Steinberg Cubase 4 Plug In Reference Manual
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Original manual by Anders Nordmark Revision: Cristina Bachmann, Heiko Bischoff, Marion Bröer, 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 and may not be copied to other media except as specifically allowed in the License Agreement. No part of this publica- tion may be copied, reproduced or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior written permission by Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. All product and company names are ™ or ® trademarks of their respective owners. Windows XP is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Windows Vista is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The Mac logo is a trademark used under license. Macintosh and Power Macintosh are registered trademarks. Release Date: October 19, 2007 © Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH, 2007. All rights reserved.
4 Table of Contents 5The included effect plug-ins 6Introduction 6Delay plug-ins 9Distortion plug-ins 10Dynamics plug-ins 19EQ plug-ins 21Filter plug-ins 25Mastering – UV 22 HR (Cubase only) 25Modulation plug-ins 32Other plug-ins 34Restoration plug-ins 34Reverb plug-ins 36Spatial plug-ins 37Surround plug-ins (Cubase only) 37Tools plug-ins 41The included VST Instruments 42Introduction 42Prologue 42Sound parameters 47Modulation and controllers 52Spector (Cubase only) 52Sound parameters 54Modulation and controllers 60Mystic (Cubase only) 60Sound parameters 62Modulation and controllers 67HALionOne 69Embracer – Surround Pad Synthesizer (Cubase only) 71Monologue – Monophonic Analog Modeling Synthesizer (Cubase only) 73Diagrams 75MIDI effects 76Introduction 76Arpache 5 77Arpache SX 78Autopan 79Chorder 80Compress 81Context Gate 82Density 82Micro Tuner 82MIDIControl 83MIDIEcho 84Note to CC 85Quantizer 85Step Designer 87Track Control 89Track FX 89Transformer 90Index
6 The included effect plug-ins Introduction This chapter contains descriptions of the included plug-in effects and their parameters. In Cubase, the plug-in effects are arranged in a number of different categories. This chapter is arranged in the same fashion, with the plug-ins listed in separate sections for each effect category. ÖMost of the included effects are compatible with VST3, this is indicated by an icon in front of the name of the plug-in as displayed in plug-in selection menus (for further information, see the chapter “Audio Effects” in the Operation Manual). Delay plug-ins This section contains descriptions of the plug-ins in the “Delay” category. ModMachine (Cubase only) ModMachine combines delay modulation and filter fre- quency/resonance modulation and can provide many in- teresting modulation effects. It also features a Drive parameter for distortion effects. The parameters are as follows: Parameter Description Delay This is where you specify the base note value for the de- lay if tempo sync is on (1/1–1/32, straight, triplet or dot- ted). If tempo sync is off, the delay time can be set freely in milliseconds. Tempo sync Delay on/offThe button below the Delay knob turns tempo sync for the delay parameter on or off. If set to off, the delay time can be set freely with the Delay knob. Rate The Rate parameter sets the base note value for tempo syncing the delay modulation (1/1 to 1/32, straight, triplet or dotted). If tempo sync is off, the rate can be set freely with the Rate knob. Tempo sync Rate on/offThe button below the Rate knob turns tempo sync for the rate parameter on or off. If set to off, the rate can be set freely with the Rate knob. Width This sets the amount of delay pitch modulation. Note that although the modulation affects the delay time, the sound is mostly perceived as a vibrato or chorus-like effect. Feedback This sets the number of repeats for the delay. Drive This parameter adds distortion to the feeback loop. The longer the Feedback, the more the delay repeats become distorted over time. Mix Sets the level balance between the dry signal and the ef- fect. If ModMachine is used as a send effect, this should be set to maximum (100 %) as you can control the dry/ef- fect balance with the send. Nudge Clicking the Nudge button once will momentarily speed up the audio coming into the plug-in, simulating an ana- log tape nudge type sound effect. Signal path graphicYou can click on the Filter sections displayed in the graphic in the center of the plug-in to place the Filter sec- tion either before or after the Drive and Feedback para- meters in the signal path. Output/Loop The Filter can either be placed in the feedback loop of the delay or in its output path (see above). Filter type This toggle button allows you to select a filter type. Low- pass/bandpass/hipass filter types are available. Freq This sets the cutoff frequency for the filter. This is avail- able only, if filter frequency LFO tempo sync is deacti- vated and the Speed parameter (see below) is set to “0. Speed This sets the speed of the filter frequency LFO modula- tion. If tempo sync is activated the Speed parameter sets the base note value for tempo syncing the modulation (1/ 1 to 1/32, straight, triplet or dotted). If tempo sync is off, the rate can be set freely with the Speed knob.
7 The included effect plug-ins MonoDelay This is a mono delay effect that can either be tempo-based or use freely specified delay time settings. The delay can also be controlled from another signal source via the Side- Chain input. The parameters are as follows: Range Lo/Hi These knobs specify the range (in Hz) of the filter fre- quency modulation. Both positive (e.g. Lo set to 50 and Hi set to 10000) and negative (e.g. Lo set to 5000 and Hi set to 500) ranges can be set. If tempo sync is off and the Speed is set to zero, these parameters are inactive and the filter frequency is instead controlled by the Freq parameter. Spatial This introduces an offset between the channels to create a stereo panorama effect for the filter frequency modula- tion. Turn clockwise for a more pronounced stereo effect. Q-Factor This controls the resonance of the filter. This is available only, if filter resonance LFO tempo sync is deactivated and the Speed parameter (see below) is set to “0. If tempo sync is on, the resonance is controlled by the Speed and Range parameters. Speed This sets the speed of the filter resonance LFO modula- tion. If tempo sync is activated, the Speed parameter sets the base note value for tempo syncing the modulation (1/1 to 1/32, straight, triplet or dotted). If tempo sync is off, the rate can be set freely with the Speed knob. Range Lo/Hi These knobs specify the range of filter resonance modu- lation. Both positive (e.g. Lo set to 50 and Hi set to 100) and negative (e.g. Lo set to 100 and Hi set to 50) ranges can be set. If tempo sync is off and the Speed is set to zero, these parameters are inactive and the filter reso- nance is controlled by the Q-Factor parameter instead. Spatial This introduces an offset between the channels to create a stereo panorama effect for the filter resonance modula- tion. Turn clockwise for a more pronounced stereo effect. Parameter Description Parameter Description Delay This is where you specify the base note value for the delay if tempo sync is on (1/1–1/32, straight, triplet or dotted). If tempo sync is off, it sets the delay time in milliseconds. Tempo sync on/offThe button below the Delay Time knob is used to turn tempo sync on or off. If set to off, the delay time can be set freely with the Delay Time knob, without sync to tempo. Feedback This sets the number of repeats for the delay. Filter Lo This filter affects the feedback loop of the effect signal and allows you to roll off low frequencies from 10 Hz up to 800 Hz. The button below the knob activates/deacti- vates the filter. Filter Hi This filter affects the feedback loop of the effect signal and allows you to roll off high frequencies from 20 kHz down to 1.2 kHz. The button below the knob activates/ deactivates the filter. Mix Sets the level balance between the dry signal and the ef- fect. If MonoDelay is used as a send effect, this should be set to maximum as you can control the dry/effect balance with the send. Side-Chain on/offWhen this is activated, the delay can be controlled by a signal routed to the Side-Chain input. When the side- chain signal exceeds the threshhold the delay repeats are silenced. When the signal drops below the threshold the delay repeats reappear. For a description of how to set up Side-Chain routing, see the chapter “Audio effects” in the Operation Manual.
8 The included effect plug-ins PingPongDelay This is a stereo delay effect that alternates each delay re- peat between the left and right channels. The effect can either be tempo-based or use freely specified delay time settings. The parameters are as follows: StereoDelay StereoDelay has two independent delay lines which either use tempo-based or freely specified delay time settings. The parameters are as follows: Parameter Description Delay This is where you specify the base note value for the delay if tempo sync is on (1/1–1/32, straight, triplet or dotted). If tempo sync is off, it sets the delay time in milliseconds. Tempo sync on/offThe button below the Delay Time knob is used to turn tempo sync on or off. If set to off, the delay time can be set freely with the Delay Time knob, without sync to tempo. Feedback This sets the number of repeats for the delay. Filter Lo This filter affects the feedback loop and allows you to roll off low frequencies up to 800 Hz. The button below the knob activates/deactivates the filter. Filter Hi This filter affects the feedback loop and allows you to roll off high frequencies from 20 kHz down to 1.2 kHz. The button below the knob activates/deactivates the filter. Spatial This parameter sets the stereo width for the left/right re- peats. Turn clockwise for a more pronounced stereo “ping-pong” effect. Mix Sets the level balance between the dry signal and the ef- fect. If PingPongDelay is used as a send effect, this should be set to maximum as you can control the dry/ef- fect balance with the send. Side-Chain on/offWhen this is activated, the delay can be controlled by a signal routed to the Side-Chain input. When the side- chain signal exceeds the threshhold, the delay repeats are silenced. When the signal drops below the threshold, the delay repeats reappear. For a description of how to set up Side-Chain routing, see the chapter “Audio effects” in the Operation Manual. Parameter Description Delay 1 This is where you specify the base note value for the delay, if tempo sync is on (1/1–1/32, straight, triplet or dotted). If tempo sync is off, it sets the delay time in milliseconds. Delay 2 As above. Tempo sync on/offThe buttons below each respective Delay knob are used to turn tempo sync on or off for the respective delay. If set to off, the delay time can be set freely with the Delay Time knobs. Feedback 1 & 2This sets the number of repeats for each delay. Filter Lo This filter affects the feedback loop and allows you to roll off low frequencies up to 800 Hz. The button below the knob activates/deactivates the filter. Filter Hi This filter affects the feedback loop and allows you to roll off high frequencies from 20 kHz down to 1.2 kHz. The button below the knob activates/deactivates the filter. Pan1 & 2 This sets the stereo position for each delay. Mix Sets the level balance between the dry signal and the ef- fect. If StereoDelay is used as a send effect, this should be set to maximum (100 %) as you can control the dry/ef- fect balance with the send. Side-Chain on/offWhen this is activated, the delay can be controlled by a signal routed to the Side-Chain input. When the side- chain signal exceeds the threshhold, the delay repeats are silenced. When the signal drops below the threshold, the delay repeats reappear. For a description of how to set up Side-Chain routing, see the chapter “Audio ef- fects” in the Operation Manual.
9 The included effect plug-ins Distortion plug-ins This section contains descriptions of the plug-ins in the “Distortion” category. AmpSimulator AmpSimulator is a distortion effect, emulating the sound of various types of guitar amp and speaker cabinet combi- nations. A wide selection of amp and cabinet models is available. The parameters are as follows: DaTube This effect emulates the characteristic warm, lush sound of a tube amplifier. The parameters are as follows: Distortion Distortion will add crunch to your tracks. The parameters are as follows: Parameter Description Drive Governs the amount of amp overdrive. Bass Tone control for the low frequencies. Middle Tone control for the mid frequencies. Treble Tone control for the high frequencies. Presence Use this to boost or damp the higher frequencies. Volume This controls the overall output level. Amplifier This allows you to select between various amplifier mod- els. Click on the currently selected amplifier name to open a pop-up with all the available amplifier models. This section can be bypassed by selecting “No Amp. Cabinet Various speaker cabinet models. Click on the currently selected cabinet name to open a pop-up with all the available amplifier models.This section can be bypassed by selecting “No Speaker. Damping Lo/Hi Further tone controls for shaping the sound of the se- lected speaker cabinet. Click on the values, enter a new value and press the [Enter] key. Parameter Description Drive Regulates the pre-gain of the “amplifier”. Use high values if you want an overdriven sound just on the verge of distortion. Balance This controls the balance between the signal processed by the Drive parameter and the dry input signal. For max- imum drive effect, set this to its highest value. Output Adjusts the post-gain, or output level, of the “amplifier”. Parameter Description Drive Increases the distortion amount. Feedback This parameter feeds part of the output signal back to the effect input, increasing the distortion effect. Tone Lets you select a frequency range to which to apply the distortion effect. Spatial Changes the distortion characteristics of the left and right channel, thus creating a stereo effect. Output Raises or lowers the signal going out of the effect.
10 The included effect plug-ins SoftClipper (Cubase only) This effect adds soft overdrive, with independent control over the second and third harmonic. The parameters are as follows: Dynamics plug-ins This section contains descriptions of the plug-ins in the “Dynamics” category. Compressor Compressor reduces the dynamic range of the audio, making softer sounds louder or louder sounds softer, or both. Compressor features separate controls for thres- hold, ratio, attack, hold, release and make-up gain para- meters. Compressor features a separate display that graphically illustrates the compressor curve shaped ac- cording to the Threshold and Ratio parameter settings. Compressor also features a Gain Reduction meter that shows the amount of gain reduction in dB, Soft knee/Hard knee compression modes and a program-dependent Auto feature for the Release parameter. The available parameters work as follows:Parameter Description Input Regulates the pre-gain. Use high values if you want an overdriven sound just on the verge of distortion. Mix Setting Mix to 0 means that no processed signal is added to the original signal. Output Adjusts the post-gain, or output level. Second This allows you to adjust the amount of the second har- monic in the processed signal. Third This allows you to adjust the amount of the third harmonic in the processed signal. Parameter Description Threshold (-60 to 0 dB)This setting determines the level where Compressor “kicks in”. Signal levels above the set threshold are affected, but signal levels below are not processed. Ratio (1:1 to 8:1)Ratio determines the amount of gain reduction applied to signals over the set threshold. A ratio of 3:1 means that for every 3 dB the input level increases, the output level will in- crease by only 1 dB. Soft Knee (On/Off)If this is off, signals above the threshold will be compressed instantly according to the set ratio (hard knee). When Soft Knee is activated, the onset of compression will be more gradual, producing a less drastic result. Make-up (0–24 dB or “Auto mode)This parameter is used to compensate for output gain loss, caused by compression. If the Auto button is activated, the knob becomes dark and the output is instead automatically adjusted for gain loss.