Cubase Explained
Cubase is a digital audio workstation, or DAW, software package that
allows you to record and reproduce live audio.
Additionally, this application generates
audio using virtual instruments (VSTs), MIDI signals, and can also directly
sync with other audio recording applications.
Cubase is designed to digitally
mimic the traditional analog audio recording studio as far as the basic setup
of the tracks and mixer, plus it has the benefit of many modern advancements
and options that modern digital recording technology has provided.
Cubase is more than an audio recording application; this DAW
also allows you to fully mix as well as master tracks using a plethora of
preloaded plug-ins. You can install any number of third-party plug-ins, as required, to enhance productions.
Cubase is Digital Audio
Workstation
Cubase allows three options to reproduce audio, via:
- live
audio recording - virtual instrument recording
- MIDI audio
production
When you launch a new project, Cubase gives you the option to
choose different recording, scoring, production and mastering templates.
Live Audio
Recording live instruments into Cubase is done using an audio
interface, which is a hardware device that allows you to connect instrument and microphone cables to a computer. The purpose of this is so that the signals are converted
from analog to digital audio. This is typically facilitated by using either Firewire or USB cables.
You can use external
effects in the signal chain if you like, or you can use digital
effects in Cubase later in the bus. You’re not limited to 24-tracks like you
are in old fashioned two-inch analog tape studios, as you can create hundreds of
tracks …so long as the computer’s memory supports it.
Virtual Instruments
Virtual instruments, or VSTs, allow you to reproduce analog
instrument sounds in a recording.
Essentially a VST is a plug-in, that has sampled
audio, that is triggered by the DAW.
VST manufacturers record actual instruments, in high quality studios, and then write software that allows Cubase to trigger
the sound at the note and velocity you program.
MIDI Instruments
You can control MIDI instruments, as well as the VST, using an external controller such as a USB keyboard which is linked to Cubase using the Quick
Controls option.
If you don’t have an external controller you can
manually write notes and velocities in the Key Editor window. You can apply
effects to MIDI tracks as well.
MIDI is an abbreviation of Musical Instrument Digital Interface.
Plug-ins
Cubase works with many third-party plug-ins
by using the Plug-in Manager to connect them to the DAW. Popular plug-ins include:
Rewired Third-Party Applications
For producers who also like to use applications like Ableton
and Propellorhead
Reason, Cubase offers a Rewire option that routes the sound from
these applications directly into Cubase.
Without this option you would be
forced to mix down in one application and load the track into Cubase to mix
with your other tracks.
When you rewire an application into Cubase, it will
sync the tracks across all applications using its own internal clock.
You can
control the volume and effects used on the third-party application
within Cubase’s settings, just like you would apply effects and mixer settings
to the regular Cubase tracks.
Cubase is a Video Audio
Editor
Video producers can import
video files into Cubase 6 to reference in real time as they edit the
video audio.
Using the Warp Function you can sync audio tracks to the
video to be exported into the video editing software to optimize the video’s audio or to lip sync in a music video track, for
example.
Cubase is a Full Mixing
Suite
Cubase offers a full mixing suite of tools to help you
optimize tracks for both an initial mix as well as a final mastered
production.
Transport
The transport
tool in Cubase gives you many useful features including:
- Play, Stop, FF, Rewind in your track controls
- Track Markers
to help you add comments to your arrangement, as well as to shuffle to predetermined
locations - Metronome
with count-in option - Tempo
with automation capabilities to allow for time changes - Sync
to external source - Output Meters for both MIDI and Channel outs
Mixer Window
Cubase contains two different
mixers window configurations including normal and extended
views. The mixer displays many parameters including; volume, effects return
channels, automation options, and panning, output channels, amongst other helpful
options.
Automation
You can automate all of the mixer sliders as well as the FX settings so that you can go hands-free when monitoring and recording your
music, as well as when you mix down.
Each track in Cubase can be expanded to
show the different automation options for the track. You can manually edit the
automation track or you can make settings as you record or monitor the mix
that you can easily re-edit later as you adjust the mix.
FX
You can apply FX to a track as an Insert or Send option, or
you can create an FX channel and apply effects to a single track or group of
tracks.
Cubase come with many basic FX such as a Multiband Compressor, Reverb, Modulation
effects, Dynamics, and Delays.
Additionally, it is possible to install third-party FX as plug-ins to Cubase.
EQs
It is possible to have multiple options to EQ tracks in Cubase. Edit the built-in EQ in the channel
settings window, or launch an EQ as an insert plug-in.
Cubase comes
preloaded with basic EQs including a ten-band and 30 band EQ. You can
install third-party EQs and use them from the same Insert
menu.
Exporting a Mix
The Cubase mixdown
window gives several options for mixing down. Select the file format type—such as .WAV, .MP3, .AIFF—sample rates and bit depth. You can also set the ID3 tags for MP3 exports.
Exporting options
are the same whether it’s a standard recording template or a mastering template.
Cubase is a Full Mastering
Suite
Cubase offers basic mastering settings in its mastering
suite templates to help the novice mastering engineer to begin making
their mix large and loud.
Starting out with Multiband Compression, EQ and a
Maximizer, you can adjust
from these basic mastering settings. You can add other FX as inserts
or as channel FX just as you do in the recording templates.
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