Steinberg Cubase LE - 8.0, Cubase Elements - 8.0, Cubase AI - 8.0 Operation Manual

Operation Manual

Cristina Bachmann, Heiko Bischoff, Christina Kaboth, Insa Mingers, Matthias Obrecht, Sabine Pfeifer, Kevin

This PDF provides improved access for vision-impaired users. Please note that due to the complexity and number of images in this document, it is not possible to include text descriptions of images.

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. The software described by this document is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to other media except as specifically allowed in the License Agreement. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior written permission by Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. Registered licensees of the product described herein may print one copy of this document for their personal use.

All product and company names are ™ or ® trademarks of their respective holders. For more information, please visit www.steinberg.net/trademarks.

Quarshie, Benjamin Schütte

7 Introduction

7 About the Program Versions 7 Typographical Conventions

8 Setting Up Your System

8 Setting Up Audio 14 Setting Up MIDI 15 Connecting a Synchronizer 16 Setting Up Video

17 VST Connections

17 VST Connections Window 18 Renaming the Hardware Inputs and

Outputs

20 Adding Input and Output Busses 21 Presets for Input and Output Busses 22 About Monitoring 22 Editing the Bus Configurations

24 Project Window

25 Toolbar 27 Status Line 28 Info Line 28 Overview Line 29 Ruler 30 Inspector 32 Global Track Controls 33 Track List 34 Event Display 34 Racks 35 Zooming in the Project Window 39 Snap Function 41 Cross-Hair Cursor 42 Edit History Dialog

44 Project Handling

44 Creating New Projects 45 Steinberg Hub 46 Project Assistant 47 About Project Files 47 About Template Files 49 Project Setup Dialog 52 Opening Project Files 54 Saving Project Files 55 Reverting to the Last Saved Version 55 Choosing a Project Location 56 Removing Unused Audio Files 56 Creating Self-Contained Projects

59 Tracks

59 Audio Tracks 64 Instrument Tracks 68 MIDI Tracks 72 Arranger Track 73 Chord Track 75 FX Channel Tracks 79 Folder Tracks 81 Group Channel Tracks 85 Marker Track 86 Ruler Track 87 Video Track 88 Customizing Track Controls

91 Track Handling

91 Adding Tracks 92 Removing Tracks 92 Moving Tracks in the Track List 93 Renaming Tracks 93 Coloring Tracks 94 Showing Track Pictures 96 Setting the Track Height 97 Selecting Tracks 98 Duplicating Tracks 98 Disabling Audio Tracks (Cubase Elements

only)

99 Organizing Tracks in Folder Tracks 100 Handling Overlapping Audio 100 How Events are Displayed on Folder Tracks 100 Modifying Event Display on Folder Tracks 101 Track Presets

106 Parts and Events

107 Audio Handling 108 Parts 109 Auditioning Audio Parts and Events 109 Adding Events to a Track 110 Scrubbing 111 Folder Parts 112 Editing Parts and Events

124 Range Editing

124 Creating a Selection Range 126 Editing Selection Ranges

129 Playback and Transport

129 Transport Panel 133 Transport Menu 135 Setting the Project Cursor Position 136 Left and Right Locators 137 Auto-Scroll 138 Time Formats 139 Locating to Specific Time Positions 140 Metronome 142 Chase

143 Virtual Keyboard

143 Recording MIDI With the Virtual Keyboard 144 Virtual Keyboard Options

145 Recording

145 Basic Recording Methods 149 Monitoring 152 Audio Recording Specifics 157 MIDI Recording Specifics 164 Remaining Record Time 165 Lock Record

166 Quantizing MIDI and Audio

166 Quantizing Audio Event Starts 167 Quantizing MIDI Event Starts 167 Quantizing MIDI Event Lengths 167 Quantizing MIDI Event Ends 167 Quantize Panel 172 Additional Quantizing Functions

174 Fades and crossfades

174 Creating fades 177 The Fade dialogs 179 Creating crossfades 180 The Crossfade dialog 182 Auto fades and crossfades

184 Arranger Track (Cubase Elements only)

184 Introduction 184 Setting up the arranger track 185 Working with arranger events 189 Flattening the arranger chain 192 Live mode 194 Arranging your music to video

196 Markers

196 Position Markers 196 Cycle Markers 198 Markers Window 202 Marker Track 204 Importing and Exporting Markers

206 MixConsole

208 Setting Up the MixConsole 208 MixConsole Toolbar 209 Configuring the MixConsole 214 Linking Channels 215 Input Levels 216 Copying and Moving Rack and Channel

Settings

217 Fader Section 220 Working with Channel Racks 236 Using Channel Settings 238 Adding Notes to a MixConsole Channel 239 Keyboard Navigation

240 Audio Effects

240 Overview 242 Insert Effects 247 Send Effects 252 Effect Control Panel 252 Comparing Effect Settings 253 Effect Presets 259 Plug-In Information Window

262 Audio processing and functions

262 Background 262 Audio processing 272 Freeze Edits 273 Detect Silence 276 The Spectrum Analyzer 278 Statistics 279 Time stretch algorithm

281 Sample Editor

281 Window overview 286 General Functions 297 Warping audio 297 Working with hitpoints and slices

306 Audio Part Editor

306 Window Overview 308 Opening the Audio Part Editor 309 Operations 312 Options and Settings

313 Pool

314 Pool Window 318 Working with the Pool

334 MediaBay

335 Working With the MediaBay 335 Setting Up the MediaBay 336 Define Locations Section 337 Scanning Your Content 337 Updating the MediaBay 338 Locations Section 340 Results Section 345 Previewer Section 350 Filters Section 352 Sound Browser and Mini Browser 352 MediaBay Preferences 353 MediaBay Key Commands 354 Working with MediaBay-Related Windows 356 Working With Volume Databases

359 Automation

359 Recording your Actions 360 Automation Curves 360 Static Value Line 360 Write/Read Automation 361 MIDI Part Data vs. Track Automation 361 Writing Automation Data 364 Editing Automation Data 366 Automation Tracks

368 VST Instruments

368 VST Instruments Window 371 Adding VST Instruments 372 Presets for Instruments 374 VST Quick Controls 376 Playing Back VST Instruments 378 About Latency 379 Import and Export Options

382 Installing and Managing Plug-ins

382 Installing VST plug-ins 383 Plug-in Manager 386 Compiling a New Effects Collection

388 Remote controlling Cubase

388 Setting Up 390 Operations 392 The Generic Remote device 396 The Remote Control Editor (Cubase

Elements only)

403 Apple Remote (Macintosh only)

404 MIDI realtime parameters

404 The Inspector – general handling 405 The Inspector sections

413 Using MIDI devices

413 MIDI devices – general settings and patch

handling

421 MIDI Processing

421 MIDI functions vs. MIDI modifiers 422 What is affected by the MIDI functions? 422 Transpose 423 Making your settings permanent 425 Dissolve Part 427 Repeat Loop 427 Other MIDI functions

433 MIDI Editors

433 Opening MIDI editors 434 Changing the Default MIDI Editor 434 Common MIDI Editor Functions 443 Key Editor 451 Key Editor Operations 470 Score Editor 474 Score Editor Operations 483 Drum Editor 493 Drum Editor Operations 500 SysEx Messages

505 Chord Functions

505 Chord Track 506 Chord Events 511 Scale Events 512 Voicings 515 Converting Chord Events to MIDI 515 Controlling MIDI Playback using the Chord

Track

519 Assigning Voices to Notes 520 Extracting Chord Events from MIDI 521 Recording Chord Events with a MIDI

Keyboard

522 Chord Pads

522 Chord Pads Zone 525 Functions Menu 526 Preparations 527 Chord Assistant 528 Assigning Chords to Chord Pads 531 Moving and Copying Chord Pads 531 Playing Back and Recording Chords 533 Chord Pad Settings – Remote Control 536 Chord Pad Settings – Players 539 Chord Pad Settings – Pad Layout 540 Chord Pads Presets 541 Creating Events from Chord Pads

542 Editing tempo and signature

542 Background 543 Tempo and signature display 545 Editing tempo and signature 548 The Beat Calculator 550 Adjusting the audio to the project tempo

551 Export Audio Mixdown

551 Introduction 551 Mixing down to audio files 553 The Export Audio Mixdown dialog 556 The available file formats

564 Synchronization

564 Background 565 Timecode (positional references) 567 Clock sources (speed references) 568 The Project Synchronization Setup dialog 571 Synchronized operation 572 Working with VST System Link 577 Activating VST System Link

585 Video

585 Before You Start 588 Preparing a Video Project 591 Playing Back Video 595 Editing Video 595 Extracting Audio From a Video File 596 Replacing the Audio in a Video File

597 ReWire (not in Cubase LE)

597 Introduction 598 Launching and quitting 599 Activating ReWire channels 599 Using the transport and tempo controls 600 How the ReWire channels are handled 601 Routing MIDI via ReWire 601 Considerations and limitations

602 Key Commands

602 Introduction 603 Setting up key commands 607 Setting up tool modifier keys 607 The default key commands

616 File handling

616 Importing audio 622 Exporting and importing standard MIDI files 626 Exporting and importing MIDI loops

627 Customizing

627 Using the Setup options 629 Appearance 632 Applying colors in the Project window 637 Where are the settings stored?

639 Optimizing

639 Optimizing Audio Performance

645 Preferences

645 Preferences Dialog 647 Appearance 648 Editing 656 Event Display 659 General 661 MIDI 665 MediaBay 666 Metering 667 Record 669 Transport 671 VST 674 Video

675 Index

About the Program Versions

NOTE

The documentation covers two different operating systems, Windows and Mac OS X. Some features and settings are specific to one of the platforms.

This is clearly stated in the applicable cases. If nothing else is said, all descriptions and procedures in the documentation are valid for both Windows and Mac OS X.

The screenshots are taken from the Windows version of Cubase.

Typographical Conventions

Introduction

Many of the default key commands in Cubase use modifier keys, some of which are different depending on the operating system. For example, the default key command for Undo is [Ctrl]-[Z] on Windows and [Command]-[Z] on Mac OS X.

When key commands with modifier keys are described in this manual, they are shown with the Windows modifier key first, in the following way:

• [Win modifier key]/[Mac modifier key]-[key]

For example, [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Z] means “press [Ctrl] on Windows or [Command] on Mac OS X, then press [Z]”.

Similarly, [Alt]/[Option]-[X] means “press [Alt] on Windows or [Option] on Mac OS X, then press [X]”.

This manual often refers to right-clicking, for example, to open context menus. If you are using a Mac with a single-button mouse, hold down [Ctrl] and click.

Setting Up Your System

IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANT

Setting Up Audio

Make sure that all equipment is turned off before making any connections.

Simple Stereo Input and Output Setup

If you only use a stereo input and output from Cubase, you can connect your audio hardware, for example, the inputs of your audio card or your audio interface, directly to the input source and the outputs to a power amplifier and speaker.

Once you have set up the internal input and output busses, you can connect your audio source, for example a microphone, to your audio interface and start recording.

Connecting Audio

Your system setup depends on many different factors, for example, on the kind of project that you want to create, on the external equipment that you want to use, or on the computer hardware that is available to you. Therefore, the following sections can only serve as examples.

How to connect your equipment, that is, whether to use digital or analog connections also depends on your setup.

Setting Up Your System

IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANT

IMPORTANT

IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANT

NOTE

PROCEDURE

Setting Up Audio

About Recording Levels and Inputs

When you connect your equipment, make sure that the impedance and levels of the audio sources and inputs are matched. Using the correct type of input is important to avoid distortion or noisy recordings. For microphones, for example, different inputs can be used, such as consumer line level (-10 (+4

dBV).

Sometimes, you can adjust input characteristics on the audio interface or on its control panel. For details, refer to the documentation that came with the audio hardware.

Cubase does not provide any input level adjustments for the signals that are coming into your audio hardware, since these are handled differently for each card. Adjusting input levels is either done in a special application that is included with the hardware or its control panel.

dBV) or professional line level

Word Clock Connections

If you are using a digital audio connection, you may also need a word clock connection between the audio hardware and external devices. For details, refer to the documentation that came with the audio hardware.

Set up word clock synchronization correctly, or you may experience clicks and crackles in your recordings.

Selecting a Driver

You must select the correct driver in Cubase to make sure that the program can communicate with the audio hardware.

On Windows operating systems, we recommend that you access your hardware via an ASIO driver developed specifically for the hardware. If no ASIO driver is installed, refer to your audio hardware manufacturer about available ASIO driver. You can use the Generic Low Latency ASIO driver if no specific ASIO driver is available.

When you start Cubase, a dialog opens that prompts you to select a driver. You can also select your audio hardware driver in the following way.

1. Launch Cubase and select Devices > Devices Setup.

2. In the devices list, select VST Audio System.

Setting Up Your System

NOTE

Setting Up Audio

3. On the ASIO Driver menu, select your audio hardware driver.

The selected driver is added to the devices list.

4. In the devices list, select the driver to open the driver settings for your audio hardware.

5. Open the control panel for the audio hardware in the following way:

• On Windows operating systems, click the Control Panel button.

• On Mac OS X operating systems, click the Open Config App button.

This button is available only for some hardware products. If it is not available in your setup, refer to the documentation of your audio hardware for information on where to make hardware settings.

The control panel is provided by the audio hardware manufacturer and is different for each audio card brand and model. However, control panels for the ASIO DirectX driver and the Generic Low Latency ASIO Driver (Windows only) are provided by Steinberg.

6. Make the settings as recommended by the audio hardware manufacturer.

7. Click Apply.

8. Click OK.

RELATED LINKS

Using Audio Hardware with a DirectX Driver (Windows only) on page 10

Using Audio Hardware with a DirectX Driver (Windows only)

A DirectX driver is an alternative to a specific ASIO driver and the Generic Low Latency ASIO driver.

Cubase comes with the ASIO DirectX Full Duplex driver.

• To select the driver, select Devices > Device Setup > VST Audio System and open the ASIO Driver menu.

When the ASIO DirectX Full Duplex driver is selected, you can open ASIO DirectX

Full Duplex Driver from the Devices List, and click Control Panel button. On the Control Panel for the driver, the following settings are available:

Direct Sound Output and Input Ports

Lists all available Direct Sound output and input ports. To activate/deactivate a port in the list, click the checkbox in the left column.

Buffer Size

Allows you to edit the buffer size. Audio buffers are used when audio data is transferred between Cubase and the audio card. Larger buffers ensure that playback occurs without glitches, but larger buffers also increase the latency.

Offset

Allows you to adjust the output or input latency time, if a constant offset is audible during playback of audio and MIDI recordings.

Setting Up Your System

NOTE

PROCEDURE

Setting Up Audio

Audio Channels

Lists the available audio channels.

Bits Per Sample

Shows the number of bits per sample.

Sync Reference

Shows if the driver is used as sync reference.

To take advantage of DirectX Full Duplex driver, the audio hardware must support Windows Driver Model (WDM).

Using Hardware that is Based on an External Clock Source

For proper audio playback and recording, you must set the sample rate of the project to the sample rate of the incoming clock signals. If you are using an external clock source, Cubase must be notified that it receives external clock signals and derives its speed from that source.

1. Select Devices > Devices Setup.

2. In the devices list, select the page of your audio hardware driver.

3. Activate Externally clocked.

RESULT

Cubase accepts the sample rate mismatch, and playback is therefore faster or slower.

When a sample rate mismatch occurs, the Record Format field on the status line is highlighted in a different color.

Using Several Audio Applications Simultaneously

If you want to use several audio applications simultaneously, you must allow other applications to play back via your audio hardware even though Cubase is running.

1. Select Devices > Devices Setup.

2. In the devices list, select the VST Audio System page.

3. Activate Release Driver when Application is in Background.

RESULT

The application that is currently active gets access to the audio hardware.

Setting Up Your System

NOTE

Setting Up Audio

Make sure that any other audio application accessing the audio hardware is also set to release the ASIO or Mac OS X driver.

Setting Up Busses

Cubase uses a system of input and output busses to transfer audio between the program and the audio hardware.

• Input busses let you route audio from the inputs of your audio hardware into Cubase. This means that audio is always recorded through one or several input busses.

• Output busses let you route audio from Cubase to the outputs of your audio hardware. This means that audio is always played back through one or several output busses.

Once you understand the bus system and know how to set up the busses properly, you can continue with recording, playing back, and mixing.

RELATED LINKS

VST Connections on page 17

Configuring the Audio Hardware

Most audio cards provide one or more small applications that allow you to customize your hardware.

This includes:

• Selecting which inputs/outputs are active.

• Setting up word clock synchronization (if available).

• Turning on/off monitoring via the hardware.

• Setting levels for each input.

• Setting levels for the outputs so that they match the equipment that you use for monitoring.

• Selecting digital input and output formats.

• Making settings for the audio buffers.

In most cases, the settings for the audio hardware are gathered on a control panel that can be opened from within Cubase or separately, when Cubase is not running. For details, refer to the audio hardware documentation.

Setting Up Your System

IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANT

PROCEDURE

IMPORTANT

Setting Up Audio

Plug and Play Support for ASIO Devices

The Steinberg UR824 hardware series supports plug and play in Cubase. These devices can be plugged in and switched on while the application is running. Cubase automatically uses the driver of the UR824 series and re-maps the VST connections accordingly.

Steinberg cannot guarantee that this works with other hardware. If you are unsure of whether your device supports plug and play, refer to the documentation of your device.

If a device that does not support plug and play is connected or disconnected while the computer is running, it can get damaged.

Setting Up the Input and Output Ports

Once you have selected the driver for your audio hardware and have set it up, you must specify which inputs and outputs to use.

1. Select Devices > Device Setup.

2. In the Device Setup dialog, select your driver from the Devices list on the left.

3. Make your settings.

4. Optional: To hide a port, click its Visible column.

Hiding a port disconnects it.

Ports that are not visible cannot be selected in the VST Connections window where you set up your input and output busses.

5. Optional: To rename a port, click its name in the Show as column and type in a new name.

6. Click OK.

About Monitoring

In Cubase, monitoring means listening to the input signal while preparing to record or while recording.

The following ways of monitoring are available.

• Externally by listening to the signal before it reaches Cubase.

•Via Cubase.

Setting Up Your System

IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANT

PROCEDURE

Setting Up MIDI

• By using ASIO Direct Monitoring. This is a combination of the other methods.

RELATED LINKS

External Monitoring on page 150 Monitoring via Cubase on page 149 ASIO Direct Monitoring on page 150

Setting Up MIDI

Turn off all equipment before making any connections.

1. Connect your MIDI equipment (keyboard, MIDI interface, etc.) to your computer.

2. Install the drivers for your MIDI equipment.

RESULT

You can use your MIDI equipment in Cubase.

About MIDI Ports

To play back and record MIDI data from your MIDI device, for example, a MIDI keyboard, you need to set up the MIDI ports in Cubase.

Connect the MIDI output port of your MIDI device to the MIDI input port of your computer. This way, the MIDI device sends MIDI data to be played back or recorded inside your computer.

Connect the MIDI input port of your MIDI device to the MIDI output port of your computer. This way, you can send MIDI data from Cubase to the MIDI device. For example, you can record your own playing, edit the MIDI data in Cubase, and then play it back on the keyboard and record the audio that is coming out of the keyboard for a better edited performance.

Showing or Hiding MIDI Ports

You can specify if a MIDI port is listed on the MIDI pop-up menus in the program.

1. Select Devices > Device Setup.

2. In the Device Setup dialog, select MIDI Port Setup from the Devices list on the left.

Setting Up Your System

PROCEDURE

NOTE

IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANT

Connecting a Synchronizer

3. To hide a MIDI port, deactivate its Visible column.

4. Click OK.

Setting Up All MIDI Inputs

When you record MIDI, you can specify which MIDI input each recording MIDI track should use. However, you can also record any MIDI data from any MIDI input. You can specify which inputs are included when you select All MIDI Inputs for a MIDI track.

1. Select Devices > Device Setup.

2. In the Device Setup dialog, select MIDI Port Setup from the Devices list on the left.

3. Activate In ‘All MIDI Inputs’ for a port.

If you have a MIDI remote control unit connected, make sure to deactivate the In ‘All MIDI Inputs’ option for that MIDI input. This avoids accidental recording of data from the remote control when All MIDI Inputs is selected as input for a MIDI track.

4. Click OK.

RESULT

When you select All MIDI Inputs on the Input Routing menu of a MIDI track in the Inspector, the MIDI track uses all MIDI inputs that you specified in the Device Setup dialog.

Connecting a Synchronizer

When using Cubase with external tape transports, you most likely must add a synchronizer to your system.

Make sure that all equipment is turned off before making any connections.

For information on how to connect and set up your synchronizer, refer to the documentation of your synchronizer.

RELATED LINKS

Synchronization on page 564

Setting Up Your System

NOTE

Setting Up Video

Cubase plays back video files in a number of formats, such as AVI, QuickTime, or MPEG. QuickTime is used as the playback engine. Which formats can be played back depends on the video codecs that are installed on your system.

There are several ways to play back video, for example, without any special hardware, using a FireWire port, or using dedicated video cards.

If you plan to use special video hardware, install it and set it up as recommended by the manufacturer.

Before you use the video hardware with Cubase, we recommend that you test the hardware installation with the utility applications that were provided with the hardware and/or the QuickTime Player application.

RELATED LINKS

Video on page 585 Video Output Devices on page 587

VST Connections

To play back and record in Cubase, you must set up input and output busses in the VST Connections window.

The bus types that you need depend on your au setup, and on the projects that you use.

VST Connections Window

The VST Connections window allows you to set up input and output busses.

• To open the VST Con

Inputs/Outputs Tab

The Input and Output tabs allow you to set up and configure input and output busses.

dio hardware, on your general audio

nections window, select Devices > VST Connections.

The following options are available above the bus list:

+- All

Expands/Collapses all busses in the bus list.

Add Bus

Opens the Add Inpu configuration.

Presets

Opens the Pres The Store button

Delete button

t Bus dialog, where you can create a new bus

ets menu, where you can select bus configuration presets.

allows you to save a bus configuration as preset. The

deletes the selected preset.

VST Connections

NOTE

Renaming the Hardware Inputs and Outputs

The following columns are available for the bus list:

Bus Name

Lists the busses. Click the name of a bus to select or rename it.

Speakers

Indicates the speaker configuration (mono, stereo) of each bus.

Audio Device

Shows the currently selected ASIO driver.

Device Port

Shows which physical inputs/outputs on your audio hardware are used by the bus. Expand the bus entry to show all speaker channels. If the bus entry is collapsed, only the first port that is used by this bus is visible.

The Device Port pop-up menu displays how many busses are connected to a given port. The busses are shown in square brackets next to the port name.

Up to three bus assignments can be displayed in this way. If more connections have been made, this is indicated by a number at the end of the port name.

For example, “Adat 1 [Stereo1] [Stereo2] [Stereo3] (+2)” means that the Adat

1 port is already assigned to three stereo busses plus two additional

busses.

Click (Outputs tab only)

You can route the metronome click to a specific output bus.

Renaming the Hardware Inputs and Outputs

Before you set up busses, you should rename the default inputs and outputs of your audio hardware. This allows transferring projects between different computers and setups.

For example, if you move your project to another studio, the audio hardware may be of a different model. But if you and the other studio owner have agreed on identical names for your inputs and outputs, Cubase corrects inputs and outputs for your busses.

If you open a project that was created on another computer and the port names do not match or the port configuration is not the same, the Missing Ports dialog appears. This allows you to manually re-route ports that are used in the project to ports that are available on your computer.

VST Connections

PROCEDURE

NOTE

PROCEDURE

Renaming the Hardware Inputs and Outputs

1. Select Devices > Device Setup.

2. On the VST Audio System page, make sure that the correct driver for your audio hardware is selected.

If this is the case, your audio card is listed in the Devices list on the left of the Device Setup window.

3. In the devices list, select your audio card.

The available input and output ports on your audio hardware are listed on the right.

4. In the Show As column, click on a port name and enter a new name.

5. Repeat the previous step until you have renamed all required ports.

6. Click OK.

RELATED LINKS

Re-Routing Missing Ports on page 53

Hiding Ports

You can hide ports that you are not using. Hidden ports are not displayed in the VST Connections window.

1. Select Devices > Device Setup.

2. In the devices list, select your audio card.

3. In the Visible column, deactivate the ports that you want to hide.

4. Click OK.

Activating and Deactivating Ports (Mac only)

On Mac operating systems, you can specify which input and output ports are active. This allows you to use the microphone input instead of the line input or to deactivate the audio card input or output.

This function is only available for built-in audio, standard USB audio devices, and a certain number of other audio cards.

1. Select Devices > Device Setup.

2. In the devices list, select your audio card.

3. Click the Control Panel button.

VST Connections

PROCEDURE

Adding Input and Output Busses

4. Activate/Deactivate ports.

5. Click OK.

Adding Input and Output Busses

1. In the VST Connections dialog, click the Inputs or Outputs tab.

2. Click Add Bus.

The Add Input Bus dialog opens.

3. Configure the bus.

4. Optional: Enter a name for the bus.

If you do not specify a name, the bus is named according to the channel configuration.

5. Click Add Bus.

The new bus is added to the bus list.

6. For each of the speaker channels in the bus, click in the Device Port column and select a port of your audio hardware.

Setting the Default Output Bus (Main Mix)

The Main Mix is the default output bus to which each new audio, group, or FX channel is automatically routed. If only one bus is available, this bus is automatically used as the default output bus.

PREREQUISITE

Add an output bus.

1. In the VST Connections dialog, right-click the output bus that you want to use as default output bus.

2. Select Set as Main Mix.

RESULT

The selected bus is used as default bus. The Main Mix is indicated by a speaker icon next to its name.

VST Connections

PROCEDURE

Presets for Input and Output Busses

For input and output bus configurations, you can use different kinds of presets.

• A number of standard bus configurations.

• Automatically created presets tailored to your specific hardware

onfiguration.

c On startup, Cubase analyzes the physical inputs

provided by your audio hardware and creates a number of hardware-dependent presets.

• Your own presets.

Saving a Bus Configuration Preset

You can save your own input and output bus configuration as presets.

1. Select Devices > VST Connections.

2. Set up your bus configuration.

3. Click Store

The Type in Preset Name dialog opens.

4. Enter a name.

5. Click OK.

and outputs that are

RESULT

The preset is available in the Pr

esets menu.

Deleting a Bus Configuration Preset

1. Select Devices > VST Connections.

2. From the Presets menu, select the preset that you want to delete.

3. Click Delete .

ESULT

The preset is deleted.

VST Connections

PROCEDURE

About Monitoring

The default output bus (Main Mix) is used for monitoring. You can adjust the monitoring level in the MixConsole.

RELATED LINKS

Setting the Default Output Bus (Main Mix) on page 20

Editing the Bus Configurations

After you have set up all the required busses for a project you can edit the names and change port assignments. The bus configuration is saved with the project.

Removing Busses

• In the VST Connections window, right-click a bus in the list and select Remove Bus.

You can also select the bus and press [Backspace].

Changing Port Assignments

You can change the port assignment of busses in the VST Connection window.

• To change a port assignment, click in the Device Port column of a bus and select a new port.

• To assign different ports to the selected busses, open the Device Port pop-up menu for the first selected entry, press [Shift], and select a device port.

All subsequent busses are automatically connected to the next available port.

• To assign the same port to all selected busses, open the Device Port pop-up menu for the first selected entry, press [Shift]-[Alt]/[Option], and select a device port.

VST Connections

NOTE

Editing the Bus Configurations

Renaming Multiple Busses

You can rename all the selected busses at once using incrementing numbers or letters.

• To use incrementing numbers, select the busses that you want to rename and enter a new name for one of the busses, followed by a number.

For example, if you have eight inputs that you want to be named “In 1, In 2, …, In 8”, you select all the busses and enter the name In 1 for the first bus. All other busses are then renamed automatically.

• To use letters from the alphabet, select the busses that you want to rename and enter a new name for one of the busses, followed by a space and a capital letter.

For example, if you have three FX channels that you want to be named “FX A, FX B, and FX C”, you select all the channels and enter the name FX A for the first. All other channels are renamed automatically. The last letter that can be used is Z. If you have more selected entries than there are letters available, the remaining entries are skipped.

You can begin renaming from any position in the list. The renaming starts from the bus where you edit the name, goes down the list to the bottom, and then continues from the top until all selected busses have been renamed.

Identifying Exclusive Port Assignments

For certain channel types, the port assignment is exclusive.

Once a port has been assigned to such a bus or channel, it must not be assigned to another bus, otherwise the connection to the first bus will be broken.

The corresponding ports are marked in red in the VST Connections window on the

Device Port pop-up menu.

Project Window

The Project window provides an overview of the project, and allows you to navigate and perform large scale editing.

Each project has one Project window. The Project window is displayed whenever you open or create a new project.

• To open a project, select File > Open.

• To create a new project, select File > New Project.

The Project window is divided into several sections:

1) Toolbar Holds tools and shortcuts for opening other windows and various project

settings and functions.

2) Status Line Shows the most important project settings.

3) Info Line Shows information about the currently selected event or part in the Project window.

Project Window

Toolbar

4) Overview Line Shows events and parts as boxes and allows you to zoom and navigate in the

project.

5) Inspector Shows controls and parameters for the first selected track.

6) Track List Shows the track types and their controls.

7) Add Track Allows you to add a new track.

8) Ruler Shows the timeline and the display format of the project.

9) Event Display Shows the parts and events of the project.

Toolbar

10) Racks Shows the MediaBay.

The toolbar holds tools and shortcuts for opening other windows and various project settings and functions.

• To display all toolbar elements, right-click in an empty area of the toolbar and select Show All.

The following options are available:

Activate Project

Allows you to activate a project.

Set up Window Layout

Allows you to show or hide the sections Inspector, status line, info line, and overview line.

Constrain Delay Compensation

Allows you to minimize the latency effects of the delay compensation.

Media & MixConsole Windows

These buttons allow you to open or close the MediaBay, the Pool, and the MixConsole.

Project Window

Toolbar

State buttons

These buttons show the mute, solo, listen, and automation states.

Auto-Scroll

Allows you to activate the Auto-Scroll and Suspend Auto-Scroll when Editing options. These determine if the waveform display is scrolled during

playback.

Transport Buttons

Shows the transport controls.

Arranger Controls (Cubase Elements only)

Shows the controls for the arranger track.

Tool Buttons

Shows the buttons for editing in the Project window.

Color Menu

Allows you to define the Project window colors.

Toolbox

Nudge Palette

Allows you to nudge or trim events or parts.

Snap to Zero Crossings

If this option is activated, it finds zero crossings when you split and size audio events.

Snap

Allows you to restrict horizontal movement and positioning to certain positions.

Quantize

Allows you to move recorded audio or MIDI to musical relevant positions.

Performance Meter

Shows the meters for ASIO time usage and hard disk transfer load.

The toolbox makes the editing tools from the toolbar available at the mouse pointer position. It can be opened instead of the standard context menus in the event display and editors.

• To activate the toolbox function, select File > Preferences > Editing > Tools and activate Pop-up Toolbox on Right-Click.

• To open the toolbox, right-click in the event display or editor. If Pop-up Toolbox on Right-Click it is deactivated, the context menu opens.

Project Window

Status Line

• To open the context menu instead of the toolbox, press any modifier key and right-click in the event display or editor.

If Pop-up Toolbox on Right-Click is deactivated, press any modifier key to open the toolbox instead of the context menu.

• To change the number of rows in which the tools are arranged on the toolbox, keep the right mouse button pressed on the toolbox until the mouse pointer changes to a double arrow, and drag to the bottom or right.

The status line shows the most important project settings.

• To show or hide the status line, click Set up Window Layout on the toolbar and activate or deactivate Status Line.

The following information is shown in the status line:

Audio Inputs

Displays the connection state of your audio inputs. Click in this field to open the VST Connections dialog.

Audio Outputs

Displays the connection state of your audio outputs. Click in this field to open the VST Connections dialog.

Record Time Max

Displays the remaining time for recording, depending on your project settings and the available hard disk space. Click in this field to display the remaining record time in a separate window.

Record Format

Displays the sample rate and the bit resolution used for recording. Click in this field to open the Project Setup dialog.

Project Frame Rate

Displays the frame rate used in the project. Click in this field to open the

Project Setup dialog.

Project Pan Law

Displays the current pan law setting. Click in this field to open the Project Setup dialog.

Project Window

Info Line

The info line shows information about the currently selected event or part in the Project window.

• To show or hide the info line, click the Set up Window Layout button on the toolbar and activate or deactivate the Info Line option.

Editing in the Info Line

You can edit almost all event or part data on the info line using regular value editing.

If you select several events or parts, the info line is shown in another color and only the information about the first item in the selection is displayed. The following rules apply:

• Value changes are applied to all selected elements, relatively to the current

• Value changes are applied absolutely to the current values, if you press

• To change the modifier, select File > Preferences > Editing > Tool

Overview Line

The overview line allows you to zoom and navigate to other sections in the Project window.

values. For example, you have selected two audio events. The first event has a length

of 1 bar, the second of 2 bars. If you change the info line value to 3, the first event is resized to 3 bars and the second event to 4 bars.

[Ctrl]/[Command] while modifying the value on the info line. In the example above, both events are resized to 3 bars.

Modifiers and select a new modifier in the Info Line category.

• To show or hide the overview line, click the Set up Window Layout button on the toolbar and activate or deactivate Overview Line.

In the overview line, events and parts are displayed as boxes. A rectangle indicates the section of the project that is currently displayed in the event display.

• To zoom the event display in or out horizontally, resize the rectangle by dragging the edges.

• To navigate to another section of the event display, drag the rectangle to the left or right, or click in the upper part of the overview.

Project Window

Ruler

The ruler shows the timeline and the display format of the project.

Initially, the Project window ruler uses the display format that is specified in the Project Setup dialog.

• To select an independent display format for the ruler, click the arrow button to the right of the ruler and select an option from the pop-up menu.

• To set the display format globally for all windows, use the primary display format pop-up on the Transport panel, or hold down [Ctrl]/[Command] and select a display format in any ruler.

RELATED LINKS

Project Setup Dialog on page 49

Ruler Display Formats

You can select a display format for the ruler.

• To select a new display format for the ruler, click the arrow button to the right of the ruler and select an option from the pop-up menu.

The selection that you make affects the time display formats in the following areas:

•Ruler

• Info line

• Tooltip position values

The following options are available:

Bars+Beats

Bars, beats, sixteenth notes, and ticks. By default, there are 120 ticks per sixteenth note, but you can adjust this with the MIDI Display Resolution setting (File > Preferences > MIDI).

Second

Hours, minutes, seconds, and milliseconds.

Project Window

Inspector

Timecode

Hours, minutes, seconds, and frames. The number of frames per second (fps) is set in the Project Setup dialog with the Frame Rate pop-up menu. You can also display subframes by activating Show Timecode Subframes (File

> Preferences > Transport).

Samples

Time Linear

Sets the ruler linear to time.

Bars+Beats Linear

Sets the ruler linear to bars and beats.

The Inspector shows controls and parameters for the first (topmost) selected track type in the track list.

• To show or hide the Inspector, click the Set up Window Layout button on the toolbar and activate or deactivate Inspector.

Project Window

Inspector

Inspector Sections

The Inspector is divided into a number of sections that each contain different controls for the track.

Not all Inspec

tor sections are shown by default. The available sections depend on

the selected track type.

• To hide or show sections, click on their names. Clicking the name for a hidden section brings it into view and hides the other

ctions.

• To hide or show a section withou [Ctrl]/[Command]-click the section name.

ELATED LINKS

Audio Track Inspector on page 60 Instrument Track Inspector on page 64 MIDI Track Inspector on page 68 Arranger Track Inspector on page 72 Chord Track Inspector on page 74 Marker Track Inspector on page 85 Video Track Inspector on page 87

Setting Up Inspector Sections

You can set up the visible Inspector sections for all tracks of the selected track type.

t closing the other sections,

• To open the Audi

Inspector Settings Dialog

o Track Inspector Settings dialog, click the Open

button at the bottom right of the Inspector.

Hidden Items

This section displays sections currently hidden in the Inspector.

Project Window

Global Track Controls

Visible Items

This section displays sections currently visible in the Inspector.

Allows you to pin the open/close status of the selected Inspector section.

Add

Allows you to move an item selected in the hidden sections list to the list of visible sections.

Remove

Allows you to move an item selected in the visible sections list to the list of hidden sections.

Move Up/Move Down

Allows you to change the order of an item in the list of visible sections.

Presets

Allows you to save Inspector section settings as presets.

Reset All

Allows you to restore all default Inspector section settings.

Global Track Controls

The global track controls area above the track list allows you to add tracks to the track list.

1) Add Track Allows you to add tracks to the track list.

RELATED LINKS

Channel Selector on page 209

Project Window

Track List

The track list shows the tracks that are used in the project. When a track is added and selected, it contains name fields and settings for this track.

• To decide which controls are visible for each track type, right-click the track list and open the Track Controls Settings dialog.

RELATED LINKS

Customizing Track Controls on page 88

Dividing the Track List

You can divide the track list into an upper track list and a lower track list. These track lists can have independent zoom and scroll controls.

Dividing the track list is useful if you are working with a video track and multi-track audio, for example. It allows you to place the video track in the upper track list and to scroll the audio tracks separately in the lower track list, so that they can be arranged with the video.

• To divide the track list, click the Divide Track List button in the top right corner of the Project window below the ruler.

Video, marker, or arranger tracks are automatically moved to the upper track list. All other track types are moved to the lower track list.

• To move any type of track from the lower track list to the upper and vice versa, right-click it in the track list and select Toggle Track List from the context menu.

• To resize the upper part of the track list, click and drag the divider between the track list sections.

• To revert to a single track list, click Divide Track List again.

Project Window

Event Display

The event display shows the parts and events that are used in the project. They are positioned along the timeline.

Racks

The racks zone of the project window allows you to display the VST Instruments and the MediaBay.

• To show or hide the rack zone, click the Set up Window Layout button on the toolbar and activate or deactivate Racks.

Project Window

IMPORTANT

Zooming in the Project Window

•Click the VST Instruments tab to add and edit VST instruments from within the rack zone of the project window.

• Click the MediaBay tab to drag audio events and MIDI parts into project window or to drag audio events and MIDI parts from the project window into the MediaBay and store them as audio or MIDI loops.

Zooming in the Project Window

You can zoom in the Project window according to the standard zoom techniques.

Note the following:

• When you are using the Zoom tool (magnifying glass), the zooming result depends on the Zoom Tool Standard Mode: Horizontal Zooming Only option (File > Preferences > Editing > Tools).

If this option is activated and you drag a selection rectangle with the Zoom tool, the window is only zoomed horizontally, the track height does not change. If the option is deactivated, the window is zoomed both horizontally and vertically.

• When you are using the vertical zoom sliders, the tracks are scaled relatively. If you have made any individual track height adjustments, the relative height

differences are maintained.

•If the Zoom while Locating in Time Scale option (File > Preferences > Transport) is activated, you can also zoom by clicking in the ruler and dragging up or down with the left mouse button pressed.

Drag up to zoom out; drag down to zoom in.

• To zoom in on the contents of parts and events vertically, use the waveform zoom slider in the top right corner of the event display.

This is useful when viewing quiet audio passages.

To get an approximate reading on the level of the audio events by viewing the waveforms, make sure this slider is all the way down. Otherwise, zoomed waveforms may be mistaken for clipped audio.

•If the Quick Zoom option (File > Preferences > Editing) is activated, the contents of parts and events are not continuously redrawn when you zoom manually. Instead, the contents are redrawn once you have stopped changing the zoom. Activate the Quick Zoom option if screen redraws are slow on your system.

Project Window

Zooming in the Project Window

Zoom Submenu

The Zoom submenu contains options for zooming in the Project window.

• To open the Zoom submenu, select Edit > Zoom.

The following options are available:

Zoom In

Zoom Out

Zoom Full

Zoom to Selection

Zooms in one step, centering on the project cursor.

Zooms out one step, centering on the project cursor.

Zooms out so that the whole project is visible. The whole project means the timeline from the project start to the length set in the Project Setup dialog.

Zooms in horizontally and vertically so that the current selection fills the screen.

Zoom to Selection (Horiz.)

Zooms in horizontally so that the current selection fills the screen.

Zoom to Event

This option is available only in the Sample Editor.

Zoom In Vertically

Zooms in one step vertically.

Zoom Out Vertically

Zooms out one step vertically.

Zoom In Tracks

Zooms in on the selected tracks one step vertically.

Zoom Out Tracks

Zooms out the selected tracks one step vertically.

Zoom Selected Tracks

This zooms in vertically on the selected tracks and minimizes the height of all other tracks.

Undo/Redo Zoom

These options allow you to undo/redo the last zoom operation.

RELATED LINKS

Zooming on page 286

Project Window

Zooming in the Project Window

Zoom Presets

You can create zoom presets that allow you to set up different zoom settings. For example, one where the whole project is displayed in the Project window and another with a high zoom factor for detailed editing. The Zoom Presets pop-up menu allows you to select, create, and organize zoom presets.

• To open the Zoom Presets pop-up menu, click the button to the left of the horizontal zoom control.

The upper part of the menu lists the zoom presets.

• To save the current zoom setting as a preset, open the Zoom Presets pop-up menu and select Add. In the Type In Preset Name dialog that opens, type in a name for the preset and click OK.

• To select and apply a preset, select it from the Zoom Presets pop-up menu.

• To zoom out so that the whole project is visible, open the Zoom Presets pop-up menu and select Zoom Full.

This displays the project from the project start to the length that is set in the Project Setup dialog.

• To delete a preset, open the Zoom Presets pop-up menu and select

Organize. In the dialog that opens, select the preset in the list and click the Delete button.

• To rename a preset, open the Zoom Presets pop-up menu and select Organize. In the dialog that opens, select a preset in the list and click the Rename button. In the dialog that opens, type in a new name for the preset. Click OK to close the dialogs.

Project Window

IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANT

NOTE

Zooming in the Project Window

Zoom presets are global for all projects. They are available in all projects that you open or create.

Zooming In On Cycle Markers

You can zoom in on the area between cycle markers in the project.

• To zoom in on a cycle marker, click the button to the left of the horizontal zoom control to open a pop-up menu and select a cycle marker.

Zoom History

The middle part of the pop-up menu lists any cycle markers that you have added to the project.

Only the cycle markers that you create in the current project are available on the menu.

If you select a cycle marker from this menu, the event display is zoomed in to encompass the marker area.

You cannot edit the cycle markers in this pop-up menu.

RELATED LINKS

Markers Window on page 198

You can undo and redo zoom operations. This way you can zoom in several steps and then easily go back to the zoom stage at which you started.

You can undo and redo zoom operations in the following ways:

• To undo zoom, select Edit > Zoom > Undo Zoom or double-click with the zoom tool (magnifying glass).

• To redo zoom, select Edit > Zoom > Redo Zoom or press [Alt]/[Option] and double-click with the zoom tool (magnifying glass).

Project Window

PROCEDURE

NOTE

Snap Function

The Snap function helps you to find exact positions when editing in the Project window. It does this by restricting horizontal movement and positioning to certain positions. Operations affected by Snap include moving, copying, drawing, sizing, splitting, range selection, etc.

• To activate/deactivate Snap, ac toolbar.

tivate/deactivate the Snap icon on the

Setting the Snap Point (Cubase Elements only)

You can set the snap point at any position of the audio event.

1. Select an event.

2. Place the project cursor at a position within the selected audio event.

3. Select Audio > Snap Point To Cursor.

RESULT

The snap point is set at the cursor position.

The snap point for an event is displayed as a vertical line in the Project window.

You can also set the snap point in the Sample Editor.

RELATED LINKS

Adjusting the snap point on page 289

Snap to Zero Crossing

When splitting and sizing audio events, sudden amplitude changes can cause pops and clicks. To avoid this, you can activate Snap to Zero Crossing to snap to points where the amplitude is zero.

• To activate Snap the toolbar.

to Zero Crossing, activate Snap to Zero Crossing on

Project Window

NOTE

Snap Function

Snap Types

You can select between different snap types to determine the snap point.

• To select a snap type, open the Snap Type pop-up menu.

The following snap types are available:

Grid

If this option is activated, the snap points are set with the Grid Type pop-up menu. The options depend on the display format that are selected for the ruler.

When you select Seconds as ruler format, the Grid Type contains time-based grid options.

Grid Relative

If this option is activated, events and parts are not magnetic to the grid. Rather, the grid determines the step size for moving the events. This means that a moved event keeps its original position relative to the grid.

For example, if an event starts at the position 3.04.01, snap is set to Grid Relative and the Grid Type pop-up menu is set to Bar, you can move the event in steps of one bar to the positions 4.04.01, 5.04.01, and so on.

This only applies when dragging existing events or parts. When you create new events or parts this snap type works like Grid.

Events

If this option is activated, the start and end positions of other events and parts become magnetic. This means that if you drag an event to a position near the start or end of another event, it is automatically aligned with the start or end of the other event.

For audio events, the position of the snap point is also magnetic. This includes marker events on the marker track.

Project Window

Cross-Hair Cursor

Shuffle

Shuffle is useful when you want to change the order of adjacent events. If you have two adjacent events and drag the first one to the right, past the second event, the two events will change places.

The same principle works when changing the order of more than two events:

12345

Dragging event 2 past event 4…

13425

…changes the order of events 2, 3, and 4.

Magnetic Cursor

This grid type lets the project cursor become magnetic. Dragging an event near the cursor causes the event to be aligned with the cursor position.

Grid + Cursor

This is a combination of Grid and Magnetic Cursor.

Events + Cursor

This is a combination of Events and Magnetic Cursor.

Events + Grid + Cursor

This is a combination of Events, Grid, and Magnetic Cursor.

Cross-Hair Cursor

The cross-hair cursor is displayed when working in the Project window and in the editors, facilitating navigation and editing, especially when arranging large projects.

• To set up the cross-hair cursor, select File > Preferences > Editing > Tools.

You can set up the colors for the line and the mask of the cross-hair cursor, and define its width.

Project Window

Edit History Dialog

The cross-hair cursor works as follows:

• When the Object Selection tool or one of its subtools is selected, the cross-hair cursor appears when you start moving/copying a part/event, or when using the event trim handles.

Cross-hair cursor when moving an event.

• When the Object Selection tool, the Cut tool, or any other tool that makes use of this function is selected, the cross-hair cursor appears as soon as you move the mouse over the event display.

• The cross-hair cursor is only available for tools where such a function is of any use. The Mute tool, for example, does not use a cross-hair cursor, as you have to click directly on an event to mute it.

Edit History Dialog

In the Edit History dialog, you can undo all actions in the Project window as well as in the editors. You can also undo audio processes or applied plug-in effects. The dialog contains a list of all your edits, with the most recent action at the bottom of the list.

• To open the Edit History dialog, select Edit > History.

The Action column displays the name of the action while the Time column tells you when this action was performed. In the Details column further details are shown. Here you can enter new text by double-clicking in the column.

• To undo your actions, move the horizontal, colored line upwards to the desired position.

You can only undo your actions in reverse order, for example, the last performed action is the first action to be undone.

• To redo an action that was undone previously, move the line down the list again.

Project Window

PROCEDURE

Edit History Dialog

Setting the Number of Maximum Undo Steps

You can limit the number of maximum undo steps. This is useful if you run out of hard disk space, for example.

1. Select File > Preferences > General.

2. Set the number in the Maximum Undo Steps field.

Creating New Projects

PROCEDURE

You can create empty projects or projects that are based on a template.

1. Select File > New Project.

Depending on your settings, either the Steinberg Hub or the Project Assistant dialog opens.

2. In the location options section, select where to store the new project.

• To use the default location, select Use default location.

• To choose another location, select Prompt for project location, click Create,

and set the location in the dialog that opens.

Project Handling

3. Do one of the following:

• To create an empty new project, click Create Empty.

• To create a new project from a template, select a template and click Create.

RESULT

A new, untitled project is created. If you selected a template, the new project is based on this template and includes the corresponding tracks, events, and settings.

Project Handling

NOTE

Steinberg Hub

When you start Cubase or create new projects using the File menu, Steinberg Hub opens. Steinberg Hub keeps you up to date with the latest information and

assists you with organizing your projects. It consists of the News and Tutorials section and the Projects section.

News and Tutorials section

The News and Tutorials section displays Steinberg news, tutorial videos as well as links to the user forum, downloads, and Knowledge Base.

Ensure that you have an active internet connection to access this material.

Projects section

The Projects section lets you create new projects, which can either be empty or based on a template. It lets you specify where to save the projects. It also allows you to access recently opened projects or projects that are stored in other locations. This section offers the same functionality as the Project Assistant dialog.

Category bar

In this section, the available factory templates are sorted into the predefined categories Recording, Scoring, Production, and Mastering.

The Recent category contains a list of the recently opened projects.

The More category contains the default project template and all templates that are not assigned to any of the other categories.

Project Handling

PROCEDURE

Project Assistant

Template list

When you click on one of the category items, the list below the category bar shows the available templates for this category. Any new templates that you create are added at the top of the corresponding list.

Location options

This section allows you to specify where the project is stored.

Open other

This button allows you to open any project file on your system. This is identical to using the Open command on the File menu.

RELATED LINKS

Project Assistant on page 46

Deactivating Steinberg Hub

To start Cubase or to create new projects without Steinberg Hub, you can deactivate it.

•Select File > Preferences > General and deactivate Use Steinberg Hub.

RESULT

Cubase starts without opening a project and opens the Project Assistant dialog when you create a new project using the File menu. However, you can still open Steinberg Hub through the Steinberg Hub menu.

Project Assistant

When you deactivate Steinberg Hub and create new projects, the Project Assistant dialog opens. This dialog offers the same functions as the Projects section in Steinberg Hub.

Category bar

In this section, the available factory templates are sorted into the predefined categories Recording, Production, Scoring, and Mastering.

The Recent category contains a list of the recently opened projects.

The More category contains the default project template and all templates that are not assigned to any of the other categories.

Project Handling

NOTE

About Project Files

Template list

When you click on one of the category items, the list below the category bar shows the available factory templates for this category. Any new templates that you create are added at the top of the corresponding list.

Location options

This section allows you to specify where the project is stored.

Open other

This button allows you to open any project file on your system. This is identical to using the Open command from the File menu.

About Project Files

A project file (extension *.cpr) is the central document in Cubase. A project file contains references to media data that can be saved in the project folder.

We recommend to save files only in the project folder, even though you can save them in any other location to which you have access.

The project folder contains the project file and the following folders that Cubase automatically creates when necessary:

•Audio

•Edits

•Images

• Track Pictures

About Template Files

Templates can be a good starting point for new projects. Templates are projects where you can save all settings that you regularly use, such as bus configurations, sample rates, record formats, basic track layouts, VSTi setups, drum map setups, etc.

The following template types are available from within Steinberg Hub:

• Factory templates for specific scenarios. These are listed in the Recording, Scoring, Production, or Mastering categories.

• The default template. This is listed in the More category.

• Any new user templates that you create and save. These are listed in the More category.

Project Handling

PROCEDURE

About Template Files

Template projects are not saved in project folders and therefore contain no subfolders and no media files.

• To open the location of a specific template, right-click a template in the template list and select Show in Explorer (Win) or Reveal in Finder (Mac).

Saving a Project Template File

You can save the current project as a template. When you create a new project, you can select this template as a starting point for your new project.

PREREQUISITE

Remove all clips from the Pool before you save the project as a template. This ensures that references to media data from the original project folder are deleted.

1. Set up a project.

2. Select File > Save As Template.

3. In the New Preset section of the Save As Template dialog, enter a name for the new project template.

4. In the Attribute Inspector section, double-click the Value field of the Content Summary attribute to enter a description for the template.

5. Click the Value field of the Template Summary attribute and select a template category from the pop-up menu.

If you do not select a category, the new template will be listed in Steinberg Hub in the More category.

6. Click OK to save the template.

Project Handling

PROCEDURE

IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANT

Project Setup Dialog

Renaming Templates

1. In Steinberg Hub or the Project Assistant, right-click a template and select Rename.

2. In the Rename dialog, enter a new name and click OK.

Project Setup Dialog

You can perform general settings for your project in the Project Setup dialog.

• To open the Project Setup dialog, select Project > Project Setup.

• To open the Project Setup dialog automatically when you create a new project, activate the Run Setup on Create New Project option (File > Preferences > General).

While most Project Setup settings can be changed at any time, you must set the sample rate directly after creating a new project. If you change the sample rate at a later stage, you must convert all audio files in the project to the new sample rate to make them play back properly.

Project Handling

Project Setup Dialog

The following options are available:

Author

Allows you to specify a project author that is written into the file, when you export audio files and activate the Insert iXML chunk option. You can specify a default author in the Default Author Name field (File > Preferences >

General > Personalization).

Company

Allows you to specify a company name that is written into the file, when you export audio files and activate the Insert iXML chunk option. You can specify a default company in the Default Company Name field (File > Preferences

> General > Personalization).

Start

Allows you to specify the start time of the project in timecode format. This also determines the sync start position when synchronizing to external devices.

Length

Allows you to specify the length of the project.

Frame Rate

Allows you to specify the timecode standard and frame rate for the project. When synchronizing to an external device, this setting must correspond to the frame rate of any incoming timecode.

Get From Video

Allows you to set the project frame rate to the frame rate of an imported video file.

Display Format

Allows you to specify the global display format that is used for all rulers and position displays in the program, except the ruler tracks. However, you can make independent display format selections for the individual rulers and displays.

Display Offset

Allows you to specify an offset for the time positions that are displayed in the rulers and position displays to compensate for the Start position setting.

Bar Offset

This setting is only used, when you select the Bars+Beats display format. Allows you to specify an offset for the time positions that are displayed in the rulers and position displays to compensate for the Start position setting.

Sample Rate

Allows you to specify the sample rate at which records and plays back audio.

• If your audio hardware generates the sample rate internally and you

select a non-supported sample rate, this is indicated by a different color. In this case, you must set a different sample rate to make your audio files play back properly.

Project Handling

NOTE

Project Setup Dialog

• If you select a sample rate that your audio hardware supports, but that

differs from its current sample rate setting, it is automatically changed to the project sample rate.

• If your audio hardware is externally clocked and receives external clock

signals, sample rate mismatches are accepted.

Bit Resolution

Allows you to specify the resolution of the audio files that you record in Cubase. Select the record format according to the bit resolution that is delivered by your audio hardware. The available options are 16

Bit float.

Bit, 24 Bit, and

• When you record with effects, consider setting the bit resolution to 32 Bit

Float. This prevents from clipping (digital distortion) in the recorded files and keeps the audio quality absolutely pristine. Effect processing and level or EQ changes in the input channel are done in 32 Bit Float format. If you record at 16 or 24 Bit, the audio will be converted to this lower resolution when it is written to a file. As a result, the signal may degrade. This is independent of the actual resolution of your audio hardware. Even if the signal from the audio hardware has a resolution of 16 Bit, the signal will be 32 Bit Float after the effects are added to the input channel.

• The higher the bit resolution, the larger the files and the more strain is put

on the disk system. If this is an issue, you can lower the record format setting.

Record File Type

Allows you to specify the file type of the audio files that you record in Cubase. The following file types are available:

• Wave files are a common file format on the PC platform. For recordings

larger than 4 GB, the EBU RIFF standard is used. If a FAT 32 disk is used (not recommended), audio files are split automatically.

• Wave 64 is a proprietary format developed by Sonic Foundry Inc.

Audio-wise it is identical to the Wave format, but the internal file structure allows for much larger file sizes as required by long live recordings.

• Broadcast Wave Files are, in terms of audio content, identical with

regular Wave files, but with embedded text strings for supplying additional information about the file. These can be set up in the Preferences dialog (Record–Audio–Broadcast Wave).

• AIFF Files, Audio Interchange File Format, is a defined standard by

Apple Inc. and can be used on most computer platforms. AIFF files can contain embedded text strings. These can be set up in the Preferences dialog (Record–Audio–Broadcast Wave).

Project Handling

NOTE

IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANT

PROCEDURE

Opening Project Files

• FLAC Files, Free Lossless Audio Codec, is an open source format.

Audio files recorded in this format are typically 50 % to 60 % smaller than regular Wave files.

If your recorded Wave file is larger than 4 GB and Use RF64 Format is activated on the When Recording Wave Files larger than 4

GB pop-up menu (File > Preferences > Record > Audio), your recording is saved as an RF64 file. This way, you do not have to worry about the file size during recording. However, keep in mind that this format is not supported by all applications.

Stereo Pan Law

If you pan a channel left or right, the sum of the left and right side is higher (louder), than if this channel is panned center. These modes allow you to attenuate signals panned center. 0

dB turns off constant-power panning.

Equal Power means that the power of the signal remains the same regardless

of the pan setting.

Volume Max

Allows you to specify the maximum fader level. By default, this is set to

dB. If you load projects that were created with Cubase versions older

+12 than 5.5, this value is set to the old default value of +6

HMT Type (MIDI only (Cubase Elements only))

Allows you to specify a mode for Hermode tuning of MIDI notes.

HMT Depth (MIDI only (Cubase Elements only))

Allows you to specify the overall degree of retuning.

Opening Project Files

You can open one or several saved project files at the same time.

If you open a project saved with a different program version that contains data for functions that are not available in your version, this data may be lost when you save the project with your version.

dB.

1. Select File > Open.

2. In the file dialog that opens, select the project that you want to open and click Open.

3. If there already is an open project, you are asked if you want to activate the new project. Do one of the following:

• To activate the project, click Activate.

Project Handling

PROCEDURE

NOTE

Opening Project Files

• To open the project inactive, click No.

Activating Projects

If you have several projects opened at the same time in Cubase, only one project can be active. The active project is indicated by the lit Activate Project button in the upper left corner of the Project window. If you want to work on another project, you have to activate the other project.

• To activate a project, click its Activate Project button.

This reduces load times for projects.

Opening Recent Projects

To open a recently opened project, do one of the following:

• In the category bar of Steinberg Hub or the Project Assistant dialog, click Recent, select a project from the projects list, and click Open.

•Select File > Recent Projects and select a recently opened project.

Re-Routing Missing Ports

If you open a Cubase project that was created on a different system with other audio hardware, Cubase tries to find matching audio inputs and outputs for the input/output busses. If Cubase cannot resolve all audio/MIDI inputs and outputs that are used in the project, the Missing Ports dialog opens.

This allows you to manually re-route any ports specified in the project to ports that are available in your system.

To improve the search for matching audio inputs and outputs for the input/output busses, you should use descriptive, generic names for your input and output ports.

RELATED LINKS

Renaming the Hardware Inputs and Outputs on page 18

Project Handling

NOTE

Saving Project Files

You can save the active project as a project file. To keep your projects as manageable as possible, make sure that you save project files and all related files in the respective project folders.

• To save the project and specify a file name and location, open the File menu and select Save As.

• To save the project with its current name and location, open the File menu and select Save.

Make sure that the Use File Extension in File Dialog option (File > Preferences > General) is activated. This automatically adds the file name extension when you save a file and keeps your projects compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X systems.

About the Auto Save Option

Cubase can automatically save backup copies of all open project files with unsaved changes.

Only the project files are backed up. If you want to include the files from the Pool and save your project in a different location, you must use the Back up Project function.

If you activate the Auto Save option (File > Preferences > General), Cubase automatically saves backup copies of all open projects with unsaved changes. These backup copies are named “<project name>-xx.bak” where xx is an incremental number. Unsaved projects are backed up in a similar way as “UntitledX-xx.bak”, with X being the incremental number for unsaved projects. All backup files are saved in the project folder.

• To specify the time intervals in which a backup copy is created, use the Auto Save Interval setting.

• To specify how many backup files are created with the Auto Save function, use the Maximum Backup Files option. When the maximum number of backup files is reached, the existing files are overwritten, starting with the oldest file.

Project Handling

PROCEDURE

Reverting to the Last Saved Version

Saving Project Files As a New Version

You can create and activate a new version of an active project file. This is useful if you are experimenting with edits and arrangements and want to be able to go back to a previous version at any time.

• To save a new version of the active project, press [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Alt]/[Option]-[S].

The new file is saved with the same name as the original project and an attached incremental number. For example, if your project is called “My Project,” new versions are called “My Project-01”, “My Project-02”, and so on.

Reverting to the Last Saved Version

You can return to the last saved version and discard all changes that have been introduced.

1. Select File > Revert.

2. In the warning message, click Revert.

If you have recorded or created new audio files since the last version was saved, you are prompted to delete or keep the files.

Choosing a Project Location

In Steinberg Hub and in the Project Assistant, you can specify where to save a project.

• To create a project in the default project location, select Use default location.

In the Project folder field, you can specify a name for the project folder. If you do not specify a project folder here, the project is saved in a folder named Untitled.

• To change the default project location, click in the path field. A file dialog opens that allows you to specify a new default location.

• To create the project in a different location, select Prompt for project location.

In the dialog that opens, specify a location and a project folder.

Project Handling

PROCEDURE

NOTE

Removing Unused Audio Files

You can use the Cleanup function to locate and delete unused audio files in the project folders on your disk.

PREREQUISITE

Make sure that you have not moved or renamed files or folders without updating the project files to use the new paths. Also make sure that the project folder does not contain audio files that belong to projects that are not saved in the project folder.

1. Close all projects.

2. Select File > Cleanup.

3. Click the Start button.

Cubase scans the hard disks for project folders and lists all audio and image files that are not used by any project.

You can also click the Search Folder button to select a specific folder for the Cleanup function. This is only recommended if you are sure that the folder contains no audio files that are used in other projects.

4. Select the files that you want to delete and click Delete.

Creating Self-Contained Projects

If you want to share your work or transfer it to another computer, your project must be self-contained.

The following functions facilitate this task:

•Select Media > Prepare Archive to verify that every clip that is referenced in the project is located in the project folder, and to take actions if that is not the case.

•Select File > Back up Project to create a new project folder where you can save the project file and the necessary work data. The original project remains unchanged.

Project Handling

PROCEDURE

NOTE

Creating Self-Contained Projects

Preparing Archives

The Prepare Archive function allows you to gather all files that are referenced by your project to ensure that these are in the project folder. This is useful if you want to move or archive your project.

1. Select Media > Prepare Archive.

If your project references external files, you are prompted if you want to copy them to your working directory. If any processing has been applied, you must decide if you want to freeze edits.

2. Click Proceed.

RESULT

Your project is ready to be archived. You can move or copy the project folder to another location.

AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK

You must copy audio files that reside within the project folder to the Audio folder or save them separately. You must also move your video clips manually, as videos are only referenced and not saved in the project folder.

Backing Up Projects

You can create a backup copy of your project. Backups only contain the necessary work data. All media files except the files from VST Sound archives are included as a copy.

1. Select File > Back up Project.

2. Select an empty folder or create a new one.

3. Make your settings in the Back up Project Options dialog and click OK.

RESULT

A copy of the project is saved in the new folder. The original project remains unaffected.

VST Sound content provided by Steinberg is copy-protected and will not be included in the backup project. If you want to use a backup copy that uses VST Sound content on a different computer, make sure that the corresponding content is also available on that computer.

Project Handling

Creating Self-Contained Projects

Back up Project Options Dialog

This dialog allows you to create a backup copy of your project.

• To open the Back up Project Options dialog, select File > Back up Project.

Project Name

Allows you to change the name of the backed up project.

Keep Current Project Active

Allows you to keep the current project active after clicking OK.

Minimize Audio Files

Allows you to include only the audio file portions that are actually used in the project. This can significantly reduce the size of the project folder if you are using small sections of large files. It also means that you cannot use other parts of the audio files if you continue working with the project in its new folder.

Freeze Edits

Allows you to freeze all edits and make all processing and applied effects permanent to each clip in the Pool.

Remove Unused Files

Allows you to remove unused files and to back up only the files that are actually used.

Do Not Back up Video

Allows you to exclude video clips on the video track or in the Pool of the current project.

Tracks

Tracks are the building blocks of your project. They allow you to import, add, record, and edit data (parts and events). Tracks are listed from top to bottom in the Track list and extend horizontally across the Project window. Each track is assigned to a particular channel strip in the MixConsole.

If you select a track in the Project window, the controls, settings, and parameters displayed in the Inspector and the track list allow you to control the track.

Audio Tracks

You can use audio tracks for recording and playing back audio events and audio parts. Each audio track has a corresponding audio channel in the MixConsole. An audio track can have any number of automation tracks for automating channel parameters, effect settings, etc.

• To add an audio track to your project, select Project > Add Track > Audio.

RELATED LINKS

Adding Tracks on page 91

Tracks

Audio Tracks

Audio Track Inspector

The Inspector for audio tracks contains controls and parameters that allow you to edit your audio track.

The top section of the audio track Inspector contains the following basic track settings:

Track name

Click once to show/hide the basic track settings section. Double-click to rename the track.

Edit

Opens the Channel Settings window for the track.

Mute

Mutes the track.

Solo

Solos the track.

Read Automation

Allows you to read track automation.

Write Automation

Allows you to write track automation.

Auto Fades Settings

Opens a dialog where you can make separate audio fade settings for the track.

Record enable

Activates the track for recording.

Monitor

Routes incoming signals to the selected output.

Freeze Audio Channel

Allows you to freeze the audio channel.

Volume

Allows you to adjust the level for the track.

Tracks

Audio Tracks

Pan

Allows you to adjust the panning of the track.

Delay

Allows you to adjust the playback timing of the track.

Load/Save/Reload Track Preset

Loads or saves a track preset or reverts the default presets.

Input Routing

Allows you to specify the input bus for the track.

Output Routing

Allows you to specify the output bus for the track.

Audio Track Inspector sections

Apart from the basic track settings that are always shown, audio tracks provide other Inspector sections. These are described in the following sections.

Inserts Section

Strip Section

Allows you to add insert effects to the track.

Allows you to set up the channel strip modules.

Tracks

Audio Tracks

Equalizers Section

Sends Section

Fader Section

Allows you to adjust the EQs for the track. You can have up to four bands of EQ for each track.

Allows you to route the track to one or several FX channels.

Shows a duplicate of the corresponding MixConsole channel.

Tracks

Audio Tracks

Notepad Section

Allows you to enter notes about the track.

Audio Track Controls

The Track List for audio tracks contains controls and parameters that allow you to edit your audio track.

The track list for audio tracks contains the following controls:

Track name

Double-click to rename the track.

Edit

Opens the Channel Settings window for the track.

Mute

Mutes the track.

Solo

Solos the track.

Read Automation

Allows you to read track automation.

Write Automation

Allows you to write track automation.

Record enable

Activates the track for recording.

Monitor

Routes incoming signals to the selected output.

Bypass Inserts

Bypasses the inserts for the track.

Bypass EQs

Bypasses the equalizers for the track.

Bypass Sends

Bypasses the sends for the track.

Channel Configuration

Shows the channel configuration of the track.

Tracks

Instrument Tracks

Freeze Audio Channel

Allows you to freeze the audio channel.

Instrument Tracks

You can use instrument tracks for dedicated VST instruments. Each instrument track has a corresponding instrument channel in the MixConsole. An instrument track can have any number of automation tracks.

• To add an instrument track to your project, select Project > Add Track > Instrument.

Instrument Track Inspector

The Inspector for instrument tracks contains controls and parameters that allow you to control your instrument track. It shows some of the sections from VST instrument channels and MIDI tracks.

The top section of the instrument track Inspector contains the following basic track settings:

Track name

Click once to show/hide the basic track settings section. Double-click to rename the track.

Edit

Opens the Channel Settings window for the track.

Mute

Mutes the track.

Solo

Solos the track.

Read Automation

Allows you to read track automation.

Tracks

Instrument Tracks

Write Automation

Allows you to write track automation.

Record enable

Activates the track for recording.

Monitor

Routes incoming MIDI to the selected MIDI output. For this to work, activate

MIDI Thru Active in the Preferences dialog (MIDI page).

Freeze Instrument Channel

Allows you to freeze the instrument.

Volume

Allows you to adjust the level for the track.

Pan

Allows you to adjust the panning of the track.

Delay

Allows you to adjust the playback timing of the track.

Load/Save/Reload Track Preset

Loads or saves a track preset or reverts the default presets.

Input Routing

Allows you to specify the input bus for the track.

Output Routing

Allows you to specify the output bus for the track.

Edit Instrument

Allows you to open the instrument panel.

Programs

Allows you to select a program.

Drum Map

Allows you to select a drum map for the track.

Instrument Track Inspector Sections

Apart from the basic track settings that are always shown, instrument tracks provide other Inspector sections. These are described in the following sections.

Tracks

Instrument Tracks

MIDI Modifiers Section

Allows you to transpose or adjust the velocity of the MIDI track events in realtime during playback.

Instrument Section

Shows the audio-related controls for the instrument.

Notepad Section

Allows you to enter notes about the track.

Instrument Track Controls

The Track List for instrument tracks contains controls and parameters that allow you to edit your instrument track.

The track list for instrument tracks contains the following controls:

Track name

Double-click to rename the track.

Tracks

Instrument Tracks

Edit

Opens the Channel Settings window for the track.

Mute

Mutes the track.

Solo

Solos the track.

Read Automation

Allows you to read track automation.

Write Automation

Allows you to write track automation.

Record enable

Activates the track for recording.

Monitor

Allows you to route incoming MIDI signals to the selected MIDI output. For this to work, activate MIDI Thru Active in the Preferences dialog (MIDI page).

Bypass Inserts

Bypasses the inserts for the track.

Bypass EQs

Bypasses the equalizers for the track.

Bypass Sends

Bypasses the sends for the track.

ASIO Latency Compensation

Moves all recorded events on the track by the current latency.

Drum Map

Allows you to select a drum map for the track.

Programs

Allows you to select a program.

Instrument

Allows you to select an instrument.

Edit Instrument

Allows you to open the instrument panel.

Freeze Channel

Allows you to freeze the instrument.

Tracks

MIDI Tracks

You can use MIDI tracks for recording and playing back MIDI parts. Each MIDI track has a corresponding MIDI channel in the MixConsole. A MIDI track can have any number of automation tracks.

• To add a MIDI track to your project, select Project > Add Track > MIDI.

MIDI Track Inspector

The Inspector for MIDI tracks contains controls and parameters that allow you to control your MIDI track. These affect MIDI events in realtime, on playback, for example.

The top section of the MIDI track Inspector contains the following basic track settings:

Track name

Click once to show/hide the basic track settings section. Double-click to rename the track.

Edit

Opens the Channel Settings window for the track.

Mute

Mutes the track.

Solo

Solos the track.

Read Automation

Allows you to read track automation.

Write Automation

Allows you to write track automation.

Record enable

Activates the track for recording.

Tracks

MIDI Tracks

Monitor

Routes incoming MIDI to the selected MIDI output. For this to work, activate

MIDI Thru Active in the Preferences dialog (MIDI page).

MIDI Volume

Allows you to adjust the MIDI volume for the track.

MIDI Pan

Allows you to adjust the MIDI pan for the track.

Delay

Allows you to adjust the playback timing of the track.

Load/Save/Reload Track Preset

Loads or saves a track preset or reverts the default presets.

Input Routing

Allows you to specify the input bus for the track.

Output Routing

Allows you to specify the output bus for the track.

Channel

Allows you to specify the MIDI channel.

Edit Instrument

Allows you to open the instrument panel.

Bank Selector

Allows you to set a bank select message that is sent to your MIDI device.

Program Selector

Allows you to set a program change message that is sent to your MIDI device.

Drum Map

Allows you to select a drum map for the track.

MIDI Track Inspector Sections

Apart from the basic track settings that are always shown, MIDI tracks provide other Inspector sections. These are described in the following sections.

Tracks

MIDI Tracks

MIDI Modifiers Section

Allows you to transpose or adjust the velocity of the MIDI track events in realtime during playback.

MIDI Fader Section

Notepad Section

Shows a duplicate of the corresponding MixConsole channel.

Allows you to enter notes about the track.

Tracks

MIDI Tracks

MIDI Track Controls

The Track List for MIDI tracks contains controls and parameters that allow you to edit your MIDI track.

The track list for MIDI tracks contains the following controls:

Track name

Click once to show/hide the basic track settings section. Double-click to rename the track.

Edit

Opens the Channel Settings window for the track.

Mute

Mutes the track.

Solo

Solos the track.

Read Automation

Allows you to read track automation.

Write Automation

Allows you to write track automation.

Record enable

Activates the track for recording.

Monitor

Allows you to route incoming MIDI signals to the selected MIDI output. For this to work, activate MIDI Thru Active in the Preferences dialog (MIDI page).

Drum Map

Allows you to select a drum map for the track.

Channel

Allows you to specify the MIDI channel.

Output

Allows you to specify the output for the track.

Programs

Allows you to select a program.

Tracks

Arranger Track

You can use the arranger track for arranging your project by marking out sections and determining in which order they are to be played back.

• To add the arranger track to your project, select Project > Add Track > Arranger.

Arranger Track Inspector

The arranger track Inspector displays the lists of available arranger chains and arranger events.

The arranger track Inspector contains the following settings:

Track Name

Double-click to rename the track.

Edit

Opens the Arranger Editor.

Select Active Arranger Chain + Function

Allows you to select the active arranger chain, to rename it, to create a new one, to duplicate or to flatten it.

Tracks

Chord Track

Current Arranger Chain

Shows the active arranger chain.

Arranger Events

Lists all arranger events in your project. Click the arrow for an arranger event to play it back and start the live mode.

Stop

Allows you to stop the live mode.

Jump mode

In this pop-up menu you can define how long the active arranger event is played before jumping to the next one.

Arranger Track Controls

The Track List for the arranger track contains controls and parameters that allow you to edit the arranger track.

Chord Track

The track list for the arranger track contains the following controls:

Select Active Arranger Chain

Allows you to select the active arranger chain.

Current Item/Current Repeat

Displays which arranger event and which repeat is active.

Activate Arranger Mode

Allows you to activate and deactivate the arranger mode.

Edit

Opens the Arranger Editor for the track.

You can use the chord track for adding chord and scale events to your project. These can transform the pitches of other events.

• To add the chord track to your project, select Project > Add Track > Chord.

Tracks

Chord Track

Chord Track Inspector

The chord track Inspector contains a number of settings for the chord events.

The top section of the chord track Inspector contains the following settings:

Track name

Click to show/hide the basic track settings section.

Mute

Mutes the track.

Record enable

Activates the track for recording.

Acoustic Feedback

Allows you to audition the events on the chord track. For this to work, you need to select a track for auditioning in the track list.

Voicing library

Allows you to set up a voicing library for the track.

Voicing library subset

Allows you to select a library subset.

Configure voicing parameters

Allows you to configure your own voicing parameters for a specific voicing scheme.

Automatic Voicings

Activate this to set the voicings automatically.

Automatic Scales

Activate this to let the program create scale events automatically.

Mapping Offset

Allows you to specify an offset value to make sure that chord events also affect the MIDI notes that have been triggered too early (enter a negative value) or too late (enter a positive value).

Chord Track Inspector Sections

Apart from the basic track settings that are always shown, the chord track provides other Inspector sections. These are described in the following sections.

Tracks

FX Channel Tracks

Notepad Section

Allows you to enter notes about the track.

Chord Track Controls

The Track List for the chord track contains controls and parameters that allow you to edit the chord track.

The track list for chord tracks contains the following controls:

Mute

Mutes the track.

Select Track for Auditioning

Allows you to select a track for auditioning the chord events.

Record Enable

Allows you to record chord events.

Resolve Display Conflicts

Allows you to show all chord events on the track properly, even at low horizontal zoom levels.

Show Scales

Allows you to show the scale lane in the lower part of the chord track.

FX Channel Tracks

You can use FX channel tracks for adding send effects. Each FX channel can contain up to eight effect processors. By routing sends from an audio channel to an FX channel, you send audio from the audio channel to the effects on the FX channel. All FX channel tracks are automatically placed in a special FX channel folder in the track list, for easy management. Each FX channel has a corresponding channel in the MixConsole. An FX channel track can have any number of automation tracks.

• To add an FX channel track to your project, select Project > Add Track > FX

Channel.

Tracks

FX Channel Tracks

FX Channel Track Inspector

The Inspector for FX channel tracks shows the settings for the FX channel. When you select the folder track instead, the Inspector shows the folder and the FX channels it contains. You can click one of the FX channels shown in the folder to have the Inspector show the settings for that FX channel.

The FX channel track Inspector contains the following basic track settings:

Track name

Click once to show/hide the basic track settings section. Double-click to rename the track.

Edit

Opens the Channel Settings window for the track.

Mute

Mutes the track.

Solo

Solos the track.

Read Automation

Allows you to read track automation.

Write Automation

Allows you to write track automation.

Volume

Allows you to adjust the level for the track.

Pan

Allows you to adjust the panning of the track.

Output Routing

Allows you to specify the output bus for the track.

FX Channel Track Inspector Sections

Apart from the basic track settings that are always shown, FX channel tracks provide other Inspector sections. These are described in the following sections.

Tracks

FX Channel Tracks

Inserts Section

Strip Section

Allows you to add insert effects to the track.

Allows you to set up the channel strip modules.

Equalizers Section

Allows you to adjust the EQs for the track. You can have up to four bands of EQ for each track.

Tracks

FX Channel Tracks

Fader Section

Shows a duplicate of the corresponding MixConsole channel.

Notepad Section

Allows you to enter notes about the track.

FX Channel Track Controls

The Track List for FX channel tracks contains controls and parameters that allow you to edit the settings for the effect.

The track list for FX channel tracks contains the following controls:

Track name

Click once to show/hide the basic track settings section. Double-click to rename the track.

Edit

Opens the Channel Settings window for the track.

Mute

Mutes the track.

Solo

Solos the track.

Tracks

Folder Tracks

Read Automation

Allows you to read track automation.

Write Automation

Allows you to write track automation.

Mute Automation

Deactivates the automation read function for the selected parameter.

Automation parameter

Allows you to select a parameter for automation.

Bypass Inserts

Bypasses the inserts for the track.

Bypass EQs

Bypasses the equalizers for the track.

Bypass Sends

Bypasses the sends for the track.

Channel Configuration

Shows the channel configuration of the track.

Folder Tracks

Folder tracks function as containers for other tracks, making it easier to organize and manage the track structure. They also allow you to edit several tracks at the same time.

• To add a folder track to your project, select Project > Add Track > Folder.

Folder Track Inspector

The Inspector for folder tracks shows the folder and its underlying track, much like a folder structure in the Windows Explorer or the Mac OS X Finder. When you select the one of the tracks shown under the folder, the Inspector shows the settings for that track.

Tracks

Folder Tracks

The folder track Inspector contains the following basic track settings:

Track name

Double-click to rename the track.

Mute

Mutes the track.

Solo

Solos the track.

Record enable

Activates the track for recording.

Monitor

Routes incoming signals to the selected output.

Folder Track Controls

The Track List for folder tracks contains controls and parameters that allow you to edit all tracks in the folder.

The track list for folder tracks contains the following controls:

Expand/Collapse

Shows/hides the tracks in the folder. Hidden tracks are played back as usual.

Track name

Double-click to rename the track.

Mute

Mutes the track.

Solo

Solos the track.

Record enable

Activates the track for recording.

Monitor

Routes incoming signals to the selected output.

Tracks

Group Channel Tracks

You can use group channel tracks to create a submix of several audio channels and apply the same effects to them. A group channel track contains no events as such, but displays settings and automation for the corresponding group channel.

All group channel tracks are automatically placed in a special group track folder in the track list, for easy management. Each group channel track has a corresponding channel in the MixConsole. A group channel track can have any number of automation tracks.

• To add a group channel track to your project, select Project > Add Track > Group Channel.

Group Channel Track Inspector

The Inspector for group channel tracks shows the settings for the group channel.

The group channel track Inspector contains the following basic track settings:

Track name

Click once to show/hide the basic track settings section. Double-click to rename the track.

Edit

Opens the Channel Settings window for the track.

Mute Automation

Deactivates the automation read function for the selected parameter.

Solo

Solos the track.

Read Automation

Allows you to read track automation.

Write Automation

Allows you to write track automation.

Volume

Allows you to adjust the level for the track.

Pan

Allows you to adjust the panning of the track.

Tracks

NOTE

Group Channel Tracks

Output Routing

Allows you to specify the output bus for the track.

When you select the group folder track instead, the Inspector shows the folder and the group channels it contains. You can click one of the group channels shown in the folder, to have the Inspector show the settings for that group channel.

Group Channel Track Inspector sections

Inserts Section

Strip Section

Apart from the basic track settings that are always shown, group channel tracks provide other Inspector sections. These are described in the following sections.

Allows you to add insert effects to the track.

Allows you to set up the channel strip modules.

Tracks

Group Channel Tracks

Equalizers Section

Sends Section

Fader Section

Allows you to adjust the EQs for the track. You can have up to four bands of EQ for each track.

Allows you to route the track to one or several FX channels.

Shows a duplicate of the corresponding MixConsole channel.

Tracks

Group Channel Tracks

Notepad Section

Allows you to enter notes about the track.

Group Channel Track Controls

The Track List for group channel tracks contains controls and parameters that allow you to edit the settings for the group.

The track list for group channel tracks contains the following controls:

Track name

Double-click to rename the track.

Edit

Opens the Channel Settings window for the track.

Mute

Mutes the track.

Solo

Solos the track.

Read Automation

Allows you to read track automation.

Write Automation

Allows you to write track automation.

Mute Automation

Deactivates the automation read function for the selected parameter.

Automation parameter

Allows you to select a parameter for automation.

Bypass Inserts

Bypasses the inserts for the track.

Bypass EQs

Bypasses the equalizers for the track.

Bypass Sends

Bypasses the sends for the track.

Tracks

Marker Track

Channel Configuration

Shows the channel configuration of the track.

Marker Track

You can use the marker track to add and edit markers that help you to locate certain positions quickly.

• To add the marker track to your project, select Project > Add Track > Marker.

Marker Track Inspector

The marker track Inspector displays the marker list.

The marker track Inspector contains the following settings:

Track name

Double-click to rename the track.

Edit

Opens the Channel Settings window for the track.

Marker attributes

Shows the markers, their IDs, and time positions. Click in the leftmost column for a marker to move the project cursor to the marker position.

Marker Track Controls

The track list for the marker track contains controls and parameters that allow you to edit the marker track.

Track name

Double-click to rename the track.

Locate

Allows you to move the project cursor to the selected marker position.

Tracks

Ruler Track

Cycle

Allows you to select a cycle marker.

Zoom

Allows you to zoom in a cycle marker.

Add Marker

Allows you to add a position marker at the project cursor position.

Add Cycle Marker

Allows you to add a cycle marker at the project cursor position.

You can use ruler tracks to show several rulers with different display formats for the timeline. This is completely independent from the main ruler, as well as rulers and position displays in other windows.

• To add a ruler track to your project, select Project > Add Track > Ruler.

Ruler Track Controls

In the track list for ruler tracks you can change the display format for the ruler.

Right-click the ruler to open the display format pop-up menu.

The following display formats are available:

Bars+Beats

Activates a display format of bars, beats, sixteenth notes, and ticks. By default there are 120 ticks per sixteenth note, but you can adjust this with the MIDI

Display Resolution setting in the Preferences dialog (MIDI page).

Seconds

Activates a display format of hours, minutes, seconds, and milliseconds.

Timecode

Activates a display format of hours, minutes, seconds, and frames. The number of frames per second (fps) is set in the Project Setup dialog with the

Frame Rate pop-up menu. You can also display subframes by activating Show Timecode Subframes in the Preferences dialog (Transport page).

Samples

Activates a display format of samples.

Tracks

NOTE

Video Track

Ruler tracks are not affected by the display format setting in the Project Setup dialog.

Video Track

You can use the video track to play back video events. Video files are displayed as events/clips on the video track, with thumbnails representing the frames in the film.

• To add a video track to your project, select Project > Add Track > Video.

Video Track Inspector

The video track Inspector contains a number of parameters to control the video track.

The video track Inspector contains the following settings:

Reveal Video Window

Opens the Video Player window.

Mute Video Track

Mutes the track.

Video Track Inspector Section

Apart from the basic track settings that are always shown, the video track provides an other Inspector section. This is described in the following section.

Notepad Section

Allows you to enter notes about the track.

Video Track Controls

The track list for the video track contains a number of parameters to control the video track.

Tracks

Customizing Track Controls

The track list for the video track contains the following settings:

Mute Video Track

Mutes the track.

Customizing Track Controls

For each track type you can configure which track controls are shown in the track list. You can also specify the order of controls and group controls so that they are always shown adjacent to each other.

• To open the Track Controls Settings dialog, right-click a track in the track list and select Track Controls Settings from the context menu, or click Open

Track Controls Settings Dialog in the bottom right corner of the track list.

Track Type

Allows you to select the track type to which your settings are applied.

Tracks

Customizing Track Controls

Hidden Controls

Visible Controls

Width

Group

Add

Remove

This section displays controls currently hidden in the track list.

This section displays controls currently visible in the track list.

If you click in this column, you can set the maximum length for the track name.

Displays the group number.

Allows you to move an item selected in the hidden controls list to the list of visible controls.

Allows you to move an item selected in the visible controls list to the list of hidden controls. All controls can be removed except the Mute and Solo buttons.

Move Up/Move Down

Allows you to change the order of an item in the list of visible controls.

Group

Allows you to group two or more controls selected in the visible controls list that are adjacent to each other. This ensures that they are always positioned side by side in the track list.

Ungroup

Allows you to ungroup grouped controls in the visible controls list. To remove an entire group, select the first (topmost) element belonging to this group and click the Ungroup button.

Reset

Allows you to restore all default track controls settings for the selected track type.

Controls Area Preview

Shows a preview of the customized track controls.

Controls Area Width

Allows you to determine the width of the track control area for the selected track type. In the Controls Area Preview, this area is shown with a black frame.

Presets

Allows you to save track controls settings as presets. To recall a preset, click the Switch Presets button in the bottom right corner of the track list. The name of the selected preset is shown in the left corner.

Tracks

Customizing Track Controls

Track Name Width (global)

Apply

Reset All

Allows you to determine the global name width for all track types.

Applies your settings.

Allows you to restore all default track controls settings for all track types.

Adding Tracks

PROCEDURE

1. Select Project > Add Track, or right-click the track list.

2. Do one of the following:

Track Handling

• Add a track of a specific type.

For some track types a dialog opens that allows you to insert several tracks at once.

• To add a track based on a track preset, select Add Track Using Track Preset.

The Choose Track Preset dialog opens that allows you to select a track preset. The number and type of added tracks depends on the selected track preset.

RESULT

The track is added to the project.

RELATED LINKS

Add Track Dialog

The Add Track dialog opens when you add audio, MIDI, group/FX channel, or instrument tracks.

Browse

Count

Add Track Dialog on page 91 Track Presets on page 101

Expands the dialog and allows you to select a track preset for the track.

Allows you to enter the number of tracks that you want to add.

Track Handling

PROCEDURE

Removing Tracks

Configuration

Allows you to set the channel configuration. Audio-related tracks can be configured as mono or stereo tracks.

Speakers

Shows the speaker names according to the track configuration.

Track Name

Allows you to specify a track name.

Add Track

Adds the track and closes the dialog.

RELATED LINKS

Track Presets on page 101

Removing Tracks

You can remove selected or empty tracks from the track list.

• To remove selected tracks, select Project > Remove Selected Tracks or right-click the track that you want to remove, and from the context menu select Remove Selected Tracks.

• To remove empty tracks, select Project > Remove Empty Tracks.

Moving Tracks in the Track List

You can move tracks up or down in the track list.

• Select a track and drag it up or down in the track list.

Track Handling

PROCEDURE

Renaming Tracks

1. Double-click the track name and type in a new name for the track.

2. Press [Return].

If you want all events on the track to get the same name, hold down any modifier key and press [Return].

AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK

If the Parts Get Track Names option (File > Preferences > Editing) is activated, and you move an event from one track to another, the moved event will automatically be named according to its new track.

Coloring Tracks

All new tracks are automatically assigned a color according to the Auto Track Color Mode settings. However, you can change the track color manually.

• To change the color for the selected track, use the Select Colors pop-up menu on the toolbar.

• You can also use the Track Color Selector. In the Inspector, click the arrow to the right of the track name and select a color.

In the track list, [Ctrl]/[Command]-click in the left area and select a color.

• To control which colors are used for new tracks, select File > Preferences

> Event Display > Tracks and edit the Auto Track Color Mode settings.

Track Handling

PROCEDURE

Showing Track Pictures

You can add pictures to tracks to recognize your tracks easily. Track pictures are available for audio, instrument, MIDI, FX channel and group channel tracks.

PREREQUISITE

Adjust the track height to at least 2 rows.

1. Right-click any track in the track list.

2. From the track list context menu, select Show Track Pictures.

If you move the mouse to the left on a track, a highlighted rectangle appears.

AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK

Double-click the rectangle to open the Track Pictures Browser and set up a track picture.

RELATED LINKS

Track Pictures Browser on page 94

Track Pictures Browser

The Track Pictures Browser allows you to set up and select pictures that can be shown in the track list and in the MixConsole. Track pictures are useful to recognize tracks and channels easily. You can select pictures from the factory content or add new ones to the user library.

• To open the Track Pictures Browser for a track, double-click in the lower left side of the track list.

Track Handling

Showing Track Pictures

Factory

Shows the factory content in the pictures browser.

Pictures Browser

Shows the pictures that you can assign to the selected track/channel.

User

Shows your user content in the pictures browser.

Import

Opens a file dialog that allows you to select pictures in bmp, jpeg, or png format and add them to the user library.

Remove Selected Pictures from User Library

Removes the selected picture from the user library.

Reset Current Picture

Removes the picture from the selected track/channel.

Show/Hide Preview

Opens/Closes a section with further color and zoom settings.

Track Picture Preview

Shows the current track picture. When you zoom in the picture, you can drag it with the mouse to change its visible part.

Track Color

Opens the Track Color Selector. Click the rectangle to change the track color.

Intensity

Allows you to apply the track color to the track picture and set the color intensity.

Track Handling

Setting the Track Height

Zoom

Allows you to change the size of the track picture.

Rotate

Allows you to rotate the track picture.

Setting the Track Height

You can enlarge the track height to show the events on the track in detail, or you can decrease the height of several tracks to get a better overview of your project.

• To change the height of an individual track, click its lower border in the track list and drag up or down.

• To change the height of all tracks simultaneously, hold down [Ctrl]/[Command], click the lower border of one track, and drag up or down.

• To set the number of tracks to view in the Project window, use the track zoom menu.

• To set the track height automatically when you select a track, click Edit > Enlarge Selected Track.

RELATED LINKS

Track Zoom Menu on page 96 Customizing Track Controls on page 88

Track Zoom Menu

The track zoom menu allows you to set the number of tracks and the track height in the Project window.

• To open the track zoom menu in the lower right of the Project window, click the arrow button above the vertical zoom control.

Track Handling

Selecting Tracks

The following options are available:

Zoom Tracks x Rows

Zooms all track heights to show the specified number of rows.

Zoom Tracks Full

Zooms all tracks to fit in the active Project window.

Zoom x Tracks

Zooms the specified number of tracks to fit in the active Project window.

Zoom N Tracks

Allows you to set the number of tracks to fit in the active Project window.

Zoom Tracks Minimal

Zooms all track heights to the minimum size.

Snap Track Heights

Changes the track height in fixed increments when you resize it.

Selecting Tracks

• To select a track, click on it in the track list.

• To select several tracks, [Ctrl]/[Command]-click several tracks.

• To select a continuous range of tracks, [Shift]-click the first and last track in a continuous range of tracks.

Selected tracks are indicated by a light gray color in the track list.

RELATED LINKS

Track Selection follows Event Selection on page 649 Scroll To selected Track on page 654 Select Channel/Track on Solo on page 654 Select Channel/Track on Edit Settings on page 654

Selecting Tracks with Arrow Keys

You can select tracks and events with the up/down arrow keys on the computer keyboard. However, you can make the up/down arrow keys exclusively available for selecting tracks.

• To make the up/down arrow keys exclusively available for selecting tracks, select File > Preferences > Editing and activate Use Up/Down Navigation

Commands for selecting Tracks only.

Track Handling

PROCEDURE

Duplicating Tracks

The following applies:

• When this option is deactivated and no event/part is selected in the Project window, the up/down arrow keys on the computer keyboard are used to step through the tracks in the track list.

• When this option is deactivated and an event/part is selected in the Project window, the up/down arrow keys still step through the tracks in the track list – but on the currently selected track, the first event/part will automatically be selected as well.

• When this option is activated, the up/down arrow keys are only used to change the track selection – the current event/part selection in the Project window will not be altered.

Duplicating Tracks

You can duplicate a track with all contents and channel settings.

•Select Project > Duplicate Tracks.

RESULT

The duplicated track appears below the original track.

Disabling Audio Tracks (Cubase Elements only)

You can disable audio tracks that you do not want to play back or process at the moment. Disabling a track zeroes its output volume and shuts down all disk activity and processing for the track.

• Right-click in the track list and select Disable Track from the context menu.

RESULT

The track color changes and the corresponding channel in the MixConsole is hidden.

To enable a disabled track and restore all channel settings, right-click in the track list and select Enable Track.

Track Handling

NOTE

PROCEDURE

NOTE

Organizing Tracks in Folder Tracks

You can organize your tracks in folders by moving tracks into folder tracks. This allows you to perform editing on several tracks as one entity. Folder tracks can contain any type of track including other folder tracks.

• To create a folder track, open the Project menu and in the Add Track submenu select Folder.

• To move tracks into a folder, select them and drag them into the folder track.

• To remove tracks from a folder, select them and drag them out of the folder.

• To hide/show tracks in a folder, click the Expand/Collapse Folder button of the folder track.

• To hide/show data on a folder track, open the context menu for the folder track and select an option from the Show Data on Folder Tracks submenu.

• To mute/solo all tracks in a folder track, click the Mute or Solo button for the folder track.

Hidden tracks are played back as usual.

Moving Tracks to Folder Tracks

You can move your tracks to folder tracks to organize them and to perform editing on several tracks as one entity. You can move any type of track including other folder tracks to folder tracks.

•Select Project > Track Folding > Move Selected Tracks to New Folder.

RESULT

This creates a new folder and moves all selected tracks into it.

You can also drag and drop tracks into or out of a folder track.

RELATED LINKS

Folder Tracks on page 79 Folder Track Controls on page 80

Track Handling

PROCEDURE

NOTE

Handling Overlapping Audio

The basic rule for audio tracks is that each track can only play back a single audio event at a time. If two or more events overlap, you will only hear one of them: the one that is actually visible (e.

If you have a track with overlapping (stacked) events/regions, use one of the following methods to select the event/region that is played back:

• Open the context menu for the audio event in the event display and select the desired event or region from the To Front or Set to Region submenu.

The available options depend on whether you performed a linear or a cycle recording and the record mode you used. When recording audio in cycle mode, the recorded event is divided in regions, one for each take.

• Use the handle in the middle of a stacked event and select an entry from the pop-up menu that appears.

g. the last lap of a cycle recording).

How Events are Displayed on Folder Tracks

Closed folder tracks can display data of the contained audio, MIDI, and instrument tracks as data blocks or as events.

When you close folder tracks, the contents of the contained tracks are displayed as data blocks or events. Depending on the folder track height, the display of the events can be more or less detailed.

Modifying Event Display on Folder Tracks

You can modify the event display on folder tracks.

1. Right-click the folder track.

2. On the context menu, select Show Data on Folder Tracks.

You have the following options:

• Always Show Data

If this option is activated, data blocks or event details are always displayed.

• Never Show Data

If this option is activated, nothing is displayed.

• Hide Data When Expanded

If this option is activated, the display of events is hidden when you open folder tracks.

• Show Event Details

If this option is activated, event details are displayed. If deactivated, data blocks are displayed.

To change these settings, select File > Preferences > Event Display > Folders.

100

Steinberg Cubase LE - 8.0, Cubase Elements - 8.0, Cubase AI - 8.0 Operation Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Table of Contents

About the Program Versions

Typographical Conventions

Introduction

Setting Up Your System

Setting Up Audio

Setting Up MIDI

Connecting a Synchronizer

Setting Up Video

VST Connections

VST Connections Window

Renaming the Hardware Inputs and Outputs

Adding Input and Output Busses

Presets for Input and Output Busses

About Monitoring

Editing the Bus Configurations

Project Window

Toolbar

Status Line

Info Line

Overview Line

Ruler

Inspector

Global Track Controls

Track List

Event Display

Racks

Zooming in the Project Window

Snap Function

Cross-Hair Cursor

Edit History Dialog

Creating New Projects

Project Handling

Steinberg Hub

Project Assistant

About Project Files

About Template Files

Project Setup Dialog

Opening Project Files

Saving Project Files

Reverting to the Last Saved Version

Choosing a Project Location

Removing Unused Audio Files

Creating Self-Contained Projects

Tracks

Audio Tracks

Instrument Tracks

MIDI Tracks

Arranger Track

Chord Track

FX Channel Tracks

Folder Tracks

Group Channel Tracks

Marker Track

Ruler Track

Video Track

Customizing Track Controls

Adding Tracks

Track Handling

Removing Tracks

Moving Tracks in the Track List

Renaming Tracks

Coloring Tracks

Showing Track Pictures

Setting the Track Height

Selecting Tracks

Duplicating Tracks

Disabling Audio Tracks (Cubase Elements only)

Organizing Tracks in Folder Tracks

Handling Overlapping Audio

How Events are Displayed on Folder Tracks

Modifying Event Display on Folder Tracks