Page is loading ...
Operation Manual
Cristina Bachmann, Heiko Bischoff, Lillie Harris, Christina Kaboth, Insa Mingers, Matthias Obrecht, Sabine Pfeifer,
Benjamin Schütte, Marita Sladek
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 specically 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 owners. For more information, please
visit www.steinberg.net/trademarks.
© Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH, 2018.
All rights reserved.
Cubase_9.5.40_en-US_2018-10-16
8 Introduction
8 Platform-Independent Documentation
8 About the Documentation
9 Conventions
10 Key Commands
11 Setting Up Your System
11 Setting Up Audio
18 Setting Up MIDI
20 Connecting a Synchronizer
21 Audio Connections
21 Audio Connections Window
27 Renaming the Hardware Inputs and Outputs
28 Adding Input and Output Busses
28 Adding Child Busses (Cubase Pro only)
29 Presets for Input and Output Busses
30 Adding Group and FX Channels (Cubase Pro
only)
30 About Monitoring
30 External Instruments and Effects (Cubase Pro
only)
36 Editing the Bus Congurations
38 Project Window
39 Showing/Hiding Zones
39 Project Zone
51 Left Zone
61 Lower Zone
67 Right Zone
73 Keyboard Focus in the Project Window
74 Zooming in the Project Window
78 Snap Function
81 Cross-Hair Cursor
82 Edit History Dialog
83 Project Handling
83 Creating New Projects
84 Hub
85 Project Assistant
85 About Project Files
86 About Template Files
87 Project Setup Dialog
90 Opening Project Files
91 Saving Project Files
92 Reverting to the Last Saved Version
92 Choosing a Project Location
93 Creating Self-Contained Projects
95 Tracks
95 Track Inspector Settings
96 Track Control Settings
98 Audio Tracks
105 Instrument Tracks
112 MIDI Tracks
118 Sampler Tracks
124 Arranger Track
126 Chord Track
128 FX Channel Tracks
134 Folder Tracks
135 Group Channel Tracks
140 Marker Track
142 Ruler Track
143 Signature Track
144 Tempo Track
145 Transpose Track
146 VCA Fader Track (Cubase Pro only)
148 Video Track
151 Track Handling
151 Adding Tracks
153 Importing Tracks (Cubase Pro only)
156 Exporting Tracks as Track Archive (Cubase Pro
only)
157 Exporting MIDI Tracks as Standard MIDI File
159 Removing Tracks
159 Moving Tracks in the Track List
160 Renaming Tracks
160 Coloring Tracks
161 Showing Track Pictures
162 Setting the Track Height
163 Selecting Tracks
164 Duplicating Tracks
164 Disabling Tracks
164 Organizing Tracks in Folder Tracks
165 Handling Overlapping Audio
166 Track Folding
167 How Events are Displayed on Folder Tracks
167 Modifying Event Display on Folder Tracks
167 Working with Lanes
170 Dening the Track Time Base
171 TrackVersions
179 Track Presets
185 Parts and Events
185 Events
188 Parts
190 Editing Techniques for Parts and Events
204 Range Editing
204 Creating a Selection Range
205 Editing Selection Ranges
208 Playback and Transport
208 Transport Panel
210 Transport Menu
Table of Contents
3
215 Transport
217 Transport Pop-Up Window
218 Time Display Window
219 Left and Right Locators
220 Setting the Project Cursor Position
221 Auto-Scroll
221 Time Formats
222 Pre-Roll and Post-Roll
223 Punch In and Punch Out
224 Metronome Click
232 Chase
234 On-Screen Keyboard
234 Recording MIDI With the On-Screen Keyboard
235 On-Screen Keyboard Options
236 Recording
236 Basic Recording Methods
239 Monitoring
242 Audio Recording Specics
246 MIDI Recording Specics
252 Remaining Record Time
252 Lock Record
254 Importing Audio and MIDI Files
254 Importing Audio Files
261 Importing MIDI Files
264 Quantizing MIDI and Audio
264 Quantize Functions
265 Quantizing MIDI Event Starts
266 Quantizing MIDI Event Lengths
266 Quantizing MIDI Event Ends
266 Quantizing Audio Event Starts
267 Quantizing Audio Event Lengths (AudioWarp
Quantizing) (Cubase Pro only)
267 Quantizing Multiple Audio Tracks (Cubase Pro
only)
269 Quantize Panel
278 Fades, Crossfades, and Envelopes
278 Event-Based Fades
282 Creating Clip-Based Fades
283 Crossfades
285 Auto Fades and Crossfades
288 Event Envelopes
290 Arranger Track
290 Adding Arranger Events on the Arranger Track
291 Arranger Editor
294 Setting up an Arranger Chain and Adding
Events
296 Jump Mode
298 Arranging Music to Video
299 Transpose Functions
299 Project Root Key
302 Transpose Track
304 Keep Transpose in Octave Range
305 Transpose on the Info Line
306 Excluding Individual Parts or Events from
Global Transpose
307 Markers
307 Position Markers
307 Cycle Markers
308 Markers Window
312 Marker Track
315 Importing and Exporting Markers
317 MixConsole
317 MixConsole in Lower Zone
320 MixConsole Window
365 VCA Faders (Cubase Pro only)
365 VCA Fader Settings
367 Creating VCA Faders
368 Assigning VCA Faders to Link Groups
368 Removing VCA Faders from Link Groups
369 Nested VCA Faders
369 VCA Fader Automation
372 Control Room (Cubase Pro only)
372 Adding Channels to the Control Room
373 Output Routing
373 Exclusive Assignment of Monitor Channels
373 Control Room Channels
374 Control Room - Main Tab
380 Control Room - Inserts Tab
382 Setting Up a Cue Mix
383 Adjusting the Overall Cue Send Level
385 Metering and Loudness (Cubase Pro only)
385 Metering
386 Loudness Measurement
391 Audio Effects
391 Insert Effects and Send Effects
393 Insert Effects
400 Send Effects
405 Side-Chain Input
407 Dither Effects
408 External Effects (Cubase Pro only)
408 Effect Control Panel
409 Effect Presets
414 System Component Information Window
416 Direct Oine Processing
417 Direct Oine Processing Workow
417 Direct Oine Processing Window
425 Built-In Audio Processes
433 Applying Direct Oine Processing Using Key
Commands
435 Time Stretch and Pitch Shift Algorithms
435 élastique
436 MPEX
436 Standard
437 Limitations
438 Audio Functions
438 Detect Silence
440 Spectrum Analyzer
443 Statistics
445 Sample Editor
447 Toolbar
451 Info Line
451 Overview Line
452 Sample Editor Inspector
455 Ruler
455 Waveform Display
457 Range Editing
461 Regions List
463 Snap Point
Table of Contents
4
465 Hitpoints
465 Calculating Hitpoints
468 Locating to Hitpoints in the Project Window
468 Slices
470 Creating a Groove Quantize Map
470 Creating Markers
471 Creating Regions
471 Creating Events
471 Creating Warp Markers
472 Creating MIDI Notes
474 Tempo Matching Audio
474 Algorithm Presets
475 Stretching Audio Events to the Project Tempo
475 Musical Mode
477 Auto Adjust
477 Manual Adjust
479 Free Warp
481 Flattening Realtime Processing
481 Unstretching Audio Files
483 VariAudio (Cubase Pro only)
483 VariAudio and Oine Processes
484 Segmenting Monophonic Audio
485 Segments and Gaps
485 Manual Editing of Segments
490 Pitch Changes
493 Micro-Pitch Changes
497 Timing Modications
498 Reset Functions
499 Extracting MIDI from Audio
501 Flattening Realtime Processing
502 Harmony Voices for Audio
503 Audio Part Editor
505 Toolbar
509 Info Line
509 The Ruler
510 About Lanes
510 Operations
514 Controlling Sample Playback with Sampler
Tracks
514 Loading Audio Samples into Sampler Control
514 Loading MIDI Parts into Sampler Control
515 Creating Sampler Tracks
515 Sampler Control
524 Sample Editing and Playback Functions
526 Transferring Samples from Sampler Control to
VST Instruments
527 Pool
527 Pool Window
531 Working with the Pool
546 MediaBay
546 Media Rack in Right Zone
552 MediaBay Window
578 Working with MediaBay-Related Windows
580 Working with Volume Databases
582 MediaBay Settings
583 MediaBay Key Commands
584 Surround Sound (Cubase Pro only)
584 Deliverables
585 Available Surround Channel Congurations
586 Preparations for Creating Surround Mixes
589 VST MultiPanner
601 MixConvert V6
605 Surround Mix Export
606 Automation
606 Automation Curves
606 Static Value Line
606 Write/Read Automation
607 Writing Automation Data
609 Editing Automation Events
614 Automation Tracks
615 Virgin Territory vs. Initial Value (Cubase Pro
only)
616 Automation Panel (Cubase Pro only)
625 MIDI Controller Automation
628 VST Instruments
628 Adding VST Instruments
629 Creating Instrument Tracks
629 VST Instruments in the Right Zone
630 VST Instruments Window
630 VST Instruments Toolbar
631 VST Instrument Controls
632 Presets for Instruments
634 Playing Back VST Instruments
635 Latency
636 Import and Export Options
638 VST Quick Controls
639 Side-Chain Input for VST Instruments
640 External Instruments (Cubase Pro only)
641 Installing and Managing Plug-Ins
641 Installing VST Plug-Ins
641 VST Plug-In Manager
644 Compiling a New Effects Collection
645 Track Quick Controls
646 Parameter Assignment
649 Quick Controls and Automatable Parameters
651 Connecting Track Quick Controls with Remote
Controllers
652 Remote Controlling Cubase
652 Connecting Remote Devices
652 Removing the Remote Input from All MIDI
Inputs
653 Setting Up Remote Devices
655 Remote Devices and Automation
655 Assigning Commands to Remote Devices
656 Generic Remote
661 The Remote Control Editor
665 Joysticks
665 Apple Remote (macOS only)
666 Track Quick Controls
667 VST Quick Controls
668 MIDI Realtime Parameters and MIDI Effects
668 MIDI Track Parameters
670 MIDI Modiers
675 MIDI Effects
678 Transpose and Velocity on the Info Line
679 Using MIDI devices
679 MIDI devices – general settings and patch
handling
687 About Device panels (Cubase Pro only)
690 MIDI Functions
690 Transpose Setup
Table of Contents
5
691 Merging MIDI Events into a New Part
692 Dissolve Part
694 Bouncing MIDI Parts
695 Repeating MIDI Events of Independent Track
Loops
695 Extending MIDI Notes
696 Fixing MIDI Note Lengths
696 Fixing MIDI Note Velocities
696 Rendering Sustain Pedal Data to Note Lengths
697 Deleting Overlaps
697 Editing Velocity
698 Deleting Double Notes
698 Deleting Controller Data
698 Deleting Continuous Controller Data
699 Restricting Polyphonic Voices
699 Thinning Out Controller Data
699 Extracting MIDI Automation
700 Reversing the Playback Order of MIDI Events
700 Inverting the Order of Selected MIDI Events
700 Creating a Tempo Track from Tapping (Cubase
Pro only)
702 MIDI Editors
702 Common MIDI Editor Functions
709 Key Editor
720 Key Editor Operations
737 Basic Score Editor (Cubase Artist only)
743 Score Editor Operations (Cubase Artist only)
750 Drum Editor
764 Drum Editor Operations
767 Drum Maps
771 List Editor
780 List Editor Operations
785 In-Place Editor
788 Expression Maps (Cubase Pro only)
789 Articulations
789 Expression Map Setup
790 Creating and Editing Expression Maps
797 Inserting Articulations
800 Note Expression
800 VST 3 Controller Parameters
801 MIDI Controller Parameters
801 Note Expression Inspector Section
804 Note Expression Tools
805 Controller Parameter Mapping
806 Recording
809 Note Expression Event Editor
814 Trimming Note Expression Data
815 Removing All Note Expression Data
815 Note Expression MIDI Setup Dialog
819 Chord Functions
819 Chord Track
820 Chord Events
827 Scale Events
828 Voicings
830 Converting Chord Events to MIDI
831 Controlling MIDI or Audio Playback Using the
Chord Track
834 Assigning Voices to Notes
834 Extracting Chord Events from MIDI
835 Recording Chord Events with a MIDI Keyboard
837 Chord Pads
837 Chord Pads
840 Functions Menu
840 Preparations
841 Chord Assistant
843 Assigning Chords to Chord Pads
846 Moving and Copying Chord Pads
847 Playing Back and Recording Chords
848 Chord Pad Settings – Remote Control
852 Chord Pad Settings – Players
857 Chord Pad Settings – Pad Layout
858 Chord Pads Presets
858 Creating Events from Chord Pads
860 Logical Editor
860 Window overview
861 Filter Conditions
870 Selecting a function
871 Specifying actions
874 Applying the Dened Actions
874 Presets
876 Project Logical Editor (Cubase Pro only)
876 Window Overview
877 Filter Conditions
886 Specifying Actions
889 Selecting a Function
890 Applying Macros
890 Applying the Dened Actions
890 Presets
892 Editing Tempo and Time Signature
892 Project Tempo Modes
892 Track Time Base
893 Tempo Track Editor
894 Tempo Track
896 Setting up Tempo Changes for Projects
900 Setting up a Fixed Project Tempo
902 Beat Calculator
903 Tempo Detection (Cubase Pro only)
904 Exporting a Tempo Track (Cubase Pro only)
904 Importing a Tempo Track (Cubase Pro only)
905 Process Tempo (Cubase Pro only)
906 Process Bars (Cubase Pro only)
906 Time Warp (Cubase Pro only)
908 Set Denition From Tempo
908 Time Signature Events
911 Project Browser (Cubase Pro only)
911 Toolbar
912 Project Structure
912 Event Display
915 Rendering Audio and MIDI
915 Render Tracks
917 Render Selection
920 Export Audio Mixdown
921 Mixing Down to Audio Files
922 Available Channels for Export
923 File Location
926 File Format
932 Audio Engine Output
933 Import Into Project
934 Post Process
935 Synchronization
935 Background
Table of Contents
6
936 Timecode (positional references)
938 Clock sources (speed references)
939 The Project Synchronization Setup dialog
943 Synchronized operation
944 Example Scenarios (Cubase Pro only)
945 Working with VST System Link
948 Activating VST System Link
956 Video
956 Video File Compatibility
957 Frame Rates
957 Video Output Devices
958 Preparations for Creating Video Projects
960 Preparations for Video Playback
962 Editing Video
964 Exchanging Files with Other Applications
964 OMF Files (Cubase Pro only)
968 ReWire
968 Introduction
968 Enabling ReWire Applications
969 Launching and quitting
970 Activating ReWire channels
970 Using the transport and tempo controls
971 How the ReWire channels are handled
971 Routing MIDI via ReWire
972 Considerations and limitations
973 Key Commands
973 Adding Key Commands
974 Searching for Key Commands
974 Removing Key Commands
974 Setting Up Macros
975 Saving Key Commands Presets
975 Loading Key Command Presets
976 Importing Key Command Settings
976 Resetting Key Commands
977 The Default Key Commands
988 Setting Up Tool Modier Keys
990 Customizing
990 Workspaces
994 Using the Setup Options
995 Customizing the Meter Colors
996 Customizing the User Interface Colors
997 Color Selector Pane
998 Coloring Tracks, Parts, or Events Manually
998 Auto Track Color Mode
999 Colorizing Track Controls
1000 Project Colors Dialog
1001 Proles (Cubase Pro only)
1005 Where are the Settings Stored?
1007 Optimizing
1007 Optimizing Audio Performance
1011 Preferences
1011 Preferences Dialog
1013 Editing
1020 Editors
1021 Event Display
1024 General
1025 MIDI
1030 MediaBay
1030 Metering
1031 Record
1033 Scores (Cubase Pro only)
1035 Transport
1036 User Interface
1037 VST
1040 VariAudio (Cubase Pro only)
1041 Video
1042 Index
Table of Contents
7
The documentation covers the following Steinberg products: Cubase Pro and Cubase Artist.
Functions that are only available in Cubase Pro and not in Cubase Artist are clearly indicated. The
screenshots are taken from Cubase Pro.
Platform-Independent Documentation
The documentation applies to the operating systems Windows and macOS.
Features and settings that are specic to one of these platforms are clearly indicated. In all other
cases, the descriptions and procedures in the documentation are valid for
Windows and macOS.
Some points to consider:
● The screenshots are taken from Windows.
● Some functions that are available on the File menu on Windows can be found in the
program name menu on macOS.
About the Documentation
The documentation consists of several documents. You can read them online or download them
from steinberg.help. To visit steinberg.help, do one of the following:
● Enter www.steinberg.help in the address bar of your web browser.
● In the program, select Help > Cubase Help.
Quick Start Guide
Covers the following areas without going into details:
● System requirements, installation procedure, and license activation.
● Setting up your system for audio and MIDI work.
Operation Manual
The main Cubase reference documentation, with detailed descriptions of operations,
parameters, functions, and techniques.
Score Layout and Printing (Cubase Pro only)
Describes the professional music notation, score editing, and printing features
included in the Score Editor.
Remote Control Devices
Lists the supported MIDI remote control devices.
Plug-in Reference
Describes the features and parameters of the included VST plug-ins, VST
instruments, and MIDI effects.
Introduction
8
HALion Sonic SE
Describes the features and parameters of the included VST instrument HALion Sonic
SE.
Groove Agent SE
Describes the features and parameters of the included VST instrument Groove Agent
SE.
Retrologue
Describes the features and parameters of the included VST instrument Retrologue.
MIDI Devices
Describes how to manage MIDI Devices and device panels.
VST Connect SE (Cubase Pro only)
Describes how to work with the VST Connect SE features.
Conventions
In our documentation, we use typographical and markup elements to structure information.
Typographical Elements
The following typographical elements mark the following purposes.
PREREQUISITE
Requires you to complete an action or to fulll a condition before starting a
procedure.
PROCEDURE
Lists the steps that you must take to achieve a specic result.
IMPORTANT
Informs you about issues that might affect the system, the connected hardware, or
that might bring a risk of data loss.
NOTE
Informs you about issues that you should consider.
EXAMPLE
Provides you with an example.
RESULT
Shows the result of the procedure.
AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK
Informs you about actions or tasks that you can perform after completing the
procedure.
RELATED LINKS
Lists related topics that you can nd in this documentation.
Markup
Bold text indicates the name of a menu, option, function, dialog, window, etc.
EXAMPLE
To open the Functions menu, click Functions Menu in the top right corner of the MixConsole.
Introduction
Conventions
9
If bold text is separated by a greater-than symbol, this indicates a sequence of different menus
to open.
EXAMPLE
Select Project > Add Track.
Key Commands
Many of the default key commands, also known as keyboard shortcuts, use modier keys, some
of which are different depending on the operating system.
When key commands with modier keys are described in this manual, they are shown with the
Windows modier key rst followed by the macOS and the key:
● Windows modier key/macOS modier key-Z
EXAMPLE
Ctrl/Cmd-Z means: press Ctrl on Windows or Cmd on macOS, then press Z.
Introduction
Key Commands
10
To use Cubase, you must set up your audio, and if required, your MIDI system.
Setting Up Audio
IMPORTANT
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 amplier and speaker.
Audio Connections
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
11
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 example, different inputs can be used, such as consumer line level (-10
dBV) or professional line level (+4 dBu).
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.
IMPORTANT
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.
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.
IMPORTANT
Set up word clock synchronization correctly, or you may experience clicks and crackles in your
recordings.
Selecting an Audio Driver
By selecting an audio driver, you allow Cubase to communicate with the audio hardware.
Normally, when you start Cubase, a dialog opens that prompts you to select a driver, but you can
also select your audio hardware driver as described below.
NOTE
On Windows operating systems, we recommend that you access your hardware via an ASIO
driver developed specically for the hardware. If no ASIO driver is installed, contact the
manufacturer of your audio hardware for information on available ASIO drivers. If no specic
ASIO driver is available, you can use the Generic Low Latency ASIO driver.
PROCEDURE
1. Select Studio > Studio Setup.
2. In the Devices list, select VST Audio System.
3. Open the ASIO Driver pop-up menu and select your audio hardware driver.
4. Click OK.
Setting Up Audio Hardware
PREREQUISITE
You have selected a driver for your audio hardware.
PROCEDURE
1. Select Studio > Studio Setup.
2. In the Devices list, select your audio hardware driver.
Setting Up Your System
Setting Up Audio
12
3. Do one of the following to open the control panel for your audio hardware:
● On Windows, click Control Panel.
● On macOS, click Open Cong App.
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.
NOTE
The control panel is provided by the manufacturer of your audio hardware and is different
for each audio interface brand and model. However, control panels for the Generic Low
Latency ASIO Driver
(Windows only) are provided by Steinberg.
4. Set up your audio hardware as recommended by the manufacturer.
VST Audio System
In the VST Audio System section you can select an ASIO driver for your audio hardware.
● To open the VST Audio System section, select Studio > Studio Setup and select VST Audio
System in the Devices list.
The following options are available:
ASIO Driver
Allows you to select a driver.
Release Driver when Application is in Background
Releases the driver and allows other applications to play back via your audio
hardware even though Cubase is running.
Input Latency
Shows the input latency of the audio hardware.
Output Latency
Shows the output latency of the audio hardware.
Setting Up Your System
Setting Up Audio
13
ASIO-Guard Latency
Shows the ASIO-Guard latency.
HW Sample Rate
Shows the sample rate of your audio hardware.
HW Pull Up/Down
Shows the pull up/down status of the audio hardware.
Set to Defaults
Allows you to restore the default settings.
Processing Precision
Allows you to set the audio processing precision to 32 bit oat or 64 bit oat.
Depending on this setting, all channels are processed and mixed in 32-bit oating-
point or 64-bit oating-point format.
NOTE
A processing precision of 64 bit oat can increase CPU load and memory
consumption.
To show all plug-ins that support 64-bit oat processing, open the VST Plug-in
Manager and activate Show Plug-ins That Support 64-Bit Processing in the
Display Options pop-up menu.
NOTE
VST2 plug-ins and instruments are always processed with 32-bit precision.
Activate Multi Processing
Allows you to distribute the processing load evenly to all available CPUs. This way,
Cubase can make full use of the combined power of multiple processors.
Activate ASIO-Guard
Activates the ASIO-Guard. This is only available if Activate Multi Processing is
activated too.
ASIO-Guard Level
Allows you to set the ASIO-Guard level. The higher the level, the higher the
processing stability and audio processing performance. However, higher levels also
lead to an increased ASIO-Guard latency and memory usage.
Audio Priority (Windows only)
This setting should be set to Normal if you work with audio and MIDI. If you do not
use MIDI at all, you can set this to
Boost.
Activate Steinberg Audio Power Scheme
If this option is activated, all power safe modes that have an impact on realtime
processing are deactivated. Note that this is only effective for very low latencies, and
that it increases the power consumption.
Disk Preload
Allows you to specify how many seconds of audio are preloaded into RAM prior to
starting playback. This allows for smooth playback.
Adjust for Record Latency
If this is activated, the plug-in latencies are taken to account during recording.
Setting Up Your System
Setting Up Audio
14
Record Shift
Allows you to shift the recordings by the specied value.
RELATED LINKS
VST Plug-In Manager Window on page 641
ASIO Driver Setup
This section allows you to set up your ASIO driver.
● To open the section where you can set up the ASIO driver, select Studio > Studio Setup
and select the audio driver in the Devices list.
The following options are available:
Control Panel
Opens the control panel for the audio hardware.
Input Latency
Shows the input latency of the audio driver.
Output Latency
Shows the output latency of the audio driver.
Clock Source
Allows you to select a clock source.
Externally Clocked
Activate this option if you use an external clock source.
Direct Monitoring
Activate this option to monitor via your audio hardware and to control it from
Cubase.
Setting Up Your System
Setting Up Audio
15
Ports Reset
Allows you to reset all port names and visibilities.
I/O
The port input/output status.
Port System Name
The system name of the port.
Show As
Allows you to rename the port. This name is used in the Input Routing and Output
Routing pop-up menus.
Visible
Allows you to activate/deactivate audio ports.
State
The state of the audio port.
Using External Clock Sources
If you are using an external clock source, Cubase must be notied that it receives external clock
signals and derives its speed from that source.
PROCEDURE
1. Select Studio > Studio Setup.
2. In the Devices list, select your audio hardware driver.
3. Activate Externally clocked.
RESULT
Cubase now derives its speed from the external source.
NOTE
For proper audio playback and recording, you must set the sample rate of the project to the
sample rate of the incoming clock signals.
When a sample rate mismatch occurs, the Record Format eld on the status line is highlighted
in a different color. Cubase accepts a sample rate mismatch, and playback is therefore faster or
slower.
Using Several Audio Applications Simultaneously
You can allow other applications to play back via your audio hardware even though Cubase is
running.
PREREQUISITE
Other audio applications accessing the audio hardware are set to release the audio driver.
PROCEDURE
1. Select Studio > Studio Setup.
2. In the Devices list, select VST Audio System.
3. Activate Release Driver when Application is in Background.
Setting Up Your System
Setting Up Audio
16
RESULT
The application that has the focus gets access to the audio hardware.
Audio Hardware Conguration
Most audio cards provide one or more small applications that allow you to customize your
hardware.
The settings are normally 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.
Settings include:
●
Selecting which inputs/outputs are active.
● Setting up word clock synchronization.
● 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.
Setting Up 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.
PREREQUISITE
You have selected a driver for your audio hardware.
PROCEDURE
1. Select Studio > Studio Setup.
2. In the Devices list, select your audio hardware driver.
3. Make your settings.
4. Click OK.
RELATED LINKS
ASIO Driver Setup on page 15
Audio Bus Setup
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 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, playing back, and mixing.
RELATED LINKS
Audio Connections on page 21
Setting Up Your System
Setting Up Audio
17
Monitoring
In Cubase, monitoring means listening to the input signal while recording.
The following ways of monitoring are available.
●
Externally by listening to the signal before it reaches Cubase.
● Via Cubase.
● By using ASIO Direct Monitoring.
This is a combination of the other methods.
RELATED LINKS
External Monitoring on page 240
Monitoring via Cubase on page 240
ASIO Direct Monitoring on page 240
Setting Up MIDI
IMPORTANT
Turn off all equipment before making any connections.
PROCEDURE
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.
MIDI Connections
To play back and record MIDI data from your MIDI device, for example, a MIDI keyboard, you
need to connect the MIDI ports.
Connect the MIDI output port of your MIDI device to the MIDI input port of your audio hardware.
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 audio hardware.
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.
PROCEDURE
1. Select Studio > Studio Setup.
2. In the Devices list, select MIDI Port Setup.
3. To hide a MIDI port, deactivate its Visible column.
4. Click OK.
Setting Up Your System
Setting Up MIDI
18
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.
PROCEDURE
1. Select Studio > Studio Setup.
2. In the Devices list, select MIDI Port Setup.
3. Activate In ‘All MIDI Inputs’ for a port.
NOTE
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 specied in the MIDI Port Setup.
MIDI Port Setup
The MIDI Port Setup page in the Studio Setup dialog displays the connected MIDI devices and
allows you to set up their ports.
● To open the MIDI Port Setup page, select Studio > Studio Setup and activate MIDI Port
Setup in the Devices list.
The following colums are displayed:
Device
The connected MIDI devices.
I/O
The port input/output status.
Setting Up Your System
Setting Up MIDI
19
Port System Name
The system name of the port.
Show As
Allows you to rename the port. This name is used in the Input Routing and Output
Routing pop-up menus.
Visible
Allows you to activate/deactivate MIDI ports.
State
The state of the MIDI port.
In 'All MIDI Inputs'
Allows you to record MIDI data from all MIDI inputs.
NOTE
Deactivate this option if you use remote control devices.
The following options are available:
Use System Timestamp for 'Windows MIDI' Inputs
Activate this option if you have persistent timing problems such as shifted notes. If
this is activated, the system timestamp is used as a time reference.
Use Device 'DirectMusic'
If you do not use a device with a DirectMusic device driver, you can leave this option
deactivated. This enhances the system performance.
Use System Timestamp for 'DirectMusic' Inputs
Activate this option if you have persistent timing problems such as shifted notes. If
this is activated, the system timestamp is used as a time reference.
Plug and Play Support for USB MIDI Devices
Cubase supports plug and play of USB MIDI devices. These devices can be plugged in and
switched on while the application is running.
Connecting a Synchronizer
When using Cubase with external tape transports, you most likely must add a synchronizer to
your system.
IMPORTANT
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 935
Setting Up Your System
Connecting a Synchronizer
20
/
