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Operation Manual
The Steinberg Documentation Team: Cristina Bachmann, Heiko Bischoff, Lillie Harris, Christina Kaboth, Insa
Mingers, Matthias Obrecht, Sabine Pfeifer, Benjamin Schütte, Marita Sladek
Translation: Ability InterBusiness Solutions (AIBS), Moon Chen, Jérémie Dal Santo, Rosa Freitag, Josep Llodra
Grimalt, Vadim Kupriianov, Filippo Manfredi, Roland Münchow, Boris Rogowski, Sergey Tamarovsky
This document provides improved access for people who are blind or have low vision. 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, 2020.
All rights reserved.
Cubase Pro_11.0.0_en-US_2020-11-11
Table of Contents
8 New Features
11 Introduction
11 Platform-Independent Documentation
11 PDF Documents and Online Documentation
12 Conventions
13 Key Commands
14 Setting up Your System
14 Studio Setup Dialog
15 Setting up Audio
22 Setting up MIDI
25 Synchronizers
26 Audio Connections
26 Audio Connections Window
32 Renaming the Hardware Inputs and Outputs
33 Adding Input and Output Busses
33 Adding Child Busses
34 Presets for Input and Output Busses
35 Adding Group and FX Channels
35 Monitoring Bus
35 External Instruments and Effects
42 Bus Congurations
44 Project Window
45 Showing/Hiding Zones
45 Project Zone
60 Left Zone
68 Lower Zone
74 Right Zone
80 Keyboard Focus in the Project Window
82 Zooming in the Project Window
85 Snap Function
88 Cross-Hair Cursor
88 Edit History Dialog
90 Color Handling
98 Project Handling
98 Creating New Projects
98 Hub
100 Project Assistant Dialog
101 Project Files
101 Template Files
104 Project Setup Dialog
107 Opening Project Files
108 Saving Project Files
109 Reverting to the Last Saved Version
109 Choosing a Project Location
110 Self-Contained Projects
112 Tracks
112 Track Inspector Settings Dialog
115 Track Controls Settings Dialog
121 Add Track Dialog
122 Audio Tracks
125 Instrument Tracks
129 Sampler Tracks
132 MIDI Tracks
136 Group Channel Tracks
139 FX Channel Tracks
142 VCA Fader Track
144 Marker Track
146 Ruler Track
148 Folder Tracks
151 More Tracks
161 Track Handling
161 Adding Tracks via the Add Track Dialog
161 Adding Tracks Using Track Presets
162 Adding Tracks by Dragging Files from the
MediaBay
162 Track Import
167 Track Export
168 Exporting MIDI Tracks as Standard MIDI Files
170 Splitting Multi-Channel Audio Tracks
171 Merging Mono Audio Tracks to Multi-Channel
Tracks
173 Removing Selected Tracks
173 Removing Empty Tracks
173 Moving Tracks in the Track List
173 Renaming Tracks
174 Automatically Assigning Colors to New Tracks/
Channels
174 Showing Track Pictures
176 Setting the Track Height
177 Selecting Tracks
178 Deselecting Tracks
178 Duplicating Tracks
178 Disabling Tracks
178 Organizing Tracks in Folder Tracks
179 Handling Overlapping Audio
180 Track Folding Menu
180 Events Display on Folder Tracks
181 Modifying Event Display on Folder Tracks
181 Lanes, Takes and Overlapping Events
184 Dening the Track Time Base
185 Track Versions
192 Track Presets
199 Parts and Events
199 Events
203 Parts
204 Editing Techniques for Parts and Events
223 Range Editing
223 Creating a Selection Range
225 Editing Selection Ranges
228 Playback and Transport
228 Transport Panel
233 Transport Menu
238 Transport Bar
243 Transport Pop-Up Window
244 Time Display Window
245 Left and Right Locators
247 Setting the Project Cursor
248 Auto-Scroll Settings Menu
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249 Time Formats
249 Pre-Roll and Post-Roll
250 Punch In and Punch Out
251 Metronome Click
259 Chase
261 On-Screen Keyboard
261 Recording MIDI With the On-Screen Keyboard
261 On-Screen Keyboard Options
263 Recording
263 Basic Recording Methods
268 Monitoring
270 Audio Recording Specics
275 MIDI Recording Specics
283 Remaining Record Time
283 Lock Record
284 Importing Audio and MIDI Files
284 Audio File Import
291 MIDI File Import
293 Quantizing MIDI and Audio
293 Quantize Functions
294 Quantizing MIDI Event Starts
295 Quantizing MIDI Event Lengths
295 Quantizing MIDI Event Ends
295 Quantizing Audio Event Starts
296 Quantizing Audio Event Lengths (AudioWarp
Quantizing)
296 Quantizing Multiple Audio Tracks
298 Quantize Panel
307 Fades, Crossfades, and Envelopes
307 Event-Based Fades
311 Creating Clip-Based Fades
312 Crossfades
315 Auto Fades and Crossfades
317 Event Envelopes
319 Arranger Track
319 Adding Arranger Events on the Arranger Track
320 Arranger Editor
323 Setting up an Arranger Chain and Adding
Events
325 Jump Mode
326 Arranging Music to Video
328 Transpose Functions
328 Project Root Key
331 Transpose Track
333 Keep Transpose in Octave Range
334 Transpose on the Info Line
335 Excluding Individual Parts or Events from
Global Transpose
336 Markers
336 Position Markers
336 Cycle Markers
337 Showing/Hiding Marker Lines in the Project
Window
338 Showing/Hiding Marker Lines in the Key Editor
339 Markers Window
342 Marker Track
344 Importing and Exporting Markers
347 MixConsole
347 MixConsole in Lower Zone
349 MixConsole Window
419 VCA Faders
419 VCA Fader Settings
421 Creating VCA Faders in the MixConsole
422 Assigning VCA Faders to Link Groups
422 Removing VCA Faders from Link Groups
423 Nested VCA Faders
423 VCA Fader Automation
425 Control Room
425 Adding Channels to the Control Room
426 Output Routing
426 Exclusive Assignment of Monitor Channels
426 Control Room Channels
427 Control Room - Main Tab
433 Control Room - Inserts Tab
435 Setting up a Cue Mix
436 Adjusting the Overall Cue Send Level
437 Metering and Loudness
437 Metering
443 Audio Effects
443 Insert Effects and Send Effects
445 Insert Effects
453 VST Effect Selector
453 Send Effects
459 Side-Chaining
463 Dither Effects
463 External Effects
464 Effect Control Panel
467 Effect Presets
472 System Component Information Window
475 Direct Oine Processing
476 Direct Oine Processing Workow
477 Direct Oine Processing Window
488 Built-In Audio Processes
497 Key Commands for Direct Oine Processing
499 Time Stretch and Pitch Shift Algorithms
499 élastique
499 MPEX
500 Standard
501 Limitations
502 Audio Functions
502 Detect Silence Dialog
505 Spectrum Analyzer Window
507 Statistics Window
509 Sample Editor
511 Sample Editor Toolbar
515 Info Line
516 Overview Line
516 Sample Editor Inspector
519 Ruler
520 Waveform Display
522 Range Editing
526 Regions List
528 Snap Point
531 Hitpoints
531 Calculating Hitpoints
534 Locating to Hitpoints in the Project Window
534 Slices
537 Creating a Groove Quantize Map
537 Creating Markers
537 Creating Regions
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Cubase Pro 11.0.0
538 Creating Events
538 Creating Warp Markers
538 Creating MIDI Notes
540 Tempo Matching Audio
540 Algorithm Presets
541 Stretching Audio Events to the Project Tempo
541 Musical Mode
543 Auto Adjust
544 Manual Adjust
545 Free Warp
547 Flattening Realtime Processing
548 Flatten Realtime Processing Dialog
548 Unstretching Audio Files
549 Pitch Editing and Time Correction with
VariAudio
549 VariAudio and Oine Processes
550 VariAudio Inspector Section
551 Smart Controls
553 Segmenting Monophonic Audio
554 Segments and Gaps
555 Auditioning
555 Navigation and Zoom
556 Segment Editing
558 Pitch Changes
565 Timing Modications
566 Showing MIDI Reference Tracks
567 Formant Shifting
568 Editing Volume
568 Functions Menu
572 Harmony Voices for Audio
574 Audio Part Editor
575 Audio Part Editor Toolbar
580 Info Line
580 Ruler
580 Lanes
581 Operations
584 Extensions in Cubase
584 Activating an Extension in Cubase
585 Editor for Extensions
586 Activating the Extension for Further Audio
Events
586 Deactivating the Extension for Audio Events
587 Audio Event Editing
588 Sampler Tracks
588 Loading Audio Samples into Sampler Control
589 Loading MIDI Parts into Sampler Control
589 Creating Sampler Tracks
589 Sampler Control
604 Sample Editing and Playback Functions
608 Transferring Samples from Sampler Control to
VST Instruments
610 Pool
610 Pool Window
614 Working with the Pool
629 MediaBay and Media Rack
629 Media Rack in Right Zone
640 MediaBay Window
667 Working with Volume Databases
669 MediaBay Settings
671 Surround Sound
671 Deliverables
672 Available Surround Channel Congurations
673 Preparations for Creating Surround Mixes
676 VST MultiPanner
688 MixConvert V6
692 Surround Mix Export
692 Ambisonics Mixes
705 Automation
705 Automation Curves
705 Static Value Line
705 Write/Read Automation
706 Writing Automation Data
708 Editing Automation Events
712 Automation Tracks
713 Virgin Territory vs. Initial Value
714 Automation Panel
726 VST Instruments
726 Adding VST Instruments
726 VST Instrument Control Panel
728 VST Instrument Selector
729 Creating Instrument Tracks
729 VST Instruments in the Right Zone
730 VST Instruments Window
730 VST Instruments Window Toolbar
731 VST Instrument Controls
733 Presets for Instruments
735 Playing Back VST Instruments
737 Latency
738 Import and Export Options
739 VST Quick Controls
741 Side-Chaining for VST Instruments
742 External Instruments
743 Installing and Managing VST Plug-ins
743 Plug-ins and Collections
746 Adding New Plug-in Collections
747 Hiding Plug-ins
748 Reactivating Plug-ins from the Blocklist
749 Track Quick Controls
750 Parameter Assignment
753 Controlling Automatable Parameters
754 Connecting Track Quick Controls with Remote
Controllers
756 Remote Controlling Cubase
756 Connecting Remote Devices
756 Removing the Remote Input from All MIDI
Inputs
757 Setting up Remote Devices
759 Remote Devices and Automation
759 Assigning Commands to Remote Devices
760 Generic Remote Page
765 Remote Control Editor
770 Joysticks
770 Track Quick Controls
770 VST Quick Controls
771 MIDI Realtime Parameters and MIDI Effects
771 MIDI Track Parameters
773 MIDI Modiers
778 MIDI Effects
781 Transpose and Velocity on the Info Line
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Cubase Pro 11.0.0
782 Using MIDI Devices
782 Program Change Messages and Bank Select
Messages
783 Patch Banks
783 MIDI Device Manager
788 Device Panels
792 MIDI Functions
792 Transpose Setup Dialog
793 Merging MIDI Events into a New Part
795 Dissolve Part Dialog
796 Bouncing MIDI Parts
797 Repeating MIDI Events of Independent Track
Loops
797 Extending MIDI Notes
797 Fixing MIDI Note Lengths
798 Fixing MIDI Note Velocities
798 Rendering Sustain Pedal Data to Note Lengths
799 Deleting Overlaps
799 Editing Velocity
800 Deleting Double Notes
800 Deleting Controller Data
800 Deleting Continuous Controller Data
801 Restricting Polyphonic Voices
801 Thinning Out Controller Data
801 Extracting MIDI Automation
802 Reversing the Playback Order of MIDI Events
802 Inverting the Order of Selected MIDI Events
802 Creating a Tempo Track from Tapping
804 MIDI Editors
804 Common MIDI Editor Functions
812 Controller Display
836 Key Editor
854 Key Editor Operations
870 Drum Editor
881 Drum Editor Operations
884 Drum Maps
889 List Editor
898 List Editor Operations
903 In-Place Editor
906 Expression Maps
907 Articulations
907 Expression Map Setup Window
909 Creating and Editing Expression Maps
915 Inserting Articulations
918 Note Expression
919 VST Note Expressions
920 MIDI Controllers
924 Note Expression Inspector Section
928 Note Expression Tools
928 Controller Mapping
930 Recording
933 Note Expression Event Editor
938 Trimming Note Expression Data
939 Removing All Note Expression Data
939 Note Expression MIDI Setup Dialog
943 Chord Functions
943 Chord Track
944 Chord Events
951 Scale Events
953 Voicings
956 Converting Chord Events to MIDI
957 Controlling MIDI or Audio Playback Using the
Chord Track
962 Assigning Voices to Notes
962 Extracting Chord Events from MIDI
963 Recording Chord Events with a MIDI Keyboard
964 Chord Pads
964 Chord Pads Zone
967 Functions Menu
967 Chord Assistant
971 Chord Assignment
974 Swapping Chord Assignments
975 Copying Chord Assignments
975 Playing Back and Recording Chords
978 Player Setup
985 Chord Pads Setup Dialog
990 Chord Pads Presets
991 Creating Chord Events from Chord Pads
991 Creating MIDI Parts from Chord Pads
992 Logical Editor
992 Window Overview
993 Filter Conditions
1002 Selecting a Function
1003 Specifying Actions
1005 Applying the Dened Actions
1006 Presets
1007 Project Logical Editor
1007 Project Logical Editor Window Overview
1008 Filter Conditions
1017 Specifying Actions
1020 Selecting a Function
1021 Applying Macros
1021 Applying the Dened Actions
1021 Presets
1023 Editing Tempo and Time Signature
1023 Project Tempo Modes
1023 Track Time Base
1024 Tempo Track Editor
1026 Tempo Track
1028 Tempo Changes for Projects
1032 Setting up a Fixed Project Tempo
1034 Beat Calculator
1035 Tempo Detection
1036 Exporting a Tempo Track
1036 Importing a Tempo Track
1037 Process Tempo Dialog
1038 Process Bars Dialog
1038 Time Warp
1040 Set Denition from Tempo Dialog
1040 Time Signature Events
1043 Project Browser
1043 Project Browser Toolbar
1044 Project Structure
1044 Event Display
1047 Rendering Audio and MIDI
1047 Render Tracks Dialog
1050 Render Selection Dialog
1053 Export Audio Mixdown
1053 Export Audio Mixdown Dialog
1062 Mixing Down to Audio Files
1063 Mixing Down to Audio Files Using Job Queues
1067 Available Channels for Export
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1067 File Formats
1073 Saving File Format Presets
1074 Synchronization
1074 Master and Slave
1075 Timecode Formats
1077 Clock Sources
1078 Project Synchronization Setup Dialog
1083 MMC Master Panel
1083 External Synchronization
1084 Setting up Synchronization for a Personal
Music Studio
1086 VST System Link
1086 Setting up VST System Link
1091 Activating VST System Link
1093 Application Examples
1097 Video
1097 Video File Compatibility
1098 Frame Rates
1099 Video Output Devices
1099 Preparations for Creating Video Projects
1101 Preparations for Video Playback
1104 Editing Video
1105 Export Video
1108 Extracting Audio from Video
1109 Exchanging Files with Other Applications
1109 OMF Files
1113 AAF Files
1118 ReWire
1118 Enabling ReWire Applications
1119 Launching and quitting
1120 Activating ReWire channels
1120 Using the transport and tempo controls
1121 How the ReWire channels are handled
1122 Routing MIDI via ReWire
1122 Considerations and limitations
1123 Key Commands
1123 Key Commands Dialog
1126 Assigning Key Commands
1126 Searching for Key Commands
1127 Removing Key Commands
1127 Setting up Macros
1127 Saving Key Commands Presets
1128 Loading Key Command Presets
1128 Resetting Key Commands
1128 Default Key Commands
1141 Setting up Tool Modier Keys
1142 Customizing
1142 Workspaces
1145 Setup Options
1147 Proles
1151 Windows Dialog
1152 Where are the Settings Stored?
1152 Safe Mode Dialog
1155 Optimizing Audio Performance
1155 Performance Aspects
1156 Settings That Affect Performance
1156 Audio Performance Window
1157 ASIO-Guard
1159 Preferences
1159 Preferences Dialog
1161 Editing
1165 Editors
1166 Event Display
1169 General
1171 MIDI
1174 MediaBay
1175 Metering
1175 Record
1177 Scores
1179 Transport
1180 User Interface
1181 VST
1184 VariAudio
1185 Video
1186 Index
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Cubase Pro 11.0.0
New Features
The following list informs you about the most important improvements in Cubase and provides
links to the corresponding descriptions.
New Features in Version 11.0.0
Highlights
New Score Editor Features and Fonts
● The Score Editor was enhanced with lots of great additions and improvements. The new
Properties tab lets you instantly access the options and settings for specic elements that
you select in your notation, and with the Note Editing Overlay, you can edit notes as
conveniently as in the Key Editor. There are more workow improvements, and the Score
Editor now also supports the SMuFL font format, which brings Dorico’s beautiful Bravura
and Petaluma fonts to Cubase. See Score Layout and Printing.
Imager
● This new plug-in helps you to get a better, cleaner mix. You can place audio tracks in the
stereo eld independently in up to four bands, allowing you to expand or reduce the stereo
width of your sound. The individual scope and correlation displays help you to get your
panning absolutely perfect. The plug-in is described in the separate document Plug-in
Reference. See Imager.
Squasher
● This dynamic plug-in combines up and down compression for up to three bands. Use it to
help your lead sounds cut through the mix, tame aggressive bass lines, or enhance subtle,
spacey reverberation. The plug-in is described in the separate document Plug-in
Reference. See Squasher.
Frequency 2
● The Frequency 2 equalizer provides eight bands, each of which can be individually set to
dynamic ltering for a more dynamic mix. You can also nd mid/side channel support and
Linear Phase mode for each band, Auto Listen to hear the adjustments you have made, a
spectrum display and even a musical keyboard to help you nd the right tone. The plug-in
is described in the separate document Plug-in Reference. See Frequency 2.
SpectraLayers One
● This compact version of the acclaimed visual audio editing tool allows you to visualize and
accurately clean up your audio. Thanks to the state-of-the-art source separation engine,
you can separate the vocal part from any kinds of audio tracks. Its advanced ARA
technology allows a spectrogram view of audio tracks with the ideal balance of selection,
editing, and display tools for surgical editing tasks like improving dialogue and location
sounds straight from a eld recorder, with no need for any third-party application. The tool
is described in the separate document SpectraLayers One. See Spectralayers One.
Sampler Track Improvements
● The sampler track comes with a number of great new features. The new slicing mode chops
up your loops so they’re ready-to-play with just a click. There are now two global LFOs
available to add motion and interesting effects. You can go for a vintage feel or the highest
delity with the sample engine’s new quality modes. And the new mono legato glide is
perfect for typical 808 basslines and more. See Sampler Tracks.
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Cubase Pro 11.0.0
Pitchbend and Controller Editing Improvements
● You can select whether you want ramps or steps as the default type for new controller
events. See Controller Lane Setup Menu.
● You can copy all of your CC edits to another track. See Controller Lane Context Menu.
● You can set your pitchbend steps to semitones to always be perfectly in tune. See
Pitchbend Controller Lanes.
● You can create ramps and curves in the CC and pitchbend lanes, just like you are used to
with automation. See Creating Smooth Transitions between Continuous Controller Events.
● You can delete MIDI notes with a simple, fast double-click. See Deleting Note Events.
Global Tracks in the Key Editor
● Staying in sync with tempo changes or markers is crucial when composing any kind of
music. Cubase makes your life easier with Global Tracks that can now be displayed in the
Key Editor. With no need to leave the Key Editor anymore, this great visual reference will
keep your compositions moving along quickly and creatively. See Global Tracks in the Key
Editor.
Scale Assistant in the Key Editor
● The Scale Assistant is a superb addition to your songwriting toolkit. You can set your
song’s scale in the Key Editor and follow its lead, quantize a solo to scale or play live in
perfect tune. You can change the view to only see the notes of the set scale. You can even
let the Scale Assistant analyze your MIDI recording and suggest the right scale. Now there
are no more excuses for wrong notes. See Scale Assistant in the Key Editor.
Job Queue Management
● In most DAWs, exporting multiple les is a repetitive and time-consuming task. Cubase
makes this job much faster, less prone to errors, and way more convenient. Sync your
export selection to the selection in your project and export the full signal path, including
master bus effects, to truly replicate the mix. See Export Audio Mixdown Dialog.
● Cubase lets you collect your export jobs to export the whole job queue in one go while you
grab a coffee. See Mixing Down to Audio Files Using Job Queues.
File Format Presets
● Create and restore le format presets from your favorite or most used le format settings.
See Saving File Format Presets.
Variable DPI on Windows 10
● Cubase now supports more scaling settings for Windows 10, such as 125 %, 150 %, and
200 %. Even plug-ins that do not support HiDPI can now be scaled based on the scaling
factor of Windows. See General.
More New Features
MultiTap Delay Multi-Channel Support
● Now supporting up to 5.1 surround sound, the MultiTap Delay plug-in has all the creative
options you need to create otherworldly and spatial atmospheres. You can quickly and
easily create up to eight delay taps, harness the sound of digital delays or vintage echo
units, and add effects to the complete output, the delay loop, or even each individual tap.
This plug-in is described in the separate document Plug-in Reference. See MultiTap Delay.
SuperVision
● This plug-in is a fully customizable multimeter audio analyzer for professional productions.
SuperVision lets you choose from several different modules for signal, spectral, phase,
spatial, and waveform analysis. This plug-in suite allows you to create your own custom
layout with up to nine module slots with individual display settings for each module to give
you a supremely accurate visual picture of your sound. It is described in the separate
document Plug-in Reference. See SuperVision.
New Features
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Cubase Pro 11.0.0
Range Editing Improvements for Combine Selection Tools mode
● If Combine Selection Tools is activated and you split a selection range, the newly created
events are automatically selected. See Splitting Selection Ranges.
Marker Lines
● You can activate/deactivate the display of vertical marker lines to indicate marker positions
on all tracks throughout the entire project. You can decide if marker lines are shown for the
active marker track only or for all marker tracks. See Markers.
Enhanced Direct Oine Processing
● The Direct Oine Processing window now allows you to pin processes, which eases the
usage of plug-ins with a learning function. See Direct Oine Processing Workow.
Revised ARA 2.0 Support
● A bounce is no longer needed when committing an audio event to the selected ARA
extension. See Extensions in Cubase.
Last but Not Least
Keyboard Focus Indication for Divided Track Lists
● When working with the Divide Track List feature, it is now clearly indicated which of the
track lists has the keyboard focus. See Keyboard Focus in the Project Window.
Show Version Name in Track List
● The version name of a track version can be shown/hidden in the track list. See Track
Version Names.
Details View for Maximizer Channel Strip Module
● The Maximizer channel strip module now offers a details view in the Channel Settings
window. See Maximizer – Details View.
Support of Multiple Side-Chain Inputs
● For plug-ins that support multiple side-chain inputs, for example, Frequency 2 and
Squasher, you can now set up an individual side-chain routing for any of these inputs. This
allows you to control each plug-in side-chain input with a different side-chain source. See
Side-Chain Routing.
Poly Pressure Lane Handling Improvements
● Selecting and editing poly pressure events on the controller lane is much more intuitive
now. See Adding Poly Pressure Events.
Dene the Visible Pitches in the Key Editor
● You can dene which pitches are visible in the event display and the piano keyboard display
of the Key Editor. See Showing Specic Pitches in the Key Editor.
Search for Notes in Chords
● The new context variables in the Logical Editor allow you to search for the highest or
lowest note in a progression of chords (Highest in Chord from at Least n Notes and
Lowest in Chord from at Least n Notes), and to operate on those notes. See Chords Filter.
New Features
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Cubase Pro 11.0.0
Introduction
This is the Operation Manual for Steinberg’s Cubase. Here you will nd detailed information
about all the features and functions in the program.
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.
PDF Documents and Online Documentation
The documentation consists of several documents. You can read them online or download them
from
steinberg.help.
You can reach steinberg.help from the program by selecting Help > Cubase Help.
Operation Manual
The main Cubase reference documentation, with detailed descriptions of operations,
parameters, functions, and techniques.
Score Layout and Printing
Describes the professional music notation, score editing, and printing features
included in the Score Editor.
Plug-in Reference
Describes the features and parameters of the included VST plug-ins, VST instruments,
and MIDI effects.
Remote Control Devices
Lists the supported MIDI remote control devices.
MIDI Devices
Describes how to manage MIDI devices and device panels.
Groove Agent SE
Describes the features and parameters of the included VST instrument Groove Agent
SE.
HALion Sonic SE
Describes the features and parameters of the included VST instrument HALion Sonic
SE.
Retrologue
Describes the features and parameters of the included VST instrument Retrologue.
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Cubase Pro 11.0.0
Padshop
Describes the features and parameters of the included VST instrument Padshop.
Steinberg Library Manager
Describes how you can register and manage your VST Sound libraries.
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.
Tip
Adds further information or useful suggestions.
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.
If bold text is separated by a greater-than symbol, this indicates a sequence of different menus
to open.
EXAMPLE
Select Project > Add Track.
Introduction
Conventions
12
Cubase Pro 11.0.0
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 indicated with the
Windows modier key rst, followed by the macOS modier key and the key.
EXAMPLE
Ctrl/Cmd - Z means: press Ctrl on Windows or Cmd on macOS, then press Z .
Introduction
Key Commands
13
Cubase Pro 11.0.0
Setting up Your System
To use Cubase, you must set up your audio, and if required, your MIDI system.
Studio Setup Dialog
The Studio Setup dialog allows you to set up your connected audio, MIDI, and remote control
devices.
●
To open the Studio Setup dialog, select Studio > Studio Setup.
The following options are available:
Add Device
Allows you to manually add devices such as a Note Expression Input Device, an
additional Time Display device, or specic remote control devices.
Remove
Allows you to remove manually added devices.
Reset
Resets all remote control devices in the Devices list.
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Cubase Pro 11.0.0
Devices list
Select a device in the Devices list to show its settings in the right section.
Setting up Audio
You must set up your audio equipment before you can use it in Cubase.
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.
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.
Setting up Your System
Setting up Audio
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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 Audio System.
3. Open the ASIO Driver pop-up menu and select your audio hardware driver.
4. Click OK.
Setting up Audio Hardware
You must select and set up your audio hardware in the Studio Setup dialog before you can use
it.
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. 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.
Setting up Your System
Setting up Audio
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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.
Audio System Page
On the Audio System page you can select an ASIO driver for your audio hardware.
●
To open the Audio System page, select Studio > Studio Setup and select 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
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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.
In the Advanced Options section, the following options are available:
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 Float Processing in the
Display Options pop-up menu.
NOTE
VST 2 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.
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 real time
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 into account during recording.
Setting up Your System
Setting up Audio
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Cubase Pro 11.0.0
Record Shift
Allows you to shift the recordings by the specied value.
In the general section, the following options are available:
Reset
Resets the selected remote device.
Apply
Applies the settings.
RELATED LINKS
VST Plug-in Manager Window on page 744
ASIO Driver Setup Page
This page allows you to set up your ASIO driver.
●
To open the page 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.
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Setting up Audio
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Cubase Pro 11.0.0
Direct Monitoring
Activate this option to monitor via your audio hardware and to control it from Cubase.
In the Ports section, the following options are available:
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.
In the general section, the following options are available:
Reset
Resets the selected remote device.
Apply
Applies the settings.
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 Project window status line
is highlighted in a different color. Cubase accepts a sample rate mismatch, and playback is
therefore faster or slower.
Setting up Your System
Setting up Audio
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