One thing that I was very impressed with in Cubase Elements is the guitar amps.
It is called VST guitar rack, I think.
I already have plenty of VST amps, Bias, etc. But dang if it isn't pretty nice.
I am really liking Cubase and Studio One. I will probably get both.
Cubase has a lot of things figured out. Like the lower zone. In the top right you can select different layouts.
The one I am using has the mixer at the bottom with tabs to open the editor, sampler, chords and one other I think.
it is just way easy to jump back and forth between different views.
Thumbs up to Cubase for sure.

The only time I've had any kind of issue with Cubase Elements was back when I first demo'ed version 6 - a minor glitch, which I can't remember exactly but which didn't prevent me from buying it. I've kept it up to date ever since and never had any issue. 9.5 works like a charm for me (on Mac).
 
Of course, I'd be curious to try the full-blown Cubase, but I am a Logic guy at heart and I don't need full blown alternatives. Elements is plenty enough when I want to spice things up and work in a different environment for a bit.

Does Elements work with control surfaces? I can't seem to find a way to get my MCU to work with it. I wonder if that functionality is saved for Artist and Pro...?

Couldn't say for others, but it did work with Steinberg's own. I used a CMC TP that I won on Facebook with it for a while - I just prefer to stick with the computer keyboard.

Overall, I'm actually fairly impressed with Elements, so far -- fairly elegant design and workflow, intuitive enough that I am figuring most things out fairly quickly. Midi editing tools are pretty damn good, and I'm only just getting started with them. 

Amicus717
Does Elements work with control surfaces? I can't seem to find a way to get my MCU to work with it. I wonder if that functionality is saved for Artist and Pro...?

Yes it does. There's a multi-stage process in setting it up but it works well.

After having recommended Cubase to fellow Sonarians who need the deep features of a high end DAW, I, unfortunately, will not be getting it my self. Cubase's GUI does not like my system/GPU and runs really sluggish despite the fact that I use my system for a lot of graphics, 3D and video work and don't have any problems with anything else. It's disappointing, but having dug further into Studio One I think it will do very nicely with the addition of Notion to go with it. S1 is developed in the same city as Cubase and by several ex Cubase developers so it's not a million miles away :)
 

35mm I think it will do very nicely with the addition of Notion to go with it.
 

What’s cool about Notion 6 is that it sends all data out via MIDI Rewire (only notation app that does that). What that means is that you can keep all of your sound/samples, controller data, and key switches in your DAW and compose in Notion while hearing the final sounds in real time. At mix just import the MIDI data into your DAW. Beautiful, can’t be over stated how cool that is!

My experience with Elements pretty much echoes abacab's.
 
I was mainly attracted by the Chord and Arranger Track features. I started on AI 8 (free with Steinberg UR242 audio interface), then upgraded to Elements 9 when it was on offer and plan to upgrade to 9.5 (current cost £17). I also added Symphonic Orchestra when it was on offer which has some decent sounds although I probably still prefer Miroslav Philharmonic CE overall but still it gives some variety to orchestral instruments.
 
I like Halion SE 3 and many of the included instruments although some of the default ratings seem to be wrong i.e. the lesser sounding GM instruments have 4 stars whereas the better sounding ones have 2 stars. I am gradually changing these ratings when I find them. The analogue synth sounds are really nice.
 
The channel strip is nicely organised and works well and the included effects are fine although I have lots of 3rd party stuff so that's not really an issue for me.
 
One bonus is that it also seems a lot more stable than Sonar with Sampletank 3 (full version). Once I get the Sonar version of Breverb 2 unlocked in Cubase Elements I will be very happy as that is my goto reverb in Sonar.
 
A minor thing I dislike is the "two windows" at startup where the Steinberg Hub window seems separate to the menu at the top. It looks messy as you can see stuff behind in the space between the hub and the menu. It's fine once you start a project though.
 
 

35mm

Amicus717
Does Elements work with control surfaces? I can't seem to find a way to get my MCU to work with it. I wonder if that functionality is saved for Artist and Pro...?

Yes it does. There's a multi-stage process in setting it up but it works well.

I'm guessing that means there is no existing template for the MCU?