PC hardware must be DirectX or ASIO-compatible. I took a pass and instead installed the demo project manually. It should be noted that when I attempted to install the demo project from the fancy new Start Center, which presents various links to installation and help facilities, it showed me a dialog that demanded I install SP3 then thoughtfully provided a link to do so. PC systems must have at least a 2 GHz processor, along with Windows 7, Vista, or XP SP2 (32-bit, of course). Mac systems must have Intel Core processors running OS X 10.5.8 or 10.6 with CoreAudio-compatible hardware. As has always been the case, Nuendo is compatible with both Mac and PC computers. Nuendo continues to use a USB dongle for copy protection, and that dongle must be connected before the program will start. With this year’s holidays still fresh in our minds, let’s call this review an exercise in window shopping. But upgrades are reasonable for previous owners, and there is a great deal of value for radio production folks. It does carry a notably radio-unfriendly price with US street at $1800 it is also possibly the most expensive software editor on the market today. Unlimited tracks, trim bins that now include Clip Packages to group multiple sound objects as one, a highly capable and flexible mixer, and 50-odd effects plug-ins make Nuendo one of the most powerful DAWs on the market today. Nuendo is a serious editor that has been attuned to the needs of post production since version 2, while still keeping its music production chops sharp. Users of Nuendo 4 have waited nearly three years for the new release of Steinberg’s flagship multitrack audio editing product this column hasn’t looked at Nuendo since version 3 back in 2005 and believe me, there are plenty of changes and additions in version 5.

Steinberg nuendo 5 requirements