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Cubasis vs Garageband
I have been using desktop Windows based DAWs for many years but recently decided I would like to use my iPad when I am away from home.
I bought Cubasis 3, (don't have version 2) and I really like the look and feel of it. It seems incredibly intuitive to me, being familiar with desktop DAWs. Unfortunately as we all know, there are numerous "issues" at the moment that I am sure Steinberg will get ironed out.
So, I thought whilst Steinberg do that, I would take a look at Garageband. I've got up and running quickly (although it's slightly different to what I am used to) and it seems very stable with some pretty amazing features (Drummer, Smart Strings for example), and built in sounds. The guitar amp sim is pretty decent too, which is important to me.
I am certainly not giving up on Cubasis 3, and I am really looking forward to using seriously, hopefully after the next maintenance update. I have found @LFS to be very helpful and responsive which also gives me confidence.
I want to get to the stage where I can make album ready tracks on an iPad, if that is possible. I don't have a Mac / Logic, so unfortunately that path to "finishing off" a Garageband project isn't open to me. Exporting stems to Studio One Pro on Windows would be good.
Anyway...my question is this - assuming that Cubasis 3's "issues" are sorted, what are the potential advantages of Cubasis over Garageband?
Comments
GarageBand is absolutely great IMO, especially for songwriting. The main drawback is that the mixer is a bit primitive, so it's not ideal for final mixes (but still definitely possible), so I would say you should definitely spend some time with it.
Once Cubasis 3 is fixed, it will offer far more in terms of mixing features: mix groups, AUX sends, much bigger and more precise faders, Mater Bus effects slots etc... so it will be a more refined app for mixing in, but for track creation GB is actually excellent.
The greatest advantage of GB is a smooth integration with Logic Pro X. So everytime I plan to make a complex project, firstly I prepare all tracks with virtual instruments within GB and send them into the Logic via iCloud.
But if I want to make some project on iPad only, I use Auria Pro. Just because I know Auria much better then Cubasis.
GarageBand is a fun app (iOS, iPadOS, macOS only). It’s Drums, Drummer, Smart Instruments, Beat Sequencer, Live Loops, etc are second to none.
Cubasis is an easy-to-use app.
If you are on Windows and have Cubase (or if you can manage to get the free Cubase LE through some hardware purchase), you could export Cubasis projects and continue your work in Cubase. You’ll instantly feel at home as they are very similar - no learning different apps or workarounds. That is the natural process and ecosystem and the ultimate purpose of using Cubasis as a scratch pad on-the-go:
https://new.steinberg.net/cubase/le (dongle-free!)
https://new.steinberg.net/cubase/compare-editions
If not, just use Cubasis.
https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/36491/thinking-about-moving-away-from-cubasis/p1
One of the cool things in Cubase is - we can color its entire interface to any color we want! Stealth, warm, vibrant, lively, flashy, crazy... Yes!
Did I read somewhere the audio was automatically normalised on export in GB?
Great point. My DAW is Studio One Pro, but I can totally see the benefit of getting a more basic version of Cubase. I don’t have any hardware that gives me the free version, as far as I can remember unfortunately. I don’t need a top of the range version as I have about a zillion third party plugins! That ability to export to desktop makes a lot of sense.
How well does the transfer from Cubasis to Cubase work? Is it seamless, easy and just “works”?
It is a very simple process
https://forum.audiob.us/discussion/comment/739087#Comment_739087
There is a new importer pending for Cubasis v3 soon
Thanks - I am tempted to go for Cubase Elements. Looking at the list of features, I think the lack of ARA 2 support would mean I can’t use Melodyne inside Elements (?) I’ve really got used to that in Studio One Pro. That aside, it seems to do everything I need.
Not aware of that.
How about Melodyne Studio stand alone?
@MobileMusic That would absolutely work and that's what I did for years, but it is just so quick and convenient using Melodyne in the DAW.
Never really used GarageBand before. So I need some newbie information please. In Cubasis I can record tracks, add effects and mix down and basically master it all inside Cubasis (I’m a Barkfilterist). Can I do the same thing and mix down to a single wav file that I can “open in” to AudioShare or various other places? That part confused me on my one try with GB years ago.
You can export as Wav from GB. For mastering, you could use FinalTouch app or others.
This is the comprehensive GB course from Paul I recommend (watch out for Udemy sales every month for $10-$15 for courses)
https://www.udemy.com/course/introducing-garageband-for-ipad
Also follow Pete Johns channel on YouTube for GB
I agree about Dan Baker.
How can you lower the latency in garageband? Having to try and move audio after recording to line up is very tedious. I cant find a way of changing it.
MID out/MIDI export comes to mind
Automations (GB has only volume automation)
MIDI Effects