Converting Cubase VST songs (ALL/ARR) into CPR format
The Cubase song and arrangement formats .ALL and .ARR used by Cubase Atari versions up to Cubase VST 5 for Windows and Mac have been replaced by the current project file format .CPR with the introduction of Cubase SX 1, Cubase SL 1 and Cubase SE 1 in 2001. Cubase SE 3, Cubase SL 3 and Cubase SX 3 are the last versions that are capable of importing the classic Cubase song formats. Therefore, they can be used as format converters.
If you have a compatible license, you can use one of the Cubase versions available here to convert your .ALL or .ARR files into the .CPR format. When deciding on a Cubase version as the converter, the project compatibility needs to be considered. In case of doubt, Cubase SE 3 is the best choice, since project files converted with this version provide the best possible compatibility with later Cubase versions.
Licenses required to run compatible Cubase versions
|
CUBASE SE 3 Download Mac | Win |
CUBASE SL 3 Download Mac | Win |
CUBASE SX 3 Download Mac | Win |
Cubase SE 3, SL 3 und SX 3 can be used with licenses listed in this column. |
| ◉ | Cubase SE 3 | ||
| ◉ | ◉ | Cubase SL 3 | |
| ◉ | ◉ | ◉ | Cubase SX 3 |
| ◉ | ◉ | Cubase Studio 4 - 5 | |
| ◉ | Cubase Artist 6 - 7.5 | ||
| ◉ | ◉ | ◉ | Cubase 4 - 7.5 |
| ◉ | ◉ | ◉ | Cubase Pro 8 - 11 |
|
In general, Cubase AI, Cubase LE, Cubase Essential and Cubase Elements licenses cannot be used with Cubase SE, Cubase SL and Cubase SX! | |||
Compatibility and support
No support for legacy software
Please note that Cubase SE 3, Cubase SL 3 and Cubase SX 3 date back to 2004. We cannot provide support for these versions anymore. Installing and using legacy software on current machines and operating systems can entail various problems. In general, Windows systems are less complicated in this regard.
Requirements for Intel-based Macs
Cubase SX 3, SL 3 and SE 3 are PPC-based (PowerPC) versions that have been developed for Macs fitted with IBM processors (G3, G4). On Intel-based Macs, it was possible to run PPC programs using the so-called Dynamic Binary Translator 'Rosetta' up to Mac OS X 10.6. Rosetta was included in Mac OS X until 10.5, on Mac OS X 10.6 it had to be installed manually. Particularly when working with older Mac OS X versions, please refer to the "Notes regarding the legacy eLicenser Control Center" below.
The Conversion
The conversion process is straightforward and done within a few steps:
- Open the .ALL or .ARR file via the import function in Cubase SE 3, SL 3 or SX 3: File > Import > Cubase Song
- Save the project as a .CPR via File > Save as... or use the function Save Project to New Folder...' to make sure that used audio files are gathered.
- Now you can open and edit the .CPR file with a current Cubase version.
Import Limitations
The import function is not lossless and basically limited to audio and MIDI tracks and parts in a project. These details will be retrieved with sample accuracy. Other project-specific settings (used VST effects and instruments, mixer settings) will be lost, though. Opening .ALL and .ARR files losslessly is only possible with the Cubase version the file has been created with.
Overview
This chart shows Cubase generations and derivatives and the respective file format.
Versions within a row are part of the same Cubase generation, versions within a column belong to the same derivative or level. Up to Cubase Essential 5, Cubase Studio 5 and Cubase 5, Cubase versions were unable to open project files created by superior derivatives.
|
Cubase versions Entry Level < > Professional |
File format | |||||
|
.ALL .ARR |
.CPR | |||||
| before 1999 |
former versions including Cubase Atari | ◉ | ||||
| 1999 | Cubase VST 4 | Cubase VST 4 Score | Cubase VST/24 4 | ◉ | ||
| 2000 | Cubase VST 5 | Cubase VST 5 Score | Cubase VST /32 5 | ◉ | ||
| 2001 /2002 |
Cubase SE 1 | Cubase SL 1 | Cubase SX 1 | import only |
◉ | |
| 2002 | Cubase SL 2 | Cubase SX 2 | import only |
◉ | ||
| 2004 /2005 |
Cubase SE 3 Download Mac | Win |
Cubase SL 3 Download Mac | Win |
Cubase SX 3 Download Mac | Win |
import only |
◉ | |
| 2008 | Cubase Essential 4 | Cubase Studio 4 | Cubase 4 | ◉ | ||
| 2009 | Cubase Essential 5 | Cubase Studio 5 | Cubase 5 | ◉ | ||
| since 2011 |
Cubase Elements 6 - 7.5 | Cubase Artist 6 - 7.5 | Cubase 6 - 7.5 | ◉ | ||
| since 2015 |
Cubase Elements 8 - 11 | Cubase Artist 8 - 11 | Cubase Pro 8 - 11 | ◉ | ||
Notes regarding the legacy eLicenser Control Center
If you're using an older operating system for compatibility reasons, note that it's not always possible to install the latest eLicenser Control Center. For macOS 10.8 (and older) and Windows Vista / XP, installing an older version of the eLicenser Control Center is required to maintain compatibility with these legacy operating systems.
You'll find the downloads under "Downloads for older operating systems" on this page:
eLicenser Control Center - License Management - Details & Downloads
Also note that older eLicenser Control Center versions use an outdated license database. If you're using, e.g., a Cubase Pro 11 license on a USB-eLicenser to run Cubase SX 3, the license may not be recognized and show up as "Unknown Application". In that case, a manual update of the license database is required.
The download and installation instructions can be found in this Help Center article:
License missing in eLicenser Control Center or named incorrectly