Steinberg Cubase 4 Menu Reference Manual

							Menu Reference 
						

							Revision and Quality Control:
Cristina Bachmann, Marion Bröer, Heiko Bischoff, Sabine Pfeifer
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part 
of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. The software described by this document is subject to a License Agreement 
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Release Date: October 19, 2007
© Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH, 2007.
All rights reserved. 
						

							1
Menu Reference 
						

							4
Menu Reference
Introduction
This manual lists all main menu items in Cubase and Cu-
base Studio for quick reference. For any further informa-
tion, please refer to the Operation Manual.
Cubase menu (Mac OS X only)
About Cubase
Opens a window with information about the Cubase ver-
sion number etc.
Preferences…
The Preferences dialog contains various settings and op-
tions. The dialog has several pages that you access by se-
lecting items in the Finder-like list on the left. To make 
settings without closing the dialog use the Apply button.
Use the Help button in the dialog for information about the 
items on the selected page.
Quit
Quits the program. If there are any unsaved changes in an 
open project, you will have the option of keeping these or 
discarding them before the program quits.
File menu
New Project
This item allows you to create a new untitled project. A list 
appears, allowing you to select an empty project or a 
project template. The factory templates are preconfigured 
setups to suit various types of projects. A project can be 
saved as a template, and will then appear on this list.
After making a selection, a project file dialog appears, al-
lowing you to specify a folder where all files relating to the 
new project will be stored. Select an existing folder or 
click the Create button to create a new folder.
New Library… (Cubase only)
Allows you to create a library – a stand-alone pool file that 
isn’t associated with a project. You will be asked to spec-
ify a project folder (where all files in the library will be 
stored). Libraries are excellent for storing files that you 
want access to in many different projects (sound effect 
collections, etc.).
Open…
This item opens a file dialog allowing you to locate and 
open saved project files. Cubase Project files have the ex-
tension “.cpr”. Several projects can be open at the same 
time, but only one can be active. The active project is indi-
cated by a blue button at the top left corner of the Project 
window.
Open Library… (Cubase only)
Allows you to open a library file (extension “.npl”). Libraries 
are stand-alone pool files that are not associated with 
projects. When you open a library, it will appear as a sep-
arate, additional pool window. To add files from the library 
to your project, use drag and drop.
Close
Closes the active window. If the Project window is active, 
the corresponding project will be closed.
Save
Saves any changes made to the project since you last 
saved. The Save command stores the project under its 
current name and location.
Save As…
Save As allows you to specify a new name and a new 
project folder for the project.  
						

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Menu Reference
Save Project to New Folder…
This item allows you to save the project into a new empty 
folder. It has some additional features that can be used for 
archiving purposes.
When a new empty folder has been selected, a dialog ap-
pears where you can change the name of the project and 
set the following options:
•You can choose to minimize audio files.
This will crop files based on the audio clips referenced in the project. As 
the clips used in the project may be references to much larger audio files, 
this can reduce the project size significantly.
You can apply Freeze Edits.
This will make all processing and applied effects permanent for clips.
You can choose to remove all unused files.
When you save a project to a new folder, all files relating to 
the project based on the options set will be saved in the 
new project folder. The contents of the original project 
folder will be left untouched. If you are absolutely certain 
that you do not have any further need for the original project 
files, you can delete them.
Save as Template…
You can save any project as a template. When you create 
a new project, the available templates are listed, allowing 
you to base the new project on the selected template.
Saved templates will contain everything that was in the 
original project, including clips and events.
Save Library… (Cubase only)
Saves the currently open and active library. Library files 
have the extension “.npl”.
Revert
This menu item allows you revert to the last saved version 
of a project. If any new audio files have been recorded 
since you last saved, you have the option of keeping or 
deleting these.
Page Setup…
This item opens the standard Page Setup dialog, used for 
deciding about paper formats etc., before printing a score. 
The item is only available when the Score Editor is open.
Print… 
Opens the standard Print dialog, allowing you to select 
which pages to print, how many copies of each etc. This 
item is only available when the Score Editor is open.
Import
Option Description
Audio File… This command lets you import audio files directly into a 
project. The imported file will be placed at the current 
cursor position of the selected audio track.
Audio CD… Opens the Import from Audio CD dialog where you can 
import audio from CDs. For details use the Help function 
in the dialog.
Video File… Opens a file dialog allowing you to import a video file 
onto the video track. You do not have to create a video 
track before importing, it is automatically created. The im-
ported video will be placed at the current cursor position.
Audio from 
Video File…Allows you to extract the audio from a video file on disk. 
The audio in the selected video file is extracted and con-
verted to a Wave file in the project’s Audio folder.
Cubase 
Mixmap… 
(Cubase only)Allows you to import Mixmaps – MIDI device control pan-
els created with earlier versions of Cubase. When im-
ported, Mixmaps are added to the Installed Devices list in 
the MIDI Device Manager.
MIDI File… You can import Standard MIDI Files of Type “0” (all data 
on single track) or Type “1” (data on several tracks). 
When you import, you can choose to import the file into 
the current project, or to create a new project.
Track Archive… 
(Cubase only)The Import Track Archive function lets you import tracks 
exported from another Cubase  (or Nuendo) project.
Tempo  Track Tempo track information (including time signature events) 
can be exported as a special xml file (file extension 
“.smt”). This menu item allows you to import a Tempo 
Track file exported from another Project. This will replace 
all tempo track data in the current project (although the 
operation can be undone if needed).
MusicXML… Allows you to import MusicXML files created with version 
1.1. This makes it possible to represent sheet music in 
Cubase. Note that there are some restrictions concern-
ing the parameters supported by Cubase.
OMF…
(Cubase only)Allows you to open an OMF file (Open Media Framework 
Interchange) and convert it to a Cubase project. 
						

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Menu Reference
Export
Replace Audio in Video File (Cubase only)
This lets you insert audio into a video file. If the video file 
already contains an audio track, this will be replaced by 
the audio you insert into it.
Cleanup…
The Cleanup function helps you to save hard disk space by 
locating unused files which you can delete in the project 
folders on your disk.
Preferences…
ÖUnder Mac OS X, the Preferences dialog is accessed 
from the Cubase menu.
The Preferences dialog contains various settings and op-
tions. The dialog has several pages that you access by se-
lecting items in the Explorer-like list on the left. To make 
settings without closing the dialog, use the Apply button.
Use the Help button in the dialog for information about the 
items on the selected page.
Key Commands…
The Key Commands dialog allows you to specify key com-
mands for virtually any Cubase function, as well as cus-
tomize existing key commands to your liking. Use the Help 
button in the dialog for information about the items in the 
dialog.
Recent Projects
This submenu provides shortcuts to the most recent 
projects you have been working with. The list is chrono-
logical with the most recent project at the top of the list.
Quit
ÖUnder Mac OS X, this item is accessed from the Cu-
base menu.
This quits the program. If there are any unsaved changes 
in an open project, you will have the option of keeping 
these or discarding them before the program quits.
Option Description
MIDI File… Allows you to export MIDI tracks as standard MIDI files.
MIDI Loop… Allows you to export MIDI loops (file extension “midiloop”) 
in Cubase. MIDI loops contain MIDI part information plus 
all settings that are saved in Instrument track presets.
Audio 
Mixdown…Allows you to mix down and export an output bus. In Cu-
base you can also export an audio track channel or any 
kind of audio channel in the mixer (including VST instru-
ment channels, effect return channels, Group channels 
and ReWire channels). The resulting mix is saved as a file 
on your hard disk, complete with effects, automation EQ 
etc., in one of several file formats.
Selected 
Tracks…
(Cubase only)This lets you export selected tracks from the current 
project, complete with contents, mixer settings, automa-
tion, effects etc. The exported tracks can then be im-
ported into other Cubase projects by selecting “Track 
Archive…” from the Import submenu. 
Tempo  Track Tempo track information (including time signature events) 
can be exported as a special xml file (file extension 
“.smt”), which can later be imported into another project.
Scores  Here you can export a score (in Page mode) as a picture, 
e. g. a Bitmap file.
MusicXML… This allows you to export MusicXML files. Note that there 
are some restrictions concerning the parameters sup-
ported by Cubase.
OMF… 
(Cubase only)Saves the active project as an OMF (Open Media Frame-
work Interchange) file. 
						

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Menu Reference
Edit menu
Undo/Redo
Cubase offers wide-ranging, multiple Undo, allowing you 
to undo virtually any action you perform.
To undo the last performed action, select Undo from the 
Edit menu, or use the corresponding key command (by 
default [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Z]).
If you select Undo again, the previously performed action will be undone, 
and so on.
To redo the last undone action, select Redo from the 
Edit menu, or use the corresponding key command (by 
default [Ctrl]/[Command]+[Shift]+[Z]).
Undone actions will be available for Redo until you perform another action 
(at which point the “Redo Stack” is cleared – see “History…” below).
History…
The Edit History window contains a graphic representa-
tion of the “Undo Stack” (the performed actions, with the 
most recent action at the top of the stack) and the “Redo 
Stack” (the undone actions, with the most recently un-
done action at the bottom of the stack). The two stacks 
are separated by a divider line.
The Edit History dialog allows you to undo or redo several 
actions in one go, by moving the divider between the Undo 
Stack and the Redo Stack (in essence, moving actions from 
the Undo Stack to the Redo Stack, or vice versa).
Cut/Copy/Paste
You can cut or copy selected events (or selection ranges) 
and paste them in again at the current cursor position on 
the original track(s).
Paste at Origin
This will paste an event at its original position, i.e. where it 
was originally cut or copied from.
Delete
This will delete all selected events.
Split at Cursor
This splits selected events at the cursor position. If no 
events are selected, all events on all tracks intersected by 
the cursor will be split.
Split Loop
This splits all events at the left and right locator positions.
Range
The items on the Range submenu have the following 
functions:
!You can specify how many levels of Undo should be 
available with the “Maximum Undo” setting on the 
General page in the Preferences on the File menu.
Option Description
Global Copy This copies everything in the selection range.
Cut Time Cuts out the selection range and moves it to the clip-
board. Events to the right of the removed range are 
moved to the left to fill out the gap.
Delete Time The selection range is removed and events to the right 
are moved to the left to fill out the gap.
Paste Time Pastes the clipboard data at the start position and track 
of the current selection. Existing events are moved to 
make room for the pasted data.
Paste Time 
at OriginPastes the clipboard data back at its original position. Ex-
isting events are moved to make room for the pasted 
data.
Split Splits any events or parts that are intersected by the se-
lection range, at the positions of the selection range 
edges.
Crop All events or parts that are partially within the selection 
range are cropped, that is sections outside the selection 
range are removed, leaving only events that are fully in-
side or outside the selection range.
Insert Silence Inserts empty track space at the start of the selection 
range. The length of the inserted silence equals the 
length of the selection range. Events to the right of the 
selection range start are moved to the right to “make 
room”. Events that are intersected by the selection range 
start are split, and the right section is moved to the right. 
						

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Menu Reference
Select
The items on this submenu have different functions, de-
pending on whether the regular event selection tool 
(Arrow tool) or the Range Selection tool is selected:
Event selectionRange selection
Option Description
All Selects all events in the window.
None Deselects all events.
Invert Inverts the selection status, so that all selected events 
are deselected and all events that were not selected are 
selected instead.
In Loop Selects all events that are partly or wholly between the 
left and right locator.
From Start to 
CursorSelects all events that begin to the left of the project cur-
sor.
From Cursor to 
EndSelects all events that end to the right of the project cur-
sor.
Equal Pitch - all 
OctavesSelects all MIDI notes (in MIDI editors only) that have the 
same pitch as the selected note (regardless of octave).
Equal Pitch - 
same OctaveSelects all MIDI notes (in MIDI editors only) that have the 
same pitch as the selected note (within the same octave).
Select Control-
lers in Note 
RangeSelects the MIDI controller data within range of the se-
lected notes.
All on Selected 
TracksSelects all events on the selected track.
Option Description
All In the Project window, this makes a selection that covers 
all tracks, from the start of the project to the end. In the 
Sample Editor, this selects the whole clip.
None Removes the current selection range.
In Loop Makes a selection between the left and right locator. In 
the Project window, the selection will span all tracks.
From Start to 
CursorMakes a selection from the start of the project to the 
project cursor. In the Project window, the selection will 
span all tracks.
From Cursor to 
EndMakes a selection from the project cursor to the end of 
the project. In the Project window, the selection will span 
all tracks.
Select Event This item (only available in the Sample Editor) selects the 
audio that is included in the edited event only.
All on selected 
tracksSelects all events on the selected track.
Left Selection 
Side to CursorMoves the left side of the current selection range to the 
project cursor position.
Right Selection 
Side to CursorMoves the right side of the current selection range to the 
project cursor position. 
						

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Menu Reference
Duplicate/Repeat…
Duplicate creates a copy of the selected event and 
places it directly after the original.
If several events are selected, all of these are copied “as one unit”, main-
taining the relative distance between the events.
Selecting “Repeat…” from the Edit menu opens a dia-
log, allowing you to create a number of copies (regular or 
shared) of the selected event(s).
This works just like the Duplicate function, except that you can specify 
the number of copies.
Fill Loop
This creates a number of copies starting at the left locator 
and ending at the right locator. The last copy is automati-
cally shortened to end at the right locator position.
Move to
The following functions are available from this submenu:
Convert to Real Copy
This creates a new version of a clip (that can be edited in-
dependently) and adds this to the Pool.
Group/Ungroup
You can group several events so that they are treated as a 
single unit, meaning that if you edit one of the grouped 
events, all other events in the group are affected as well.
Similarly, you can ungroup the events by selecting “Un-
group”.
Lock…/Unlock
If you want to make sure you don’t edit or move an event by 
accident, you can lock the selected event(s). Locking can 
affect one (or any combination) of the following properties:
To specify which of these properties should be affected 
by the Lock function, use the “Lock Event Attributes” pop-
up menu in the Preferences (Editing page).
Selecting locked events and choosing “Unlock” will un-
lock the events.
Mute/Unmute
You can mute (silence) events by selecting them and se-
lecting “Mute”.
Similarly, you can unmute the selected events by selecting 
“Unmute”.
Project Logical Editor
This opens the Project Logical Editor, where you can per-
form advanced “search and replace” operations on project 
level.
Process Project Logical Editor
This submenu contains various presets for use with the 
Project Logical Editor.
Option Description
Cursor Moves the selected event to the project cursor position. If 
there are several selected events on the same track, the 
first event will start at the cursor, and the following will be 
lined up end-to-start after the first one.
Origin Moves the selected events to their original positions, i.e. 
the positions at which they were originally recorded.
Front/
BackThis function doesn’t actually change the position of the 
events, but moves the selected events to the front or 
back, respectively. This is useful if you have overlapping 
events and want to see one that is partially obscured.
For audio events, this is an extra important feature, since 
only the visible sections of events will be played back. 
Moving an obscured audio event to front (or moving the 
obscuring event to back) will allow you to hear the whole 
event on playback.
Note that it is also possible to use the “Front” function on 
the event context menu for this (although this works in a 
different way).
Option Description
Position If this is locked, the event cannot be moved.
Size If this is locked, the event cannot be resized.
Other If this is locked, all other editing of the event is disabled. 
This includes adjusting the fades and event volume, pro-
cessing, etc. 
						

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Menu Reference
Automation follows Events
This option can also be activated in the Preferences (Edit-
ing page). It is, however, also available on the Edit menu 
for quick activation and deactivation. When activated, au-
tomation events will automatically follow when you move 
an event or part on a track that contains automation for 
them. I.e. the automation events that affect an event will be 
moved along with it rather than remain in a specific posi-
tion in the project.
Auto Select Events under Cursor
This option can also be activated in the Preferences (Edit-
ing page). It is however also available on the Edit menu for 
quick activation and deactivation. When activated, all 
events on the selected track(s) that are “touched” by the 
project cursor are automatically selected.
Enlarge Selected Tracks
This option can also be activated in the Preferences (Edit-
ing – Project & Mixer page). When activated, the selected 
tracks in the Project Window are automatically enlarged in 
height.
Zoom
The following options are available on the Zoom submenu 
on the Edit menu:
Macros
If you have created Macros, these will be available on the 
Macros submenu. A Macro is a combination of several 
functions or commands, to be performed in one go. Mac-
ros are set up in the Key Commands dialog.
Project menu
Add Track
Select a track type from the Add Track submenu to add a 
new track. The “Browse Sounds…” option opens a dialog 
in which you can search for track presets or VST presets.
Duplicate Tracks
This will create a duplicate (copy) of the selected track.
Remove Selected Tracks
This will remove all selected tracks and any parts or events 
on them from the Project window.
Remove Empty Tracks
This will remove all tracks not containing any events.
Option Description
Zoom In Zooms in one step, centering on the position cursor.
Zoom Out Zooms out one step, centering on the position cursor.
Zoom  Full Zooms out so that the whole project is visible. “The whole 
project” means the timeline from the project start to the 
Length set in the Project Setup dialog.
Zoom to 
SelectionZooms in both horizontally and vertically so that the cur-
rent selection fills the screen.
Zoom to 
Selection 
(Horiz.)Zooms in horizontally so that the current selection fills the 
screen.
Zoom to Event This option is available only in the Sample Editor.
Zoom In Vertical Zooms in one step vertically.
Zoom Out 
VerticalZooms out one step vertically.
Zoom In 
TracksZooms in selected track(s) one step vertically.
Zoom Out 
TracksZooms out selected track(s) one step vertically.
Zoom Selected 
TracksThis zooms in vertically on the selected track(s) and min-
imizes the height of all other tracks.
Undo/Redo 
ZoomUndo lets you undo the last performed zoom action, and 
redo lets you redo the last undone zoom action. How 
many levels of undo is available for zoom actions is the 
same as for “regular” undo, as set on the General page in 
the Preferences. Option Description