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Cubase AI 11.0.0

Operation Manual

Table of Contents
Track Handling
Tracks are the building blocks of your project. In Cubase, events and parts are placed on tracks.
Deselecting Tracks
You can deselect tracks that are selected in the track list.

New Features
The following list informs you about the most important improvements in Cubase and provides links to the corresponding descriptions.
Introduction
This is the Operation Manual for Steinberg’s Cubase. Here you will find detailed information about all the features and functions in the program.
Setting up Your System
To use Cubase, you must set up your audio, and if required, your MIDI system.
Audio Connections
To play back and record in Cubase, you must set up input and output busses in the Audio Connections window.
Project Window
The Project window provides an overview of the project, and allows you to navigate and perform large scale editing.
Project Handling
In Cubase, projects are the central documents. You must create and set up a project to work with the program.
Tracks
Tracks are the building blocks of your project. They allow you to import, add, record, and edit parts and events. Tracks are listed from top to bottom in the track list and extend horizontally across the Project window. Each track is assigned to a particular channel strip in the MixConsole.
Track Handling
Tracks are the building blocks of your project. In Cubase, events and parts are placed on tracks.
- Adding Tracks via the Add Track Dialog
  You can add tracks via the Add Track dialog.
- Adding Tracks Using Track Presets
  You can add tracks based on track presets. Track presets contain sound and channel settings.
- Adding Tracks by Dragging Files from the MediaBay
  You can add tracks by dragging files from the MediaBay.
- Exporting MIDI Tracks as Standard MIDI Files
  You can export MIDI tracks as standard MIDI files. This allows you to transfer MIDI material to virtually any MIDI application on any platform.
- Removing Selected Tracks
  You can remove selected tracks from the track list.
- Removing Empty Tracks
  You can remove empty tracks from the track list.
- Moving Tracks in the Track List
  You can move tracks up or down in the track list.
- Renaming Tracks
  You can rename tracks.
- Automatically Assigning Colors to New Tracks/Channels
  You can automatically assign colors to newly added tracks or channels.
- Showing Track Pictures
  You can add pictures to tracks to recognize your tracks easily. Track pictures are available for audio, instrument, MIDI, FX channel and group channel tracks.
- Setting the Track Height
  You can enlarge the track height to show the events on the track in detail, or you can decrease the height of several tracks to get a better overview of your project.
- Selecting Tracks
  You can select one or multiple tracks in the track list.
- Deselecting Tracks
  You can deselect tracks that are selected in the track list.
- Duplicating Tracks
  You can duplicate a track with all contents and channel settings.
- Organizing Tracks in Folder Tracks
  You can organize your tracks in folders by moving tracks into folder tracks. This allows you to perform editing on several tracks as one entity. Folder tracks can contain any type of track including other folder tracks.
- Handling Overlapping Audio
  The basic rule for audio tracks is that each track can only play back a single audio event at a time. If two or more events overlap, only the one that is in front is played back. You can, however, select the event/region that you want to play back.
- Events Display on Folder Tracks
  Closed folder tracks can display data of the contained audio, MIDI, and instrument tracks as data blocks or as events.
- Modifying Event Display on Folder Tracks
  You can modify the event display on folder tracks.
- Track Presets
  Track presets are templates that can be applied to newly created or existing tracks of the same type.
Parts and Events
Parts and events are the basic building blocks in Cubase.
Range Editing
Editing in the Project window is not restricted to handling whole events and parts. You can also work with selection ranges, which are independent from the event/part and track boundaries.
Playback and Transport
Cubase offers multiple methods and functions to control playback and transport.
On-Screen Keyboard
The On-Screen Keyboard allows you to play and record MIDI notes by using your computer keyboard or mouse. This is useful if you have no external MIDI instrument at hand and you do not want to draw in notes with the Draw tool.
Recording
In Cubase, you can record audio and MIDI.
Importing Audio and MIDI Files
You can add audio and MIDI files to your project by importing them.
Quantizing MIDI and Audio
Quantizing means moving recorded audio or MIDI and positioning it on the nearest grid position that is musically relevant. Quantizing is designed to correct errors, but you can also use it in a creative way.
Fades and Crossfades
Fades allow you to gradually increase or decrease the volume at the start or end of audio events or audio clips, and to create smooth transitions.
Markers
Markers are used to locate certain positions quickly. There are two types of markers: position markers and cycle markers.
MixConsole
The MixConsole provides a common environment for producing mixes in stereo. It allows you to control level, pan, solo/mute status, etc. for audio and MIDI channels. Furthermore, you can set up the input and output routing for multiple tracks or channels at the same time.
Audio Effects
Cubase comes with a number of included effect plug-ins that you can use to process audio, group, instrument, and ReWire channels.
Direct Offline Processing
Direct Offline Processing allows you to instantly add audio processes to the selected audio events, clips, or ranges, without destructing the original audio.
Time Stretch Algorithms
In Cubase, time stretching algorithms are used for operations like the Time Stretch offline process, or in the Sample Editor.
Audio Functions
Cubase offers particular functions for analyzing the audio in your project.
Sample Editor
The Sample Editor provides an overview of the selected audio event. It allows you to view and edit audio by cutting and pasting, removing, or drawing audio data, and by processing audio. Editing is non-destructive so that you can undo modifications at any time.
Hitpoints
Hitpoints mark musically relevant positions in audio files. Cubase can detect these positions and create hitpoints automatically by analyzing onsets and melodic changes of the audio.
Tempo Matching Audio
Cubase offers several functions that allow you to match the tempo of audio in your project.
Audio Part Editor
The Audio Part Editor provides an overview of the selected audio parts. It allows you to view, audition and edit parts by cutting and pasting, crossfading, drawing level curves, or by processing parts. Editing is non-destructive so that you can undo modifications at any time.
Pool
Every time that you record on an audio track, a file is created on your hard disk. A reference to this file, a clip, is added to the Pool.
MediaBay and Media Rack
You can manage media files on your computer as well as presets from multiple sources from within the MediaBay or the Media rack.
Automation
In essence, automation means recording the values for a particular MixConsole or effect parameter. When you create your final mix, Cubase can adjust this particular parameter control.
VST Instruments
VST instruments are software synthesizers or other sound sources that are contained within Cubase. They are played internally via MIDI. You can add effects or EQ to VST instruments.
Installing and Managing VST Plug-ins
Cubase supports the VST 2 and VST 3 plug-in standards. You can install effects and instruments that comply with these formats.
Track Quick Controls
Cubase allows you to set up 8 different track parameters or settings as Track Quick Controls for quick access.
Remote Controlling Cubase
You can control Cubase via MIDI with a connected MIDI device.
MIDI Realtime Parameters
MIDI realtime means that you can change or transform MIDI events on MIDI or instrument tracks before they are sent to the MIDI outputs. This allows you to change the way MIDI data is played back.
Using MIDI Devices
The MIDI Device Manager allows you to work with MIDI devices, that is, representations of external MIDI hardware.
MIDI Functions
MIDI functions allow you to permanently edit MIDI events or MIDI parts in the Project window or from within a MIDI editor.
MIDI Editors
There are several ways to edit MIDI in Cubase. You can use the tools and functions in the Project window for large-scale editing or the functions on the MIDI menu to process MIDI parts in various ways. To manually edit your MIDI data on a graphical interface, you can use the MIDI editors.
Chord Functions
The chord functions provide you with many possibilities for working with chords.
Chord Pads
Chord pads allow you to play with chords, and to change their voicings and tensions. In terms of harmonies and rhythms, they allow for a more playful and spontaneous approach to composition than the chord track functions.
Editing Tempo and Time Signature
You can set up a tempo and time signature for your project. By default, the tempo is set to 120 bpm, and the time signature to 4/4.
Export Audio Mixdown
The Export Audio Mixdown function allows you to mix down and export all audio that is contained between the left and right locators of a project.
Synchronization
Synchronization is the process of getting 2 or more devices to play back together at the same speed, position, and phase. These devices can range from audio and video tape machines to digital audio workstations, MIDI sequencers, synchronization controllers, and digital video devices.
VST System Link
VST System Link is a digital audio network system that allows you to link several computers using digital audio hardware and cables.
Video
Cubase allows you to work with video content.
ReWire
ReWire is a special protocol for streaming audio between two computer applications.
Key Commands
Key commands are assigned to most main menus and functions in Cubase. They are stored as Preferences that are used for all your projects.
Customizing
In Cubase you can set up the appearance of specific elements.
Optimizing Audio Performance
To get the most out of your Cubase system, performance-wise, you can optimize specific settings.
Preferences
The Preferences dialog provides options and settings that control the global behavior of the program.

Deselecting Tracks

You can deselect tracks that are selected in the track list.

Procedure

Shift-click a selected track.

Result

The track is deselected.

Selecting Tracks with Arrow Keys Duplicating Tracks

Cubase AI 11.0.0

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