Steinberg Cubase 15 is now available, featuring AI stem separation, a melodic pattern generator, new modulators, and more.
DAWs, or digital audio workstations, receive both minor and major updates throughout the year. Some very regularly, others less frequently. One runs almost like a Swiss watch. Steinberg releases a new version of Cubase every November. This year is no exception.
Steinberg has today released Cubase 15, a major new upgrade for its DAW, featuring numerous creative features and workflow improvements.
Steinberg Cubase 15
Like the previous versions, Steinberg Cubase 15 is available in three different versions: Cubase Pro, Artist, and Elements. Each version features a specific set of creative tools that were expanded with the Cubase 15 update.
Cubase 15 Pro introduces next-generation articulation with a redesigned Expression Maps system.
More precisely, the new streamlined setup and deep integration with both the Key Editor and Score Editor make control of articulations for VST instruments more straightforward. At the same time, pre-articulation attack compensation delivers even greater performance realism, says Steinberg.
Both the Pro and Artist version benefits from a new melodic pattern generator that supports monophonic and polyphonic modes, with step input, custom scales, shape generators, and deep randomization to generate sophisticated melodies.
New pattern bank presets are also included, including bass lines, leads, chords, and arpeggios, all powered by the Pattern Editor’s new melodic modes. It’s great to see that Cubase is now introducing more tools that are more familiar from Ableton Live or Bitwig.
AI Stem Separation & New Modulators
A highlight in Cubase 15 Pro is the all-new AI-powered stem separation tools, which enable the quick extraction of stems from mixed audio. If you need the drums or vocals from a track for remixing, rebalancing, or creative sampling works, you can now extract them with just a few clicks.
Then, the modulators, introduced in Cubase 14 Pro last year, have evolved with the addition of six modules. You can now modulate parameters with a random generator, sample & hold, wavefold LFO, and more.
Alongside the new modulators, new automation shortcuts automatically show and prioritize the last-touched parameter, adding a simplified menu for lightning-fast access and editing, while volume and pan can be added directly to the Track Controls Area.
The layout can be customized per track type for quicker mix moves and visual clarity in busy sessions. There are also plenty of new built-in plugins.
Updates & New Plugins
Steinberg has redesigned the Groove Agent SE 6 plugin, which now features a scalable UI, a new mixer, and enhanced effects.
The Cubase Drum Machine introduces a fresh set of 40 modern drum kits, delivering punchy beats for hip-hop, trap, and electronic styles. All are preloaded, tweakable, and ready to
Great, the stock effect plugins now also support user interface scaling, allowing them to be used full screen or wherever they most conveniently fit, without sacrificing visual clarity. There are also big new plugins for all versions.
All three Cubase 15 versions add the beta version of the Omnivocal vocal synthesis engine, adding a new world of expressive, human-like singing voices. It makes Cubase sing.
Omnivocal is essentially a vocal synth driven by Yamaha’s cutting-edge vocal synthesis technology, which enables it to sing notes and lyrics entered into the Key Editor. That’s not all.
Cubase 15 Pro also features UltraShaper, a new dynamic processor that combines transient shaping, clip limiting, and EQ sculpting in a new plugin.
Both Artist and Pro users also benefit from PitchShifter, a new pitch shifter plugin with formant perservation, saturation modes, and a massive ±24 semitone range.
Additionally, the new Writing Room Synths collection is a virtual instrument that delivers production-ready, authentic vintage synths, featuring rich leads, warm basses, and dreamy pads, all straight from the world’s best songwriting rooms.
Songstarter Packs offer genre-spanning loop packs and inspiring samples, ideal for sparking ideas quickly. Additionally, 30 brand-new chord pad presets are available, providing ready-to-play voicings for jazz, soul, pop, indie, and more to kickstart the creative process.
Other Updates
Further, you can find many other smaller new features and workflow improvements that make the music production process faster and smoother. These include an updated Score Editor with new tools and enhanced workflows for faster and more inspiring notation.
A redesigned Hub makes project startup smoother than ever, with resizable sections, audio setup, and project preview, plus powerful search and filter tools.
Collaboration is also made easier, with the DAWproject format now able to share sessions across all editions of Cubase, Cubasis, and other supported DAWs, without losing any of a project’s structure.
You can also now instantly replace samples in the Sampler Track via MediaBay with filter-based browsing shortcuts. Cubase 15 also brings macOS support for native full-screen mode and pinch-to-zoom gestures on compatible devices.
And many more new improvements.
First Impression
A great, major update for Steinberg Cubase 15. As always, pro users especially benefit from most of the new features and improvements. I’m pleased to see that Steinberg is also moving towards more electronic music workflows with features like the pattern generator, modulators, and so on.
Steinberg Cubase 15 is available now from the official store and reseller in different versions:
- Cubase Pro 15: 579€ or $579.99.
- Cubase Artist 15: 329€ or $329.99.
- Cubase Elements 15: 99.99€ or $99.99.
Existing Cubase Pro 15 users can update for $99,99/99,99€, and there are other upgrades and crossgrades available. Customers who activated Cubase 14 or earlier versions on or after October 8, 2025, are eligible for a free grace period update.
More information here: Steinberg
Available from my partner
I think the recent versions of Cubase are heavily aimed at “machine music”. And doesn’t present much new for us who play the instruments ourselves. I like the improved scores function tho’. But is that enough to go from 14 Pro to 15 Pro?? Not sure… I’ll wait and see.
Despite all these tools “improving” with every version for years and years, the quality of modern music has, if anything, gone backwards.
Indeed. It’s because all audio companies are catering to plugin collectors and to people to whom music is an hobby. It’s great to have music as a hobby, but everything developed with the hobbyist in mind becomes an obstacle in the working flow of professionals.
Musicians and producers need faster and easier tools to do mind numbing editing tasks, but because audio companies don’t have the skills nor tech to develop them, so they come up with these “new exciting tools” that serve no purpose.
Plus we’re now bombarded with this fake Ai, (it’s not Ai, it’s just a rudimentary machine learning). And because everything can be described as “Ai”, companies are hyping basic compressors as Ai (Oh…it listens to your audio and “decides” to reduce dynamics)…we’re living through ridiculous times. All these companies do is increasingly get in the way of making music while asking for absurd prices.
Well. Steinberg user here since Atari ST and Pro 24 days. Currently on Mac and Cubase Pro version 14.
Ive been updating Cubase Pro religiously every year but TBH, Cubase Pro 15 just doesn’t offer anything that will make me shell out yet another $99… Maybe Cubase 16 next year…
After using a few versions of cubase I gave up and used a 24 track recorder and a decent hardware sequencer. No way am I using something that costs far more, takes extreme maintenance and tests the bank account every year! Forget computers unless you design original samples. Arturia! Lol
Cubase is a beast. Ver 15 looks promisingly improved on 14 for me. Now I just need to scare up some filthy lucre for the upgrade.
(Moderation: no hate or negativity that goes against other musicians, thanks!)