Cubase Essential 4.5更新如下：

• 与Steinberg的声卡MR816 CSX和MR816 X高度整合，集成了I/O设置、监听和可以作为VST插件的DSP效果器
• 与Steinberg的控台CC121高度整合，鼠标停留在任何一个软件旋钮上，转动CC121上的AI旋钮就可直接控制
• 与YAMAHA的MOTIF-RACK XS和MOTIF XS6/7/8高度整合，包括VST 3插件的音色编辑器，可在Mediabay里选择MOTIF音色
• 与YAMAHA的KX25/KX49/KX61/KX8键盘高度整合，包括可直接控制Track Quick Controls旋钮
• VST Sound：可使第三方VST插件支持用SoundFrame来管理音色和效果预置参数，包括在MediaBay里管理到任何VST或硬件音源的预置参数，通过为每个预置参数添加Tag标签方便快速搜索到你需要的
• 可读取、播放、编辑Sequel 2.0的工程文件
• 可读取Sequel的Content Set音色包

Cubase Essential 4.5是一次免费升级，所有注册用户可以到Steinberg官方网站免费下载升级包。

附Cubase Essential介绍：

Cubase Essential是Cubase的简化简化版，在Cubase简化版Cubase Studio的基础上继续进行简化。Cubase LE 4 < Cubase Essential 4 < Cubase Studio 4 < Cubase 4，它相当于以前的Cubase 3 SL。主要特性包括：

• 无限MIDI轨，64条音频轨，16个VST槽，带44个VST3插件和MIDI效果器
• 带HALione ONE虚拟乐器，包含100多个音色，来自MOTIF系列的波表
• 带AudioWarp时间伸缩工具
• 带MediaBay媒体搜索工具
• 增加专门的乐器音轨
• 可通过拖拽的形式改变VST效果器的位置
• 支持Windows XP/Vista、Mac OS X 10.3以上
• 带部分Cubase 4.1新功能，包括重新设计的采样编辑器、对QuickTime 7的支持等

Cubase Essential 4已经上市，价格149英镑。下为Cubase 4、Cubase Studio 4和Cubase Essential 4功能对比表。

Feature Cubase Essential 4 Cubase Studio 4 Cubase 4 Simultaneous playback of audio tracks 64 unlimited unlimited MIDI Tracks unlimited unlimited unlimited Physical Inputs/Outputs 32 128 256 Inserts 8 8 8 Group channels 256 256 256 FX Send channels 8 8 8 FX Return Channels 8 64 64 Instrument Tracks unlimited unlimited unlimited VST Instrument Slots 16 32 64 MIDI insert plugins 4 4 4 Number of mixer views 1 2 3 Control Room no no yes Extended Channel EQ (VST3 Studio EQ) no no yes Extended Mixer view no yes yes Automation modes touch fader touch fader touch fader, x-over, autolatch, trim, overwrite VST3 plug-in support yes yes yes Sidechain Inputs no yes yes Recording from Busses no no yes Mac OS X Universal Binary yes yes yes Multi Processing Support yes yes yes Surround: True Multichannel Audio Path no no yes Unlimited Undo and Redo functions yes yes yes Offline Process History single undo for built-in audio for built-in audio and all plug-ins MediaBay limited limited full Track Presets yes yes yes Studio Connections Recall Recall Recall Audio External FX no no yes External Instruments no no yes Workspaces (virtual desktops) no yes yes Project Browser no yes yes Recording Modes: Mix, Overwrite, Normal, Merge, Stacked excl. Stacked yes yes Editors: Key, List, Basic Score yes yes yes Drum Editor yes yes yes Logical Editor no yes yes Project Logical Editor no no yes Inplace Editor (MIDI Editing in Project Window) no yes yes Advanced Options in Tempo Editor no no yes Volume Envelopes no yes yes Extended Track Inspector (shows VSTi channel for MIDI Tracks) yes yes yes MIDI Devices (Device Maps and Editors) no no yes Professional Score layout and printing functions (incl. MusicXML Import Export) no yes yes Arranger Track yes yes yes Global Transpose Track no yes yes Audio Warp (Realtime Timestretching PitchShifting) playback only yes yes Time Warp Tool no yes yes Pitch Shifting/Time Stretching algorithm Realtime Realtime MPEX Realtime MPEX Dithering Apogee UV22HR Apogee UV22HR Apogee UV22HR Key Command Macros yes yes yes Pool Import and Export no yes yes Rewire Support yes yes yes Track Archives no yes yes Extended Freeze for VST Instruments and Audio Tracks yes yes yes Hardware Controller Support Only Houston, Generic Tascam US-428/224, Mackie Universal and HUI yes yes Track Quick Controls no yes yes Full MP3 Fraunhofer Encoding available as update  available as update  yes Windows Media WMA Pro Encoding yes yes yes Sequel Project Import no yes yes Number of VST MIDI effect plug-ins included 15 16 16 Number of VST audio effect plug-ins included 31 37 55 Number of VST instruments included 1 2 6 Number of instrument sounds included 135 600 1000 Full printed Operations Manual no no yes