Steinberg Cubase Le 8 Manual

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Routing
The Routing rack allows you to configure input and output routing, that is, setting 
up input and output busses.
Input busses are used when you record on an audio track. In this case, you must 
select from which input bus the audio is received.
NOTE
The settings that you make for the input channel will be a permanent part of the 
recorded audio file.
Output busses are used when you play back an audio, group, or FX channel. In this 
case, you must route the channel to an output bus.
You can route the outputs from multiple audio channels to a group. For example, to 
control the channel levels using one fader, and to apply the same effects and 
equalization to all the channels.
Setting up Routing
PREREQUISITE 
Set up busses and group channels in the VST Connections window.
PROCEDURE
1. On the MixConsole toolbar, activate Show Channel Racks.
2. Click Racks and activate Routing to show the Routing rack above the fader 
section.
3. Click one of the slots of the Routing rack to open the input or the output 
routing pop-up menu for a channel.
4. In the routing selector, select an entry.
• To set up the routing for multiple selected channels simultaneously, press 
[Shift]-[Alt]/[Option] and select a bus.
• To set several selected channels to incrementing busses (the second selected 
channel to the second bus, the third to the third bus, etc.), press [Shift] and 
select a bus.
• To disconnect input or output bus assignments, select No Bus.
Input Busses
The input routing selector only lists busses that correspond to the channel 
configuration.
NOTE
If you select a group channel as input for an audio channel, you can record a 
downmix. 
						

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Output Busses
For output busses any assignment is possible.
Using Group Channels
You can route the outputs from multiple audio channels to a group. This enables you 
to control the channel levels using one fader, apply the same effects and EQ to all 
channels, etc. You can also select a group channel as input for an audio track, to 
record a downmix of separate tracks, for example.
PREREQUISITE 
You have created and set up a group channel track in stereo.
PROCEDURE
1. Route the group channel track to an output bus.
2. Add effects to the group channel as insert effects.
3. Route the mono audio track to the group channel.
RESULT 
The signal from the mono audio track is sent directly to the group, where it passes 
through the insert effect, in stereo.
Pre (Filters/Gain/Phase) (Cubase Elements only)
The Pre rack for audio-related channels features a high-cut and a low-cut filter as 
well as gain and phase settings.
For MIDI channels it allows you to open the Input Transformer.
NOTE
You cannot edit the Pre rack settings in the EQ curve display.
RELATED LINKS
Equalizer Settings on page 226 
						

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Making Filter Settings
Each audio-related channel has separate high-cut and low-cut filters that allow you 
to attenuate signals with frequencies that are higher or lower than the cutoff 
frequency.
PROCEDURE
1. On the MixConsole toolbar, activate Show Channel Racks.
2. Click Racks and activate Pre (Filters/Gain/Phase) to show the Pre rack 
above the fader section.
3. Click to the left of the high-cut filter to activate the high-cut filter. You have the 
following options:
• Drag the slider to adjust the cutoff frequency.
The available range spans from 20 kHz to 50 Hz.
•Click Select Filter Slope on the right of the high-cut filter to select a filter 
slope.
You can choose between 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 dB. The default value is 12 dB.
4. Click to the left of the low-cut filter to activate the low-cut filter. You have the 
following options:
• Drag the slider to adjust the cutoff frequency.
The available range spans from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
•Click Select Filter Slope on the right of the low-cut filter to select a filter slope.
You can choose between 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 dB. The default value is 12 dB.
RESULT 
The changed settings are visible in the curve display. If you deactivate the high-cut 
and low-cut filters, the filter curves are removed from the display. Bypassed high-cut 
and low-cut filters are displayed in a different color.
Making Input Gain Settings
The Pre-Gain slider allows you to change the level of a signal before it reaches the 
EQ and the effects section. This is useful as the level going into certain effects can 
change the way the signal is affected. A compressor, for example, can be driven 
harder by raising the input gain. Gain can also be used to boost the level of poorly 
recorded signals.
PROCEDURE
1. On the MixConsole toolbar, activate Show Channel Racks.
2. Click Racks and activate Pre (Filters/Gain/Phase) to show the Pre rack 
above the fader section.
3. Drag the Gain slider to the left or to the right to cut or boost the gain. 
						

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Making Phase Settings
Each audio-related channel and input/output channel has a Phase button that 
allows you to correct the phase for balanced lines and microphones that are wired 
backwards or that are out of phase due to their positioning.
PROCEDURE
1. On the MixConsole toolbar, activate Show Channel Racks.
2. Click Racks and activate Pre (Filters/Gain/Phase) to show the Pre rack 
above the fader section.
3. Activate Phase to invert the phase polarity for the signal.
Inserts
The Inserts rack for audio-related channels features insert effect slots that allow you 
to load insert effects for a channel. For MIDI channels you can load MIDI inserts.
For further information, refer to the separate PDF document Plug-in Reference.
RELATED LINKS
Audio Effects on page 240
Adding Insert Effects
PROCEDURE
1. On the MixConsole toolbar, activate Show Channel Racks.
2. Click Racks and activate Inserts to show the Inserts rack above the fader 
section.
3. Click one of the insert slots to open the insert selector.
4. Click an insert effect to select it.
RESULT 
The selected insert effect is loaded and automatically activated. Its plug-in panel 
opens. 
						

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Moving Inserts to Post-Fader or Pre-Fader Position (Cubase Elements 
only)
For each audio-related channel, you can add 6 pre-fader and 2 post-fader inserts.
PROCEDURE
1. Right-click an insert effect in a pre-fader position.
2. From the context menu, select Move to Post-Fader Slot.
To move a post-fader insert to a pre-fader position, open its context menu and select 
Move to Pre-Fader Slot.
Bypassing Insert Effects
• To bypass all inserts, click the bypass button at the top of the Inserts rack.
• To bypass a single insert, click the button on the left of the inserts slot.
• To deactivate bypass, click the button again.
Saving/Loading FX Chain Presets
You can save and load all insert rack settings using FX chain presets. FX chain 
presets have the file name extension .fxchainpreset.
PROCEDURE
• In the top right corner of the Inserts rack, open the Presets pop-up menu and 
perform one of the following actions:
• To save the current settings as a preset, select Save FX Chain Preset and 
name your preset.
• To load a preset, select Load FX Chain Preset and select a preset.
NOTE
You can also apply inserts together with EQ and channel strip settings from track 
presets. You can load, tag, and save FX chain presets in the MediaBay.
Equalizers (EQ)
The Equalizers (EQ) rack is only available for audio-related channels. It features a 
built-in parametric equalizer with up to 4 bands for each audio channel. 
						

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Activating Equalizer Bands
PROCEDURE
1. On the MixConsole toolbar, activate Show Channel Racks.
2. Click Racks and activate Equalizers to show the EQ rack above the fader 
section.
3. Click Activate Band to activate an EQ band.
Equalizer Settings
You can make equalizer settings for the 4 bands. These have different default 
frequency values and different Q names. However, they all have the same frequency 
range (20
 Hz to 20 kHz). You can specify different filter types for each individual 
module.
1)Bypass EQ
Click to bypass all EQ bands.
2)Curve Display
Click on the display in a channel to show a larger version. The display is also 
available in the Inspector and in the Channel Settings dialog. If you activate 
Equalizer Curve in the Set up Window Layout pane, the curve is removed 
from the EQ rack and is displayed above the racks. 
						

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Hovering with the mouse over the display shows a cross-hair cursor. The 
current mouse position shows the frequency, note value, offset, and level at 
the top or bottom of the display.
Click and hold to add a curve point and activate the corresponding EQ band. 
Double-click the curve point to deactivate it. Drag the curve point up or down 
to adjust the gain. Press [Ctrl]/[Command] to edit only the gain. Drag left or 
right to adjust the frequency. Press [Alt]/[Option] to edit only the frequency. 
Press [Shift] while dragging to set the Q-factor. To invert the EQ curve, open 
the context menu and select Invert EQ Settings.
The final curve shows the EQ settings as well as active high-cut and low-cut 
filters of the Pre rack settings. Bypassed filter settings are shown in a different 
color than the active settings. Disabled filter settings are hidden from the 
display.
NOTE
You cannot edit the high-cut and low-cut filters in the curve display. To edit 
the filters, open the Pre rack.
3)Select Preset
Opens a pop-up menu where you can load/save a preset.
4)Activate Band
Click to activate/deactivate an EQ band.
Band Settings
1)Activate Band
Activates the equalizer band.
2)Gain
Set the amount of cut or boost. The range is ±24 dB.
3)Frequency
Sets the center frequency of the frequency range to be cut or boosted. You 
can set the frequency either in Hz or as a note value. If you enter a note value, 
the frequency is automatically displayed in Hz. For example, a note value of A3 
sets the frequency to 440
 Hz. When you enter a note value, you can also enter 
a cent offset. For example, enter A5 -23 or C4 +49.
NOTE
Ensure that you enter a space between the note and the cent offset. Only in 
this case, the cent offsets are taken into account. 
						

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4)Q-Factor
Determines the width of the affected frequency range. Higher values give 
narrower frequency ranges.
5)Type
Opens a pop-up menu where you can select an EQ type for the band. Bands 
1 and 4 can act as parametric, shelving, or high/low-cut filters. EQ bands 2 
and 3 are always parametric filters.
RELATED LINKS
Making Filter Settings on page 223
Saving/Loading EQ Presets
You can save and load EQ presets.
PROCEDURE
• In the top right corner of the EQ rack, open the presets pop-up menu and 
perform one of the following actions:
• To save the current settings as a preset, select Save Preset and name your 
preset.
• To load a preset, select Load Preset and select a preset.
NOTE
You can also apply EQ together with insert and channel strip settings from track 
presets. You can load, tag, and save EQ presets in the MediaBay.
Channel Strips
The Channel Strip rack is only available for audio-related channels. It allows you to 
load built-in processing modules for separate channels.
Channel Strip Modules
The channel strips allow you to apply modules directly to specific channels. You can 
change the position of specific modules in the signal flow via drag and drop.
Gate (Cubase Elements only)
Allows you to silence audio signals below a set threshold level. As soon as the 
signal level exceeds the set threshold, the gate opens to let the signal through.
Compressor
Allows you to create smooth compression effects. Drag the compressor up or 
down to change its position in the signal flow. 
						

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EQAllows you to make EQ settings.
Tools (Cubase Elements only) Provides various tools.
Sat (Cubase Elements only) Allows you to add warmth to the sound.
Limit (Cubase Elements only) Allows you to avoid clipping even at high levels.
Noise Gate (Cubase Elements only)
Noise gating silences audio signals below  a set threshold. As soon as the signal 
level exceeds the threshold, the gate opens to let the signal through.
Threshold (-60 to 0  dB)
Determines the  level at 
 which Gate is activated. Signal levels above the set 
threshold trigger the gate to open, and  signal levels below the set threshold 
close the gate.
Release (10 to 1000  ms or Auto mode)
Sets the time after which the gate closes (after the set  Hold tim
 e). If Auto 
Release  is activated, Gate  automatically finds the best release setting for the 
audio material.
State LED Indicates whether the gate is open (LED lights up in green), closed (LED 
lights up in red), 
 or in an intermed iate state (LED lights up in yellow).
Attack (0.1 to 1000  ms)
Sets the time after which the gate opens when it is triggered.
Range Adjusts the attenuation of the gate when it is shut. If  Ra
 nge is set to , the 
gate is completely shut. The higher the value, the higher the level of the signal 
that passes 
 through the shut gate.
Filter Frequency (50 to 20000  Hz)
If  Si
de-Chain  is activated, this sets the filter frequency.
Q-Factor (0.01 to 10000) If Si
de-Chain  is activated, this sets  the resonance of the filter.
Listen Filter Allows you to monitor the filtered signal. 
						

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Compressor
This channel strip module reduces the dynamic range of the audio, making softer 
sounds louder or louder sounds softer, or both. Open the pop-up menu to select 
between Standard Compressor, Tube Compressor (Cubase Elements only), and 
Vintage Compressor (Cubase Elements only).
Standard Compressor
Allows you to create smooth compression effects. Drag the compressor up or down 
to change its position in the signal flow.
Threshold (-60 to 0 dB)
Determines the level where the compressor kicks in. Only signal levels above 
the set threshold are processed.
Ratio (1:1 to 8:1)
Sets the amount of gain reduction that is applied to signals above the set 
threshold. A ratio of 3:1 means that for every 3
 dB the input level increases, 
the output level increases by 1
 dB.
Gain Reduction LED
Indicates the amount of compression of the signal.
Attack (0.1 to 100 ms)
Determines how fast the compressor responds to signals above the set 
threshold. If the attack time is long, more of the early part of the signal passes 
through unprocessed.
Release (10 to 1000 ms or Auto mode)
Sets the time after which the gain returns to the original level when the signal 
drops below the threshold. If Auto is activated, the compressor automatically 
finds the best release setting for the audio material.
Make-up (0 to 24 dB or Auto mode)
Compensates for output gain loss that is caused by compression. If Auto is 
activated, the knob becomes dark and the output is automatically adjusted for 
gain loss.
Tube Compressor (Cubase Elements only)
This versatile compressor with integrated tube-simulation allows you to achieve 
smooth and warm compression effects. The VU meter shows the amount of gain 
reduction. Tube Compressor features an internal side-chain section that lets you 
filter the trigger signal.
Input (-24.0 to 48.0 dB)
Determines the compression amount. The higher the input gain, the more 
compression is applied.