Composite time signatures and the For Grouping Only option

For composite signatures, the numerator can be made up of up to 4 groups. For example, “4+4+3+/” on the upper line and 8 on the lower means the time signature is 11/8.

The reason for dividing the numerator into several numbers is to get beaming and tied notes displayed correctly automatically. This does not affect the metronome or anything else, only beams and ties.

If “For Grouping Only” is not activated, the numerator shows all the numbers entered. If it is activated, it shows the sum of the numbers entered, as for “simple” time signatures.

Figure: “For Grouping Only” off and on

Note that Cubase tries to preserve the denominator when you insert a composite signature with “For Grouping Only” activated. This means that if you have a 4/4 time signature, and change it to a composite value (3+3+2 eighths for example), the time signature still is displayed as 4/4 instead of 8/8.