Upgrading to Cubase Pro 12

About me:

My name is Anthony Chisnall. I'm a musician & songwriter.

My channel is these things:

1. A place to share my songs - via various 'Back on Track' video series - in which you'll see each song idea evolve step-by-step, with me (hopefully!) improving my song-writing skills as we go.
2. An outlet for me to discuss all things musical - including technical break-downs of software and tools that I use, as well as more wide-ranging discussions of topics that interest me.

I play the guitar (electric, acoustic, and bass), and record all of my own synth-based sounds myself too, but I can't sing very well (huge understatement!), and so my wife, Pauline, who has a lovely singing voice, has come to my rescue. You'll hear her on all of my songs.

All of my music is written in Steinberg's Cubase.

I try very hard to make my videos PRACTICAL and no-nonsense - if I don't use a feature, I'm not going to waste your time trying to sound like an expert on it! This is the stuff I use day-to-day, so I think that's also what you'd like to hear me talking about.

Thanks to:

[gmansshadow]

Finally upgraded to 12; steinberg 40% off sale! Had two splinters that took a bit to get out: Video driver NVIDIA, had to clean installed and Native Access upgrade. It's right as rain! Thanks for your work!

[yams]

Hello my friend ! I’m happy that you created a video in this subject. There’s plenty of new features in Pro 12, but hard to find about upgrading. I’ll watch a learn from the Master himself. Thank you for sharing.

[cindychabot]

Thank you for explaining all of this. Very helpful.

[RudalPL]

2 things if I may.
1. You can download and install all the apps from Download Assistant it's only when you try to run them you will get a message that there is no valid licence for that product.
2. Cubase 11 licence turns to (Not upgradable) only AFTER you upgrade it to Cubase 12. If you are not upgrading to C12 then the licence will stay as just Cubase 11 on your eLicencer.

[martinpaling]

Too difficult for me. I shall pass on upgrading. Why Steinberg makes such excellent software yet makes it so hard to install is quite beyond me.

[foxytv]

Thank you so much for another great detailed bit of information.

[michaelm]

Massively helpful and very well explained! Thank you!

[granbyplungar]

Hey Anthony, thanks for going through this. I'm sure it'll prevent less seasoned users of Steinberg products tying themselves into knots. I have to say that I agree with you that the installation process appears byzantinely complex. I suspect that I'll wait awhile before grasping this particular nettle!

[Tamablaster]

Great tutorial, I was nervous about going ahead with Cubase 12 without knowing where I was going. Tip for seeing historic installs: When installing this or any other major update, create a download folder as a sub under main folder, say Cubase 12. At the end of the download and install phase, do NOT use DA to clean up downloaded files. Instead, use file manager to delete all files, but keep the folders in place. It seems that it's the folders that DA looks at to get the green bars and ticks. When the next update comes along, create another sub folder and follow the same as above. DA will then tell you at a glance what's installed and what isn't.

[njmmusic]

Hi Anthony, I have watched this Video with great interest, I downloaded and installed the upgrade, I'm running a iMac, my version tries to run, but crashed, in the Activation manager I have Activated ticked, I can't remember where I got the activation code from, I have checked the receipt and there's no code in that, I have sent a report and received a ticket number from them, but who knows when I'll hear from them I was hoping you may be able to direct me to where to look I can still use 11 but Id like to get this sorted and waiting for them could be a long wait.

[jamesdaly]

I just subscribed to your channel as I am interested in upgrading to Cubase 12 from Cubase 11. I do have a question for you that may give me some advise.
I am using Mac book Pro 16 to facilitate my Cubase 11 adventures. Sadly I am just about out of the drive storage on the Mac book. My research has lead me to the conclusion it’s time to add an external SSD to my humble home studio. So I just bought a 2T Sandisc SSD. My new problem is that I can not find any descent you tube video tutorials that demonstrates how to integrate and use the external drive with the Cubase 11 [12] Have you created and posted such a video or can you recommend and such a video.

[realmusicyou]

Does this mean that in order to use Groove Agent, Halion, And All Steinberg Instruments and sounds with Cubase 12, Is that we have to redownload them and install them all over again? On my end, Cubase 12 does not seem to recognize Everything that was running with Cubase 11 Pro. Now I Have to switch back and forth between Cubase 12 Pro and Cubase 11 Pro. Steinberg Should Have Just Ported The Content from Cubase 11 Pro and merged it with the Cubase 12 Pro Content. Seems Like A Lot Of People Including myself are having Issues.

[njmmusic]

Hi Anthony, I have just checked my Library Manager, and found that the default location wasn't shown, I had to click on the cog wheel to open, I then found the location path was empty, that's why all my files got loaded into my downloads folder, don't you just love it when the mystery is explained😀

[yams]

A must say, easy getting lost with the installation. Luckily I’ve done upgrades in the past. Forgot the Library Manager, thanks Anthony for reminding me. I also downloaded and installed everything again, which was unnecessary. It’s ok, just need to go through my stuff again.

[kurts]

Hi Anthony...I was curious about the upgrade...as I've been watching (& typing up a manual to refer to) your videos for Cubase, Groove & Halion. The download, code & install can be a bit tricky, but I hope your are correct that Steinberg will make it more user friendly. I was concerned about the upgrade, as all your vids are from the "11" version...hopefully the basics won't change. I started with Elements, then Artist & finally Pro...versions 9, 10, 10.5, 11..& I'll probably upgrade to 12. I also have the Absolute package (great discount at the time from Sweetwater). A couple of issues I'm having is with my Roland midi keyboard, which will be working fine & then just drop out (keyboard, Focusrite 18i8, HP w/Win10 & 2 JBL monitors}. The same with Halion & on screen keyboard, it will sound great...then no sound. If I have a preset in the slot, then remove it and drag it back in...it works again. As others have said....we want to create and play...not fiddle about with all this....thx again for your channel & videos....I like how you start from scratch & build it up, one subject at a time.

[yams]

Probably a good idea, to check all the Steinberg licences on the website, check what you have bought in the past (unless you remember them all) then tick ✅ and compare with Download Manager/Library Manager, to make sure everything is there. Thanks for clarifying mate :)

[eilenkatarinalunde]

Thanks for sharing! It's valuable, but I'm still scared of upgrading my Cubase Elements 12 to Cubase Pro 12. It seems like such a hassle to double check everything, especially when I'm not good with technology.. If you have any advice for this particular situation, it's more than welcome. Thanks again!

[KyriCB]

Great content! Just want to ask, when upgrading to Cubase 12, do you have to download all that content from the download assistant under cubase 12? Is this the protocol every time a new version of cubase comes out, to download everything again under the new version? It will keep messing with the hard drive space will it not each time? Keep up the good work on your channel!!

[take]

Very well explained installation tips and advice! Thank you.
Question: I plan to upgrade to Cubase Pro12.
To free up space on my computer, is it okay in regard to licensing, etc., to uninstall my previous Cubase LE+AI versions 10.5, 11 and 12 before doing the upgrade to Cubase Pro 12?

[Mr_A_Mia]

About three days ago (early sept 2022), i activated my cubase le access code from my zoom recorder i bought years ago. It gave me Cubase le ai elements 12 (never used anything steinberg before). It never gave me an activation code. I upgraded via sweetwater to pro 12…it gave me my access code but no activation code. Is this whats supposed to happen??

Everything works fine. I just dont want to lose it if i ever upgrade my computer.

Thank you for the video