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Cubase AI 13.0.30

Operation Manual

Table of Contents
Playback and Transport
Cubase offers multiple methods and functions to control playback and transport.

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 application.
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 and Channels
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. Channels can be shown for all audio-related and MIDI-related tracks.
Track Handling
Tracks are the building blocks of your project. In Cubase, events and parts are placed on tracks.
Parts and Events
Parts and events are the basic building blocks in Cubase.
Range Editing in the Project Window and in the Editors
Editing is not restricted to handling whole events and parts. You can also work with selection ranges, which can be independent from event, part, and track boundaries.
Playback and Transport
Cubase offers multiple methods and functions to control playback and transport.
- Transport Panel
  The Transport panel contains the main transport functions as well as many other options related to playback and recording.
- Transport Menu
  The Transport menu contains several transport functions as well as many other options related to playback and recording.
- Transport Bar
  The Transport Bar contains all transport functions in an integrated and fixed zone of the Project window.
- Transport Pop-Up Window
  The Transport pop-up window allows you to access specific transport commands if the Transport panel, the Transport Bar, and the Transport Controls in the Project window toolbar are closed or hidden.
- Time Display Window
  The Time Display window allows you to view the current time position in a separate window. You can adjust its size and specify the time format that you want to display.
- Left and Right Locators
  The left and right locators are a pair of markers that you can use as reference positions in the Project window and in the editors.
- Setting the Project Cursor
  You can set the project cursor by clicking at a position, or you can predefine a position.
- Auto-Scroll Settings Menu
  Auto-Scroll allows you to keep the project cursor visible in the window during playback.
- Time Formats
  You can set up different time formats.
- Pre-Roll and Post-Roll
  You can activate pre-roll and post-roll with the corresponding buttons in the Pre-roll & Post-roll section on the Transport panel or by selecting Transport > Pre-roll & Post-roll > Use Pre-roll/Use Post-roll.
- Punch In and Punch Out
  The punch in and the punch out points are a pair of markers that you can use for punch in and punch out of recordings. The punch in position determines the record start position and the punch out position determines the record stop position.
- Metronome Click
  You can use the metronome click as a timing reference for playing along and recording. The two parameters that govern the timing of the metronome are project tempo and the time signature.
- Chase
  Chase is a function that makes sure your MIDI instruments sound as they should when you locate to a new position and start playback. This is accomplished by the program transmitting a number of MIDI messages to your instruments each time that you move to a new position in the project, making sure all MIDI devices are set up correctly with regard to program change, controller messages (such as MIDI volume), etc.
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 at the 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, and instrument channels.
Direct Offline Processing
Direct Offline Processing allows you to instantly add audio processes to the selected audio events, clips, or ranges, without destroying 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, as well as 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 the 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 refers to recording 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 included with 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.
MIDI Remote
MIDI Remote allows you to integrate and use third party MIDI controllers in Cubase.
Remote-Controlling Cubase
You can control Cubase with a connected MIDI device via MIDI.
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 offer many possibilities for working with chords.
Using 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.
Key Commands
Key commands are assigned to most main menus and functions in Cubase. They are used for all of your projects.
Customizing
In Cubase, you can set up the appearance of specific elements.
Optimizing Audio Performance
To fully benefit from all the capacities of your Cubase system in terms of audio performance, you can optimize specific settings.
Preferences
The Preferences dialog provides options and settings that control the global behavior of the program.

Playback and Transport

Cubase offers multiple methods and functions to control playback and transport.

Creating Audio Clips from Selection Ranges Transport Panel

Cubase AI 13.0.30

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