recording.

In this way, automated fades, pans and other parameter tweaks can easily be produced. Audio and Instrument parts in the Arrange Zone are referred to as Events, in typical Steinberg fashion, and can be moved and resized by clicking and dragging.

The selected Event can be deleted by pressing Delete or Backspace. Events can also be split; the mouse pointer automatically turns into a cutting tool when hovering over the lower portion of an Event. You can choose whether or not to snap to grid when making these edits.

The Media Bay helps you organise and browse for loops to use in a Project. Events also feature two small buttons that are only visible when moused over. One is a mute button to non-destructively silence a part. The other is a repeat button. Clicking the repeat button and dragging over an empty area of track allows you to fill that area with copies of the original Event.

A mouse pointer 'tool tip' tells you how many copies will be added to fill the track up to the current mouse position. New audio and Instrument parts can be recorded directly into empty tracks, then edited and utilised in just the same way as preset loops.

The manual includes several very clear, step-by-step tutorials to guide new users through these possibly unfamiliar processes, and reference chapters explain the basics of setting up a computer for MIDI and audio work. New audio recordings are made in WAV format mono or stereo, 16 or bit at Sequel allows finished Projects to be exported in several different formats. An automated loop-based approach to composition was novel when Acid first shipped, but Acid -like features have since been integrated into a wide variety of software packages — from affordable entry-level offerings to high-end professional applications.

These packages all share similar user interfaces, where as much functionality as possible is presented in one window, with panes providing browser functionality for choosing and auditioning loops, tools for editing audio, and accessing effects and other mix controls. Unlike the Mac-only Garage Band and Windows-only Acid , Sequel is available for both platforms, and so potentially provides an alternative to anyone dissatisfied with either of its nearest competitors. Built-in support for ASIO and Core Audio-compatible hardware is a point in its favour, but lack of support for third-party plug-ins is disappointing.

Overall, Sequel is certainly a capable alternative, but not a radical improvement on any of its competitors. Sequel is an easy-to-use, loop-based composition tool with basic recording and sequencing facilities, which will be easy for novice users to find their way around.

It couldn't really be called innovative, but it's a more-than-competent variation on a very popular theme. Pre-plugged Although the internal workings of its effects and instrument features are presumably built on Steinberg's industry-standard VST technology, Sequel doesn't allow the use of third-party effects plug-ins. Distortion: Amp Simulator , Distortion.

Dynamics: Compressor , Gate , Maximiser. Pros Clear, easy-to-learn user interface. Good selection of effects. Extensive sound-loop library. Well-written user manual with good tutorials.

Cons No third-party VST plug-in support. Copy-protection system is confusing. Summary Sequel is an easy-to-use, loop-based composition tool with basic recording and sequencing facilities, which will be easy for novice users to find their way around.

Buy PDF version. Previous article Next article. You may login with either your assigned username or your e-mail address. The password field is case sensitive. Steinberg promises that you'll be making tracks within a few minutes even without any musical experience. Sure enough, dragging and dropping clips from the integrated MediaBay allows basic compositions to be created with ease.

The full installation includes a selection of over 5, loops and samples as standard, while registering the software online makes another available for free download. As you'd expect, there's also a good selection of effect plug-ins from basic compressors and EQs to a range of modulation effects, delays and reverbs. All the instruments and effects include a range of highly usable presets and a number of editable parameters.

Sequel allows instrument and effect parameters to be adjusted in the Track Inspector Page at the bottom of the screen, allowing settings to be edited quickly without opening plug-in windows over the top of the arrange window. Plug-in windows can still be opened too, of course.

Sequel offers a great feature set for new producers, but what about existing users? The updates included in version 3 may not seem revolutionary, but they're significant enough to make the update worthwhile. Numerous pre-configured Pattern Banks are also provided in the MediaBay, allowing quick access to a range of drum loops and sample setups.

The new Performance Mode is broadly similar to the excellent Arranger Track feature found in Cubase, allowing song arrangements to be constructed quickly from a series of smaller chunks. Define an intro, verses, chorus and other building blocks, then use a MIDI controller to trigger the elements.

Arrangements can be recorded as performances or simply edited on the fly to create live mixes. The new Step Envelopes feature is also a great addition, making it easy to modulate imported audio clips or loops using tempo-synced effects. The news that Sequel can now host third-party VST 3 plug-ins is just as important as the other major updates.