Steinberg Cubase Le 8 Manual

							Automation
MIDI Part Data vs. Track Automation
361
NOTE
The R button is automatically enabled when you enable the W button. This allows 
Cubase to read existing automation data at any time. You can separately deactivate 
W if you only want to read existing data.
There are also global read and write indicator buttons Activate/Deactivate 
Read/Write for All Tracks on the MixConsole toolbar and at the top of the track 
list. These buttons light up as soon as there is an enabled R or W button on any 
channel/track within your project. Furthermore, they can be clicked to activate or 
deactivate the R/W buttons of all tracks simultaneously.
MIDI Part Data vs. Track Automation
You can enter or record MIDI controller data in two ways: as automation data on an 
automation track or as part data in the MIDI part.
•If Read Automation for a track is enabled, controller data is written as 
automation data on an automation track in the Project window.
•If Read Automation is disabled, the controller data is written in the MIDI part 
and can be viewed and edited for example in the Key Editor.
Nevertheless, you can end up with both kinds of controller data for a MIDI part if you 
recorded controller part data in one pass and automation data during another. In 
this case, these conflicting data types are combined during playback as follows:
• Part automation only begins when the first controller event within the part is 
reached. At the end of the part, the last controller value is kept until an 
automation breakpoint is reached on the automation track.
Writing Automation Data
There are two approaches that you can use to create automation curves: manually 
and automatically.
• Manual writing makes it easy to quickly change parameter values at specific 
points without having to activate playback.
• Automatic writing lets you work almost as if you were using a real mixer.
With both methods, any applied automation data is reflected in both the MixConsole 
(a fader will move for example) and in the corresponding automation track curve.
RELATED LINKS
Manual Writing of Automation Data on page 362 
						

							Automation
Writing Automation Data
362
Automatic Writing of Automation Data
Every action that you perform is automatically recorded on automation tracks which 
you can later open for viewing and editing.
PROCEDURE
1. In the track list, click Show/Hide Automation for a track to open its 
automation track.
2. Click W to enable the writing of automation data on this track.
3. Start playback.
4. Adjust the parameters in the MixConsole, in the Channel Settings window, 
or in the effect control panel.
The value settings are recorded and displayed as a curve on the automation tracks. 
When automation data is being written, the color of the automation track changes to 
red and the delta indicator in the automation track shows the relative amount by which 
the new parameter setting deviates from any previously automated value.
5. Stop playback and return to the position where you started playback.
6. Click W to disable the writing of automation data.
7. Start playback.
RESULT 
All actions that you recorded are reproduced exactly. When you drag a plug-in to a 
different insert slot on the same channel, any existing automation data moves with 
the plug-in. When you drag it to an insert slot on a different channel, any existing 
automation data is not transferred to the new channel.
Manual Writing of Automation Data
You can add automation events manually by drawing automation curves on an 
automation track.
PROCEDURE
1. In the track list, click Show/Hide Automation for a track to open its 
automation track.
2. Click the automation parameter name and select the parameter from the 
pop-up menu.
3. Select the Draw tool. 
						

							Automation
Writing Automation Data
363
4. Click on the static value line.
An automation event is added, read automation mode is automatically activated, and 
the static value line changes to a colored automation curve.
5. Click and hold to draw a curve by adding many automation events.
When you release the mouse button, the number of automation events is reduced.
NOTE
To adjust the thinning out of events, select File > Preferences > Editing and change 
the Automation Reduction Level.
6. Start playback.
RESULT 
The automated parameter changes with the automation curve, and the 
corresponding fader in the MixConsole moves accordingly.
AFTER COMPLETING THIS TASK 
Repeat the procedure if you are not happy with the result. If you draw over existing 
events, a new curve is created.
Tools for Drawing Automation Data
Apart from the Draw tool, you can use the following tools to draw automation 
events:
•Object Selection tool
If R is activated and you click on an automation track with the Object 
Selection tool, you can add automation events.
NOTE
Events that are introduced between two existing events that do not deviate 
from the existing curve are removed as soon as you release the mouse button.
To activate the Line tool in any other available mode, click the Line tool and click 
again to open a pop-up menu where you can select the mode.
The following Line tool modes are available:
Line mode
If you click on the automation track and drag with the Line tool in Line mode, 
you can create automation events in a line. This is a quick way to create linear 
fades, etc. 
						

							Automation
Editing Automation Data
364
Parabola mode
If you click and drag on the automation track with the Line tool in Parabola 
mode, you can create more natural curves and fades.
NOTE
The result depends on the direction from which you draw the parabolic curve.
Sine, Triangle, or Square mode
If you click and drag on the automation track with the Line tool in Sine, 
Triangle, or Square mode and snap to grid is activated, the period of the 
curve (the length of one curve cycle) is determined by the grid setting. If you 
press [Shift] and drag, you can set the period length manually, in multiples of 
the grid value.
NOTE
The Line tool can only be used for ramp type automation curves.
Editing Automation Data
Automation events can be edited much like other events.
You can cut, copy, paste, and nudge events, etc.
• If you move an event or part on a track and you want the automation events to 
follow automatically, select Edit > Automation follows Events. 
All automation events for the track between the start and end of the event or 
part are moved. Any automation events at the new position are overwritten.
Selecting Automation Events
• To select an automation event, click it with the Object Selection tool.
The event turns black, and you can drag it in any direction between two 
events.
• To select multiple events, [Shift]-click the events or drag a selection rectangle 
with the Object Selection tool.
All events inside the selection rectangle are selected and the automation track 
editor becomes available.
• To select all automation events on an automation track, right-click the 
automation track and select Select All Events from the context menu. 
						

							Automation
Editing Automation Data
365
Removing Automation Events
• To remove an automation event, click on it with the Erase tool.
• To remove multiple automation events, select them and press [Backspace] or 
[Delete] or select Edit > Delete.
• To remove all automation events from the automation track and close the 
automation track, click the automation parameter name in the track list and 
select Remove Parameter from the pop-up menu.
NOTE
When removing automation events, the curve is redrawn to connect the remaining 
events.
Adjusting Automation Ramp Curves
You can adjust automation ramp curves in the automation track editor.
• To open the automation track editor, activate the Object Selection tool and 
drag a selection rectangle on a ramp type automation track.
On the borders of the automation track editor, smart controls for specific editing 
modes are displayed:
• To move the entire curve up or down, click in an empty area on the upper 
border of the editor. This is useful to boost or attenuate a curve.
• To raise or lower the values in relative amounts, click in the middle of the upper 
border of the editor.
• To tilt the left or the right part of the curve, click in the upper left or right corner 
of the editor. This is useful if the curve form is exactly the way that you want it, 
but the start or end needs to be boosted or attenuated a bit.
• To compress the left or the right part of the curve instead, [Alt]/[Option]-click 
in the upper left or right corner of the editor. 
						

							Automation
Automation Tracks
366
• To scale the curve around the absolute center, for example, horizontally 
around the center of the editor, click in the middle of the right border of the 
editor.
• To scale the curve relative to its center instead, [Alt]/[Option]-click in the 
middle of the right border of the editor.
• To stretch the selected curve, click and drag in the lower part of the editor.
[Shift]-click on any of the smart controls to scale vertically.
• To scale the automation curves on several tracks at the same time, drag a 
selection rectangle across the corresponding automation tracks, hold down 
[Ctrl]/[Command], and use the scaling smart controls.
• To move the whole selection up/down or left/right, click inside the editor and drag.
• To restrict the direction to horizontal or vertical movement, press 
[Ctrl]/[Command] and drag.
NOTE
Snap is taken into account when moving automation curves horizontally.
Automation Tracks
Most of the tracks in your project have automation tracks, one for each automated 
parameter.
Automation tracks are hidden by default.
Showing/Hiding Automation Tracks
• Position the mouse pointer over the lower left corner of the track and click the 
arrow icon (Show/Hide Automation) that appears.
• Right-click the track in the track list and select Show/Hide Automation from 
the context menu.
• To open another automation track, position the mouse pointer over the lower 
left corner of an automation track, and click + (Append Automation Track). 
						

							Automation
Automation Tracks
367
• To show all used automation tracks in the track list, right-click any track and 
select Show All Used Automation from the context menu.
• To open the corresponding automation track on writing automation 
parameters, select File > Preferences > Editing and activate Show 
Automation Track in Project on Writing Parameter.
Removing Automation Tracks
• To remove an automation track together with all automation events, click the 
parameter name and from the pop-up menu, select Remove Parameter.
• To remove all automation tracks from a track that do not contain automation 
events, select Remove Unused Parameters from any of its automation 
parameter name pop-up menus.
• To remove automation tracks, you can also select Project > Automation 
Panel > Functions and select one of the options to delete automation.
Assigning a Parameter to an Automation Track
Default parameters are already assigned to automation tracks when you open them, 
according to their order in the parameter list.
PROCEDURE
1. Open an automation track and click on the automation parameter name.
A parameter list is shown. The contents depend on the track type.
2. From the pop-up menu, select the parameter or select More to open the Add 
Parameter dialog that lists all parameters that can be automated, and select 
the parameter there.
3. Select the Parameter.
The parameter replaces the current parameter in the automation track.
NOTE
The replacing of the automation parameter is non-destructive. If the automation track 
contains any automation data for the parameter that you just replaced, this data is 
there, although it is not visible. By clicking on the automation parameter name in the 
track list, you can switch back to the replaced parameter. On the pop-up menu, all 
automated parameters are indicated by an asterisk (*) after the parameter name.
Muting Automation Tracks
By muting an automation track you turn off automation for a single parameter.
• To mute individual automation tracks, click their Mute buttons in the track list. 
						

							368
VST Instruments
VST instruments are software synthesizers or other sound sources that are 
contained within Cubase. They are played internally via MIDI. You can add effects 
or EQ to VST instruments.
Cubase allows you to make use of VST instruments in the following ways:
• By adding an instrument in the VST Instruments window (not in Cubase LE).
This creates a VST instrument channel, which can be played by one or several 
MIDI tracks routed to it.
• By creating an instrument track.
This is a combination of a VST instrument, an instrument channel, and a MIDI 
track. You play and record MIDI note data directly for this track.
VST Instruments Window
The VST Instruments window allows you to add VST instruments for MIDI and 
instrument tracks, giving you an overview of all instruments used in a project. It also 
offers you access to 8 quick controls for each added instrument.
IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANT
In Cubase LE, the VST Instruments window is not available. Only instrument tracks 
and the related functions can be used in this program version.
To open the VST Instruments window, select Devices > VST Instruments. 
						

							VST Instruments
VST Instruments Window
369
The following controls can be found in the VST Instruments window:
1)Add Track Instrument
Opens the Add Instrument Track dialog that allows you to select an 
instrument and add an instrument track that is associated to this instrument.
2)Find Instruments
Opens a selector that allows you to find an instrument in the VST 
Instruments window.
3)Set Remote-Control Focus for VST Quick Controls to Previous/Next 
Instrument
Shows and activates the quick controls for the next/previous instrument in the 
VST Instruments window.
4)Show/Hide all VST Quick Controls
Shows/Hides the default quick controls for all loaded instruments.
5)Settings
Opens the Settings menu, where you can activate/deactivate the following 
modes:
Show VST Quick Controls for One Slot Only shows the VST Quick 
Controls exclusively for the selected instrument.
MIDI Channel follows track selection ensures that the Channel selector 
follows the MIDI track selection in the Project window. Use this if you work 
with multitimbral instruments.
Remote-Control Focus for VST Quick Controls follows track selection 
ensures that the VST Quick Control remote-control focus follows the track 
selection.
The following controls are available on each instrument:
1)Activate Instrument
Activates/Deactivates the instrument.
2)Edit Instrument
Opens the instrument panel. 
						

							VST Instruments
VST Instruments Window
370
3)Freeze Instrument
Freezes the instrument. This allows you to save CPU power.
4)Instrument Selector
Allows you to select another instrument. Double-click to rename the 
instrument. The name is shown in the VST Instruments w i n d o w  i n  t h e  Output 
Routing pop-up menu for MIDI tracks. This is useful when you work with 
several instances of the same instrument.
5)Input Options
This lights up when MIDI data is received by the instrument. Click this button 
to open a pop-up menu that allows you to select, mute/unmute, and 
solo/unsolo for tracks that send MIDI to the instrument (inputs).
6)Activate Outputs
Allows you to activate one or more outputs for the instrument.
7)Preset Browser
Allows you to load or save an instrument preset.
8)Load Previous/Next Program
Allows you to load the previous/next program.
9)Select Quick Control Layer
Allows you to select a program.
10)Read/Write Automation
Allows you to read/write automation for the instrument parameter settings.
The following controls are available on each rack:
1)Show/Hide VST Quick Controls
Allows you to show/hide the VST Quick Controls for the instrument.
2)Set Remote-Control Focus for VST Quick Controls
Allows you to activate the VST Quick Controls to remote-control the 
instrument.
VST Instruments Window Context Menu
The following functions are available in the VST Instruments window context menu:
Always on Top
If this option is activated, the VST Instruments window is always on top.