FX Modulator | New Features in Cubase 12

[@Artek604]

That's pretty awesome! Would be great if in some future update you'd add MIDI output, i.e. so that the FX Modulator outputs MIDI CC that's mappable to other devices in the chain. An updated Auto LFO, if you will.

[@hazmatproduction4562]

It’s a shame that MIDI CC is the only option in cubase. What I love about Bitwig since I’ve been learning it is that it’s modulators are built to just automate whatever you want by any means you want. Because of this flexibility I can use LFOtool envelope shaping on a DC offset device to feed it as an audio signal into any device via an audio rate mod source. For any native mod source (Bitwig doesn’t have a native MSEG so I use LFOtool for that alone) it’s literally as easy as clicking on the source (LFO, random, X/Y, env etc) & dragging the parameter of any 3rd party instrument or FX to modulate it. I wasn’t expecting anything quite that groundbreaking but at the very least I was expecting this to be aimed at replacing the dated MIDI inserts, not to be a standalone multi-fx VST with such limited options of FX. This would’ve been the feature that drew me back from Bitwig if they implemented it in a way that makes sense, but they really fumbled the ball on this one

[@hazmatproduction4562]

@Nathaniel Walker the point is I’ve been using Cubase for many years now. Been requesting a flexible modulation system for years now too. To see it finally implemented in such a half assed way, after like 10 years making requests for steinberg to do something to replace the dated midi inserts is insulting. This isn’t a modulation system, it’s a multi-FX VST consisting of 10-20 year old native cubase FX I was bored of using a decade ago, that has its own dedicated modulator. Nothing at all like what had been been requested by myself & others for years. Now I wasn’t expecting something as fluid as Bitwig’s groundbreaking mod system, but I expected more than a dumb multi FX unit with no new FX included I haven’t had in cubase already for decades. This is just lazy, but I’m sure in Steinberg’s eyes, that’s our modulation system request checked off the list. SMH

[@hazmatproduction4562]

@Nathaniel Walker oh and I could do anything this does in cubase 11. It would be a clunkier workflow involving midi inserts, but definitely possible to assign an envelope or LFO to any of these native cubase plugins, or via QCs. There is literally nothing new about this. It brings nothing new to the table. You can go further with modulation using midi inserts that have been around for 2 decades, because at least you can assign those to modulate 3rd party plugins that have MIDI CC in. I don’t even particularly like how the native cubase chorus & other included FX sound. I’d reach for a Valhalla plugin over a cubase mod FX or time based FX every time. Which I do… in Bitwig. Would’ve loved to be able to do this in cubase. Seeing “FX modulator” as the primary sales pitch got me extremely excited, only to have my hopes & dreams dashed yet again after seeing it in action in all its super limited glory.

[@tepaoner6023]

Hope they will add MIDI OUT soon !!

[@Artek604]

@@hazmatproduction4562 Yeah, that's one of many Bitwig's strengths. No DAW makes it so effortless and intuitive :)

[@stratpilot1]

Love the way you appear to really enjoy doing this! Lots of great stuff in 12.

[@markjtapply]

Great video as always Dom! I'm sold. I'll upgrade on day one as usual!

[@mcdebugger]

Wow! This is the feature I waited for a long time! Thank you Steinberg! Thank you Dom!

[@cryptout]

Nice, kinda like ShaperBox3

[@johnsausage]

Sounds like a fantastic (and even more flexible) replacement for the old dblue Glitch 1.3 plugin.. awesome!

[@francescocarosone5943]

This will be expecially useful with vst synths, since modulation in a synth is often constrained to the core synth functionality but not extended to the synth effects. Some synths have few static effects(e.g Steinberg synths). So a synth sound can really be enhanced by this kind of tool. There are alternative vsts for purchase, and having this inside Cubase is beautiful. I hope the tempo is also for long periods (i.e not only 1/4 ma also 4/1) and that a subtle random fluctuation is possible.. I will see when I upgrade!

[@yakmartin5429]

Yup, see how this works with Prologue and Mystic... oh wait, they killed them.

[@soundandstuff_leo]

Hey Dom! Thank you for the video. I'm also exploring this plugin and I noticed an interesting thing about side chain. In "Continuous" mode it doesn't work as a regular side chain that activates the Curve but it takes the envelope from the side chain source (for example an envelope of the kick) and uses it instead of the plugin's Curve (works great with bitcrusher btw). Like in REV Intensity plugin by Arturia. It's also interesting that in "1 Cycle" mode it works completely different, in this mode it activates the Curve of the plugin for 1 cycle when the trigger hits and side chain source works just as a trigger.

[@lnkd70]

Une tuerie! A killer! Gonna make the upgrade today 🤓

[@hazmatproduction4562]

Such a massive missed opportunity that they limited this to a handful of native FX. Had higher hopes for the implementation of this feature when I saw it announced. Bummer. Guess I’m sticking with Bitwig for modulation :( Surely it would’ve been better to just add a volume / modulation shaper bank as a module in the channel settings / insert rack, that can be applied to absolutely anything? Why are these things always implemented with such huge limitations, Steinberg? You’re driving me nuts with these half baked missed opportunities

[@Teeb2023]

Yeah, same here. My first thought would be the amount of automation donkey-work that would be history with so many 3rd party FX. :(

[@hazmatproduction4562]

@@Teeb2023 I always imagined it would be like a toggle to switch from the channel EQ curve to a volume shaper curve, with like an 8 slot mod matrix somewhere so you can assign the modulation curve to any parameter in your VST FX insert slots. I can’t believe they finally released an “FX modulator” but thought it better implemented as a standalone multi-FX VST that is limited to about a dozen native Cubase FX clones. Not even a system that allows you to modulate every single cubase native FX as inserts… Just a handful of them in a standalone multi FX rack. Wow. So if you loaded an older project and decided you want to modulate those cubase FX, or even if you stacked up an insert chain of native cubase plugins & want to modulate them later, you have to copy their settings to the versions in FX Modulator VST before you can even begin? This implementation is so clunky, backwards & far behind the curve, it’s getting laughable now. Literally no flexibility at all. In the words of Obi Wan Kenobi: “This isn’t the modulation system you’ve been looking for. You can go about your Bitwig. Move along.”

[@DrBuffaloBalls]

@@hazmatproduction4562 Perhaps if we pester them enough we can get those features added in 12.5, though with that being said I do still think this is an upgrade over having no such tool whatsoever. I do agree that what you describe would be very cool, so let's hope it'll come one day in the future.

[@hazmatproduction4562]

@@DrBuffaloBalls I’ve been pestering them with feature requests for flexible modulation for years already lol. I quit holding my breath over Christmas & started learning Bitwig then. All it took was getting this one thing right & they would’ve won me back over, but this is not what I’ve been pestering them for… but if it’s as close as it’s gonna get, then I clearly made the right choice to go with Bitwig recently. I’m sure not waiting another 10 years for them to implement this request properly. I could reel off dozens of examples of how features they’ve introduced to cubase haven’t been implemented to their full potential. But this one is a particularly odd choice of implementation, as it doesn’t allow you to modulate anything in an existing project. It isn’t a native modulation system (which is what a lot of people, myself included, have been requesting for years). It’s a multi-FX VST with a choice of FX that all already exist in cubase 11, with its own mod sources. This is the most shoddy implementation of a feature I’ve seen since adding acoustic drum modules to grooveagent but not allowing users to interchange kit pieces (standard feature in EVERY acoustic drum module on the market) I don’t know if it’s just Steinberg devs not thinking things through, or if it comes from ancient limitations hard coded into a software that’s been around for decades. But I know it’s time for me to invest my time and money elsewhere until they start better implementing these things in a way that actually makes any f****** sense for workflow.

[@DrBuffaloBalls]

@@hazmatproduction4562 I went and looked at some of Bitwig's modulation basics videos and yeah I can definitely see what kind of a different beast it is. I don't think Cubase will ever quite do that, how they would implement such an intricate system without major UI changes is beyond me. Bitwig is built from the ground up to support that, while Cubase was birthed in a very different era of music making, where doing things like this was still quite unheard of. I might just have to consider getting Bitwig as a companion for Cubase as the sound design possibilities of their modulation system look extremely enticing.

[@digiicode]

can you adjust the resolution of the graph the freq shifter is at 1000% how can i turn that down as i only want to move the freq shifer a few %

[@TheAtheistworld]

Dom, so it is inserted as any other effect?? As an insert or in fx bus. Right?? And can these multiple effects be in series and in parallel?? Thnxx brother ❤

[@mcmercer01]

you're great...thank you so much

[@b9dger]

Hey guys.. can anyone tell me if fx modulator should be ok on M1 Mac? As I can see the plugin in my plugin manager but can't seem to find it to use on an insert?

[@gozyrecord]

Please I want a video on how to make Drum Fill in Cubase

[@pr4vus.studios]

Now that's interesting!! Thanks Dom. Time to ditch Shaper box

[@Pelimuistelot]

Seems to be very powerful tool indeed!

[@martymodus7205]

Did Cableguys get anything for this? It looks and behaves so much like Shaper Box that, if there wasn't a deal, I'm having a hard time imagining how this is not violating their IP.

[@hunghoangmusic]

I was thinking the same! there's no need to use Shaper Box anymore, Dang Cubase is so powerful now

[@ricshaw4358]

Cool, reminds me of Tantra.

[@schragemusik]

A masterclass in turning a bland track into a total mess. But a lot of useful info 😉

[@mrfleamino9350]

niceeee, thank you

[@ZaynMusic555]

Really appreciate the effort has taken....Keep doing, keep growing...💙💙🤩 💖+ my SUB

[@makeshiftman]

You look just like Hank Azaria in Along came Polly

[@peterradd6836]

FUN!!!!

[@philippe-lebel]

Not my kind of music but, still, I'm going to try.

[@ScoringStageEu]

so it's like N.I. THE FINGER on stereoids ? sweet

[@hunghoangmusic]

Holly Molly

[@MrDrop11]

This thing will eliminate SOOO much automation! The way they implemented it, you can really twist sounds to pieces. Use multiples. One on the source, add other fx and add another, more fx add another. Super hyped to have this on fx tracks now. This thing will be amazing on reverbs. I was so jealous of ableton for having their lfo tool on the channel. Now we have it too!

[@hazmatproduction4562]

Yeah but it’s only assignable to a handful of ancient cubase FX. Nowhere near as flexible as Ableton’s solution, let alone what Bitwig is capable of

[@texmex5663]

Goodbye Shaperbox.

[@RascoHeldall]

Did you pay Cableguys for this?

[@poliant9683]

RIP Shaperbox :)

[@PalleSvensson]

Nevermind Cubase 12 and its features. Here the BIG question: Are you doing boxing/MMA...or did you get a nose-job? :D

[@GalantGoStudio]

💩

[@danyo1782]

Makes the Shaperbox obsolete :-)

[@hazmatproduction4562]

Only obsolete if you only use it on the dozen or so native cubase plugins you can choose from. I’m floored that it took them this long to do something about modulation requests, and instead of actually adding some kind of flexible mod system like we’ve been asking for, they just roll out another native VST that is literally a reskin of various existing native plugins with a modulation curve assignable. This is just lazy implementation right here. I’m gutted. I was rooting for them when I watched this video… like “any second now, Dom is going to apply this to something 3rd party”, then he showed the full list of options available & I literally laughed out loud. I mean, some of them don’t even make much sense to be included. Who modulates a compressor’s settings with an LFO? The only use case I can think of is if you wanted to modulate a distortion & filter with a compressor between them. Due to the nonsensical implementation of this modulation system, there is actually a reason to include a compressor here, even though barely anyone would modulate it. This just makes zero sense to me, implementing this feature this way. Was it the easiest way to implement it? Sure! The most useful? Absolutely not!

[@vonnflikk4468]

NO wahwha pedal, Phasing, EQ, DUB delay, ect FFS🥴🥴😵😵😵😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈🙈

[@svenisaksson3970]

WARNING TO ALL MAC USERS!!!!!! Cubase 12 won't install unless you use OS X 10.15! Don't waste your money upgrading if you run a lower OS version.

[@GalantGoStudio]

It's an Apple issue not Steinberg!

[@svenisaksson3970]

@@GalantGoStudio No it isn't! There are thousands of apps that work with earlier OS versions. Apple does in no way force Steinberg to stiff a large portion of it's professional userbase! Let's dispense with the conspiracies. I don't accuse Steinberg of deliberate malice. The question is what they will do about it. Will they fix the problem (and retain their loyal customers) or will they double down (with all the bad-will that that will cause)? Only Steinberg has the answer to this.

[@GalantGoStudio]

@@svenisaksson3970 I completely understand how you feel 🙏 but you have to think for a moment who's benefiting in your case? Steinberg wishes everyone would use their products, whatever their type of computer while Apple wants everyone to buy their latest products.

[@svenisaksson3970]

​@@GalantGoStudio It's not about feelings. It's about peoples desire not to be scammed. "you have to think for a moment who's benefiting in your case?" That is excactly what I do! I've been thanked for allerting people not to waste money on an upgrade they are not allowed to use. "Steinberg wishes everyone would use their products," Then they shouldn't prevent their customers from using the product they've bought and paid for! I don't claim the Stenberg is doing this of malice. The question is what will Steinberg do about this. Will they accept resposibility and adress issue, or will they double down and continue scamming their customers? Only Steinberg can tell. What Apple wants is inconsequential. This is about Cubase, not Logic.

[@GalantGoStudio]

@@svenisaksson3970 I know you're talking about Cubase, not Logic, As i said Steinberg won't benefit if you upgrade your computer, And they will lose if your device isn't compatible with their products. There's a comment from one of Steinberg's developers who said "Apple is making too many updates that are difficult to solve the problems it causes" Apple has a bad reputation when it comes to their old devices, customers always complain about their OS/ Drivers incompatibility.

[@Edbrad]

Hehe you just made a bunch of indie plugins redundant

[@DarthQueefious]

and now I want to go and play Mass Effect again...