What’s Actually New in Cubase 15 (Before You Upgrade)
Thinking about upgrading to Cubase 15? In this post, I walk you through the useful changes I’ve actually found helpful in real sessions—so you can decide if this version makes sense for your workflow.
Redesigned Hub & Project Preview
The new Hub is cleaner, with quick tabs for Projects, Tutorials, Manuals, Deals, and your Steinberg account. You can also access drivers, audio connections, and buffer settings without opening a project. Best part: a built-in 5-second project audio preview you can create manually—or auto-create on close—so you can audition sessions right from the Hub.
Six New Modulator Modules
Wave Fold LFO, Random, Sample & Hold, Attack/Decay, Morph LFO, and Crossfader add a ton of movement and control. Think controlled randomness, dual-LFO morphing, and blending two modulation sources to drive anything from filter sweeps to delay mix.
If you want to dive deeper into how to use modulators creatively, you’ll find full step-by-step lessons in
The Ultimate Guide to Cubase.
Quick Audio Export
One button, name the file, choose WAV or MP3, done. It auto-sets the range from the first to last event—perfect for quick refs.
Faster Automation Editing
Last Touched Parameter surfaces right at the top of your automation lanes, plus handy right-click actions like “Remove all automation on track” or “Open plugin.”
Track Controls: Volume & Pan
Add volume and pan as track controls so you’re not diving for the mixer every time.
Built-In Stem Separation
Split a mix into Vocals, Drums, Bass, and Other right inside Cubase. It’s convenient for quick ideas; for the highest quality, specialized tools still win—but having it built-in is super handy.
Melodic Patterns (and Drum Patterns) Upgrades
Set key and note range, import chords from a Chord Track or MIDI, then randomize density/variations. Mono or poly modes make it easy to sketch ideas fast. You can also save your own Pattern presets and drag them in from MediaBay later.
Expression Maps: Cleaner & Faster
The editor is redesigned, resizable, and searchable. Trigger notes via MIDI input, add per-articulation MIDI modifiers (like timing offsets), batch-change direction/attribute, organize with groups, and audition articulations right from the Inspector.
New Mixing Plugins
Pitch Shifter: Real-time pitch with formant and drive. On a stereo aux, unlink L/R and offset each side slightly for a classic doubler vibe.
Ultra Shaper: A versatile compressor with feed-forward/feedback modes, transient control, sidechain EQ, and soft/hard clip. Parallel-friendly and punchy on drums.
Both of these new plugins—Pitch Shifter and Ultra Shaper—are now part of Cubase 15, and I’ll be adding detailed lessons about them inside
The Complete Guide to Mixing Cubase Plugins
Sampler Track: Hot-Swap Preview
Audition replacement samples in real time and commit with a click—great for fast sound swaps.
Quality-of-Life Updates
- Mac app/UI scaling and per-plugin UI scaling (assignable to key commands).
- Plug-in Manager display filters (e.g., show only plugins used in the project).
- VST3-only support going forward.
- Mac full-screen mode and a consolidated Cubase menu.
- Choose track color on creation.
- Render In Place (full signal path + master FX) now keeps your original track name.
New Instruments
Writing Room Synth: Simple, good-sounding synth with ARP and bread-and-butter FX.
OmniVocal: A virtual singer. Enter notes, type lyrics per note, then shape power/attack/vibrato. It’s perfect for sketching vocal parts if you’re not a singer.
Groove Agent SE6: Mixer undock and fresh presets round out the update.
Should You Upgrade?
If you’re on Cubase 13 (or earlier), this is a big leap—absolutely worth it. From 14, it depends: orchestral composers and electronic producers will feel the improvements most (Expression Maps + Patterns + Modulators). For everyone else, it’s a solid quality-of-life release with a few powerful toys.
Want to master the new workflow and plugins?
Visit the Mixdown Online Store to explore all my Cubase courses.
➜ Watch the Full Breakdown
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