How long did it take you to learn how to use Cubase?

[Warfare Dubstep]

I'm converting from Fl studio It doesn't seem to give me good enough sound quality when I export music. Kinda tired of FL studio and the constant crashes too.

some of my favourite artists use Cubase including Phaeleh and Ink.

How long did it take you to learn to use cubase (excluding going to college or university to learn)

Much appreciated!

[Eat Bass]

ill be the first one to say no daw can export a song any better than the next. its your work thats sounding like shit, not FL. with that being said if you really want to make the switch it can be done. i made the switch from reason to logic. it took me a month to feel half way comfortable but i still dont know the half of it. but theres a lot of little hidden options so...

now its been a few months since i got logic and i really like it.

[Warfare Dubstep]

ill be the first one to say no daw can export a song any better than the next. its your work thats sounding like shit, not FL. with that being said if you really want to make the switch it can be done. i made the switch from reason to logic. it took me a month to feel half way comfortable but i still dont know the half of it. but theres a lot of little hidden options so...

now its been a few months since i got logic and i really like it.

The problem is that when I hear the music I've made in FL in the DAW it sounds okay, when I export it in the highest quality it sounds all distorted. I don't really know how to master, but within the DAW everything sounds leveled. FL is basic, not in any way as complex and saturated as Ableton or Cubase. Skream used to use it when he was a beginner I think and moved onto something more potent.

[Perej]

ill be the first one to say no daw can export a song any better than the next. its your work thats sounding like shit, not FL. with that being said if you really want to make the switch it can be done. i made the switch from reason to logic. it took me a month to feel half way comfortable but i still dont know the half of it. but theres a lot of little hidden options so...

now its been a few months since i got logic and i really like it.

Don't listen to this guy, Cubase is better than FL, just wait till your comfortable then you'l see.

I don't know how long it'l take for you because your post didn't really explain anything, such as how long you've been using DAW's for, what type of stuff you make etc.
If your familiar with a few different DAW's you should be able to pickup Cubase relatively quickly. The only downside I personally can find is that it can be a bit convoluted at times and a bit clunky, it's not quite as user friendly as FL to begin with.

People can say what they want about how it's not the DAW but the artist using it that makes it good, and that IS true, to a certain extent, but it doesn't take a genius to realise WHY so many people use certain DAW's like Logic for example. I'd say more than 50% of my favourite artists in the UK scene use Logic, so there must be something to it right?

The only guy who makes tunes that I love in FL is Pearson Sound (AKA Ramadanman). Aside from that I think Peverelist either uses it or HAS used it in the past. Mount Kimbie used to but then switched to Cubase.... hmm.

Everyone seems to evolve DAW wise, Joy Orbison started out on FL, then moved to Cubase, and just listen to his production and tunes.... both absolutely superb.

Anywho, rambling aside, give Cubase a go, you won't regret it!

[Warfare Dubstep]

ill be the first one to say no daw can export a song any better than the next. its your work thats sounding like shit, not FL. with that being said if you really want to make the switch it can be done. i made the switch from reason to logic. it took me a month to feel half way comfortable but i still dont know the half of it. but theres a lot of little hidden options so...

now its been a few months since i got logic and i really like it.

Don't listen to this guy, Cubase is better than FL, just wait till your comfortable then you'l see.

I don't know how long it'l take for you because your post didn't really explain anything, such as how long you've been using DAW's for, what type of stuff you make etc.
If your familiar with a few different DAW's you should be able to pickup Cubase relatively quickly. The only downside I personally can find is that it can be a bit convoluted at times and a bit clunky, it's not quite as user friendly as FL to begin with.

People can say what they want about how it's not the DAW but the artist using it that makes it good, and that IS true, to a certain extent, but it doesn't take a genius to realise WHY so many people use certain DAW's like Logic for example. I'd say more than 50% of my favourite artists in the UK scene use Logic, so there must be something to it right?

The only guy who makes tunes that I love in FL is Pearson Sound (AKA Ramadanman). Aside from that I think Peverelist either uses it or HAS used it in the past. Mount Kimbie used to but then switched to Cubase.... hmm.

Everyone seems to evolve DAW wise, Joy Orbison started out on FL, then moved to Cubase, and just listen to his production and tunes.... both absolutely superb.

Anywho, rambling aside, give Cubase a go, you won't regret it!

Thanks for the response I've been using FL for about a year, but learned on my own, didn't really bother to progress as I have college in the way of things and spent very little time actually attempting to make music.

I will certainly do something about learning cubase- tutorials are flooded on youtube and I'm too lazy to learn anything including how to use Massive and other Vsts lol. I hope I get to Kryptic Mind's level one day in the dubstep scene and musical intelligence- really want to collab with him and my fav artists.

[wormcode]

FL is only as basic as you make it. It can be ridiculously powerful if you know what you're doing.
Cubase is not better than FL except maybe with audio editing because they just handle it differently, and audio editing is more of Cubase's speciality. FL is better at other stuff like ridiculous automation capabilities, step sequencing, and expansive plugin support including the ability to use FL itself as a plugin. Instead of ditching it, use FL inside Cubase (or anything) and take advantage of them both. I've never had a problem with it.

No one knows every individual reason, but the majority of people start using Cubase because it's an industry standard. Cubase has been around for almost 25 years, so it has a huge user base. Knowing it comes in handy for working with other artists and in other studios. Some people decide its particular workflow is better for how they work, so they stick to it. I started using it around 1998. FL has only been around just over 10 years, and I've used it off and on since the first public version came out. They both use an equal 32bit+ audio engine now, and some of the same 3rd party algorithms. Built in instruments and effects is the only major difference that I have found really besides the audio editing.

The renders coming out of FL sounding different is because of your settings within Windows or your playback software. FL doesn't use these settings, that's why it sounds different outside of it. You'd probably have the same problem in Cubase. Fix the issue, don't blame software. I would guess it's some EQ or FX settings in the sound settings in Windows and/or your sound card. Is it onboard sound? Those come with all kinds of lame effects to "enhance audio". When you burn it to CD, is it still distorted? Also keep in mind a 32bit engine will not clip inside the DAW, but when you get outside of it and into a 16bit environment, sounds will clip and distort. In that case, your mixes are the problem.

I've experienced maybe 5 or 6 crashes in FL in the past couple of years, and all of them were my fault. Usually using some old antiquated plugin like old synthedit stuff. Cubase is most definitely not crash-proof.

But to answer your question: it took me maybe a year to be able to use Cubase fluently. The biggest difference for you will probably be writing in audio. FL can do that, but in its own way. Before you drop a large amount of cash on Cubase, use Reaper for a couple of months and get used to that style of working. It's definitely not for everyone. By all means expand your knowledge and learn other software, but don't do it for the wrong reasons and expect it to make you sound more professional. You yourself said that you are lazy about learning synths and software, and don't know about 'mastering'. By 'mastering', I'm going to assume you mean mixing. Work on your mixing skills, and your music will sound professional no matter which DAW you use.

You mentioned Kryptic Minds. Both him and Leon Switch used to use Nuendo (basically Cubase), and started using Live in more recent stuff. Their music sounds exactly the same in terms of quality and professional sound. I'm positive if they learned FL, it would still sound like Kryptic Minds/Leon Switch because they are the ones making the tunes. Hell, a lot of tracks from Current Value are made in FL, and he is one of the undisputed top engineers in electronic music.

[wub]

A change in program won't instantly make your productions better - if anything, it'll set them back for a while whilst you learn the new software.


Wonder what was making FL crash all the time - were you on the latest version?

[Phase Down]

ill be the first one to say no daw can export a song any better than the next. its your work thats sounding like shit, not FL. with that being said if you really want to make the switch it can be done. i made the switch from reason to logic. it took me a month to feel half way comfortable but i still dont know the half of it. but theres a lot of little hidden options so...

now its been a few months since i got logic and i really like it.

Don't listen to this guy, Cubase is better than FL, just wait till your comfortable then you'l see.

I don't know how long it'l take for you because your post didn't really explain anything, such as how long you've been using DAW's for, what type of stuff you make etc.
If your familiar with a few different DAW's you should be able to pickup Cubase relatively quickly. The only downside I personally can find is that it can be a bit convoluted at times and a bit clunky, it's not quite as user friendly as FL to begin with.

People can say what they want about how it's not the DAW but the artist using it that makes it good, and that IS true, to a certain extent, but it doesn't take a genius to realise WHY so many people use certain DAW's like Logic for example. I'd say more than 50% of my favourite artists in the UK scene use Logic, so there must be something to it right?

The only guy who makes tunes that I love in FL is Pearson Sound (AKA Ramadanman). Aside from that I think Peverelist either uses it or HAS used it in the past. Mount Kimbie used to but then switched to Cubase.... hmm.

Everyone seems to evolve DAW wise, Joy Orbison started out on FL, then moved to Cubase, and just listen to his production and tunes.... both absolutely superb.

Anywho, rambling aside, give Cubase a go, you won't regret it!

Couldn't be more wrong, converted from FL to cubase myself years ago and cubase is definitely not better, all these daws export the same quality, the reason so many producers use logic is because of the stock plugins.

[DrastikMeazures]

Wormcode nailed it, there WILL be things that FL does really easily that it takes forever to do in Cubase, I say use em both by ReWireing the two.

[Glyphex]

herp derp

[Glyphex]

Wormcode nailed it, there WILL be things that FL does really easily that it takes forever to do in Cubase, I say use em both by ReWireing the two.

Agree with this post. FL Studio can give you supreme quality and sequencing efficiency. It all depends on your mix and also your export settings. Make sure your exporting mp3's in at least 320kbs. If you did want to switch to another program, logic's workflow is most similar to fl's out of all the daws. TBH it is a waste of time to switch from FL unless you plan on using a mac.

Best of luck!

[4rantare]

I'm converting from Fl studio It doesn't seem to give me good enough sound quality when I export music. Kinda tired of FL studio and the constant crashes too.

some of my favourite artists use Cubase including Phaeleh and Ink.

How long did it take you to learn to use cubase (excluding going to college or university to learn)

Much appreciated!

Hiho!

I'm using Cubase and started learning it when I joined this forum (almost 1 month ago something). I think I know some parts well while other parts are still a big mystery.. I know stuff like setting up MIDI-controllers, automation, importing/pool/exporting, setting up devices, I know the key-editor pretty well, playback, options, sends/inserts/midi, etc. and this took me about 2 weeks I guess.

However, Cubase is quite crash-potent aswell. I dunno but I have the feeling that lots of the programmers who makes these DAWs are pretty much crap (I study computer science myself) at programming good code. There seems to be all kinds of programming mistakes in both FL and Cubase. Which kinda sucks. I think about getting Cubase 6 Elements (for students @ £40) and hope it solves the problems I have.. but I don't have my hopes high.

Oh, I use Cubase 5 LE atm.

And about FL quality.. it sounds like you have something set up pretty wrong. Some of the worlds most famous DJs and producers use FL and their audio sounds pretty pristine.

[e-motion]

Running away from the which DAW is better discussion...


It took me quite some time to get used to Cubase but one key point was a Video Tutorial which had the Cubase menu when opened and when you select an option it shown a clip explaining EVERYTHING about that option (I think it was from ASK Video but I'm not sure). I must say 2-3months of intensive use (back in the day I pretended I was studying and didn't work at all).

I must also say I recently switched to Ableton for workflow reasons, but Cubase also has a lot of stuff where it is better than Live. What I want to say is that every DAW has it's advantages and disadvantages and you must find the one which has the best advantages/disadvantages combo for you. Sound quality is EQUAL in all if you use the same VSTs but things like Idea Workflow, Mixing Workflow and Arrangement Workflow are probably the most important for you to look at.

[Widowmaker]

If you think FL doesn't make as good quality tunes as other DAW's then you're doing it wrong..

stick at it, i've used FL since day and i love it. Don't see the point in moving to a new DAW and taking ages to learn everything again..

[Neutr4l Numb3r]

My DAW's 1s and 0s are better than your DAW's 1s and 0's!

This was made in FL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CZ3T9eV1Nk

As was this remix http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7iESu2XuCU

And Porter Robinson uses FL. You know Porter Robinson right? One of the biggest electro house artists out there right now. Right.

Seriously, if you cant make something sound good in your DAW it's your fault. Simple.

And skim over this post of audio quality pertaining to DAWs. http://forum.image-line.com/viewtopic.php?f=100&t=45272

[Skang]

Silkie makes top notch tunes with FL Studio also. Just pick a DAW and stick with it. Practice, practice, practice! And FL studio has crashed maybe twice on me in the past year from using bad plugins, so in my experience it's pretty damn stable.

and hi Widowmaker

[VirtualMark]

Ok firstly, if you're systems crashing you need to fix the problem. Is it overclocked? Have you installed loads of cracked vsts? Personally, i'd want to fix this problem before adding new software.

Secondly, yeah Cubase is awesome, i use it myself and think the interface and features are streets ahead of fruity loops. I tried out fl studio a few years back but never got into it. Didn't even get into producing back then. Tried Cubase out a few months back, loved it and haven't looked back. It just seems like a more serious tool in my eyes, i love features like the control room, where you can set up listen busses that don't affect your main output. Track presets are great, they save all your midi controller info and the plugins you're using. There's tons and tons of good features, definitely recommended.

Took me a few hours to learn the basics, was making tunes the same day. Took a few months to master it. It'd be a good idea to set up macros and key commands once you know what tasks you use frequently. I have all my commonly used vst's at the touch of a button, saves loads of time.

[wormcode]

Just wanted to clarify what I meant when I said Cubase is not better than FL.
Cubase is not inherently better is a more accurate way to put it. No DAW is automatically better than another. It will vary from person to person. For some people and their way of working, Renoise is better than both Cubase and FL.
It all depends on how a person works, and how they prefer to go about writing music.

[daeMTHAFKNkim]

My DAW's 1s and 0s are better than your DAW's 1s and 0's!

This was made in FL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CZ3T9eV1Nk

As was this remix http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7iESu2XuCU

And Porter Robinson uses FL. You know Porter Robinson right? One of the biggest electro house artists out there right now. Right.

Seriously, if you cant make something sound good in your DAW it's your fault. Simple.

And skim over this post of audio quality pertaining to DAWs. http://forum.image-line.com/viewtopic.php?f=100&t=45272

Porter Robinson uses Ableton Live 8 now. I think Feed Me still uses FL Studio with a Mac that has Windows on it also and Madeon uses FL Studio still.. seen him talk about it on twitter the other day and Porter/Zedd making fun of him for it or some crap saying the flaws of it. Something about a latency issue when you automate in FL Studio? Poppins noises when it starts and some other crap I dunno. Everyone else has moved on to Logic/Ableton/Cubase nowadays.

I'd say Cubase/Logic/Ableton are the top 3 best DAWs out there right now. I'd say personally get Cubase or Ableton, worked with both and they are good. Ableton Live eats FL Studio like it's nothing.....the CPU does not get eaten up....you can also freeze tracks...Hi-Quality the plug-ins..easy bouncing..you can automate everything so easy/fast..quality sounds better to me than FL Studio...and I just like the clean layout same with Cubase. Ableton does get awhile to get used to though just like any other DAW.

[Earjax]

Skream still uses fl studio btw, though he does also use logic for his more commercial tracks...anyways to answer your question, its not your daw that isn't working, its you It may seem like your doing everything right and your doing everything as good as you could possibly get it, but believe me, with a year of practice in any DAW, you'll look back and think "how stupid was I to think my DAW is shit?!?!" FL will grow on you, trust me!! (just add practice)
if your tunes are sounding bad when you export them, its probably because either your mixdown isn't good enough, you have a limiter on the master (standard with FL), or your doing something wrong when exporting. That second tune in your sig isn't sounding bad btw