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.
Some track types can only be added once.
The following list informs you about the most important improvements in Cubase and provides links to the corresponding descriptions.
This is the Operation Manual for Steinberg’s Cubase. Here you will find detailed information about all the features and functions in the program.
Operation Manual
To use Cubase, you must set up your audio, and if required, your MIDI system.
To play back and record in Cubase, you must set up input and output busses in the Audio Connections window.
The Project window provides an overview of the project, and allows you to navigate and perform large scale editing.
In Cubase, projects are the central documents. You must create and set up a project to work with the program.
The Track Inspector Settings dialog allows you to configure for each track type which Inspector sections are shown. You can also specify the order of the sections.
The Track Controls Settings dialog allows you to configure which track controls are shown in the track list. You can also specify the order of controls and group controls so that they are always shown adjacent to each other.
The Add Track dialog allows you to set up and add tracks.
You can use audio tracks for recording and playing back audio events and audio parts. Each audio track has a corresponding audio channel in the MixConsole. An audio track can have any number of automation tracks for automating channel parameters, effect settings, etc.
You can use instrument tracks for dedicated VST instruments. Each instrument track has a corresponding instrument channel in the MixConsole. An instrument track can have any number of automation tracks.
You can use MIDI tracks for recording and playing back MIDI parts. Each MIDI track has a corresponding MIDI channel in the MixConsole. A MIDI track can have any number of automation tracks.
You can use group channel tracks to create a submix of several audio channels and apply the same effects to them. A group channel track contains no events as such, but displays settings and automation for the corresponding group channel.
You can use FX channel tracks for adding send effects. Each FX channel can contain up to eight effect processors. By routing sends from an audio channel to an FX channel, you send audio from the audio channel to the effects on the FX channel. You can place FX channel tracks in a special FX channel folder, or in the track list, outside an FX channel folder. Each FX channel has a corresponding channel in the MixConsole. An FX channel track can have any number of automation tracks.
You can use ruler tracks to show several rulers with different display formats for the timeline. This is completely independent from the main ruler, as well as rulers and position displays in other windows.
Folder tracks function as containers for other tracks, making it easier to organize and manage the track structure. They also allow you to edit several tracks at the same time.
You can use the chord track for adding chord and scale events to your project. These can transform the pitches of other events.
You can use the marker track to add and edit markers that help you to locate certain positions quickly.
You can use the video track to play back video events. Video files are displayed as events/clips on the video track, with thumbnails representing the frames in the film.
Tracks are the building blocks of your project. In Cubase, events and parts are placed on tracks.
Parts and events are the basic building blocks in Cubase.
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.
Cubase offers multiple methods and functions to control playback and transport.
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.
In Cubase, you can record audio and MIDI.
You can add audio and MIDI files to your project by importing them.
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 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 are used to locate certain positions quickly. There are two types of markers: position markers and cycle markers.
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.
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 allows you to instantly add audio processes to the selected audio events, clips, or ranges, without destructing the original audio.
In Cubase, time stretching algorithms are used for operations like the Time Stretch offline process, or in the Sample Editor.
Cubase offers particular functions for analyzing the audio in your project.
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 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.
Cubase offers several functions that allow you to match the tempo of audio in your project.
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.
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.
You can manage media files on your computer as well as presets from multiple sources from within the MediaBay or the Media rack.
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 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.
Cubase supports the VST 2 and VST 3 plug-in standards. You can install effects and instruments that comply with these formats.
Cubase allows you to set up 8 different track parameters or settings as Track Quick Controls for quick access.
You can control Cubase via MIDI with a connected MIDI device.
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.
The MIDI Device Manager allows you to work with MIDI devices, that is, representations of external MIDI hardware.
MIDI functions allow you to permanently edit MIDI events or MIDI parts in the Project window or from within a MIDI editor.
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.
The chord functions provide you with many possibilities for working with chords.
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.
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.
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 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 is a digital audio network system that allows you to link several computers using digital audio hardware and cables.
Cubase allows you to work with video content.
ReWire is a special protocol for streaming audio between two computer applications.
Key commands are assigned to most main menus and functions in Cubase. They are stored as Preferences that are used for all your projects.
In Cubase you can set up the appearance of specific elements.
To get the most out of your Cubase system, performance-wise, you can optimize specific settings.
The Preferences dialog provides options and settings that control the global behavior of the program.
Chord track
Video track
Marker track
