Steinberg Nuendo 5 Manual

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The Mixer
Direct Routing
In large postproduction projects, a lot of time and effort 
has to go into the routing of individual tracks, group chan
-
nels, etc. The Direct Routing features of Nuendo help you 
to set up your routing easily and quickly. They allow you to 
switch the destination of channels “on the fly” (for exam
-
ple, if a track containing sound effects is temporarily to be 
routed to the dialogue stem), and to create different mix 
versions (such as full and M+E) in one go, thus saving you 
the time to start the mixdown process twice.
Rather than having to adjust the routing destinations indi-
vidually for each channel, you can use the Direct Routing 
panel in the Mixer to set and activate outputs for all se
-
lected channels at once. The Direct Routing features are 
available for audio-related tracks (audio, instrument, and 
FX channel tracks), groups, and output busses.
Direct Routing offers the following advantages:
• Routing destinations can be set for multiple channels at the 
same time.
• The switching of routing destinations can be automated.
• The extended Mixer panel offers eight easy-to-use destination 
slots for each channel. 
• Multiple Direct Routing destinations can be assigned and ac-
tivated at the same time.
• Upmixing or downmixing happens automatically, if necessary.
Direct Routing destinations in the Mixer
The Direct Routing panel is shown in the extended Mixer 
view by clicking the “Show Direct Routing” button on the 
common panel (see 
“Configuring the extended channel 
strips” on page 155). Here, you can make all necessary 
settings for setting up multiple routing destinations.
Additionally to the main output you can set up seven rout-
ing destinations that are positioned post-fader and post-
panner in the signal path and share the configuration of 
the main output. If you want to set up outputs with a differ
-
ent channel width, upmixing or downmixing becomes nec-
essary. For more information, see “Automatic upmixing 
and downmixing” on page 173.
Setting up the routing panel
Once you have set up your project, created your output 
busses, and defined the groups (stems) that you want to 
work with, you can set up the Direct Routing panel. Includ
-
ing the main output, up to eight routing destinations can 
be assigned to each channel strip. It is recommended to 
choose the same set of destinations for all channels that 
belong together (for example, all audio tracks containing 
dialogue). By setting up multiple outputs, you can later 
switch the routing destination for the channels very quickly 
(see 
“Automating destination switches” on page 172), or 
activate multiple destinations (see “Feeding signals to 
multiple destinations” on page 172).
To set up the routing panel, proceed as follows:
1.In the Mixer, make sure that the extended Mixer view is 
visible.
2.On the common panel, click the “Show Direct Rout-
ing” button.
Eight routing destination slots appear above each channel strip.
Audio tracks routed to group channels (on the left) and group channels 
routed to different output busses (on the right) 
						

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The Mixer
3.Select all the channels for which you want to set up 
the same destinations (e.
 g. all audio tracks, or all groups).
•The Direct Routing settings can be applied to all se-
lected channels at once. To do this, keep [Shift]-[Alt]/[Op-
tion] pressed when making a selection or activating a 
button.
4.Open the Output Routing pop-up menu for the first 
(topmost) destination slot and choose the main output for 
the selected channels.
The main output should have the widest channel configuration since it is 
used as a reference for all additional output destinations. For more infor-
mation, see “Automatic upmixing and downmixing” on page 173.
5.Open the Output Routing pop-up menu for the next 
destination slot, and select another output. Do this for as 
many destination slots as you need (up to eight).
For example, you can route all your audio tracks to the corresponding 
groups (stems).
6.Repeat this procedure for channels of a different type.
For example, after routing your audio tracks to groups, you can route the 
groups to output busses.
7.For each channel, you can now activate the appropri-
ate routing destination by clicking on the corresponding 
slot.
Narrow vs. wide channel strips
The Mixer panel can be set to show “narrow” or “wide” 
channel strips (see 
“Setting the width of channel strips” 
on page 157). Switching to the narrow view can be useful 
after setting up the Direct Routing destinations so that 
more channel strips fit on the screen. However, not all 
controls for the routing destinations are available in this 
mode.
Automating destination switches
Especially in larger postproduction scenarios it is neces-
sary to switch the output destinations for audio-related 
tracks and to automate these switches. This is especially 
useful for FX channel tracks carrying insert effects that 
you want to apply to different stems (e.
 g. reverb). Another 
scenario could be if a certain type of sound is sometimes 
part of the ambience stem and at other times needs to be 
fed to the SFX stem. By using the Direct Routing features, 
you can achieve the switches “on the fly” with a simple 
mouse click.
To automate the switching of routing destinations, pro-
ceed as follows:
1.Play back your project, taking note of the positions 
where routing changes are necessary.
2.Write-enable the corresponding track, and at the right 
moment, click on the routing destination that you want to 
switch to.
The new destination is now active, and the switch has been recorded as 
automation data.
3.Continue to record destination changes for your 
project.
ÖTo switch destinations for multiple channels simulta-
neously, select these channels and keep [Shift]-[Alt]/[Op-
tion] pressed when activating a different destination.
Feeding signals to multiple destinations
Generally, routing destinations are assigned exclusively. 
For each channel, only one output can be active at a time. 
However, Direct Routing offers a summing mode, allowing 
you to feed your signals to several outputs at the same 
time.
In film mixing projects it is likely that you need to create 
different mixes. For example, you might need a final 5.1 
mix for cinema and a stereo mix for home screening, as 
well as an M&E mix (needed to create a dubbed version, 
for example, for the German audience). Recording these 
mixes one after the other will take considerable time. To 
get an impression of how these different mixes will sound 
in the end, Nuendo allows you to activate multiple outputs 
at the same time so that you can quickly create different 
mix versions for previewing. However, since no individual 
settings can be made for these mixes, this will not replace 
the final mixing process.
Feeding a signal to multiple outputs can also be used to 
apply an effect to several stems at the same time. For ex
-
ample, you may want to add reverb to the dialogue and fo-
ley stems simultaneously to create a realistic sound 
experience.
Proceed as follows:
1.In the Mixer, set up your output busses as routing desti-
nations (see “Setting up the routing panel” on page 171).
2.Select all the channels that you want to route to the 
same destinations. 
						

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The Mixer
ÖIn order to apply the following settings to all selected 
channels at once, keep [Shift]-[Alt]/[Option] pressed 
when making a selection or activating a button.
3.Activate the “Summing Mode On/Off” buttons for the 
selected channels.
ÖIn the Key Commands dialog (Mixer category), you can 
also set up a key command for the summing mode (see 
the chapter 
“Key commands” on page 580).
4.Activate all the outputs that you want to route the se-
lected channels to.
Automatic upmixing and downmixing
The output in the first (topmost) Direct Routing slot de-
fines the channel width. Since the other destinations are 
positioned post-panner in the signal path (see graphic) 
they have the same channel width to start with. Therefore, 
if you set up outputs with a different channel configuration, 
the signal needs to be converted accordingly (by upmixing 
or downmixing). This is done automatically by Nuendo, no 
configuration is necessary.
When using multiple routing destinations, the following 
scenarios are possible:
•The Direct Routing destination has the same number of 
channels as the main output, but a different format: The 
levels of the speaker channels are adjusted accordingly.
If both destinations have the same format, no upmixing or downmixing is 
required.
•The main output configuration is wider than the Direct 
Routing destination: A downmix is performed before send
-
ing the signal to that destination (e. g. from 5.1 to stereo).
•The main output has less channels than the Direct Rout-
ing destination: An upmix is performed before the signal is 
sent to that destination (e.
 g. from stereo to 5.1).
It is not recommended to use such a setup (even though it is technically 
possible). Upmixing might lead to unexpected side effects. For example, 
if the main output is stereo and you have an additional 5.1 output, this 
second output gets an upmixed stereo signal feeding only the left and 
right channels.
Based on two common examples, the following tables il-
lustrate how the levels are adjusted when performing an 
automatic downmix. The channel configuration as defined 
by the main output is shown from left to right, and the 
channel configuration of the downmix from top to bottom.
Automatic downmixing from 5.1 to stereo:
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.
Automatic downmixing from 7.1 to 5.1:
Lc and Rc signals are split to L/R (respectively) and the center channel.
Channel 
(e. g.  stereo)
Panner 
(e. g. stereo to 5.1)
Main output 
(e. g.  5.1)
Additional output destinations 
(e. g. a stereo mix)
Upmixing or Downmixing
!It is recommended to always select the output with 
the widest channel configuration in the “Main” slot.
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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The Mixer
MIDI-specific procedures
This section describes basic procedures for MIDI chan-
nels in the Mixer.
MIDI channel strips
The MIDI channel strips allow you to control volume and 
pan in your MIDI instrument (provided that the instrument 
is set up to receive the corresponding MIDI messages). 
The settings here are also available in the Inspector for 
MIDI tracks.
Options for extended MIDI channel strips
When using the extended view (see “Normal vs. extended 
channel strips” on page 154), the upper panel can be set 
to show different views for each MIDI channel strip. You 
can select what to display in the extended panel individu
-
ally for each channel or globally for all channels (see 
“Configuring the extended channel strips” on page 155). 
The following views are available:
•A blank panel (“Empty”).
•The Inserts section, with 4 insert effect slots for the 
channel.
MIDI inserts can also be found in the Inspector and the Channel Settings 
window for MIDI channels. How to use MIDI insert effects is described in 
the chapter 
“MIDI realtime parameters and effects” on page 372.
•The Sends section, with 4 send effect slots for the 
channel.
The sends can also be found in the Inspector and the Channel Settings 
window for MIDI channels. How to use MIDI send effects is described in 
the chapter 
“MIDI realtime parameters and effects” on page 372.
•The Meter section.
Select the Meter option to view large level (velocity) meters in the ex-
tended panel.
•The Overview section. 
Select the Overview option if you want to know which insert effects and 
effect sends are activated for the channel.
You can click the indicators to turn the corresponding slot/send on or off.
•The User Panel section.
Select the User Panel option if you want to import MIDI device panels. 
This is described in the separate PDF document “MIDI Devices”.
ÖIf you select the EQ, the Studio Sends, the Surround-
Panners, or the Direct Routing option on the common 
panel, the view for MIDI channels does not change. These 
apply to audio-related channels only.
Panning MIDI channels
For MIDI channels, the pan control sends out MIDI pan 
messages. The result depends on how your MIDI instru
-
ment is set to respond to pan – check your documentation 
for details.
Using Channel Settings
For each MIDI channel strip in the Mixer (and MIDI track in 
the track list or the Inspector), there is an Edit (“e”) button. 
Clicking this opens the MIDI Channel Settings window. 
By default, this window contains a duplicate of the Mixer 
channel strip, a section with four MIDI inserts and a sec
-
tion with four MIDI send effects.
You can customize the Channel Settings window by 
showing/hiding the different panels and/or by changing 
their order:
•To specify which panels are shown or hidden, right-
click in the Channel Settings window and activate/deacti
-
vate the corresponding options on the Customize View 
submenu of the context menu.
•To change the order of the panels, select Setup on the 
Customize View pop-up menu and use the “Move up” and 
“Move Down” buttons in the dialog that opens.
Level fader  
(MIDI volume)Level (velocity) meter Automation controlsPan control
Monitor and Record 
Enable buttonsMIDI input and 
output
Edit button Mute and Solo
Insert/Send indicators 
and bypass buttons Input Transformer buttonMIDI channel Opens the control panel 
for a connected VST 
instrument 
						

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The Mixer
Every MIDI channel has its own Channel Settings window.
Utilities
Link/Unlink channels
This function is used to “link” selected channels in the 
Mixer so that any change applied to one channel will be 
mirrored by all channels in that group. Only channels of 
the same type (audio-related or MIDI) can be linked with 
each other. You can link as many channels as you like, and 
you can also create as many groups of linked channels as 
you like. To link channels in the Mixer, proceed as follows:
1.Press [Ctrl]/[Command] and click on all the channels 
you want to link.
[Shift]-clicking allows you to select a continuous range of channels.
2.On the Mixer context menu, select the Link Channels 
option.
•To unlink channels, select one of the linked channels and 
select “Unlink Channels” from the Mixer context menu.
The channels are unlinked. Note that you do not have to select all the 
channels that are linked, only one of them.
ÖIt is not possible to remove individual channels from 
the link.
What will be linked?
The following rules apply to linked channels:
•Only level, mute, solo, select, monitor and record enable 
will be linked between channels.
Effect/EQ/pan/input and output routing settings are not linked.
•Any individual channel settings you have made before 
linking will remain until you alter the same setting for any of 
the linked channels.
For example, if you link three channels and one of them was muted at the 
time you applied the Link Channel function, this channel will remain muted 
after linking. However, if you mute another channel, all linked channels will 
be muted.
•Fader levels will be “ganged”.
The relative level offset between channels will be kept if you move a 
linked channel fader.
The three channels shown are linked. Moving one fader changes the 
levels for all three channels, but keeps the relative level mix.
•By pressing [Alt]/[Option], you can make individual set-
tings and changes for channels that are linked.
ÖLinked channels have individual automation tracks. 
These are completely independent, and are not affected 
by the Link function. 
						

							176
The Mixer
VST Mixer Diagrams
Channel Objects 
						

							177
The Mixer
Control Room Objects 
						

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The Mixer 
						

							14
Control Room 
						

							180
Control Room
Virtual Control Room – The concept
The concept behind the Control Room features in Nuendo 
is to divide the studio environment into the performing area 
(studio) and the engineer/producer area (control room) 
common to traditional studios. Previously, an analog con
-
sole or some method of speaker control and monitor rout-
ing was necessary to provide this functionality to the DAW 
environment.
With its Control Room Mixer and Control Room Overview 
features, Nuendo provides all the functionality of the ana
-
log console’s monitoring section, along with many more 
features, in a virtual, VST-based audio environment where 
flexibility and instant recall are expected.
Control Room features
The following features are available for the Control Room 
Mixer:
• Support for up to four sets of monitors with various speaker 
configurations from mono up to 7.1 or 8.0 cinema speaker 
systems.
• Configurable monitor sources that allow you to route different 
inputs, outputs, and groups to the Control Room.
• Dedicated Headphone output.
• Support for up to four discrete cue mix outputs called “Studios”.
• Dedicated Talkback channel with flexible routing and auto-
matic record defeat.
• Support for up to six external inputs with configurations up to 
7.1 or 8.0 surround.
• Click track routing and level control to all Control Room out-
puts.
• Flexible Listen bus options with the Listen Dim setting that 
allows listen-enabled tracks to be heard in context with the 
whole mix.
• Listen bus enabling on both Control Room and Headphone 
outputs.
• User-definable downmix settings using the MixConvert plug-in 
for all speaker configurations.
• Individual speaker soloing for all speaker configurations.
• Multiple inserts on each Control Room channel for metering 
and surround decoding among other possibilities.
• Monitor Dim function with adjustable level.
• User-defined Calibrated Monitor level for postproduction mix-
ing in a calibrated environment.
• Adjustable Input Gain and Input Phase on all external inputs 
and Speaker outputs.
• Full-sized meters on every Control Room channel.
• Support for up to four aux sends (Studio Sends) for creation 
of discrete cue mixes for performers. Each Studio output has 
its own cue mix.
• The ability to disable the Control Room Section when working 
with an external monitoring solution or console.
Control Room operations
In traditional analog studios, the control room section of 
the console contained the most used set of controls in the 
whole studio.
The need to constantly be able to switch monitoring 
sources, adjust the volume of monitors and route various 
cue mixes and other sources to headphone systems is the 
norm in most sessions. Meeting the needs of several per
-
formers in the studio plus a producer and the engineer be-
comes a constant task that requires flexibility and ease of 
operation. Communication between everyone must be 
flawlessly clear without intruding on the creativity of 
performers.
The Nuendo Control Room Mixer is designed to fill those 
needs with a simple yet highly flexible solution. The virtual 
mixing environment of VST is the ideal solution to the var
-
ied needs of a control room matrix. With a virtual mixer, a 
high degree of customization and precise settings are 
possible with the ability to completely recall these settings 
at any time.
Configuring the Control Room
The Control Room features are configured in several loca-
tions within Nuendo. 
• The hardware inputs and outputs for the Control Room chan-
nels are defined in the VST Connections window on the Stu-
dio tab. Here you can also enable and disable the Control 
Room.
• The Control Room Overview gives you a visual overview of the 
Control Room channels and signal flow. It is opened via the 
Devices menu.
• The Control Room Mixer allows operation of the Control 
Room features. It can be opened from the Project window 
toolbar (Media & Mixer Windows section), the Devices menu, 
or the Studio tab in the VST Connections window.
• Some general Control Room settings can be found in the 
Preferences dialog (VST–Control Room page).