Considering the Cubase 11 Upgrade from 10.5? Think Twice Before Committing

As I sat down to start my latest project, I was met with an unexpected surprise - a reminder that Steinberg's new registration and licensing processes are in place, and they're not making it easy for existing users like myself to transition smoothly. With the Cubase 11 upgrade from 10.5 on the horizon, I'm left wondering if it's still worth sticking with Steinberg or if it's time to take my business elsewhere.

As a loyal customer of Steinberg's products, I've invested in four different tools, with two more on the way and the Cubase 11 upgrade waiting in the wings. The thought of switching to a new platform like Presonus Studio 1 has been floating around in the back of my mind, especially considering the recent rumors about Steinberg's re-vamping their registration and licensing processes.

However, I'm not one to jump ship without giving it some serious consideration. With a number of projects waiting to be completed and people counting on me to deliver, I need to weigh the pros and cons before making any rash decisions. That being said, the recent issues I've experienced with Steinberg's registration process have left a sour taste in my mouth.

During the original registration process for Cubase 10.5, I opted for a USB e-licenser dongle, thinking it would simplify things down the line. Unfortunately, when I tried to register it today, I was met with yet another hurdle - Steinberg's insistence that I didn't actually need the dongle in the first place! To make matters worse, downloading a new e-licenser only resulted in the same number being assigned as my original one.

After trying various workarounds, including running the e-licenser under Administrator mode (thanks to a helpful suggestion), I'm still stuck with the re-activation process asking for a new e-licenser number that I don't have. It's been a frustrating experience, to say the least.

As I weigh my options and consider the Cubase 11 upgrade from 10.5, I'm left wondering if Steinberg is truly committed to making things easier for their customers or if they're simply trying to force us into adopting their new processes. With so much learning and recording still to be done, I need a platform that will allow me to focus on my craft without getting bogged down in bureaucratic red tape.

In the end, it's up to me to decide whether to stick with Steinberg or take my business elsewhere. For now, I'm left to ponder the pros and cons of upgrading to Cubase 11 from 10.5 - a decision that will ultimately depend on whether Steinberg is willing to listen to their customers' concerns and make things right.