Support for PCs using Microsoft Windows Vista [updated Jan 16th, 2009]
This article gives a current overview about using Steinberg products on systems with Windows Vista. The information contained here has been compiled by the Steinberg support staff. Changes to the status of products will be updated in this article.
Windows Vista compatible products
| Product | Status 32 Bit | Status 64 Bit | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuendo 4 | Officially released and supported | Runs as 64 bit application | 64 bit installer available as a preview on the DVD |
| Cubase 5 | Officially released and supported | Runs as 64 bit application | 64 Bit information |
| Cubase 4 | With version 4.1 officially released and supported | Runs as 32 bit application, 64-bit Preview version available | 64 bit installer available as a preview on 4.1.2 (or higher) DVDs or as a download |
| Cubase Studio 5 | Officially released and supported | Runs as 64 bit application | 64 Bit information |
| Cubase Studio 4 | With version 4.1 officially released and supported | Runs as 32 bit application, 64-bit Preview version available | 64 bit installer available as a preview on 4.1.2 (or higher) DVDs or as a download |
| Cubase Essential 4 | Officially released and supported | Runs as 32 bit application | 64 bit systems are not officially supported! |
| WaveLab 6 | Version 6.0.1 and higher usable with Windows Vista | Runs as 32 bit application, install current Syncrosoft LCC version first! | 64 bit systems are not officially supported! Startup information if UAC is enabled |
| WaveLab Studio 6 | Version 6.0.1 and higher usable with Windows Vista | Runs as 32 bit application, install current Syncrosoft LCC version first! | 64 bit systems are not officially supported! Startup information if UAC is enabled |
| WaveLab Essential 6 | Officially released and supported | Runs as 32 bit application, install current Syncrosoft LCC version first! | 64 bit systems are not officially supported! Startup information if UAC is enabled |
| Sequel | Officially released and supported | Runs as 32 bit application | 64 bit systems are not officially supported! |
| Sequel 2 | Officially released and supported | Runs as 32 bit application | 64 bit systems are not officially supported! |
| HALion 3 | Officially released and supported with version from April, 26th 2007 | Runs as 32 bit application, install current Syncrosoft LCC version first! | 64 bit systems are only supported with version 3.5. |
| HALion Player (HSE, HSO, OEM, Retail) | Officially released and supported with version from April, 26th 2007 | Runs as 32 bit application, install current Syncrosoft LCC version first! | 64 bit systems are not officially supported yet! |
| The Grand 2 | Officially released and supported with version from April, 26th 2007 | Runs as 32 bit application, install current Syncrosoft LCC version first! | 64 bit systems are not officially supported yet! |
| Groove Agent 3 | Officially released and supported | Runs as 32 bit application | 64 bit systems are not officially supported! |
| Steinberg MI-4 & MI-2 | With current driver version officially released and supported | Windows Vista 64-bit driver available! | 64-bit version available as download |
Products without further planned updates...
No further updates are planned for the following products to offer official compatibility with Windows Vista. These products can be used on the 32-bit editions of Vista, as well as 32-bit versions on the 64-bit editions of Vista, using the 
"WoW64" technology. Although basic functionality has been checked, Vista is not officially supported as an operating system for these products.
Before(!) installing the listed products please install the current, Windows Vista certified Syncrosoft License Control Center!
| Product | Remarks |
|---|---|
| Nuendo 3 | No known problems so far, update to Nuendo 4 available |
| Cubase SX 3 | No known problems so far, update to Cubase 5 available |
| Cubase SL 3 | No known problems so far, update to Cubase Studio 5 available |
| Cubase SE 3 | No known problems so far, update to Cubase (Studio) 5 available |
| Studio Case II | No known problems so far, upgrade from Cubase SE 3 to Cubase (Studio) 5 available |
| VSTack | No known problems so far |
| Xphraze | No known problems so far |
| Dolby Digital Encoder | No known problems so far |
| DTS Encoder | No known problems so far |
| Midex 3 Midex 8 | No known problems so far but can be only used on Windows Vista 32-bit editions |
| WaveLab Essential | Not usable, upgrade to WaveLab (Studio) 6 available |
| Hypersonic 2 | No known problems so far |
| Virtual Bassist | No known problems so far |
| Virtual Guitarist 2 | No known problems so far |
Products not listed here...
For products not listed on this page, we have no information regarding the usability with Windows Vista. The installation/usage is at the customer's own risk and support can not be offered for this product on Vista. We recommend continuing to use Windows XP or the appropriate operating system listed in the system requirements for that product.
Choosing a Windows Vista version
This table contains a brief overview of differences which can be of importance for choosing a Windows Vista version for the digitial audio workstation at your studio facility. This list is only an extract and without warranty. Please visit the Microsoft Vista website for more details. The "Home Premium" version can be considered as a good compromise in terms of price-performance ratio and can be used for running Steinberg products. If you require the full set of OS features and functions you should go for the "Ultimate" version, especially if your system is using two CPU sockets.
| Feature | Home Basic | Home Premium | Business | Ultimate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supports multiple CPU cores | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Supports two physical CPU sockets | no | no | yes | yes |
| Maximum of supported RAM (32 bit) | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Maximum of supported RAM (64 bit) | 8 GB | 16 GB | > 128 GB | > 128 GB |
| Scheduled backup jobs | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Image backup of harddisks | no | no | yes | yes |
| Log on to domain | no | no | yes | yes |
| DVD playback (MPEG 2 decoder) | no | yes | no | yes |
| Windows Aero design | no | yes | yes | yes |
Memory usage on Windows Vista 32-bit editions
Please note that the Windows Vista 32-bit editions can not address more than 4 GB of RAM. Additionally, an application is not assigned more than 2 GB of RAM as standard. Dependent on the hardware setup of the system, only 2.8 up to 3.5 GB of RAM is usable at all. This is not a fault of the applications running on Windows Vista but system-specific. More memory can be adressed with the Windows Vista 64-bit editions and be made available to applications.
General hints for Windows Vista 64 bit editions
One of the biggest advantages of Windows Vista 64-bit editions is the capability to address more than 4 GB of RAM and make this available to applications. The 64-bit editions also allow you to run 32-bit software applications. 32-bit programs are able to use up to 4 GB of RAM (instead of the maximum usable amount of 2 GB on Windows Vista 32-bit editions). All drivers for the hardware of your system have to be explicitly compatible with Windows Vista 64 bit editions, and they also need to be digitally signed/certified. The operation of unsigned drivers is possible but not recommended.
