Steinberg have launched the latest version of their post-production-focused DAW, which introduces a whole host of new features aimed at mixing, editing and game audio work. Nuendo 14 promises to establish a new benchmark in audio post-production, and comes packed with new additions such as a powerful automated mixing assistant, enhanced AI-powered dialogue transcription, sound effects preview capabilities and much more.
ADA & Extended Immersive Support
A highlight of the new release is the inclusion of Adaptive Background Attenuation (ABA), a function developed by Fraunhofer IIS that helps to ensure that dialogue is always audible. The feature automatically attenuates loud background sounds to a user-defined margin, ensuring that wanted sounds remain clear and up-front at all times — ABA is also available within the MPEG-H Renderer when creating MPEG-H content. Another mix level-related addition comes in the form of a new Volume plug-in, which allows users to adjust the volume of any track independently of its fader.
With the launch of version 14, Nuendo now supports up to fourth-order Ambisonics channels, while its Dolby Atmos Renderer now supports Stereo Direct, 7.1.2, 9.1.4 and 9.1.6 formats. Manual adjustments to the trim settings of Stereo Direct and 5.1.4 projects are now possible from within the Dolby Atmos ADM Trim and Downmix Editor. Some enhancements have been made to the MixConsole, which can now be fully displayed in the Lower Zone — it’s also now possible to rearrange tracks directly from there rather than opening a dedicated MixConsole window.
Nuendo 14 introduces an array of new features including Adaptive Background Attenuation, a tool designed to automatically attenuates loud background sounds in order to ensure dialogue remains audible.
AI-Assisted Editing & Transcription
A new AI-powered speech-to-text feature allows dialogue tracks to be transcribed into ADR cycle markers, while the newly introduced Event Volume Curves offer a quick and flexible way to adjust levels within audio events without having to switch editing tools. Nuendo can also now auto-detect audio segments which it recognises as belonging together by pressing a modifier key, and the segments can then be selected using the Range tool, and have their volume adjusted using the new Event Volume Curves functionality.
Game Audio & Sound Design
Nuendo 14 includes the latest tools for sound design as well as delivering seamless interconnectivity with a range of popular game audio engines. Game Audio Connect 3 makes it possible to preview sound effects directly from Audiokinetic Wwise, and allows adjustments be made before the assets are rendered and transferred; different sounds can also easily be tried out while playing the game. CSV files can now be imported without timecode information, and Nuendo will automatically assign the markers to the project window.
Furthermore, sound effects in the MediaBay can now be previewed at different pitches and time-stretched speeds that match the project. range of new effects plug-ins including Shimmer, Underwater, StudioDelay, and AutoFilter, have been introduced, and Nuendo 14 also features new Modulators which deliver parameter-based automated sound variations while offering in-depth control over the results.
New Features Overview
Here's what Nuendo 14 offers at a glance:
- Adaptive Background Attenuation automated mixing assistant
- AI-powered dialogue transcription
- Game Audio Connect 3 for effect preview within Nuendo
- Parameter-based automated sound variations
- Event Volume Curves
- Audio Segment Automatic Detection
- Range tool improvements
- Additional formats supported by Dolby Atmos renderer
- Revamped video engine
- CSV file import without timecode
- Enhanced MediaBay sound effect previews
- DAWproject support
- New Volume and effects plug-ins
- 64-bit project support
- SpectraLayers Go
- A range of other new features and improvements
Compatibility
Nuendo 14 is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or above, and Macs running macOS 13 and higher.
Pricing & Availability
Nuendo 14 is available now, priced at $999.99€999. Upgrades from Nuendo 13 are priced at $199.99€199, with other update and crossgrade offers available through the Steinberg Online Shop. Steinberg are offering a 20% discount on all Nuendo 14 licenses until 3 April 2025, and anyone who has purchased Nuendo 13 or earlier versions since 19 February 2025 are eligible for a free grace period update to the latest version.
