-Media Production System—Part II
by JD Mars
Previously, in Nuendo version 1.5 using Win 98SE, the Disk Usage meter would sometimes "peg" into the red when initiating playback. On a few occasions this caused the system to crash, but most often it would stabilize and then show a pretty steady cycle of accessing the hard drive. Performance seems to be sufficiently enhanced in Windows 2000 that this condition no longer exists. Let's press on and consider some of the other inherent features of Nuendo.
The Effects:
Nuendo comes equipped with a healthy array of plug-ins. Steinberg is responsible for the VST plug-in standard, and it should be noted that version 2.0 of this standard allows the plug-in to receive MIDI tempo information from the application automatically. This makes the use of any time-based plug-in, such as delay or auto-panning, rather simple and transparent. It's also very easy to modify the base note value and its multipliers.
Apogee's UV22 dithering software comes as a plug-in with the Nuendo package. This is a somewhat acclaimed, albeit stereo plug-in that can be used when converting files or when sending audio from Nuendo to another recording device. Nuendo also includes their own dithering software plug-in, which can be applied to a surround audio stream, i.e., multichannel audio.
The list of included plug-ins is extensive, including a wide range of effects and guitar processors. A scope that includes a phase analyzer, plus a spectrum analyzer are also standard fare. A Matrix encoder/decoder for Dolby Pro Logic is also provided. Should the need arise to encode/decode in Pro Logic (it's so last century), you've got the software to do it. A template exists for surround encoding, though it seems that Steinberg hasn't yet worked out the licensing for Dolby Digital or DTS. That would be nice.
The Instruments:
The sophistication of software synth technology truly adds the capability of making a program like Nuendo an all-inclusive solution to desktop production. Nuendo includes the Neon software synth, the VB-1 virtual bass, LM-9 drum machine, and a GM compatible soft synth with 70MB of sounds called the Universal Sound Module. The software sound modules are triggered via MIDI, while their output port appears as a separate audio output in the VST mixer, allowing you to add an effect or EQ in the same fashion that you would any other audio track. This alone gives working in the virtual world an advantage over hardware devices.
The Glory That Is Nuendo
Nuendo is a powerful program, and I consider my experience with it to be a positive one. It was my desire to chronicle my use of the program, rather than simply expound on its virtues and quirks. At this point in the evolution of production software, you can expect to find an extensive feature set in any program that claims professional quality. Therefore, its performance over time is an important issue when considering it in the realm of professional audio production.
In summary, Nuendo has a solid look and feel. Maneuvering within the program, even during playback, was possible without glitches, with very fast screen draws and no adverse effects that would steer me away from my desire to do so. They've done a good job with conquering latency within the program in terms of processing audio and effects, making it rather transparent.
Nuendo is not an inexpensive program, so in that sense alone it is targeted more toward the professional user. I've come to shy away from the word "intuitive" when it comes to software programs and software-based devices, but Nuendo is not difficult to learn, and fairly straightforward. It is uniquely a Steinberg interface, so users who are familiar with Cubase or other Steinberg products shouldn't have a hard time making the transition.
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