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
In our documentation, we use typographical and markup elements to structure information.
The following list informs you about the most important improvements in Cubase and provides links to the corresponding descriptions.
The documentation applies to the operating systems Windows and macOS.
The following typographical elements mark the following purposes.
Bold text indicates the name of a menu, option, function, dialog, window, etc.
Many of the default key commands, also known as keyboard shortcuts, use modifier keys, some of which are different depending on the operating system.
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.
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.
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.
The arranger functions in Cubase allow you to work in a non-linear fashion. Using an arranger track allows you to specify how and when specific sections are played back, even in live performances. This way, you do not need to move, copy, and paste events in the Project window.
The transpose functions for audio and MIDI in Cubase allow you to change the pitches of audio and MIDI for playback without changing the actual MIDI notes or the audio.
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 or surround. 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. You can undo/redo MixConsole parameter changes for an open project at any 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 and pitch-shifting algorithms are used for offline processes, in the Sample Editor, or for the Flattening Realtime Processing function. Depending on the feature, élastique, MPEX, or Standard algorithm presets are available.
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 VariAudio features in Cubase allow you to edit pitch, and correct the timing and intonation of individual notes in monophonic vocal recordings.
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.
Cubase supports extensions such as Audio Random Access (ARA). ARA allows you to integrate compatible programs as plug-ins into your DAW. This integration allows for random access to audio events in the musical context of your project.
The sampler track feature allows you to chromatically play back any audio from your audio sample library via MIDI. You can create and edit new sounds based on specific samples, and integrate them into an existing project.
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.
Note expression allows you to edit MIDI notes and their expressions as one unit.
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.
The Transformer is a powerful tool for search and replace functions on MIDI data.
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.
You can render existing material to new audio material.
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.
Cubase supports a number of file formats that you can use to exchange files with other applications.
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 organize windows and dialogs in workspaces, and 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.
