Cubasis is Steinberg’s mobile DAW for iOS and iPadOS, and it is the closest thing to a desktop studio you can run on an iPad. This guide walks you through starting a project, recording audio and MIDI, hosting plugins, mixing and exporting, so you can move from a blank session to a finished track with confidence.
Who Cubasis is for
Cubasis suits anyone who wants a traditional, track-based workflow on a tablet rather than a loop-grid app. It handles many audio and MIDI tracks, hosts AUv3 instruments and effects, and includes a proper mixer with channel strips. It is an iOS/iPadOS app only, so it is not an option on Android. It really comes alive on an iPad paired with an audio interface and a MIDI keyboard. For the bigger picture, see our roundup of the best mobile DAWs.
Step 1: Set up a new project
Create a new project and you will see the arrange window with a timeline. Set your tempo and time signature first, since changing them later is more disruptive. Add tracks as you need them: an instrument (MIDI) track for virtual instruments, or an audio track for recording mics and live instruments.
Step 2: Record MIDI and play instruments
Add an instrument track and load one of the built-in sounds or an AUv3 instrument. Use the on-screen keyboard or pads, or connect a hardware keyboard for a better feel — our guide on connecting a MIDI keyboard to your phone applies to iPads too. Arm the track, hit record and play your part. Because it is MIDI, you can quantise timing, fix wrong notes and change the sound afterwards in the key editor.
Step 3: Record audio
To record vocals or an instrument, add an audio track and choose your input. For good quality and low latency you will want an audio interface connected to your iPad — see the best audio interfaces for iPhone and iPad. Set your input level so it is healthy but never clipping, use headphones to avoid bleed, and capture a few takes.
- Watch the meter and aim for a strong signal with headroom.
- Comp the best parts of several takes if needed.
- Trim and fade clip edges to remove clicks.
Step 4: Host AUv3 plugins
One of Cubasis’s biggest strengths is AUv3 support, which lets you load third-party synths and effects right inside the app. This is where the iOS ecosystem pulls ahead of Android. Add an AUv3 instrument to play a richer synth, or insert an AUv3 effect on a channel for a specific reverb or saturation. If this is new to you, read what AUv3 apps are.
Step 5: Mix with the channel strip
Open the mixer to balance your track. Each channel has a strip with EQ, compression and effects sends. A practical order of operations:
- Set rough levels so the arrangement reads clearly.
- Use EQ to separate instruments that clash.
- Add compression where parts need to sit more evenly.
- Send to a shared reverb or delay for cohesion.
- Pan parts to open up the stereo image.
For more, see how to mix a song on your phone.
Step 6: Export your song
When the mix is done, use the mixdown/export function to render a stereo file, or export individual stems if you plan to master or finish elsewhere. Cubasis supports common formats and can share to other apps and storage. For destinations and tips, see how to export a song from a music app.
Tips for working faster in Cubasis
- Use an iPad over an iPhone when you can — the extra screen makes editing far easier.
- Freeze tracks with heavy plugins if you hit performance limits on older devices.
- Save versions of your project at key stages so you can step back.
- Pair it with AUM or Audiobus if you want to route audio between apps in more advanced setups.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cubasis available on Android?
No. Cubasis is an iOS and iPadOS app only. Android users wanting a similar track-based workflow should look at FL Studio Mobile, BandLab or n-Track Studio instead.
Do I need an iPad, or will an iPhone do?
Cubasis runs on iPhone, but the small screen makes detailed editing slow. An iPad is strongly recommended for serious work. See the best tablets for music production if you are choosing one.
Can Cubasis replace a desktop DAW?
For many projects, yes, especially with AUv3 plugins and an interface. Very large sessions and heavy plugin chains may still be smoother on a computer, but Cubasis handles a lot for a mobile app.
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