Cubasis just got better

[jimknopf]

As I already said, Cubasis on my iPad air has become a complete replacement for the inbuilt sequencer for any fast Kronos recording task (idea sketching etc.). Now version 1.8.3 with a lot of small, but relevant improvements has appeared for download in the Apple appstore.

The internal Kronos sequencer is great for playback purposes of midi and audio (having all that onboard for live purposes). But Cubasis is MUCH better for recording, by the way even much better than the M3 sequencer.

With an Apple camera connection kit, the iPad seamlessly integrates into the Kronos for both mjidi and audio. It's never been more comfortable to record from the Kronos than with Cubasis 1.8.3 from my view. And no, I have no Steinberg contract: i'm just a very happy user!

[Derek Cook]

Something I'll have to try, as I have Cubasis and Cubase 7.5

[jimknopf]

Same here

Being able to import any Cubasis project right into Cubase 7.5 works very smooth. The fine thing about Cubasis is that an ipad fits right on my Kronos 73, and starting Cubasis Kronos-ready is a matter of a few seconds. That's just fine for recording ideas on the spot, and having Kronos midi and audio material ready for Cubase 7.5 import. All the editing and arranging can then be done there.

[Hugo]

Same here

Being able to import any Cubasis project right into Cubase 7.5 works very smooth. The fine thing about Cubasis is that an ipad fits right on my Kronos 73, and starting Cubasis Kronos-ready is a matter of a few seconds. That's just fine for recording ideas on the spot, and having Kronos midi and audio material ready for Cubase 7.5 import. All the editing and arranging can then be done there.

Where on the Kronos do you place it?

[crazylounyc]

How about a video demonstration if possible?

[SanderXpander]

How do you handle the output limitation during recording? Meaning the fact that all audio played back through the K is also sent to the main/recording connection?
EDIT:
Also, what sparked your post? Can you be more specific about some things that changed and made things even better for working this way?

[jimknopf]

@Hugo: I place it either on the screen (using the Value slieder as stopper) or on the right side of my Kronos 73, where I have a mousepad with a lower stopper.

@SanderXpander

I work in simplistic Program mode (don't think Combi or Seq Mode will work with this setup):
- one pair of midi and audio to record one Kronos timbre at a time
- then I mute the recorded midi and work with the audio for recording further tracks
- this way it is also possible to add internal Cubasis instrument tracks to the song idea

The whole mix goes through the Kronos Outs to my Focusrite soundcard as always. It is all very simple, but very straightforward and fast for idea sketching on the fly (don't have to start a notebook and Cubase including Kontakt and/or Toontrack loading times), and then later working with the material in Cubase 7.5.


The 1.8.3 update is a fix of lots of problems still present in 1.8.2, which were very noticeable in heavy use. For example, Cubasis had midi hangers and dropouts with some Midi controllers, and the folder structure (folders open by default) made it hard to switch among instrument and midi folders (constant scrolling needed). Audiobus problems were fixed as well, working with the latest Audiobus enhancements now. 1.8.3 is the first release which seems to work just fine for what I want to use it.

Here's the list of fixes:
CB-1179 MediaBay folders remember their state.
CB-1990 Loading times of projects (subsequent loads) and undo/redo times have been greatly improved.
CB-1979 Inserting Cubasis as input and output in Audiobus now works as expected again.
CB-1892 Fixes a problem where triggering Cubasis with specific hardware controllers could lead to hanging and missing notes.
CB-1934 Fixes an issue where the use of sustain led to hanging notes.
CB-1950 Deleted audio events will now be restored correctly when performing Undo or project renaming tasks.
CB-1919 Solves a critical issue where performing Undo on an edited audio file could result in data loss.
CB-1938 Fixes a problem where trimmed audio events could not be restored to their original state.
CB-1834 Cycle playback in audio editor now works as expected.
CB-1957 Changing the locator position in the audio editor no longer results in start of playback.
CB-1833 Fixes a rare issue where the playback in the audio editor could be started twice simultaneously.
CB-1949 Playhead located in audio editor remains in its current position once playback has been stopped.
CB-1996 Fixes a graphical issue that appeared at maximum magnification in the audio editor.
CB-1991 The audio editor’s rewind button no longer triggers a playhead preview sound.
CB-2015 Fixes a problem where selecting no instrument on an audio track renders Cubasis unreliable.
CB-1978 Dropping files from the MediaBay onto frozen tracks is no longer possible.
CB-1963 Fixes a problem where file renaming with special characters (such as emoticons) could lead to missing audio files.
CB-1995 Undo steps remain available once a project has been renamed.
CB-2010 Fixes a rare problem where no audio event is created after audio has been recorded.
CB-2007 Glueing MIDI parts no longer restores hidden events.
CB-1997 Switching from bars to seconds and performing zoom and scroll gestures no longer leads to fade out of the audio editor ruler labels.
CB-1939 Several In-App help iOS 8 improvements.
CB-1878 Scrolling the In-App help content on devices with iOS 8 now works as expected.
CB-1897 Fixes an intermittent issue on devices with iOS 8 where the home button of the In-App help became non-functional.
CB-1940 Fixes a rare problem where the Audiobus panel remained empty (app icons and controls were missing).
CB-2073 AudioCopy rendered Cubasis unreliable.
CB-2053 Use of Undo/redo lead in some cases to loss of audio file data.
CB-2072 A problem with the positioning of automation events has been solved.
CB-2069 Help typo correction.

[Sharp]

Looks like nice sequencer for the iPad.
I'd love to have something like that inside the KRONOS.

Regards
Sharp.

[SanderXpander]

So you still use an interface with it? I was hoping this would be a more mobile solution.

[jimknopf]

Just not to be misunderstood: I use the interface, because it's there and connects to my main mixer and active speakers (other keyboards go through it as well), just like delivering all the inputs for Cubase in my music notebook. It would make no sense to use another setup while recording directly into Cubasis. As it is, I can switch between both setups instantly, without touching any other cable than the camera connection kit for the iPad.

If I wanted I could of course record with a pair of headphoes directly at the Kronos, or use a pair of active speakers with it. What exactly do you mean by 'more mobile'?

[SanderXpander]

Well my whole idea of using an iPad based solution would be cause it's compact and easy to bring. If I'm already at my home studio why wouldn't I use my main DAW?

[jimknopf]

SanderXpander, I still don't understand what you are missing: the mobile solution does work, just with a Kronos.

Apart from that, the iPad with Cubasis has become kind of an allround music companion for me meanwhile, ahead of anything else:

- I take it to the garden in summer, and am ready to record with just a Microkorg XL+ as keyboard controller. I can use lots of internal instruments in Cubasis (or with Audiobus, all with several hours accu time). I even used this combination on longer train journeys just for fun.
- I take it with the Kronos to other places/vacation and need nothing else to record
- I use it in the home studio as well, despite having Cubase 7.5 available on my music notebook there.

The reason for the latter is simple: Music is not my main profession, and the first thing I do when I have some time for music available (sometimes not more than half an hour), is starting my Kronos and beginning to play. Just the Kronos, nothing else (through headphones or speakers).

I only start my notebook/software, and my other hardware synths (including the analog synths which need time for warming up oscillators), when I already have a basic sketch or a project, with enough time to work on it. I do not have all my synths and the music notebook running nonstop all the time: that wouldn't make much sense, just wasting energy.

So the iPad comes in VERY handy: just plugging it in, in direct reach right right before me on the Kronos, and beginning to record all ideas or song basics right away, with fast haptic(!) usability: that's also more direct than hopping back and forth between synth and mouse/keyboard.

It's just the most direct and straightforward way to create basic things for me, just like firing up the whole home studio is fine for completing and mixing projects: different tools for different jobs.

[SanderXpander]

Right, well first off I don't mean to criticize the way you work, sorry if it came off that way. I have a bunch of music related iPad apps but not Cubasis and I was honestly wondering about the workflow. Apps I use WITH my Kronos so far are a few synths, Lemur and Set List Maker. So I have nothing that I actually record with. I was wondering if Cubasis would be a nice mobile recording solution. I almost always have my iPad with me, I don't usually bring an interface (other than the Kronos) unless I specifically need to use it for my laptop. Being aware of the tricky audio recording options with the USB routing, I was just wondering how you got around that and why you like Cubasis so much.

For me personally, if I already have my Kronos in my work room/studio, it makes no sense to use an iPad with an interface. I prefer working with a fully loaded DAW. I thought the iPad would be a cool on-the-road solution that I'd always have with me but if I'd have to use an interface, it loses its attraction to me.

[jimknopf]

Just to be sure: it became clear from my comment that you do NOT need an additional interface?

Don't worry, I didn't feel critisized for the way I work.
I just think it's good to name reasons for different workflows towards others who are thinking about their own.

[SanderXpander]

Right, I misunderstood, I thought you used your interface with the iPad, but you use it basically as a mixer/patchbay to your speakers? So the recording of one timbre at a time goes just through the USB connection to the iPad?