Cubase 13 Release Date & New Features: What You Need To Know

Here’s everything you need to know about Cubase 13, including all the latest leaks, its rumored release date, and what you can expect with respect to updates and new features..

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Now the dust has settled on Cubase 13’s release. It literally came out of nowhere – one minute it was rumor, the next it was here. We’ve kept all the pre-release rumors for Cubase 13 below (as this is an updated post).

As expected, Cubase 13 is a pretty hefty update. There’s lot of new features and capabilities to get your teeth stuck into. And in a move that is classy AF, Steinberg has confirmed that anyone who has activated any Cubase version since August 23, 2023 will get Cubase 13 for free – details on that here.

Cubase 13 comes ram-packed with new features and capabilities, opening up plenty of new possibilities for professional and bedroom producers alike. Let’s now do a deep-dive on what’s new inside Cubase 13.

As promised, you’ll find all the pre-release Cubase 13 below (which we’ve left in for posterity – plenty of them turned out to be true).

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If you’re in the music production game, you’ve probably heard the buzz about Cubase 13. Granted, we’re still very much in the rumor phase at the moment. But it is still interesting to speculate about what could be just around the corner.

Rumors about Cubase 13’s impending launch and release have been circulating for a couple of months now. And, like most people, we’re kind of pumped about a brand new version despite the fact Cubase 12 is still a very impressive piece of kit.

But what’s fact, and what’s fiction? As always, that’s the tricky part. But we’re going to attempt to build a largely plausible picture of what Cubase 13 could be like based, of course, on all the latest leaks and rumors.

In this definitive guide, I’m going to break down everything we know so far about Cubase 13, from its rumored AI-driven features to its new interface.

Let’s dive in.

AI-Driven Features: The Future of Music Production?

One of the most talked-about aspects of Cubase 13 is its rumored AI-driven features. While details are scant, the integration of AI could revolutionize how we approach music production.

Think about mastering tracks: services like LANDR already use AI to automate the mastering process. If Cubase 13 integrates similar technology, it could save producers hours of manual work.

Regardless of your opinion on AI’s role in music production and creation, the djinn is now very much out of the bottle. AI is here, and it is not going anywhere. The idea of it having a larger role in Cubase 13 makes a lot of sense. 

You can file this particular rumor under: very likely. 

Intuitive Automation Tools: A Game-Changer?

Another rumor making the rounds is the inclusion of intuitive automation tools. Automation is nothing new in DAWs, but the keyword here is “intuitive.”

For example, Ableton Live has long been praised for its user-friendly automation features. If Cubase 13 can deliver on this front, it could make complex tasks like automating filter sweeps or volume changes a breeze.

How will this kind of update improve production speed in Cubase 13? I see a variety of ways in which more advanced automation tools could help in a very meaningful manner.

Here’s just a few potential ways:

• Automating Filter Sweeps: In electronic music, filter sweeps are a staple for creating tension and release. Typically, you’d have to manually draw automation curves to control the filter cutoff, which can be time-consuming and imprecise. If Cubase 13’s automation is as intuitive as rumored, you might be able to execute these sweeps with simple drag-and-drop actions or even real-time recording of knob movements.
• Volume Changes in Live Performances: Let’s say you’re performing live and you want to gradually increase the volume of a backing track while decreasing the volume of an instrument. Normally, you’d have to meticulously program these changes beforehand or have a sound engineer do it in real-time. With intuitive automation, Cubase 13 could allow you to easily set up these volume changes on the fly, perhaps through a touch-sensitive interface or even voice commands.
• Sidechain Compression Made Easy: Sidechain compression is a technique often used to make room for the kick drum by reducing the volume of other instruments every time the kick hits. In many DAWs, setting this up can be a multi-step process that involves routing audio from one track to another. If Cubase 13 simplifies this with intuitive automation, you could set up sidechain compression with just a few clicks, making your mixes cleaner and more professional with minimal effort.
• Real-Time Automation Recording: Some DAWs like Ableton Live allow you to record automation in real-time, capturing every knob twist and fader move as you go. If Cubase 13 incorporates this level of intuitive automation, it could make for a much more dynamic and expressive creative process. Imagine being able to manipulate multiple parameters while recording, and having all those changes captured automatically.

Enhanced Integration with Emerging Technologies

The phrase “enhanced integration with emerging technologies” might sound vague, but it holds a world of possibilities for Cubase 13. Let’s unpack what this could mean in practical terms.

Firstly, consider the realm of virtual reality. VR has been making waves in various industries, and its application in music production is just around the corner.

Imagine donning a VR headset to step inside your Cubase project, manipulating tracks and effects with hand gestures in a 3D space.

This could offer an entirely new way to interact with your DAW, making the production process more intuitive and immersive.

Secondly, let’s talk about the Internet of Things (IoT). With more devices becoming “smart,” the potential for integrating Cubase with IoT is intriguing. You could, for example, sync Cubase with smart lighting systems to create a dynamic studio environment that changes based on your project’s tempo or mood.

But perhaps the most immediate impact could be in the realm of live performances. Voice and gesture controls are already a reality in other tech sectors, so it’s not a stretch to imagine these features in Cubase 13.

Picture this: you’re on stage, and instead of fumbling with a mouse or MIDI controller to trigger a track or effect, you simply use a voice command or a hand gesture.

This level of control could make live performances smoother and more dynamic, allowing artists to focus more on the performance and less on the technical aspects.

New Steinberg Hub: More Than Just a Welcome Screen?

The new Steinberg Hub in Cubase 13 is rumored to be more than just a welcome screen. How so? Read on…

Imagine this: you’re stuck on a mixing issue and need quick advice. Instead of toggling between Cubase and your web browser to scour forums, you could access a built-in forum right within the Steinberg Hub.

You’d be able to post your question, get answers from the community, and apply the solutions—all without ever leaving Cubase.

But it doesn’t stop there. The rumored VST Transit functionality could make collaboration seamless.

Let’s say you’re working on a project with a friend who lives in another city.

Instead of sending project files back and forth via email or cloud storage, you could both access and edit the project in real-time through the Steinberg Hub.

It’s akin to Google Docs but for music production, allowing multiple users to work on the same project simultaneously.

In essence, the new Steinberg Hub could transform Cubase 13 into a more social and collaborative platform, breaking down barriers that often make music production a solitary endeavor.

If true, this new integrated environment where learning, collaboration, and production happen in a unified space, could well be one of Cubase 13’s best new features.

UI Overhaul: Fresh Look, Better Workflow?

The user interface is often the unsung hero of any software, and Cubase 13 is rumored to be giving its UI the attention it deserves.

With a new font and mixer feeder, these changes may seem cosmetic, but they can have a profound impact on your workflow.

A well-designed interface isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about how efficiently you can navigate and perform tasks within the software.

Take FL Studio’s recent updates as an example. They revamped their UI to be more intuitive, making it easier for users to find the tools they need.

This has led to a smoother workflow, enabling producers to focus more on the creative process and less on navigating the software.

The result? More time and mental energy to invest in making great music.

If Cubase 13 follows suit, the new UI could make tasks like mixing, mastering, and editing more streamlined. Imagine a mixer feeder that allows you to easily route audio signals or apply effects with a simple drag-and-drop action.

Or a font that’s easier on the eyes, reducing fatigue during those long mixing sessions.

These are not just minor upgrades, either. Compounded together with its rumored new collaborative tools, these updates will completely change the way we use Cubase.

New Inspector UI and Editor

The Inspector UI and the new editor for importing MIDI information tracks are other areas where Cubase 13 is rumored to be making significant strides.

The Inspector is essentially the control panel for your tracks, where you can adjust settings like volume, panning, and effects.

A revamped Inspector UI could mean quicker and more intuitive control over these elements, allowing you to make adjustments without digging through multiple menus or tabs.

Now, let’s talk about the new editor for importing MIDI information. MIDI is the backbone of most digital music production, used for everything from programming drum patterns to composing orchestral scores.

The ability to easily import MIDI information tracks could be a game-changer.

For instance, if you’re scoring to picture, you could import MIDI data that syncs your music to specific scenes or actions.

Or if you’re collaborating with another producer, you could easily import their MIDI data into your project for further editing and refinement.

In practical terms, these updates could make it easier to manage your tracks and import data, streamlining the entire music creation process.

New Audio Tools: Box Comp, Black Bulb, and Allion Sonic Iconica Sketch

Cubase 13 is rumored to be upping the ante with a suite of new audio tools that could make a significant impact on your productions:

• Box Comp: This new vocal compressor could be a game-changer for vocal processing. Compressors are essential for achieving professional-sounding vocals, and a specialized tool like Box Comp could offer features tailored specifically for voice, such as adaptive EQ or de-essing.
• Black Bulb: A new vocoder plugin named “Black Bulb” is also on the horizon. Vocoder plugins are crucial for achieving that robotic, synthesized vocal sound popular in genres like EDM and hip-hop. If Black Bulb brings something new to the table, like advanced modulation options or improved clarity, it could become a go-to tool for many producers.
• Allion Sonic Iconica Sketch: This new compressor is rumored to offer unique features or improved performance. Compressors are versatile tools used in everything from leveling out vocals to adding punch to drums. If Allion Sonic Iconica Sketch introduces innovative features like multi-band compression or dynamic EQ, it could find a place in many producers’ toolkits.

For context, consider Logic Pro’s recent update, which included a new spatial audio feature.

This has been a hit among users, adding a whole new dimension to audio production.

Similarly, if Cubase 13’s new audio tools deliver on their promise, they could offer unique features or improved performance that sets them apart in a crowded market.

Bottom Line

Cubase 13 is shaping up to be a significant update, packed with features that could change the way we produce music. While these are still rumors, they point to a promising future for Cubase users.

Whether you’re a seasoned producer or a newbie, keeping an eye on Cubase 13’s development could be well worth your time.

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to the release date as we’ll be updating this post as soon as any new information becomes available.