Cubase Starter Thread (Basics, Tips, Tricks)

LineOne

The Cubase Man
Joined
Oct 6, 2008
Location
Thanet
Alot of people think that cubase is hard to start out on. I know thiers a few threads for frutiy and other but none for cubase so here we go.

These are the basics to get you started.

Open Cubase
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File > New Project - Save ur project to where you want. I usually start with empty unless im mastering as you can add what you want.

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To set the samplerate of your new project go to
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project > Project setup and change it from thier

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To insert an audio track e.g for recording an instrument or inserting an audio sample go to
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Project > add track then choose an audio track.

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To insert a midi track for use with a vst or vsti go to
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project > add track > midi,

Then you want to link that midi track to your vst so go to

Devices > Vst Instruments and when the vst devices window opens click one of the drop down boxes and choose your vst.

when youve chose ur vst you need to link it to your midi so in the main track lane window if you select your midi track by jus clicking it on the left you will see midi 01 and track perimeters, and so on.

Where it sais in : you want to select all midi inputs and...
Where it sais out : you want to click it then at the top of the list you should see the vst instrument you selected to use. Click on that vst instrument and now where it sais out : it will have changed to your vst. E.g out : massive, out : albino and so on.

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To record to a midi track
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Insert a new Midi track, then on the left in the midi track options make sure, in:, is set to all midi inputs or your midi controller/keyboard name.

The on left left below in you will find, out:, make sure this is set to your vst that you want to use.

If you want to set up your precount/preclick settings then go to >

Transport at the top then choose "Metronome Setup"

When recording midi in cubase you may find that even tho the notes u play on cubase are in time they may be a few miliseconds early.

If this happens then go here.

http://forums.feis.herts.ac.uk/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=77




Once youve done all that simply make sure that the rec symbol is red on your midi track, click record and after your precount start playing away. When your done click stop and listen to your midi youve jus recorded and decide if your happy with it :)

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To record to an audio track
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Insert your audio track and simply click it to arm it for recording ( the little circle should be red with a black dot in the middle) then simply click the record buton on the transport bar. The transport bar is the one with play, stop, rec, foward, backwards and so on.

if you would like a meronome click to count you in, on the transport bar simply click the little symbol that has 2 lines and a star on it e.g ||* it luks a bit like that <--

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To add an effect or plugin to a vsti
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once you add a vst to your project on the left in the track pane you will see in a black box the name of your vst and next to it it will have a big blue e in a circle. Click that and it will open the eqing options and so on for that vst. From here you can select one of the numerous black drop down boxes, so click one then choose the plugin or effect you would like to add to that vst. Once you select your effect/plugin the dialog window for that effect/plugin will open and you can change the setting. once youve click the blue e in the circle you can also eq the sound you have from this window.

There is a way to send multiple vst tracks to one fx track using sends but we will get into that at a later stage


Its first thing in the morning and i may have forgot some things. I will constantly update this thread as i go along and it wuld be gud if it was put as a sticky jus like the fl one. Ill keep this thread going and keep adding tips/tricks so it doesnt become dead. Hope this helps anyone in need.



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Automation In Cubase
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Audio Files

To set automation for an audio file in cubase simply insert your audio track. on the vst track in the track pane click the + sign at the bottom of it and you will see more sub-tacks drop down.

if you continuously click the + signs on the boxes you will get more options to set automation on.

set your automation by changing the pattern of the line in the track lane using the pencil tool. and move the dots using the cursor tool.


Midi Files + Vst Automation
---------

to set automation for midi tracks that are connected to a vst do the same as above but insead of using the + sign on the midi track click the plus sign on the vst track folder then youll find your vst and simply change the automation from that vst lane
 
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Oh just you wait my friend. Once this thread gets bigger and you see the potential im sure u will b converted haha lol

SAFE M8888888888888888888

for puttin dis as a sticky

Feel free to contribute your parts people. Im sure im not the only one who knows how to use cubase :confused:
 
Yes m8 i did. About 4 weeks ago i brought it. I had a cracked version and it jus werent the same so i went out and brought it. I believe in trying progs first but if i intend to keep them and use them alot i will go and buy it. Nothing better then a boxed version of cubase. Nice And Shiny :D:D:D
 
Some of the quick buttons are handy too, someone I know is an absolute whizz on cubase because he hardly ever uses the mouse and has to find buttons for menu's and stuff, he just presses a key combination and all the windows he wants pop up immediately. Thats a very handy feature of cubase. and theres loads of them too, if you want to learn them all. Theres a few i remember off the top of my head:

F3 Brings up the main mixer

F11 Brings up the Virtual instruments (very important box to access all your VSTi's)

> When you select your virtual instrument, dont forget to set the output of one of the midi channels ( on the left ) to this instrument you select. Once selected in the VSTi box it will appear on the list of outputs. Its amazing how many people dont remember you have to do this.

Ctrl + R Enables you to edit the midi track you have selected in the Key editor

Ctrl + D Will copy the selection of midi you have selected and duplicate it, putting the new one directly after the first one



....wait a sec this is silly.... I might aswell just copy the hotkeys from the manual. Dir. :rolleyes:





About this chapter
Most of the main menus in Cubase SX/SL have key command shortcuts
for certain items on the menus. In addition, there are numerous
other Cubase SX/SL functions that can be performed via key commands.
These are all factory default settings, but can be customized if
you like (see the chapter “Key commands” in the Operation Manual
for details).
The default key commands
Below, the default key commands are listed according to category.
• As described on page 13, modifier keys are written as:
[Win modifier key]/[Mac modifier key].
For example, “[Ctrl]/[Command]+N” in the list below means “press [Ctrl] under Windows
or [Command] under Mac OS X, then press N”.
Audio category
Devices category
Option Key command
Adjust Fades to Range [A]
Crossfade [X]
Find Selected in Pool [Ctrl]/[Command]+[F]
Option Key command
Mixer [F3]
Video [F8]
VST Connections [F4]
VST Instruments [F11]
VST Performance [F12]
CUBASE SX/SL
Shortcuts & key commands 20 – 249
Edit category
Option Key command
Autoscroll [F]
Copy [Ctrl]/[Command]+[C]
Cut [Ctrl]/[Command]+[X]
Cut Time [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+[X]
Delete [Del] or [Backspace]
Delete Time [Shift]+[Backspace]
Duplicate [Ctrl]/[Command]+[D]
Edit In-place [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+
Group [Ctrl]/[Command]+[G]
Insert Silence [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+[E]
Left Selection Side to Cursor [E]
Lock [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+[L]
Move Insert Cursor to Part Start [0]
Move to Cursor [Ctrl]/[Command]+[L]
Mute [M]
Mute Events [Shift]+[M]
Mute/Unmute Objects [Alt]/[Option]+[M]
Open Default Editor [Ctrl]/[Command]+[E]
Open Score Editor [Ctrl]/[Command]+[R]
Open/Close Editor [Return]
Paste [Ctrl]/[Command]+[V]
Paste at Origin [Alt]/[Option]+[V]
Paste Time [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+[V]
Record Enable [R]
Redo [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+[Z]
Repeat [Ctrl]/[Command]+[K]
Right Selection Side to Cursor [D]
CUBASE SX/SL
20 – 250 Shortcuts & key commands
Editors category
File category
Select All [Ctrl]/[Command]+[A]
Select None [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+[A]
Snap On/Off [J]
Solo
Split At Cursor [Alt]/[Option]+[X]
Split Range [Shift]+[X]
Undo [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Z]
Ungroup [Ctrl]/[Command]+
Unlock [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+
Unmute Objects [Shift]+
Option Key command
Show/Hide Infoview [Ctrl]/[Command]+
Show/Hide Inspector [Alt]/[Option]+
Show/Hide Overview [Alt]/[Option]+[O]
Option Key command
Close [Ctrl]/[Command]+[W]
New [Ctrl]/[Command]+[N]
Open [Ctrl]/[Command]+[O]
Quit [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Q]
Save [Ctrl]/[Command]+
Save As [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+
Save New Version [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Alt]/[Option]+
Option Key command
CUBASE SX/SL
Shortcuts & key commands 20 – 251
MIDI category
Macro category
Navigate category
Option Key command
Quantize [Q]
Option Key command
Bounce Events [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+
Export selection on selected track(s) [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+[T]
Render VSTi [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+[R]
Skip range playback [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Enter]
Option Key command
Expand/Undo selection in the Project
window to the bottom
Move selected event in the Key Editor
down 1 octave
[Shift]+[Down Arrow]
Expand/Undo selection in the Project
window/Key Editor to the left
[Shift]+[Left Arrow]
Expand/Undo selection in the Project
window/Key Editor to the right
[Shift]+[Right Arrow]
Expand/Undo selection in the Project
window to the top
Move selected event in the Key Editor up one octave [Shift]+[Up Arrow]
Select next in the Project window (Down)
Move selected event in the Key Editor one semitone down [Down Arrow]
Select next in the Project window/Key
Editor (Left)
[Left Arrow]
Select next in the Project window/Key
Editor (Right)
[Right Arrow]
Select next in the Project window (Up)
Move selected event in the Key Editor one semitone up[Up Arrow]
End Left [Alt]/[Option]+[Shift]+[Left Arrow]
End Right [Alt]/[Option]+[Shift]+[Right Arrow]
Left [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Left Arrow]
Right [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Right Arrow]
Start Left [Alt]/[Option]+[Left Arrow]
Start Right [Alt]/[Option]+[Right Arrow]
Option Key command
Open Browser [Ctrl]/[Command]+
Open Markers [Ctrl]/[Command]+[M]
Open Tempo Track [Ctrl]/[Command]+[T]
Open Pool [Ctrl]/[Command]+[P]
Setup [Shift]+
Show/Hide Track Colors [Shift]+[C]
Option Key command
Delete tool [5]
Draw tool [8]
Glue tool [4]
Mute tool [7]
Next Tool [F10]
Play tool [9]
Previous Tool [F9]
Range tool [2]
Select tool [1]
Split tool [3]
Toggle Select Tool Info [Alt]/[Option]+[1]
Zoom tool [6]
Option Key command
AutoPunch In
AutoPunch Out [O]
Cycle Pad [/]
Fast Forward [Shift]+Pad [+]
Fast Rewind [Shift]+Pad [-]
Forward Pad [+]
Input Left Locator [Shift]+[L]
Input Position [Shift]+[P]
Input Right Locator [Shift]+[R]
Input Tempo [Shift]+[T]
Insert Marker [Insert]/[Help]
Locate Next Event [N]
Locate Next Marker [Shift]+[N]
Locate Previous Event
Locate Previous Marker [Shift]+
Locate Selection [L]
Locators to Selection [P]
Loop Selection [Shift]+[G]
Metronome On [C]
Nudge Down [Ctrl]/[Command]+Pad [-]
Nudge Up [Ctrl]/[Command]+Pad [+]
Panel (Transport panel) [F2]
Play Selection Range [Alt]/[Option]+[Space]
Recall Cycle Marker 1 to 9 [Shift]+Pad [1] to Pad [9]
Record Pad [*]
Retrospective Record [Shift]+Pad [*]
Return to Zero Pad [.] or Pad [,]
Rewind Pad [-]
Set Left Locator [Ctrl]/[Command]+Pad [1]
Set Marker 1 [Ctrl]/[Command]+[1]
Set Marker 2 [Ctrl]/[Command]+[2]
Set Marker 3 to 9 [Ctrl]/[Command]+Pad [3] to [9] or
[Ctrl]/[Command]+ [3] to [9]
Set Right Locator [Ctrl]/[Command]+Pad [2]
Start [Enter]
Start/Stop [Space]
Stop Pad [0]
Sync Online [T]
To Left Locator Pad [1]
To Marker 1 [Shift]+[1]
To Marker 2 [Shift]+[2]
To Marker 3 to 9 Pad [3] to [9] or [Shift]+[3] to [9]
To Right Locator Pad [2]
Zoom Full [Shift]+[F]
Zoom In [H]
Zoom In Tracks [Alt]/[Option]+[Down Arrow]
Zoom Out [G]
Zoom Out Tracks [Alt]/[Option]+[Up Arrow] or
[Ctrl]/[Command]+[Up Arrow]
Zoom to Event [Shift]+[E]
Zoom to Selection [Alt]/[Option]+
Zoom Tracks Exclusive [Z] or [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Down Arrow]
 
When importing and chopping beats

Drag the audio into the track you want,

right click->hitpoints->create audio slices from hitpoints.

--

Double click on the break, right click -> hitpoints -> calculate hitpoints.

Right click-> advanced -> stretch to project tempo.
Make sure that it's original tempo is correct, this can be changed in the pool view.
 
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Nice thread man,

I know alot of people use reason (me one of them) and i've always been curious about cubase etc and the rewire function, dis thread seems as good as any to ask the question....

Can someone plz explain rewiring reason into cubase and how one would go about doing that, what to do then, etc etc....

:)

By the way i hope by me asking this doesnt turn into a reason VS cubase thing

:rolleyes:
 
rewiring cubase wih reason is easy. simply open cubase up, click devices i tink at the top(remembering from memory as cnt be ased to open cubase) hen it should say reason in ur devices. click reason so the reason panel in cubase opens up then jus open reason from start menu
 
cool, will definately have a bit of a play doing that and trying to bring my tunes to a better standard with cubase. Doesn't sound too scary at all :)
 
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