Steinberg Cubase Artist 10.5 User manual

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 specically 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.

Cubase_10.5.0_en-US_2019-11-13

8 New Features

10 Introduction

10 Platform-Independent Documentation

10 PDF Documents and Online Documentation

11 Conventions

12 Key Commands

13 Setting up Your System

13 Studio Setup Dialog

14 Setting up Audio

21 Setting up MIDI

23 Synchronizers

25 Audio Connections

25 Audio Connections Window

30 Renaming the Hardware Inputs and Outputs

32 Adding Input and Output Busses

32 Adding Child Busses (Cubase Pro only)

33 Presets for Input and Output Busses

33 Adding Group and FX Channels (Cubase Pro

only)

34 Monitoring Bus

34 External Instruments and Effects (Cubase Pro

only)

40 Bus Congurations

42 Project Window

43 Showing/Hiding Zones

43 Project Zone

58 Left Zone

67 Lower Zone

73 Right Zone

79 Keyboard Focus in the Project Window

80 Zooming in the Project Window

84 Snap Function

86 Cross-Hair Cursor

87 Edit History Dialog

88 Color Handling

96 Project Handling

96 Creating New Projects

96 Hub

98 Project Assistant Dialog

98 Project Files

99 Template Files

101 Project Setup Dialog

104 Opening Project Files

105 Saving Project Files

106 Reverting to the Last Saved Version

106 Choosing a Project Location

107 Self-Contained Projects

110 Tracks

110 Track Inspector Settings Dialog

111 Track Control Settings Dialog

113 Audio Tracks

122 Instrument Tracks

130 Sampler Tracks

137 MIDI Tracks

145 FX Channel Tracks

152 Group Channel Tracks

159 VCA Fader Track (Cubase Pro only)

163 Marker Track

166 Ruler Track

168 Folder Tracks

171 More Tracks

183 Track Handling

183 Adding Tracks via the Add Track Dialog

184 Adding Tracks Using Track Presets

184 Adding Tracks by Dragging Files from the

MediaBay

185 Track Import (Cubase Pro only)

189 Track Export (Cubase Pro only)

190 Exporting MIDI Tracks as Standard MIDI Files

192 Splitting Multi-Channel Audio Tracks (Cubase

Pro only)

193 Merging Mono Audio Tracks to Multi-Channel

Tracks (Cubase Pro only)

195 Removing Selected Tracks

195 Removing Empty Tracks

195 Moving Tracks in the Track List

195 Renaming Tracks

196 Automatically Assigning Colors to New Tracks/

Channels

196 Showing Track Pictures

198 Setting the Track Height

199 Selecting Tracks

200 Deselecting Tracks

200 Duplicating Tracks

200 Disabling Tracks

200 Organizing Tracks in Folder Tracks

201 Handling Overlapping Audio

202 Track Folding Menu

202 Events Display on Folder Tracks

203 Modifying Event Display on Folder Tracks

203 Lanes, Takes and Overlapping Events

206 Dening the Track Time Base

207 Track Versions

214 Track Presets

221 Parts and Events

221 Events

225 Parts

Table of Contents

3

226 Editing Techniques for Parts and Events

244 Range Editing

244 Creating a Selection Range

245 Editing Selection Ranges

249 Playback and Transport

249 Transport Panel

254 Transport Menu

259 Transport Bar

265 Transport Pop-Up Window

265 Time Display Window

266 Left and Right Locators

269 Setting the Project Cursor

269 Auto-Scroll Settings Menu

270 Time Formats

271 Pre-Roll and Post-Roll

272 Punch In and Punch Out

272 Metronome Click

281 Chase

283 On-Screen Keyboard

283 Recording MIDI With the On-Screen Keyboard

284 On-Screen Keyboard Options

285 Recording

285 Basic Recording Methods

290 Monitoring

292 Audio Recording Specics

297 MIDI Recording Specics

305 Remaining Record Time

305 Lock Record

306 Importing Audio and MIDI Files

306 Audio File Import

313 MIDI File Import

316 Quantizing MIDI and Audio

316 Quantize Functions

317 Quantizing MIDI Event Starts

318 Quantizing MIDI Event Lengths

318 Quantizing MIDI Event Ends

318 Quantizing Audio Event Starts

319 Quantizing Audio Event Lengths (AudioWarp

Quantizing) (Cubase Pro only)

320 Quantizing Multiple Audio Tracks (Cubase Pro

only)

321 Quantize Panel

330 Fades, Crossfades, and Envelopes

330 Event-Based Fades

334 Creating Clip-Based Fades

335 Crossfades

338 Auto Fades and Crossfades

340 Event Envelopes

342 Arranger Track

342 Adding Arranger Events on the Arranger Track

343 Arranger Editor

346 Setting up an Arranger Chain and Adding

Events

348 Jump Mode

350 Arranging Music to Video

351 Transpose Functions

351 Project Root Key

354 Transpose Track

356 Keep Transpose in Octave Range

357 Transpose on the Info Line

358 Excluding Individual Parts or Events from

Global Transpose

359 Markers

359 Position Markers

359 Cycle Markers

360 Markers Window

364 Marker Track

366 Importing and Exporting Markers

369 MixConsole

369 MixConsole in Lower Zone

372 MixConsole Window

440 VCA Faders (Cubase Pro only)

440 VCA Fader Settings

442 Creating VCA Faders in the MixConsole

443 Assigning VCA Faders to Link Groups

443 Removing VCA Faders from Link Groups

444 Nested VCA Faders

444 VCA Fader Automation

446 Control Room (Cubase Pro only)

446 Adding Channels to the Control Room

447 Output Routing

447 Exclusive Assignment of Monitor Channels

447 Control Room Channels

449 Control Room - Main Tab

454 Control Room - Inserts Tab

456 Setting up a Cue Mix

457 Adjusting the Overall Cue Send Level

459 Metering and Loudness (Cubase Pro only)

459 Metering

465 Audio Effects

465 Insert Effects and Send Effects

467 Insert Effects

475 VST Effect Selector

476 Send Effects

481 Side-Chain Input

484 Dither Effects

484 External Effects (Cubase Pro only)

484 Effect Control Panel

487 Effect Presets

491 System Component Information Window

494 Direct Oine Processing

495 Direct Oine Processing Workow

496 Direct Oine Processing Window

507 Built-In Audio Processes

516 Direct Oine Processing Key Commands

518 Time Stretch and Pitch Shift Algorithms

518 élastique

519 MPEX

519 Standard

520 Limitations

521 Audio Functions

521 Detect Silence Dialog

524 Spectrum Analyzer Window

526 Statistics Window

529 Sample Editor

531 Sample Editor Toolbar

535 Info Line

536 Overview Line

536 Sample Editor Inspector

Table of Contents

4

539 Ruler

540 Waveform Display

542 Range Editing

546 Regions List

548 Snap Point

551 Hitpoints

551 Calculating Hitpoints

554 Locating to Hitpoints in the Project Window

555 Slices

557 Creating a Groove Quantize Map

557 Creating Markers

558 Creating Regions

558 Creating Events

558 Creating Warp Markers

559 Creating MIDI Notes

561 Tempo Matching Audio

561 Algorithm Presets

562 Stretching Audio Events to the Project Tempo

562 Musical Mode

564 Auto Adjust

565 Manual Adjust

566 Free Warp

568 Flattening Realtime Processing

569 Flatten Realtime Processing Dialog

569 Unstretching Audio Files

570 Pitch Editing and Time Correction with

VariAudio (Cubase Pro only)

570 VariAudio and Oine Processes

571 VariAudio Inspector Section

572 Smart Controls

574 Segmenting Monophonic Audio

575 Segments and Gaps

576 Auditioning

576 Navigation and Zoom

577 Segment Editing

579 Pitch Changes

586 Timing Modications

587 Showing MIDI Reference Tracks

588 Formant Shifting

589 Editing Volume

589 Functions Menu

593 Harmony Voices for Audio

595 Audio Part Editor

597 Audio Part Editor Toolbar

601 Info Line

601 Ruler

602 Lanes

602 Operations

606 Extensions in Cubase (Cubase Pro only)

606 Activating an Extension in Cubase

607 Editor for Extensions

608 Extension Editing in the Project Window

608 Permanently Applying Extension Edits

610 Sampler Tracks

610 Loading Audio Samples into Sampler Control

611 Loading MIDI Parts into Sampler Control

611 Creating Sampler Tracks

612 Sampler Control

621 Sample Editing and Playback Functions

623 Transferring Samples from Sampler Control to

VST Instruments

624 Pool

624 Pool Window

629 Working with the Pool

643 MediaBay and Media Rack

643 Media Rack in Right Zone

654 MediaBay Window

681 Working with Volume Databases

683 MediaBay Settings

685 Surround Sound (Cubase Pro only)

686 Deliverables

686 Available Surround Channel Congurations

687 Preparations for Creating Surround Mixes

690 VST MultiPanner

702 MixConvert V6

706 Surround Mix Export

706 3D Mixes for Ambisonics

719 Automation

719 Automation Curves

719 Static Value Line

719 Write/Read Automation

720 Writing Automation Data

722 Editing Automation Events

727 Automation Tracks

728 Virgin Territory vs. Initial Value (Cubase Pro

only)

728 Automation Panel (Cubase Pro only)

739 MIDI Controller Automation

742 VST Instruments

742 Adding VST Instruments

743 VST Instrument Control Panel

745 VST Instrument Selector

745 Creating Instrument Tracks

745 VST Instruments in the Right Zone

746 VST Instruments Window

746 VST Instruments Window Toolbar

747 VST Instrument Controls

749 Presets for Instruments

751 Playing Back VST Instruments

752 Latency

753 Import and Export Options

755 VST Quick Controls

756 Side-Chain Input for VST Instruments

758 External Instruments (Cubase Pro only)

759 Installing and Managing VST Plug-ins

759 Plug-ins and Collections

762 Adding New Plug-in Collections

763 Hiding Plug-ins

763 Reactivating Plug-ins from the Blacklist

765 Track Quick Controls

766 Parameter Assignment

769 Controlling Automatable Parameters

770 Connecting Track Quick Controls with Remote

Controllers

772 Remote Controlling Cubase

772 Connecting Remote Devices

772 Removing the Remote Input from All MIDI

Inputs

773 Setting up Remote Devices

775 Remote Devices and Automation

775 Assigning Commands to Remote Devices

776 Generic Remote Page

Table of Contents

5

781 Remote Control Editor

786 Joysticks

786 Track Quick Controls

786 VST Quick Controls

787 MIDI Realtime Parameters and MIDI Effects

787 MIDI Track Parameters

789 MIDI Modiers

794 MIDI Effects

797 Transpose and Velocity on the Info Line

798 Using MIDI Devices

798 Program Change Messages and Bank Select

Messages

799 Patch Banks

799 MIDI Device Manager

805 Device Panels (Cubase Pro only)

808 MIDI Functions

808 Transpose Setup Dialog

809 Merging MIDI Events into a New Part

811 Dissolve Part Dialog

812 Bouncing MIDI Parts

813 Repeating MIDI Events of Independent Track

Loops

813 Extending MIDI Notes

813 Fixing MIDI Note Lengths

814 Fixing MIDI Note Velocities

814 Rendering Sustain Pedal Data to Note Lengths

815 Deleting Overlaps

815 Editing Velocity

816 Deleting Double Notes

816 Deleting Controller Data

816 Deleting Continuous Controller Data

816 Restricting Polyphonic Voices

817 Thinning Out Controller Data

817 Extracting MIDI Automation

818 Reversing the Playback Order of MIDI Events

818 Inverting the Order of Selected MIDI Events

818 Creating a Tempo Track from Tapping (Cubase

Pro only)

819 MIDI Editors

819 Common MIDI Editor Functions

837 Key Editor

848 Key Editor Operations

856 Basic Score Editor (Cubase Artist only)

863 Score Editor Operations (Cubase Artist only)

870 Drum Editor

883 Drum Editor Operations

886 Drum Maps

890 List Editor

899 List Editor Operations

904 In-Place Editor

907 Expression Maps (Cubase Pro only)

908 Articulations

908 Expression Map Setup Window

909 Creating and Editing Expression Maps

916 Inserting Articulations

919 Note Expression

920 VST Note Expressions

920 MIDI Controllers

925 Note Expression Inspector Section

928 Note Expression Tools

929 Controller Mapping

930 Recording

933 Note Expression Event Editor

939 Trimming Note Expression Data

939 Removing All Note Expression Data

939 Note Expression MIDI Setup Dialog

944 Chord Functions

944 Chord Track

945 Chord Events

952 Scale Events

953 Voicings

956 Converting Chord Events to MIDI

957 Controlling MIDI or Audio Playback Using the

Chord Track

960 Assigning Voices to Notes

960 Extracting Chord Events from MIDI

961 Recording Chord Events with a MIDI Keyboard

962 Chord Pads

962 Chord Pads Zone

965 Functions Menu

966 Chord Assistant

968 Chord Assignment

971 Swapping Chord Assignments

972 Copying Chord Assignments

972 Playing Back and Recording Chords

975 Player Setup

982 Chord Pads Setup Dialog

987 Chord Pads Presets

988 Creating Chord Events from Chord Pads

988 Creating MIDI Parts from Chord Pads

989 Logical Editor

989 Window Overview

990 Filter Conditions

999 Selecting a Function

1000 Specifying Actions

1003 Applying the Dened Actions

1003 Presets

1005 Project Logical Editor (Cubase Pro only)

1005 Project Logical Editor Window Overview

1006 Filter Conditions

1015 Specifying Actions

1018 Selecting a Function

1019 Applying Macros

1019 Applying the Dened Actions

1019 Presets

1021 Editing Tempo and Time Signature

1021 Project Tempo Modes

1021 Track Time Base

1022 Tempo Track Editor

1025 Tempo Track

1026 Tempo Changes for Projects

1031 Setting up a Fixed Project Tempo

1033 Beat Calculator

1033 Tempo Detection (Cubase Pro only)

1035 Exporting a Tempo Track (Cubase Pro only)

1035 Importing a Tempo Track (Cubase Pro only)

1035 Process Tempo Dialog (Cubase Pro only)

1037 Process Bars Dialog (Cubase Pro only)

1037 Time Warp (Cubase Pro only)

1039 Set Denition from Tempo Dialog

1039 Time Signature Events

Table of Contents

6

1042 Project Browser (Cubase Pro only)

1042 Project Browser Toolbar

1043 Project Structure

1043 Event Display

1046 Rendering Audio and MIDI

1046 Render Tracks Dialog

1049 Render Selection Dialog

1052 Export Audio Mixdown

1053 Export Audio Mixdown Dialog

1059 Mixing Down to Audio Files

1059 Available Channels for Export (Cubase Pro only)

1060 File Formats

1068 Synchronization

1068 Master and Slave

1069 Timecode Formats

1071 Clock Sources

1072 Project Synchronization Setup Dialog

1077 MMC Master Panel

1077 External Synchronization

1078 Setting up Synchronization for a Personal

Music Studio (Cubase Pro only)

1080 VST System Link

1080 Setting up VST System Link

1084 Activating VST System Link

1087 Application Examples

1090 Video

1090 Video File Compatibility

1091 Frame Rates

1092 Video Output Devices

1092 Preparations for Creating Video Projects

1094 Preparations for Video Playback

1097 Editing Video

1098 Export Video

1101 Extracting Audio from Video

1102 Exchanging Files with Other Applications

1102 OMF Files (Cubase Pro only)

1106 AAF Files

1111 ReWire

1111 Introduction

1111 Enabling ReWire Applications

1112 Launching and quitting

1113 Activating ReWire channels

1113 Using the transport and tempo controls

1114 How the ReWire channels are handled

1114 Routing MIDI via ReWire

1115 Considerations and limitations

1116 Key Commands

1116 Key Commands Dialog

1119 Assigning Key Commands

1119 Searching for Key Commands

1120 Removing Key Commands

1120 Setting up Macros

1121 Saving Key Commands Presets

1121 Loading Key Command Presets

1121 Importing Key Command Settings

1121 Resetting Key Commands

1122 Default Key Commands

1134 Setting up Tool Modier Keys

1136 Customizing

1136 Workspaces

1139 Setup Options

1141 Proles (Cubase Pro only)

1145 Windows Dialog

1146 Where are the Settings Stored?

1146 Safe Mode Dialog

1149 Optimizing

1149 Optimizing Audio Performance

1153 Preferences

1153 Preferences Dialog

1155 Editing

1160 Editors

1160 Event Display

1163 General

1164 MIDI

1168 MediaBay

1168 Metering

1169 Record

1170 Scores (Cubase Pro only)

1172 Transport

1173 User Interface

1175 VST

1178 VariAudio (Cubase Pro only)

1178 Video

1179 Index

Table of Contents

7

New Features in Version 10.5.0

Highlights

Padshop 2

● Steinberg’s highly acclaimed granular synthesizer Padshop now comes with even more

creative tools and sonic inspiration. At its heart, the new spectral oscillator opens the door

to unheard soundscapes and lets you turn your own samples into fascinating sonic

sculptures. Add motion to your sounds with the new arpeggiator section and use the

effects section to add the nishing touches. Get inspired by the 100 new presets or start

creating your own unique sounds right away. See Padshop 2.

MultiTap Delay

● Providing the rhythm for your echo, the new MultiTap Delay gives musicians all the

inspirational creative options that they need. Up to eight taps per delay loop can

conveniently be created and edited. You can add effects with a simple click — to the

complete output, just the delay loops, or even to individual taps, while different character

presets deliver the sound of clean digital delays or classic vintage echo units. This plug-in is

described in the separate document Plug-in Reference. See MultiTap Delay.

Import Tracks from Projects

● Cubase Pro only: Exchanging data between projects, creating new project templates, or

using the same mix settings for multiple projects has never been easier. With the new track

import functionality, you can import multiple track types from other projects, for example,

group, FX, or folder tracks, select the track attributes you want to import, and automatically

match the imported tracks to existing tracks with the same name. See Track

Import (Cubase Pro only).

Combine Selection Tools

● The new Combine Selection Tools mode speeds up your editing workow by combining

the two most frequently used tools in one powerful feature. Activate the new tool mode to

use the selection tools for both objects and ranges at the same time without the need to

change tools. If time is critical, the Combine Selection Tools mode will be your new best

friend. See Combine Selection Tools Mode.

MIDI Retrospective Recording

● Do you always deliver your best performances when not recording? The completely revised

MIDI Retrospective Recording feature can help you to bring your A game to every project.

Cubase tracks your MIDI input even when you are not recording and brings back your

chords and melodies as a stacked cycle or a continuous performance with just one click.

Even better, your performance is captured on multiple tracks. So no more worries —

Cubase has your back. See Recovery of MIDI Recordings.

Colorized MixConsole Channels

● Maintaining a clear overview while your project is growing is essential for a fast and

ecient workow. With the new option to colorize complete channels in the MixConsole

with track colors, you can focus on your mix by intuitively nding the tracks you are looking

New Features

8

for. Even if you are sitting several meters away from the screen, you will not get lost in your

mix. See Applying Channel Colors to Channel Controls.

Spectral Comparison EQ

● Cubase Pro only: Cleaning up frequencies to create room for each instrument is the key to

a good mix. The new channel comparison mode in the channel EQ helps you to identify

where action is needed. Just route a second signal from any track into the EQ and compare

the spectral curves within the EQ display. Toggle between the EQ controls of the source and

comparison channel and adjust the mix without losing focus on what you are doing. See

Comparing Channels (Cubase Pro only).

Video Export

● Export videos including audio for your clients and collaborators directly from Cubase. The

new video export feature lets you render videos as MP4 with H.264 video compression and

16-bit stereo audio in 44.1 or 48 kHz. Export the whole video or just footage within the

locator range, adding the timecode to the video export for the next production process.

See Export Video.

More New Features

Score Editor Improvements

● Cubase Pro only: The Score Editor has been refreshed with powerful improvements. You

can now show bars and beats positions when inserting or moving notes, while the new

Event Movement Restriction Options help you to place rests or repeat markers in the

score. The mouse wheel can now be used to quickly and easily transpose selected notes.

See Score Layout and Printing.

LUFS Normalization

● Cubase Pro only: As an alternative to normalizing by maximum peak level, you can now use

the integrated loudness value as reference, according to EBU recommendation R 128. See

Normalize.

Easier Macro Creation

● The Macros section now comes with new functionality. Resize the Macros section for a

better overview, move key commands up and down in the macro, and duplicate macros

with just one click. See Macros Section.

Safe Start Mode

● The new Safe Start Mode allows you to initiate Cubase without any third-party plug-ins

loaded. See Safe Mode Dialog.

Enter Track Name when Adding Folder Tracks

● You can enter a name for a folder track when you add it via the Add Track dialog. See Add

Track Dialog – Folder.

New Preference for Cycle Activation

● The new preference Clicking Locator Range in Upper Part of the Ruler Activates Cycle

allows you to disable the function to activate/deactivate cycle mode when you click the

locator range in the upper part of the ruler. See Transport.

New Features

9

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 specic 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. 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.

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.

Steinberg Library Manager

Describes how you can register and manage your VST Sound libraries.

HALion Sonic SE

Describes the features and parameters of the included VST instrument HALion Sonic

SE.

Introduction

10

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.

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 fulll a condition before starting a

procedure.

Procedure

Lists the steps that you must take to achieve a specic 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.

Steinberg Cubase Artist 10.5, Cubase Pro 10.5 User manual

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