Cubasis 3.7 & Iconica Sketch for iPhone, iPad and Every AU-compatible DAW Are Here!

bluegroove

@LFS just wanted to say thanks for making this auv3. As someone who doesn't use Cubasis, it's so nice to still be able to enjoy this fantastic plugin. Sounds truly wonderful!

LFS

@bluegroove said:
@LFS just wanted to say thanks for making this auv3. As someone who doesn't use Cubasis, it's so nice to still be able to enjoy this fantastic plugin. Sounds truly wonderful!

Hi @bluegroove

That was the reason releasing "Iconica Sketch for iPhone/iPad" as a seperate app supporting AUv3. Glad to read that you seem to enjoy the instrument with your mobile DAW of choice!

Thanks
Lars

LFS

@wim said:

@Telstar5 said:

@LFS said:

@Telstar5 said:
@Goldiblockz :It seems we get a more deluxe version if we use it inside of Cubasis vs stand alone..

Hi @Telstar5

Not the case, it simple integrates slightly better, but also works fully fine to use the AUv3 version with Cubasis. No must to install the Cubasis plug-in version. The app is designed to work great with every AU-compatible DAW. And since Cubasis fully supports AU, the AUv3 plug-in just works fine.

Don't believe my words, try it yourself to find out!

Best,
Lars

@LFS Of COURSE I believe your words, Lars.. Whonwould know if not you? So the sound of the stand alone and the Cubasis version is the same ? Good to know and thanks for clearing up.. And thanks for your presence on here . Great job !

Humm ... Perhaps that is what is meant, but I don't actually see that said. "Works fully fine" isn't necessarily the same as "sounds exactly the same".

Hi @wim

There should be no sound differences between the Iconica Sketch AUv3 and Cubasis plug-in version.

Best,
Lars

wim

@LFS said:

@wim said:

@Telstar5 said:

@LFS said:

@Telstar5 said:
@Goldiblockz :It seems we get a more deluxe version if we use it inside of Cubasis vs stand alone..

Hi @Telstar5

Not the case, it simple integrates slightly better, but also works fully fine to use the AUv3 version with Cubasis. No must to install the Cubasis plug-in version. The app is designed to work great with every AU-compatible DAW. And since Cubasis fully supports AU, the AUv3 plug-in just works fine.

Don't believe my words, try it yourself to find out!

Best,
Lars

@LFS Of COURSE I believe your words, Lars.. Whonwould know if not you? So the sound of the stand alone and the Cubasis version is the same ? Good to know and thanks for clearing up.. And thanks for your presence on here . Great job !

Humm ... Perhaps that is what is meant, but I don't actually see that said. "Works fully fine" isn't necessarily the same as "sounds exactly the same".

Hi @wim

There should be no sound differences between the Iconica Sketch AUv3 and Cubasis plug-in version.

Best,
Lars

Thanks for that clarification.😎

LFS

@Ailerom said:
Had to download the content twice. once for the app and then again when I used the Cubasis store version. Is that right or have I missed something?

Hi @Ailerom

That's correct. When using the Cubasis plug-in version, the content has to be downloaded separately for it. Using the Cubasis plug-in version is optional, you can also work with the AUv3 version of the instrument.

Best,
Lars

bluegroove

@LFS said:

@bluegroove said:
@LFS just wanted to say thanks for making this auv3. As someone who doesn't use Cubasis, it's so nice to still be able to enjoy this fantastic plugin. Sounds truly wonderful!

Hi @bluegroove

That was the reason releasing "Iconica Sketch for iPhone/iPad" as a seperate app supporting AUv3. Glad to read that you seem to enjoy the instrument with your mobile DAW of choice!

Thanks
Lars

So happy you made that choice! The only thing I wish it had was more controlled vibrato (and the ability to assign to aftertouch), but maybe in a future version?

klangsulfat

Since I never updated from Cubasis 2 to 3: Is arranging in Cubasis still done via copy/paste or is it in the meantime possible to repeat parts with dragging/looping?

ShadeCR

yes, It is possible to drag to create a loop since 3.6

Goldiblockz

@LFS I'm satisfied with your feature implementation after knowing they are recorded with the features in place, even if you can't toggle them. Thanks for the heads up on just stacking the keyswitch triggers
I appreciate you taking the time to get correct answers instead of giving unsure answers in the face of pressure.

I'll be keeping Sketch and buying Cubasis 3 tonight as a show of thanks. Great job.

JanKun

@LFS congratulations on the great update. Considering purchasing Iconica Sketch for quick sketching inside Logic for iPad before committing to more detailed and realistic orchestrations with Staffpad.
My question is that given the small size of the app I suppose you had to cut down on the number of samples for each articulations which is critical for my decision to purchase or not. All the demos left me a bit skeptical regarding the low velocities. all the YouTubers went full bell and whistle with those huge epic velocity swells which sounded great, as expected from Orchestral Tools (I own one of their Berlin library inside Staffpad) . But this only a fraction of orchestration work. None of the demos showed the level of detail at lower velocities, hence my question. Can you confirm the number of sample layers per note and per articulation. Did you reduce the number of samples velocity and use volume automation and low pass filter to mimic the lowest velocity to reduce the size of the app? Or did you sample multiple velocities per articulation but sampled every minor third. I am sorry for the very precise question.

bleep

This is already answered, see bottom of previous page.

yellow_eyez

@bleep said:
This is already answered, see bottom of previous page.

Lmao

Man I love Cubasis! Steinberg crushed it! Absolutely crushed it!

JanKun

@bleep said:
This is already answered, see bottom of previous page.

It only partially answered my question. Is there a resource somewhere that explains exactly how this version was built compared to the full thing at 190 gb
how many samples used for each note and each articulation and how the sample engine treats the sample to compensate the reduction of number of samples. File compression is a thing but they also had to cut down the actual number of samples to build this version. I am dumb, Couldn't find anything about this on Steinberg website, @LFS ?

For exemple the Orchestral Tools Berlin Strings section only inside Staffpad weight 2.7 gb from memory. You get at least 5 sampled velocities velocities per note and per articulation for each instrument. (without counting potential round robin and sampling wizardry depending on each articulation). Sorry for insisting, but that's a major point for realism and none of the videos I checked went into this kind of details.

I got all I need for realistic orchestration with Staffpad already but if this app could save me some time and effort on some of my project without sacrificing on realism I'd be very happy to give Steinberg my money for this convenience.

zqekdnxebq

I have Staffpad with most of the libraries as well as Dorico with Iconica Sketch on my iPad. Iconica gives you a rough idea of what can be, Staffpad hammers your vision home.

To be fair Iconica is targeted to both iPhones and iPads with varying degrees of available storage while Staffpad is iPad only and can take close to 50gb if you load up the libraries.

Can’t tell you how many times I wanted to be able to access the Staffpad sounds on my iPhone. This new iconica library gets me part of the way there.

JanKun

@zqekdnxebq said:
I have Staffpad with most of the libraries as well as Dorico with Iconica Sketch on my iPad. Iconica gives you a rough idea of what can be, Staffpad hammers your vision home.

To be fair Iconica is targeted to both iPhones and iPads with varying degrees of available storage while Staffpad is iPad only and can take close to 50gb if you load up the libraries.

Can’t tell you how many times I wanted to be able to access the Staffpad sounds on my iPhone. This new iconica library gets me part of the way there.

I see. Glad to meet another Staffpad user, I own most of the libraries too ! Accessibility on the phone while a great achievement is not what I am after. From your comment I understand that I shouldn't be hoping for too much on the realism side, which I should have expected at this size.
Might get it though, not for pure orchestral work but it might come handy to add density layers in a song context. This Cubasis update is great and I am happy for all regular Cubasis users, but still not enough for me to consider going back to Cubasis 3 as my main DAW. limited options for audio routing is a dealbreaker for me (finger crossed for the Cubasis 4 upgrade in the future).
But Steinberg effort to try to catch up with Logic is definitely worth supporting !
Thanks for your comment! It helped me temper my expectation so I wont feel disappointed if I get the app.

yellow_eyez

Lmao Steinberg crushed Logic dude
It’s over

Gravitas

Has anyone tried loading up more than 15 instances of Iconica Sketch?

LFS

@JanKun said:
@LFS congratulations on the great update. Considering purchasing Iconica Sketch for quick sketching inside Logic for iPad before committing to more detailed and realistic orchestrations with Staffpad.
My question is that given the small size of the app I suppose you had to cut down on the number of samples for each articulations which is critical for my decision to purchase or not. All the demos left me a bit skeptical regarding the low velocities. all the YouTubers went full bell and whistle with those huge epic velocity swells which sounded great, as expected from Orchestral Tools (I own one of their Berlin library inside Staffpad) . But this only a fraction of orchestration work. None of the demos showed the level of detail at lower velocities, hence my question. Can you confirm the number of sample layers per note and per articulation. Did you reduce the number of samples velocity and use volume automation and low pass filter to mimic the lowest velocity to reduce the size of the app? Or did you sample multiple velocities per articulation but sampled every minor third. I am sorry for the very precise question.

Hi @JanKun

@LFS congratulations on the great update.

Thanks!

Here comes the feedback from our sound designers:

For sure, the number of samples has been cut down drastically, and you named the parameters already. Reduce velocities and chromatic mapping.

For most articulations, there are 2 velocity layers left, with velocity crossfading. The lowest available velocity depends on the most musical-sounding option from the full library, but always with respect to the whole dynamic range, so that a fade between dynamics will not become a huge jump.

For "more important" articulations, there are (depending on the instrument) even 3 dynamics available, making these sound more natural (e.g., Sustain, Legato, or Sustain Vibrato).

Chromatically, there is no consistent rule for how this has been reduced. However, depending on the instrument and range, you will mostly find 3 semitones represented by one sample.

Also, the number of Round Robins has been reduced to 3, but compared to other libraries, this is still a high amount for a full orchestra within 2GB.

To name a number, Iconica Sketch includes 13,496 samples.

Best,
Lars

JanKun

@LFS said:

@JanKun said:
@LFS congratulations on the great update. Considering purchasing Iconica Sketch for quick sketching inside Logic for iPad before committing to more detailed and realistic orchestrations with Staffpad.
My question is that given the small size of the app I suppose you had to cut down on the number of samples for each articulations which is critical for my decision to purchase or not. All the demos left me a bit skeptical regarding the low velocities. all the YouTubers went full bell and whistle with those huge epic velocity swells which sounded great, as expected from Orchestral Tools (I own one of their Berlin library inside Staffpad) . But this only a fraction of orchestration work. None of the demos showed the level of detail at lower velocities, hence my question. Can you confirm the number of sample layers per note and per articulation. Did you reduce the number of samples velocity and use volume automation and low pass filter to mimic the lowest velocity to reduce the size of the app? Or did you sample multiple velocities per articulation but sampled every minor third. I am sorry for the very precise question.

Hi @JanKun

@LFS congratulations on the great update.

Thanks!

Here comes the feedback from our sound designers:

For sure, the number of samples has been cut down drastically, and you named the parameters already. Reduce velocities and chromatic mapping.

For most articulations, there are 2 velocity layers left, with velocity crossfading. The lowest available velocity depends on the most musical-sounding option from the full library, but always with respect to the whole dynamic range, so that a fade between dynamics will not become a huge jump.

For "more important" articulations, there are (depending on the instrument) even 3 dynamics available, making these sound more natural (e.g., Sustain, Legato, or Sustain Vibrato).

Chromatically, there is no consistent rule for how this has been reduced. However, depending on the instrument and range, you will mostly find 3 semitones represented by one sample.

Also, the number of Round Robins has been reduced to 3, but compared to other libraries, this is still a high amount for a full orchestra within 2GB.

To name a number, Iconica Sketch includes 13,496 samples.

Best,
Lars

Thank you so much for the detailed answer, Lars. Just for the fact that you took the time to ask the sound designer team, answer in a timely manner I will definitely get Iconica sketch. It will find its use among my already existing collection of orchestral libraries! Hope you'll keep developing this baby and add extra articulations!
Thanks again!
JanKun

drconfusion

@LFS said:

@JanKun said:
@LFS congratulations on the great update. Considering purchasing Iconica Sketch for quick sketching inside Logic for iPad before committing to more detailed and realistic orchestrations with Staffpad.
My question is that given the small size of the app I suppose you had to cut down on the number of samples for each articulations which is critical for my decision to purchase or not. All the demos left me a bit skeptical regarding the low velocities. all the YouTubers went full bell and whistle with those huge epic velocity swells which sounded great, as expected from Orchestral Tools (I own one of their Berlin library inside Staffpad) . But this only a fraction of orchestration work. None of the demos showed the level of detail at lower velocities, hence my question. Can you confirm the number of sample layers per note and per articulation. Did you reduce the number of samples velocity and use volume automation and low pass filter to mimic the lowest velocity to reduce the size of the app? Or did you sample multiple velocities per articulation but sampled every minor third. I am sorry for the very precise question.

Hi @JanKun

@LFS congratulations on the great update.

Thanks!

Here comes the feedback from our sound designers:

For sure, the number of samples has been cut down drastically, and you named the parameters already. Reduce velocities and chromatic mapping.

For most articulations, there are 2 velocity layers left, with velocity crossfading. The lowest available velocity depends on the most musical-sounding option from the full library, but always with respect to the whole dynamic range, so that a fade between dynamics will not become a huge jump.

For "more important" articulations, there are (depending on the instrument) even 3 dynamics available, making these sound more natural (e.g., Sustain, Legato, or Sustain Vibrato).

Chromatically, there is no consistent rule for how this has been reduced. However, depending on the instrument and range, you will mostly find 3 semitones represented by one sample.

Also, the number of Round Robins has been reduced to 3, but compared to other libraries, this is still a high amount for a full orchestra within 2GB.

To name a number, Iconica Sketch includes 13,496 samples.

Best,
Lars

I just want to shout out you @LFS for such a detailed & thorough answer. That shows a commitment to the community to provide real, non-hyped, detailed info for which to make our decisions about where to spend our time, energy & money. That level of respect goes a long way, for me personally. So thank you.

gusgranite

Honestly, @LFS doesn't put a foot wrong. Really appreciate you continue to update and engage with the community

jwmmakerofmusic

@LFS said:
Hi JanKun

Here comes the feedback from our sound designers:

For sure, the number of samples has been cut down drastically, and you named the parameters already. Reduce velocities and chromatic mapping.

For most articulations, there are 2 velocity layers left, with velocity crossfading. The lowest available velocity depends on the most musical-sounding option from the full library, but always with respect to the whole dynamic range, so that a fade between dynamics will not become a huge jump.

For "more important" articulations, there are (depending on the instrument) even 3 dynamics available, making these sound more natural (e.g., Sustain, Legato, or Sustain Vibrato).

Chromatically, there is no consistent rule for how this has been reduced. However, depending on the instrument and range, you will mostly find 3 semitones represented by one sample.

Also, the number of Round Robins has been reduced to 3, but compared to other libraries, this is still a high amount for a full orchestra within 2GB.

To name a number, Iconica Sketch includes 13,496 samples.

Best,
Lars

If I didn't already purchase Iconica Sketch, this surely would convince me to purchase it. A detailed answer like this shows how much you and the Cubasis team care about us. The feeling is mutual. Cheers. 🍻

yellow_eyez

+1 Gus and Drconfusion

@LFS said:

@JanKun said:
@LFS congratulations on the great update. Considering purchasing Iconica Sketch for quick sketching inside Logic for iPad before committing to more detailed and realistic orchestrations with Staffpad.
My question is that given the small size of the app I suppose you had to cut down on the number of samples for each articulations which is critical for my decision to purchase or not. All the demos left me a bit skeptical regarding the low velocities. all the YouTubers went full bell and whistle with those huge epic velocity swells which sounded great, as expected from Orchestral Tools (I own one of their Berlin library inside Staffpad) . But this only a fraction of orchestration work. None of the demos showed the level of detail at lower velocities, hence my question. Can you confirm the number of sample layers per note and per articulation. Did you reduce the number of samples velocity and use volume automation and low pass filter to mimic the lowest velocity to reduce the size of the app? Or did you sample multiple velocities per articulation but sampled every minor third. I am sorry for the very precise question.

Hi @JanKun

@LFS congratulations on the great update.

Thanks!

Here comes the feedback from our sound designers:

For sure, the number of samples has been cut down drastically, and you named the parameters already. Reduce velocities and chromatic mapping.

For most articulations, there are 2 velocity layers left, with velocity crossfading. The lowest available velocity depends on the most musical-sounding option from the full library, but always with respect to the whole dynamic range, so that a fade between dynamics will not become a huge jump.

For "more important" articulations, there are (depending on the instrument) even 3 dynamics available, making these sound more natural (e.g., Sustain, Legato, or Sustain Vibrato).

Chromatically, there is no consistent rule for how this has been reduced. However, depending on the instrument and range, you will mostly find 3 semitones represented by one sample.

Also, the number of Round Robins has been reduced to 3, but compared to other libraries, this is still a high amount for a full orchestra within 2GB.

To name a number, Iconica Sketch includes 13,496 samples.

Best,
Lars

“Does this guy know how to party or what?!”

**Thanks Lars - [your teams] unrivaled **

HarlekinX

@LFS Thanks for the clarification. This was to be expected.
I really would like to have the full 4.6 GB package on my iPad.
I see two reasons for the big reduction. First, many people do not have that much space on their iDevices and second, we pay only about a fifth of the VST price.
Both are legitimate factors.
If it is the first, make it optional to select the smaller or bigger version.
But if it is the price ... then there is a way to make everybody happy while you could also earn more money.

Here is the idea:

• In the settings, add an option to log in to my Steinberg Account
• If I own the VST version of Iconica Sketch, give me the option to download the whole 4.6 GB package
• Don't promote this in the app. So no buyer will have the bad feeling to have to pay more to not miss out. Most users will be happy with what the app offers.
• Don't promote this on the app webpage
• But do promote this on the VST page, so VST users see this as a nice extra.

This would also be an option to bring other big Steinberg libraries to iOS. On one side, a curated selection of great instruments for a great price, on the other side, the full library when you pay the full price and have the capacity on your device.

This will also strengthen the bond with your customers. Think about professional users that can also use their bought VST instruments on the iPad to sketch or fully create on the couch.

And it can bring new customers.
Some months ago I bought the Pianoteq Studio Package for almost 1000 bucks.
I would never have done this if the iPad app didn't exist or the iPad version was watered down.
Now I can plug my iPad to my Piano and play, or use it in Logic Pro for iPad (sorry) or Logic on Mac (sorry)

Companies should not see the iPad as a toy. My latest iPad is now more powerful (thermals aside) than my still powerful Mac.

My apologies for all that text, but i really want parity between iOS and macOS so I am free to use whatever i want, whenever I want. And I really like Iconica Sketch.

jwmmakerofmusic

@LFS So, a client wanted me to create something dark and forboding - a cross between Ambient, with a simple soft beat, and orchestral elements. Iconica Sketch couldn't have been released at a more opportune time. I decided to go with that as opposed to KAPro Orchestral Dreams in Module Pro, and programming key articulations and swells via mod wheel is proving to be extremely useful to adding to the atmosphere! 😃

I'm using Nanostudio 2 for this task (I originally built the mockup in Nanostudio 2), and Iconica works very smoothly. It's not quite the integration as you would get in Cubasis 3.7, but that's okay. Cubasis 3.7 will be used for my next Ambient experiment.

bluegroove

@HarlekinX that's a great idea

@jwmmakerofmusic right on mate, anything we can hear too?

FriedTapeworm

I have a question for anyone who has purchased. I’m assuming expression is mapped to mod wheel cc1 by default. Is there a way in the app to change that mapping to cc2, to use with my breath controller?

jwmmakerofmusic

@bluegroove said:
@HarlekinX that's a great idea

@jwmmakerofmusic right on mate, anything we can hear too?

I asked my client if I may post it to SoundCloud once it's finished or if to keep it private, and he said "share away!" I will be visiting my doctor (lower left jaw pain), then once home will have supper. Then I will breeze through finishing this track.

The reason I'm crafting this piece in Nanostudio 2 instead of Cubasis 3.7 is I began working on the piece before Cubasis 3.7 was released. The client specified he wants some tempo changes. Iconica Sketch was the surprise blessing in disguise. I can control how the "orchestra" swells, key switches, etc, instead of loading many instances of Module Pro and using filters to try and mimick swells.

hes

@FriedTapeworm said:
I have a question for anyone who has purchased. I’m assuming expression is mapped to mod wheel cc1 by default. Is there a way in the app to change that mapping to cc2, to use with my breath controller?

I don't have Iconica Sketch but I suspect there's no built-in way to remap breath CC2 to CC1. However there are ways to remap using utilities like MidiFlow, Mozaic, or Streambyter. For example, here's a premade script for Mozaic: https://patchstorage.com/midi-breath-converter/

Midiflow has an easy to use interface where you could point and click to remap. Streambyter is free and I think it would be a simple (but possibly inscrutable) one line script.

AnalogMatthew

@LFS said:
Dear all,

Hopefully you are all well.

Today we’re very glad to announce the release of Cubasis 3.7, which brings the long-awaited tempo and signature track support that allows you to create more dynamic, flexible, and expressive compositions with ease, alongside other new features and improvements, making Cubasis more powerful and intuitive than ever.

But wait, there’s more!

We’re also delighted to debut Iconica Sketch, our very first standalone orchestral instrument app available for iPhone, iPad, and every AU-compatible DAW*. Iconica Sketch brings the lush sound of orchestral instruments to your mobile workflow, empowering you to compose, arrange, and produce stunning scores wherever inspiration strikes.

Hey Lars!
Congrats on the release. Flattered to see you used my UI controls for the app! 🙏
Did you use any other components of AudioKit, or just the code for the UI?

Very cool to see!
– Matthew from AudioKit