Power Tools for Cubase 7: Master Steinberg's Power Multi-platform Audio Production Software

I first discovered Matthew Loel T. Hepworth while watching one of his video tutorials, and I thought his way of teaching was thorough and easy to follow. When I saw the POWER TOOLS for Cubase 7 book offer, I knew it would be good. Cubase 7's onboard manual is awesome, and I do use it a lot, but it is nice to have a printed book to learn from wherever you are - even if you're not in front of your computer. Matt's book is everything I thought it would be. He even manages to inject a little personal humor into the discourse, and having heard his voice on the video tutorials I saw, I can almost hear his voice while I'm reading. He definitely knows his stuff. I'm very satisfied with POWER TOOLS for Cubase 7... except for one complaint; the black and white illustrations and screenshots are very dark and it's hard to see the details he's describing in the accompanying text. For me, even with my reading glasses it's hard enough to see stuff the older I get, and I do wish the illustrations were at least a little brighter and easier to see. Otherwise... great job, Matt. Thanks for a helpful book.

Excellent primer on Steinberg Cubase, which has evolved from a simple multitrack MIDI sequencing program in it's earliest days to the feature rich but complex digital audio workstation platform it is today. Having switched over to Apple Logic for a few years, this book really helped me transition back to Cubase with it's clear explanations and step-by-step tutorials. Matt's matter-of-fact and casual writing style is inviting and does a great job of conveying key concepts of Cubase's operation.As a previous reviewer noted, this book is still completely relevant to Cubase 8 (and most recently, Cubase 8.5) even though it was originally written for Cubase 7. Steinberg is continually making incremental improvements/additions to Cubase, but the underlying technology, features and operation that this book covers remains intact. The audio/data files on CD enhance the learning experience through hands on (and ears open!) exercises of all the examples covered in the book, and complete the learning experience.I've dog-eared and highlighted plenty of pages to go back to for reference and plan to keep it close by as I'm writing and recording in Cubase!

Finally a Cubase manual that works! Hepworth is an experienced professional who knows the ins and outs of digital recording using a PC or Mac DAW as well as Cubase. He lays it all out by step clearly and succinctly, from studio set-up and installation to plug-in automation and CD quality audio exporting. Cubase is probably the most powerful music production software available for professionals or amateurs (I prefer it to Pro Tools) but its one zillion features and 800 page manuals are a minefield to the beginner. This book walks you through it safely and gets you producing your own music with MIDI instruments, virtual instruments, and vocal and instrumental tracks without frustration. Plus he is funny and likes music! I wish I had it 5 years ago. Steinberg should buy it for every customer. Go for it.PS Hepworth also has some fine videos online at macProvideo,

This book is excellent, both as an introduction to Cubase and to recording using a computer. At the time of this review, Cubase 8 was just released. This book is still completely relevant, even though it is titled regarding Cubase 7.I've used several DAWs but never quite understood all the recording and editing controls. While the documentation included with Cubase is a fantastic reference, it doesn't walk the newcomer through all the terminology and philosophies behind how things work and when to use them. This book fills that gap and is perfect to get you up to speed and making music. Highly recommended, and I hope the author works on new books aimed at Cubase 8.

While I am not new to recording and production techniques in general, I am just getting started with Cubase. Following this book is definitely helping a lot. I go back and forth between working on my own learning projects and figuring things out on my own and then getting back to whatever point in the book I've left off at. The combination of the two is really getting me there. The book is well-written and often funny. It's from the point of view of a very experienced professional Cubase user who has the mindset of a patient and thorough teacher and I really appreciate that he took the time to write it. Thanks, Matthew!

Its a wonderful book so far I have not gone through it fully but what I can see i'm impress of the teaching in it about Cubase , Cubase is a wonderful master peice of work and having a book that giving so much details that will makes life much better for whomsoever decide to get invalve with master production recording as I do . Thanks BP.

The book is well written, and very helpful so far. However, it should be noted that the video content advertised on both the book cover and the description is not included. I even contacted the publisher who informed me that no video content was made for the book.A shame, as it would have been very helpful. But the book is very good even without it. Just be warned.

good source of information on Cubase 7. I new to the world of DAW and this book is very helpfulit one I would recommend for someone who needs reference to Cubase

I've been attempting to learn how to use DAW software for about a year and had only made slow progress from forums and online videos. I am actually using Cubase 8 Pro but the advice on Steinberg's forum was that even though this book is written for Cubase 7, 99% still applies to Cubase 8 Pro and it is worth reading because there isn't an English language Cubase 8 book available yet.I tend to struggle to follow software instructions from manufacturers. I was really pleased that this book was so easy to follow. It covers installation, registration (which can be a challenge to understand with Steinberg), managing files and folders, audio interface and midi setup, preferences. It then moves on to recording MIDI tracks and recording audio. There are comprehensive instructions on using quantisation, making composite audio tracks from a number of takes and correcting pitch and timing errors. The last chapters cover mixing projects and mastering. The book includes a DVD with sample projects that work in C8 and enable you to work through examples of what are advanced but very useful features. Perhaps most importantly, the author gets you going with keyboard shortcuts which hugely increase the speed you can work at compared to using the mouse. If you can spare a couple of hours each evening then you can work through the book in a week and at the end you will have the skills to start recording to a really high standard in your home studio. My only criticism is that some of the screen print images are dark and need a strong light source to read button labels. It's probably as a result of taking a colour image and printing it in black and white. It isn't a deal breaker. In terms of accuracy of applying a Cubase 7 manual to Cubase 8 it is extremely good. I've found a few minor differences in terms of tab/button positions and the odd sentence that no longer applies with v.8 but there aren't paragraphs, pages or chapters that don't apply.It's a great book and compared to paying for Cubase tuition, it's a bargain.

I bought this as I have Cubase 8, but there were no similar books available at the time. I've used Cubase on and off over a very long period of time and thought this book may help to identify a few knowledge gaps and/or bad habits. To this end, it is fairly comprehensive but doesn't warrant the word 'power'. However, ignoring the hype, I'd imagine that it would suit the needs of many users. It is well written, the text is well ordered and flows well. Like another reviewer, I've also noted a number of typos but the really big, star reducing no-no for me is the quality of the diagrams. Considering that it cost, at the time, almost £40 the publishers should be locked up given the appalling quality of the diagrams, which are small, monochrome and of poor resolution. My eyes are pretty good but even with a magnifying glass I can struggle, to the point of often closing the book with frustration and trying elsewhere. Thank heavens for YouTube. I suspect that the author provided the publisher with high quality colour images and the publisher decided on this draconian cost cutting exercise. So, to Mr. Leonard, as they say on your side of the Atlantic, nice try but definitely no cigar.

Having used earlier versions of Cubase and now using 8.5, I find that this book is a useful compromise in upgrading my knowledge base in the absence of an edition that meets the requirements of the later versions.

I haven't finished reading the book yet, but I have read most of it. For the most part, this is avery straight forward and easy to follow book that takes you step by step in the installation, configuration and running of Cubase 7.I have noticed minor errors when labelling some settings in the software, as if the author is using the labels used in Cubase 6. Otherwise, a great starting point for someone learning the software in and out.

An amazing product! Written very simple and clear. I would recommend this book to anyone who want's to have a clear picture about working in Cubase 7. I think, this book is also useful for Cubase 6 or Cubase 8.