Steinberg Cubase 8 Manual

							MixConsole
Working with Channel Racks
341
Brickwall Limiter
Brickwall Limiter ensures that the output level never exceeds a set limit.
Due to its fast attack time, Brickwall Limiter can reduce even short audio level 
peaks without creating audible artifacts. However, this channel strip module creates 
a latency of 1
 ms. Brickwall Limiter features separate meters for input, output, and 
the amount of limiting.
Threshold (-20 to 0 dB)
Determines the level where the limiter kicks in. Only signal levels above the 
set threshold are processed.
Release (ms)
Sets the time after which the gain returns to the original level when the signal 
drops below the threshold. If Auto is activated, Brickwall Limiter 
automatically finds the best release setting for the audio material.
Gain Reduction LED
Displays the amount of gain reduction.
Maximizer
This channel strip module raises the loudness of audio material without the risk of 
clipping.
Optimize
Determines the loudness of the signal.
Output (-24 to 6 dB)
Determines the maximum output level. Set this to 0 dB to avoid clipping.
Gain Reduction LED
Displays the amount of gain reduction.
Mix (0 to 100)
Sets the level balance between the dry signal and the wet signal.
Standard Limiter
This channel strip module is designed to ensure that the output level does not 
exceed a set output level, to avoid clipping in following devices. Limiter can adjust 
and optimize the Release parameter automatically according to the audio material, 
or it can be set manually. Limiter also features separate meters for the input, output, 
and the amount of limiting (middle meters).
Input (-24 to 24 dB)
Adjusts the input gain. 
						

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Output (-24 to 6 dB)
Determines the maximum output level.
Gain Reduction LED
Displays the amount of gain reduction.
Release (0.1 to 1000 ms or Auto mode)
Sets the amount of time it takes for the gain to return to its original level. If 
Auto is activated, Limiter automatically finds the best release setting for the 
audio material.
Saving/Loading Strip Presets
You can save and load strip presets. Strip presets have the file name extension 
.strippreset.
PROCEDURE
• In the top right corner of the Channel Strip rack, open the Presets pop-up 
menu and perform one of the following actions:
• To save the current settings as a preset, select Save Strip Preset and name 
your preset.
• To load a preset, select Load Strip Preset and select a preset.
NOTE
You can also apply channel strip settings together with insert and EQ settings from 
track presets. You can load, tag, and save strip presets in the MediaBay.
Sends
The Sends rack for audio-related channels features send effect slots that allow you 
to load send effects and value sliders that allow you to determine the send level for 
a channel. For MIDI channels the Sends rack features send effect slots that allow 
you to load send effects.
Adding Send Effects
PROCEDURE
1. On the MixConsole toolbar, activate Show Channel Racks.
2. Click Racks and activate Sends to show the rack above the fader section.
3. Click one of the send slots to open the send selector.
4. Click a send effect to select it.
The selected send effect is loaded.
5. Click on the left of the slot to activate the send. 
						

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Working with Channel Racks
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Bypassing Send Effects
• To bypass all sends, click the bypass button at the top of the Sends rack.
• To deactivate bypass, click the button again.
Adding FX Channels to a Send
PROCEDURE
1. Right-click on the send slot to open the context menu.
2. Select Add FX Channel to Send.
3. In the Add FX Channel Track window, select the effect and configuration.
4. Click Add Track.
RESULT 
The FX channel track is added in the Project window, and the send is automatically 
routed to it.
Cue Sends (Cubase Pro only)
Cue sends allow you to create discrete cue mixes that performers can listen to 
during recording. Essentially, cue sends are stereo aux sends that are routed to cue 
channel outputs in the Control Room Mixer.
For every cue channel defined in the VST Connections window, each channel in 
the MixConsole has a cue send, with level, pan, and pre/post-fader selection.
Adding Cue Sends (Cubase Pro only)
PREREQUISITE 
Create a cue channel in the VST Connections window and activate the Control 
Room.
PROCEDURE
1. On the MixConsole toolbar, activate Show Channel Racks.
2. Click Racks and activate Cue Sends to show the rack above the fader section.
3. Click one of the slots to open the send selector.
The cue sends are displayed.
4. Click on the left of the slot to activate the cue send.
RESULT 
You can now change the level and pan settings. 
						

							MixConsole
Working with Channel Racks
344
Direct Routing (Cubase Pro only)
The Direct Routing rack allows you to set and activate outputs for all selected 
channels at once.
In addition to the main output you can set up 7 routing destinations that are 
positioned post-fader and post-panner in the signal path. This allows you to switch 
the destination of channels, and create different mix versions in one go. The direct 
routing features are available for audio, instrument, FX channel tracks, groups, and 
output busses.
Setting Up Direct Routing
In the Direct Routing rack you can assign up to 8 routing destinations to each 
channel.
PROCEDURE
1. On the MixConsole toolbar, activate Show Channel Racks.
2. Click Racks and activate Direct Routing.
The Direct Routing rack is shown above the fader section.
3. Select all channels for which you want to set up the same destinations, press 
[Shift]-[Alt]/[Option] and click in the first slot of the Direct Routing rack.
4. In the routing selector, select the main output for the selected channels.
NOTE
We recommend that you choose the same set of destinations for all channels that 
belong together. The main output should also have the widest channel configuration, 
since it is used as a reference for all additional output destinations.
5. Click in the next destination slot and select another output.
6. Do this for as many destination slots as required (up to 8).
After routing your audio tracks to groups, you can route the groups to output busses.
7. For each channel, you can now activate the appropriate routing destination by 
clicking on the corresponding slot.
The active routing destination lights up in green.
Automating Destination Switches
PROCEDURE
1. Play back your project and take note of the positions where routing changes 
are necessary.
2. Write-enable the corresponding track.
3. At the right moment, click on the routing destination to which you want to switch.
The new destination is now active, and the switch has been recorded as automation 
data. 
						

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4. Continue to record destination changes for your project.
NOTE
To switch destinations for multiple channels simultaneously, select these channels 
and keep [Shift]-[Alt]/[Option] pressed when activating a different destination.
Feeding Signals to Multiple Destinations
Direct routing offers a summing mode, allowing you to feed your signals to several 
outputs at the same time. This is useful if you want to apply an effect to several 
stems at the same time, for example.
PROCEDURE
1. Set up your output busses as routing destinations.
2. In the Direct Routing rack, open the context menu and activate Summing 
Mode for all channels that you want to sum.
NOTE
To activate this setting for all channels at once use the Link function.
3. Activate all outputs to which you want to route the selected channels.
RELATED LINKS
Setting up Routing on page 325
Automatic Downmixing
The output in the first Direct Routing slot defines the channel width. Since the other 
destinations are positioned post-panner in the signal path, they have the same 
channel width to start with, and the signal needs to be converted accordingly by 
downmixing. Cubase does that automatically.
NOTE
Always select the output with the widest channel configuration in the first slot. It is 
not recommended to use a setup where the main output has less channels than the 
direct routing destination even though it is technically possible. Upmixing might lead 
to unexpected side effects. 
						

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Working with Channel Racks
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When performing an automatic downmix from 5.1 to stereo, the levels are adjusted 
as follows:
Center and Lfe signals are split to L and R channels, Ls and Rs are sent to L and R 
respectively, but reduced in volume.
When performing an automatic downmix from 7.1 to 5.1 the levels are adjusted as 
follows:
Lc and Rc signals are split to L/R respectively and the center channel.
Track Quick Controls
Track Quick Controls give you instant access to up to 8 different parameters, for 
example, track, effect, or instrument controls. This saves you from having to click 
your way through the various windows and sections pertaining to your track.
Adding Track Quick Controls
PROCEDURE
1. On the MixConsole toolbar, activate Show Channel Racks.
2. Click Racks and activate Track Quick Controls to show the rack above the 
fader section.
3. Click one of the slots to open the Quick Controls selector.
4. Click a parameter to select it.
RESULT 
The selected parameter is loaded and automatically activated as Track Quick 
Control.
LRCLfeLsRs
L0.0 -3.01 -3.01 -6.02
R0.0 -3.01 -3.01 -6.02
LRCLfeLsRsLcRc
L0.0 -3.01
R0.0 -3.01
C0.0 -3.01 -3.01
LFE0.0
Ls0.0
Rs0.0 
						

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Working with Channel Racks
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Assigning Parameters from Racks or Channel Settings
You can assign several parameters to Quick Control slots directly from within racks 
or channel settings in the MixConsole.
Some specific racks and channel settings allow you to add several parameters 
directly to the Quick Controls tab in the Inspector.
• Pre (Filters/Gain/Phase)
•Equalizers
• Channel Strip
You can assign an effect parameter either to the next empty slot or to a specific 
Quick Control slot.
NOTE
These options are only available for VST 3 plug-ins that support this function.
PROCEDURE
• Right-click the parameter.
• To assign the parameter to the next empty slot, select Add “x” to Quick 
Controls (where x is the name of the parameter).
• To assign the parameter to a specific slot, select Add “x” to Quick Controls 
Slot (where x is the name of the parameter). Then select the slot from the 
submenu.
RELATED LINKS
Track Quick Controls on page 618
Device Panels
You can display device panels, for example, for external MIDI devices, audio track 
panels, or VST insert effect panels.
For information on how to create or import MIDI device panels, see the separate 
PDF document MIDI Devices.
RELATED LINKS
About Device panels (Cubase Pro only) on page 668 
						

							MixConsole
Using Channel Settings
348
Using Channel Settings
You can open each MixConsole channel in a separate Channel Settings window. 
This allows for better overview and editing of the channel settings.
• To open the channel settings for a specific channel, click E in the fader 
section.
For audio-related channels, the following sections can be shown/hidden by clicking 
Set up Window Layout and activating/deactivating the corresponding options:
•Channel Inserts
•Channel Faders
•Channel Sends
The Channel Strip and Equalizer are always available.
The channel settings are especially suitable for the following actions:
•Routing inserts
This is done on the Routing tab in the Inserts section.
• Moving the channel strip to Pre/Post-Inserts position
By default, the inserts are positioned before the channel strip in the signal 
flow. In the Inserts section you can change this by clicking the arrow at the 
top of the Strip tab. The tabs are swapped. 
						

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Using Channel Settings349
• Making EQ settingsThe channel settings feature a large EQ curve display with several modes. By 
de
fault, the equalizer controls are hidden, but you can click the little green 
button at the top right corner to show the equalizer controls or the equalizer 
knob controls below the EQ curve.
• Panning sends
This is done on the  Panning 
 tab in the Sends section.
• Showing the output chain If you click  Sh
 ow Output Chain   on the toolbar, the  output chain is shown 
in the  Chan
nel Faders  section. This allows you to keep track of more 
complicated output routings.
• Browsing through channels
R
ELATED LINKS
Equalizer Settings on  page  330
Using the Routing Editor on  page  377
Browsing through Channels
Every channel has its own  Channel Settings window, but you can view any 
channel’s settings from a single window. Th is allows you to have a single Channel 
Settings window open in a convenient position on the screen and use it for all your 
EQ and channel effect settings.
To select a channel in the  Channel Settings 
 window, proceed as follows:
• To show the previous/next channel, click  Go to Previous/Ne
 xt Channel.
• To browse through the edited channels, click  Go to Las
 t/Next Edited 
Channel .
The buttons are only available if at  least two
  channels have been edited. 
						

							MixConsole
Adding Notes to a MixConsole Channel
350
• Click the channel name or the Search tool on the toolbar and select a 
channel.
• Select a channel in the MixConsole to select the corresponding channel in 
the Channel Settings window. 
This is the default behavior. If this is not what you want, open the Functions 
menu and deactivate Follow ‘e’ buttons or selection changes.
• Select a track in the Project window to select the corresponding channel in 
the MixConsole and the Channel Settings window. 
This is the default behavior. If this is not what you want, deactivate Sync 
Selection in Project Window and MixConsole in Preferences > Editing > 
Project & MixConsole.
Adding Notes to a MixConsole Channel
PROCEDURE
1. On the MixConsole toolbar, click Set up Window Layout, and activate 
Notepad.
The Notepad section is shown above the fader section.
2. Select the channel for which you want to add notes, click in the notepad 
section and type in your notes.
3. To close the notepad, press [Esc], or click in another section of the 
MixConsole.
Keyboard Navigation
The channel selector section, the channel rack section, and the fader section can 
be controlled with the computer keyboard.
For this, you must activate a section. An activated section is indicated by a frame.
Activating a Section for Keyboard Navigation
PROCEDURE
1. Click with the mouse in an empty area of the section to activate it.
Activated sections are shown with a white frame.
2. Press [Tab] to activate the next section.
3. Press [Shift]-[Tab] to activate the previous section.