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Cubase Pro 12.0.20

Operation Manual

Table of Contents
Preferences
The Preferences dialog provides options and settings that control the global behavior of the program.
Scores

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 at the 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 for 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, and instrument 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 destroying 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, 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.
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). Extensions allow you to integrate compatible programs as plug-ins into your DAW.
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 as part of a surround setup.
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 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.
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.
Project Input Transformer
The Project Input Transformer is a powerful tool for search and replace functions on MIDI data.
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.
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.
- Preferences Dialog
  The Preferences dialog is divided into a navigation list and a settings page. Clicking one of the entries in the navigation list opens a settings page.
- Editing
- Editors
- Event Display
  The Event Display section contains several settings for customizing the display in the Project window.
- General
  The General page contains general settings that affect the program user interface. Set these according to your preferred work methods.
- MIDI
  This page contains settings that affect MIDI recording and playback.
- MediaBay
- Metering
- Record
  This page contains settings related to audio and MIDI recording.
- Scores
- Transport
  This page contains options related to playback, recording, and positioning.
- User Interface
  This page contains options that allow you to adjust the default user interface colors.
- VST
  This page contains settings for the VST audio engine.
- VariAudio
- Video

Scores

This page allows you to make settings for the Score Editor. Select one of the available entries.

Record - MIDI Scores - Colors for Additional Meanings

Cubase Pro 12.0.20

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