Cubase Tips

· Compressors in SX
SX is supplied with two compressors, one in the VST Dynamics plug-in, the other in the Dynamics plug-in. VST Dynamics has a sample delay of 1212 samples, which will cause latency on VSTi, Send, Group and Rewire channels. However, Dynamics has no such delay and can safely be used on insert channels without any latency.

· Cursor one bar at a time (v1.05+)
For reasons unknown, SX has no key command to move the cursor back and forth in units of one bar. However, from SX v1.05, there is a (limited) workaround. The hack works by using the fact that the Transport/Input Position [Shift+P] function now works (an undocumented bug-fix in v1.05).

The hack works by using Transport/Input Position [Shift+P] to place focus in the Transport's Cursor position editor. Providing the Transport format is set to Bars+Beats, then you can use the [Up] and [Down] keys to move the Cursor back and forth one bar for each key-stroke. Furthermore, you can select the other Cursor edit fields by using the [Left] and [Right] keys. (The usual mouse editing options are also available, of course.)

While the method works for all Transport formats, remember that changing the Transport format changes the Display Format for all open windows. Personally, I like to have a time (Seconds) display, as well as Bars+Beats, available at all times. I used to keep the Transport in Seconds format and the Ruler in Bars+Beats. I now keep a Devices/Time Display window open in Seconds format and leave the Transport as Bars+Beats. (It's worth remembering that you can have multiple Time Display windows open in different formats.)

Finally, this hack works well with mouse Cursor positioning in the Ruler (with or without Snap active). It also works well with the Preferences option Locate when Clicked in Empty Space.

· Exporting events into lots of little audio files
Say you split up an audio track of a drum kit into lots of events. Is it possible to export these events into lots of little audio files?

There are a few ways to do this. Most are a bit labourious, however. You can bounce individual Events with Audio/Bounce Selection, but, if I correctly understand what you are doing, then you probably have a lot of Events, so this will be a bit tedious.

However, there is a trick.

Select all the Events for which you want to create files. Now do Audio/Events as Region. Select the Clip in the Pool and expand the tree view so that you can see the Regions. Select the Regions that you want to create as files, then do Audio/Bounce Selection. You will be prompted for a folder to place the resulting files (this is a nice touch, since you might be creating many files and not want to clog the Project's Audio folder with them), so select a folder (or create a new one) and click OK.

This creates a file for each Region (in the destination folder selected) and adds a Clip for each in the Pool. Note that neither the Regions, nor the Clips are referenced in the Project, so you can delete the entires in the Pool if you wish.

One more thing. You can use Audio/Detect Silence to split up an Event. This function has options for creating Events and Regions. So, starting with a drum track, you can use Detect Silence to create your Regions, adjust to taste in the Sample Editor (make sure the Show Regions button is active), then create your indivdual files from the Regions when you are ready.

· Fine adjustment of controls
You can make fine adjustments in the Inspector (and other controls) by holding SHIFT. Many controls can be reset by using CTRL+click.

· Freeze

A lot has been said about the Freeze function in Logic, and how a similar function can be achieved in Cubase SX. So, for the curious. here's a macro:

Edit/Solo
Transport/Locators to Selecion
File/Ecport Audio Mixdown
Edit/Solo
Edit/Mute
Devices/VST Instruments
There are a few things that you need to note. First, make sure that you have the appropriate Track selected (and only one Track, since the Edit/Solo command only uses the top-most Track). Make sure you have something selected. It doesn't have to be on the same Track, however. When the Export Audio dialog appears, ensure that Import to Audio Track is checked, otherwise you won't create a Track for your bounced audio. Remeber to switch off any Send effects. And remember that there is no delay compensation on VSTi Insert effects.

· How do you enter minus infinity when editing the volume automation in the browser?
The lowest permitted value is -100.12...apparently. If you create an automation Event and want it set to -inf, then the easiest way is to select it in the Automation Track and drag the Alt+right-click Value slider in the InfoLine.

The lowest value you can select on the slider (other than -inf) seems to be -120.28. However, when you try the fader in the Mixer, you can get -123.99. Neither of which you can set in the Browser. All a bit weird.

In the Browser, using select and the up/down arrow on the keyboard you get the value -176.88 dB then -infinity. The same applies using the info bar (right click on the value for the volume event, an use up down arrows).

Also try the cursor keys in the Inspector for another variation.

· Key Commands
The secret to fully exploiting the power of Cubase SX is the use of key commands. You can download a list of all key commands here.

· Mastering: Any advice?
There is a PDF by mastering guru, Bob Katz, available here. It's based around the TC Finalizer product, but is, nevertheless, an informative read. His Web-site contains more info and articles.

· MIDI time-stretch
The time-stretch tool in the Event display works with MIDI Parts, not only on audio Events and Parts. This can be used for all sorts of effects. For example, it becomes very easy to create a triple time section to a add a little variety.

· Mixer (F3)
Two simple tips for the Mixer (F3). First, there are two separate mixers: one on F3, the other can be assigned a key command of your choice. I reassign Video (F8) for Mixer 2. Configure them separately to speed your workflow.

Using the mouse for fader movements is rather crude. Even holding [Shift] for slower movement is not ideal. Another method is to use [Left] and [Right] to select a channel, then use [Up] and [Down] to move the faders. It's worth a try.

· Offsets after recording
Since SX records random offsets, the files are not immediately usable in other apps or samplers
You can get the correct length by bouncing, but that creates a new file.
The problem can be solved with a little macro :

1. Show selection in pool
2. Minimize filesize

Best to do this right after the recording, you won't risk losing anything later.

· Pan not balance
Cubase SX does not have a stereo pan control that allows you to pan left and right channels independently, thus allowing you to narrow or widen the stereo image. However, the excellent Stereo Pan plug-in addresses this problem head-on.

· Play from Selection Start macro
SX's Play from Selection Start function stops after two seconds. Limiting its usefulness. You can, however, create a macro for this function. The two required commands are Transport/Locate Selection and Transport/Start. Assign this macro to a key command and off you go.

· Save your Projects incrementally
There's no excuse for losing your work due to a crash. Use Save as New Version [Ctrl + Alt +S] often.

· Snap Points
Every Event has a Snap Point that can be adjusted in the Sample Editor. It is often easier to set the Snap Point and let SX's Snap take care of alignment.

· SYSEX: How to import a SYSEX file.
Two methods:

Create a MIDI Track.
Create a MIDI Part
Open the Browser
Navigate to the MIDI Part and select it.
From the Add dropdown, select SYSEX
Click Add
Double-click the Comment entry (F0, F7)
In the SYSEX Editor click Import
Navigate and select your .SYX file and click Open
Done
Or

Create a MIDI Track.
Create a MIDI Part
Open the Key Editor for the Part
In the Controller Display open the SYSEX Lane
Select the Draw Tool and click in the SYSEX Lane to create a SYSEX Event
Swap to the Select tool
Double-click the SYSEX Event
In the SYSEX Editor click Import
Navigate and select your .SYX file and click Open
Done

· Tracks - Creating new Tracks
Double-click in the Track List to create a new Track of the same type as any selected Track. If no Track is selected, then a MIDI Track is created.