Though the entire program is chock-a-block with enhancements and improvements, the MixConsole has received the most sweeping brushstrokes. This new mixer bears little resemblance to the old one. Sure, the hardware paradigm is still in place - channels are represented by vertical strips with a fader at the bottom (if you like!), but the similarities end there.

Cubase 7's MixConsole is dark, sleek and wildly flexible. A handy Visibility/Zone column brackets the left side, allowing you to choose which channels to display and where they ought to be. The bulk of the view displays the channels themselves. All the old stuff is here - you won't need to consult the included documentation to work out where everything went - but it's all presented in a scrollable, configurable manner.

You can show or hide things like the channel racks, EQ curves, pictures, Notepad and control room metering. You can also toggle in a nifty meter bridge big enough to be seen from across your control room. Obviously, this is a lot to take in and more than our monitors could comfortably display. The Channel overview in particular is pretty dense. Fortunately, you can easily resize various mixer sections and scroll up or down to quickly access the bits you need.

In summary, the new MixConsole presents a working environment far superior to that of its predecessor.