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Cubase Pro 11.0.0

Operation Manual

Table of Contents
Note Expression
Note expression allows you to edit MIDI notes and their expressions as one unit.
Recording
You can record note expression data together with MIDI notes, or you can record note expression data for existing notes.

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. Here, you can also set up group and FX channels, external effects, external instruments, and the Control Room.
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.
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, Crossfades, and Envelopes
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.
Arranger Track
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.
Transpose Functions
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
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 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.
VCA Faders
VCA faders serve as remote controls for groups of channel faders in the MixConsole.
Control Room
The Control Room allows you to divide the studio environment into the performing area (studio) and the engineer/producer area (control room).
Metering and Loudness
Cubase provides a master meter that works as a multi-channel true peak meter, and a loudness meter that allows you to measure the loudness in compliance with the loudness recommendation R 128 of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
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 plug-in effects and audio processes to the selected audio events, clips, or ranges, without destructing the original audio.
Time Stretch and Pitch Shift Algorithms
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.
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.
Pitch Editing and Time Correction with VariAudio
The VariAudio features in Cubase allow you to edit pitch, and correct the timing and intonation of individual notes in monophonic vocal recordings.
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.
Extensions in Cubase
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.
Sampler Tracks
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.
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.
Surround Sound
Cubase provides integrated surround sound features with support for several formats. All audio-related channels and busses can handle multi-channel speaker configurations. A channel in the MixConsole can contain either complete surround mixes or an individual speaker channel which is part of a surround setup.
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 and MIDI Effects
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.
Expression Maps
Expression maps allow you to set up a map for all your articulations. This allows you to audition a project including articulations.
Note Expression
Note expression allows you to edit MIDI notes and their expressions as one unit.
- VST Note Expressions
  VST note expressions are note-specific. They are suitable for polyphonic contexts, as they allow you to edit the expression of each individual note in a chord.
- MIDI Controllers
  MIDI controllers are channel-specific, with the exception of poly pressure messages. They affect the entire voice, regardless of whether they are inserted for a part or a note.
- Note Expression Inspector Section
  The Note Expression Inspector section features most of the functions that you need to work with note expression.
- Note Expression Tools
  The note expression tools are available on the Key Editor toolbar.
- Controller Mapping
  Before you can record VST note expression events with external keyboards, you must map or assign specific MIDI controller messages, or pitchbend and aftertouch, or input movements to expressions.
- Recording
  You can record note expression data together with MIDI notes, or you can record note expression data for existing notes.
  - Recording and the Sustain Pedal
  - Recording Notes and Note Expression Data
    You can use an external MIDI device to record MIDI notes together with note expression data.
  - Recording Notes and Note Expression Data with MPE Input Devices
  - Recording Note Expression Data by Overdubbing
    You can record or replace note expression data for existing notes by overdubbing.
  - Recording Note Expression Data via MIDI Input
    You can record note expression data for existing notes using the Note Expression MIDI Input.
- Note Expression Event Editor
  The note expression event editor offers various modes for editing and adding note expression events.
- Trimming Note Expression Data
  You can trim note expression data to automatically match the note length.
- Removing All Note Expression Data
  You can delete all note expression data from the selected MIDI note or part.
- Note Expression MIDI Setup Dialog
  The Note Expression MIDI Setup dialog allows you to specify exactly which MIDI messages are used every time you record MIDI control change messages as note expression data or you convert them.
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.
Logical Editor
The Logical Editor is a powerful tool for search and replace functions on MIDI data.
Project Logical Editor
The Project Logical Editor is a powerful tool for search and replace functions in the Project window.
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.
Project Browser
The Project Browser provides a list-based representation of the project. It allows you to view and edit all events on all tracks.
Rendering Audio and MIDI
You can render existing material to new audio material.
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 or in ranges defined by cycle markers.
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.
Exchanging Files with Other Applications
Cubase supports a number of file formats that you can use to exchange files with other applications.
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 organize windows and dialogs in workspaces, set up the appearance of specific elements, and save program settings as profiles.
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.

Recording

You can record note expression data together with MIDI notes, or you can record note expression data for existing notes.

Related Links

Recording Notes and Note Expression Data
Recording Note Expression Data by Overdubbing
Recording Note Expression Data via MIDI Input

Using Mapping Presets Recording and the Sustain Pedal

Cubase Pro 11.0.0

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