Cubase artist 7 operation manual

Ruler The ruler shows the timeline and display format of the project, the project tempo grid. Waveform Display The waveform display shows the waveform image of the edited audio clip. Range Editing In the Sample Editor you can edit selection ranges. This option is useful if you want to quickly edit or process a specific section in the audio waveform, or if you want to create a new event or clip.

Regions List Regions are sections within an audio clip that allow you to mark important sections in the audio. You can add and edit regions for the selected audio clip in the regions zone. Snap Point The snap point is a marker within an audio event that can be used as a reference position. 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. Calculating Hitpoints When you add an audio file to your project by recording or by importing, Cubase automatically detects hitpoints.

Locating to Hitpoints in the Project Window You can navigate through the hitpoints of an audio event in the Project window. Slices You can create slices from hitpoints, where each slice ideally represents an individual sound or beat of the audio.

Creating a Groove Quantize Map You can use hitpoints to create a groove quantize map. Creating Markers You can create markers at hitpoint positions. This allows you to snap to hitpoint positions. Creating Regions You can create regions at hitpoint positions. This allows you to isolate recorded sounds. Creating Events You can create events at hitpoint positions. Creating Warp Markers You can create warp markers at hitpoint positions.

This allows you to quantize audio based on hitpoint positions. This allows you to double, replace, or enrich drum hits by triggering sounds of a VST instrument.

Tempo Matching Audio Cubase offers several functions that allow you to match the tempo of audio in your project. Algorithm Presets You can select an algorithm preset that is applied for realtime playback and time stretching. Musical Mode The Musical Mode allows you to tempo-match audio loops to the project tempo. Auto Adjust The Auto Adjust function is useful if you do not know the tempo of your audio file, or if the beat is not straight.

It allows you to extract a definition grid from your audio. After that, you can tempo match the file to the project tempo with the Musical Mode. Manual Adjust The Manual Adjust function is useful if you need to manually modify the grid and tempo of your audio file. This is the case if the extraction of a definition grid with the Auto Adjust function did not bring satisfying results, for example. Free Warp The Free Warp tool allows you to correct the timing of individual positions in the audio material.

Audio Alignment The Audio Alignment tool allows you to automatically match the timing of similar audio events or selection ranges that you want to play back simultaneously. Flattening Realtime Processing You can flatten warp modifications. This is useful if you want to reduce the CPU load, optimize the sound quality of the processing, or apply any offline processing.

Unstretching Audio Files. VariAudio Cubase Pro only The VariAudio features in Cubase allow you to edit pitch, and correct the timing and intonation of individual notes in monophonic vocal recordings. VariAudio and Offline Processes If you apply offline processes and edits that affect the length of audio files that contain VariAudio data, existing VariAudio data becomes invalid.

We therefore recommend that you apply offline processing or edits before using the VariAudio features. Smart Controls Each segment has smart controls that allow you to change the start and end points of the segment and to perform pitch changes, volume editing, formant shifting, and timing modifications of the associated audio.

Segmenting Monophonic Audio To be able to edit the pitch and correct the timing of monophonic recordings, Cubase must analyze the audio and split it into segments. Segments and Gaps Cubase automatically analyzes the audio and splits it into segments. Auditioning You can audition the segments one by one or in a loop, or play them back from the beginning to the end.

Navigation and Zoom You can navigate through the segments and zoom in on them. Segment Editing Segment editing might be necessary if the original audio contains non-tonal portions of the analyzed audio, that is, signals or sections with unclear pitch information, such as consonants or effect sounds. Pitch Changes You can change the pitch of audio segments for corrective or creative purposes. By changing note pitches, you can change the melody of the original audio.

Timing Modifications Modifying the timing of segments, or warping, is useful if you want to align a musical accent to a certain time position or change the timing of segments in monophonic recordings.

Formant Shifting Formants are the harmonic frequencies that occur in the human voice. They define the timbre and alter the perception of how a vocal has been performed more from the diaphragm than from the throat, for example.

Formant shifting does not affect the pitch or timing of a segment. Editing Volume You can raise or lower the volume of the audio for a segment or mute it. Functions Menu. Harmony Voices for Audio Cubase allows you to quickly create harmonies for monophonic audio material. It allows you to view, audition and edit parts by cutting and pasting, crossfading, drawing level curves, or by processing parts.

Audio Part Editor Toolbar The toolbar contains tools for selecting, editing, and playing back audio parts. Info Line The info line shows information about the audio part, such as the start, end, length, or the time stretch algorithm. Ruler The ruler shows the timeline and the display format of the project. Lanes Lanes can make it easier to work with several audio events in a part.

Moving some of the events to another lane can make selecting and editing much easier. Operations All operations can be performed in the Audio Part Editor window and in the lower zone editor. Sampler Tracks The sampler track features allow 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.

Creating Sampler Tracks. Sampler Control If the sampler track is selected, Sampler Control is available in the lower zone of the Project window. Sampler Control allows you to view, edit, and play back samples or specific sections of the samples. 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. Pool Window The Pool window allows you to manage the media files of the active project.

Working with 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. Media Rack in Right Zone The Media rack in the right zone of the Project window allows you to access the MediaBay functions from within a fixed zone of the Project window. MediaBay Window. Working with Volume Databases Cubase saves all media file information that is used in the MediaBay, such as paths and attributes, in a local database file on your computer.

However, in some cases, it might be necessary to browse and manage this kind of metadata on an external volume. MediaBay Settings. Surround Sound Cubase Pro only Cubase provides integrated surround sound features with support for several formats.

All audio-related channels and busses can handle multichannel 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. Deliverables A surround mix in Cubase can be sent as multichannel audio from the surround output bus to a recorder, or can be exported to audio files on your hard disk. Available Surround Channel Configurations Cubase supports several surround channel configurations.

Preparations for Creating Surround Mixes You must prepare Cubase for surround sound by defining input and output busses in a surround format and specifying which audio inputs and outputs are used for the different channels in the busses. The plug-in distributes the incoming audio in various proportions to the output surround channels.

MixConvert V6 MixConvert V6 is a plug-in that converts one multichannel audio source into another multichannel destination. It is most frequently used to downmix a multichannel surround mix into a format with fewer channels, for example, a 5. You can use the integrated functions and plug-ins for spatial mixing or head-tracking monitoring, or use dedicated third-party plug-ins. 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. Automation Curves Within a Cubase project, the changes in a parameter value over time are reflected as curves on automation tracks. Static Value Line When you open an automation track for the first time, it does not contain any automation events.

This is reflected in the event display as a dotted horizontal line, the static value line. This line represents the current parameter setting. Writing Automation Data You can create automation curves manually or automatically. Editing Automation Events Automation events can be edited much like other events. Automation Tracks Most of the tracks in your project have automation tracks, one for each automated parameter. Virgin Territory vs. Initial Value Cubase Pro only For parameter automation, Cubase works either with an initial value or with virgin territory.

They are played internally via MIDI. Adding VST Instruments. The contents, design, and layout of the control panel depend on the selected instrument. Presets for Instruments You can load and save presets for instruments. These contain all the settings that are required for the sound that you want. Latency The term latency stands for the time it takes for the instrument to produce a sound when you press a key on your MIDI controller.

It can be an issue when using VST instruments in real time. Latency depends on your audio hardware and its ASIO driver. Import and Export Options. Side-chaining allows you to use the output of one track to control the action of an instrument on another track. External Instruments Cubase Pro only An external instrument bus is an input return to your audio hardware, along with a MIDI connection via Cubase and additional settings.

You can install effects and instruments that comply with these formats. Hiding Plug-ins You can hide plug-ins from all collections. This is useful if you have plug-ins installed on your computer that you do not want to use in Cubase. Reactivating Plug-ins from the Blacklist You can reactivate bit plug-ins that are blacklisted.

Track Quick Controls Cubase allows you to set up 8 different track parameters or settings as Track Quick Controls for quick access. Parameter Assignment You can assign track, effect, and instrument parameters to Quick Controls. This allows you to control parameters on other tracks using Quick Controls.

Setting up Remote Devices. Remote Devices and Automation You can write automation using remote devices. Assigning Commands to Remote Devices You can assign any Cubase command to which a key command can be assigned to remote devices. This is useful if you think that the automatic mapping of plug-in parameters to remote control devices is not too intuitive. Joysticks You can use a joystick to remote-control panning operations in Cubase. This can be useful, for example, for creating smooth automation curves.

Apple Remote macOS only Many Apple computers come with an Apple Remote, a small hand-held device that allows you to remotely control specific features in Cubase. Track Quick Controls. VST Quick Controls. This allows you to change the way MIDI data is played back. This only affects the notes in playback. Patch Banks The Patch Banks list can have two or more main banks, depending on the selected device. Could you please send a link to the Cubase Artist manual, where this is mentioned?

This is done by selecting an output bus, a group bus, or an FX channel bus as an input for your recording. You mean this link, right? Thank you. You can create a downmix of separate tracks, bass drum, hi-hats, or snare, for example. The output of the group track will be recorded on the new track and you will get a mix of your separate tracks. You can also select an FX channel as recording source. In this case, only the output of the FX channel will be recorded. Yes, i can rout all the drum tracks to group channel, however, to record the out of group channel is not working.

Saving Project Files You can save the active project as a project file. To keep your projects as manageable as possible, make sure that you save project files and all related files in the respective project folders. Reverting to the Last Saved Version You can return to the last saved version and discard all changes that have been introduced. Choosing a Project Location You can specify a project location for saving projects in the Hub and in the Project Assistant.

Self-Contained Projects If you want to share your work or transfer it to another computer, your project must be self-contained.

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. You can also specify the order of the sections. Track Controls Settings Dialog The Track Controls Settings dialog allows you to configure which track controls are shown in the track list. You can also specify the order of controls and group controls so that they are always shown adjacent to each other.

Audio Tracks You can use audio tracks for recording and playing back audio events and audio parts. Each audio track has a corresponding audio channel in the MixConsole. An audio track can have any number of automation tracks for automating channel parameters, effect settings, etc.

Each instrument track has a corresponding instrument channel in the MixConsole. An instrument track can have any number of automation tracks. Each sampler track has a corresponding channel in the MixConsole. A sampler track can have any number of automation tracks. A MIDI track can have any number of automation tracks. Group Channel Tracks You can use group channel tracks to create a submix of several audio channels and apply the same effects to them.

A group channel track contains no events as such, but displays settings and automation for the corresponding group channel. Each FX channel can contain up to eight effect processors. By routing sends from an audio channel to an FX channel, you send audio from the audio channel to the effects on the FX channel.

Each FX channel has a corresponding channel in the MixConsole. An FX channel track can have any number of automation tracks. Marker Track You can use marker tracks to add and edit markers that help you locate certain positions quickly.

Ruler Track You can use ruler tracks to show several rulers with different display formats for the timeline. This is completely independent from the main ruler, as well as rulers and position displays in other windows. Folder Tracks Folder tracks function as containers for other tracks, making it easier to organize and manage the track structure. They also allow you to edit several tracks at the same time.

More Tracks Some track types can only be added once. Track Handling Tracks are the building blocks of your project. In Cubase, events and parts are placed on tracks. Track presets contain sound and channel settings. Track Import You can import tracks from other Nuendo or Cubase projects or track archives. This allows you, for example, to import premixed tracks or stems to your active project, or to reuse the mix settings of a previous project for a new song.

Track Export You can export selected tracks as track archives. This is useful if you want to use specific tracks in other projects, for example. Splitting Multi-Channel Audio Tracks You can split multi-channel tracks, such as stereo or surround, into several mono tracks. This is useful if you want to use the tracks in an application that only supports mono tracks or if you want to edit individual channels of a multi-channel file.

Merging Mono Audio Tracks to Multi-Channel Tracks You can convert mono tracks into multi-channel tracks to make editing and mixing more convenient. Removing Selected Tracks You can remove selected tracks from the track list.

Removing Empty Tracks You can remove empty tracks from the track list. Moving Tracks in the Track List You can move tracks up or down in the track list.

Renaming Tracks You can rename tracks. Showing Track Pictures You can add pictures to tracks to recognize your tracks easily. Setting the Track Height You can enlarge the track height to show the events on the track in detail, or you can decrease the height of several tracks to get a better overview of your project.

Selecting Tracks You can select one or multiple tracks in the track list. Deselecting Tracks You can deselect tracks that are selected in the track list. Duplicating Tracks You can duplicate a track with all contents and channel settings. Disabling Tracks You can disable audio, instrument, MIDI, and sampler tracks that you do not want to play back or process at the moment.

Disabling a track zeroes its output volume and shuts down all disk activity and processing for the track. Organizing Tracks in Folder Tracks You can organize your tracks in folders by moving tracks into folder tracks. This allows you to perform editing on several tracks as one entity. Folder tracks can contain any type of track including other folder tracks.

Handling Overlapping Audio The basic rule for audio tracks is that each track can only play back a single audio event at a time. If two or more events overlap, only the one that is in front is played back. Track Folding Menu You can show, hide, or invert tracks that are displayed in the Project window event display. You can also fold in automation tracks this way. Lanes, Takes and Overlapping Events In the following, we focus on cycle recordings with takes. However, you can also apply lane operations and comping methods on overlapping events or parts that you assemble on one track.

Defining the Track Time Base The time base of a track determines if the events on a track are positioned to bars and beats musical time base or to the timeline linear time base. Changing the playback tempo affects only the time position of events on tracks with a musical time base. Track Versions Track versions allow you to create and manage multiple versions of events and parts on the same track. Track Presets Track presets are templates that can be applied to newly created or existing tracks of the same type.

Parts and Events Parts and events are the basic building blocks in Cubase. Events In Cubase, most event types can be viewed and edited on their specific tracks in the Project window. Editing Techniques for Parts and Events This section describes techniques for editing in the Project window. If not explicitly stated, all descriptions apply to both events and parts, even though we use the term event for convenience. Range Editing Editing in the Project window is not restricted to handling whole events and parts.

Creating a Selection Range. Editing Selection Ranges You can edit selection ranges, that is, adjust their size, move or duplicate them, split them, etc.

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 theTransport 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 to the position where you click, or to markers or other predefined positions. 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. 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 that you can set up on the Transport panel. 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. 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.

Monitoring In Cubase, monitoring means listening to the input signal while preparing to record or while recording. Audio Recording Specifics Specific preparations and settings are required for audio recording. Remaining Record Time The Max. Record Time display lets you see how much time you have left for recording.

Lock Record The Lock Record function prevents you from accidentally deactivating record mode. Audio File Import You can import compressed and uncompressed audio files in a variety of different formats.

You can also import audio from audio CDs or extract the audio of video files. Quantizing is designed to correct errors, but you can also use it in a creative way. Quantize Functions The quantize functions are available in the Edit menu and in the Snap and Quantize sections of the Project window toolbar.

Quantizing Audio Event Starts You can quantize the audio event start positions. Quantizing Audio Event Lengths AudioWarp Quantizing You can quantize an audio event or an audio selection range by applying time stretch to the content of the audio event.

Quantizing Multiple Audio Tracks You can quantize multiple audio tracks at the same time. Depending on what method you choose, different parameters are shown. 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.

Event-Based Fades You can create event-based fade ins and fade outs. These are calculated in real time when you play back audio events. You can create different fade curves for several events, even if they refer to the same audio clip.

These fades are applied to the audio clip. Events that refer to the same clip get the same fades. Crossfades Crossfades allow you to create smooth transitions for consecutive audio events on the same track. Crossfades are always event-based. Auto Fades and Crossfades Cubase features an Auto Fade function that can be set both globally and separately for each audio track. Event Envelopes Event envelopes are volume curves for audio events.

They allow you to create volume changes within the event, not only at the start or end. 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.

Adding Arranger Events on the Arranger Track On the arranger track, you can add arranger events that define specific sections of the project.

Arranger Editor The Arranger Editor allows you to set up arranger chains. Jump Mode If you have set up an arranger track and play it back, you have live access to the playback order.

This way, you can loop your arranger events with more flexibility regarding the length of the playback. Arranging Music to Video When you compose music for video, you can use arranger events to fill a specific video section with music. The following is an example on how you could do that. Audio or MIDI events in your project use it as a reference. Transpose Track The transpose track allows you to transpose the entire project or sections of it.

This function is useful if you want to create harmonic variations. Transpose on the Info Line In the Project window info line, you can change the transpose value for individual parts or events. Excluding Individual Parts or Events from Global Transpose If you add global transposition, for example, by changing the root key or by creating transpose events, you can exclude specific events from being transposed.

This is useful for drum and percussion loops or special effects FX loops. Track Quick Controls Cubase can give you instant access to up to 8 different parameters, for example, track, effect, or instrument controls. This is done with the aid of the Quick Controls, set up in the Quick Controls section of the Inspector for the corresponding track. This allows you to change the way MIDI data is played back.

Using MIDI devices. Expression maps Cubase Pro only. Note Expression. 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. The Logical Editor. Project Logical Editor Cubase Pro only. Editing Tempo and Time Signature. Project Browser Cubase Pro only. 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.

Cubase Pro only: You can also export audio that is contained in different ranges defined by cycle markers. Video Cubase supports the integration of video files in your project. Key Commands. File handling. Preferences The Preferences dialog provides options and settings that control the global behavior of the program.

Score Layout and Printing Cubase Pro only. How the Score Editor works. The basics.