Steinberg Cubase 6 Quick Start Guide

							11 — Introduction
HALion Sonic SE
This document describes the features and parameters of the included VST 
instrument HALion Sonic SE.
Remote Control Devices
This document lists the supported MIDI remote control devices.
Menu Reference
This document provides a list of all menus and their options with a brief 
description, for quick reference.
The dialog help
To get information about the active dialog, click its Help button.
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							Introduction — 12
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About the program versions
The documentation covers two program versions, Cubase and Cubase Artist, 
for two different operating systems or “platforms”, Windows and Mac OS X.
Some features described in the documentation are only applicable to the 
Cubase version. Whenever this is the case, it is clearly indicated in the heading 
of the related subject.
In some cases the difference between the five available versions of Cubase is 
not the presence or absence of a feature, but rather how often an element (e.
 g. 
a certain track type) can be used in a project:
* This determines the number of input and output busses that can be defined in the VST Connec-
tions window (256 I/Os equal 128 stereo or 256 mono busses, for example). Maximum  
number ofCubase Cubase
ArtistCubase
ElementsCubase AI Cubase LE
Audio tracks unlimited 64 48 32 16
MID tracks unlimited 128 64 48 24
Instrument tracks unlimited 32 24 16 8
VST instrument 
slots64 32 16 8 0
Group channels 256 32 16 8 8
FX channels 64 64 8 4 4
Audio channel 
insert slots8884 4
Audio channel 
send slots8884 4
MIDI inserts/
sends4400 0
Physical I/Os* 256 32 24 16 8
Max. audio  
resolution192 kHz 96 kHz 96 kHz 96 kHz 96 kHz
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							13 — Introduction
Some features and settings are also specific to one of the platforms. This is 
clearly stated in the applicable cases. If nothing else is said, all descriptions 
and procedures in the documentation are valid for both Windows and Mac 
OS
 X. 
The screenshots are taken from the Windows version of Cubase.
Key command conventions
Many of the default key commands in Cubase use modifier keys, some of which 
are different depending on the operating system. For example, the default key 
command for Undo is [Ctrl]-[Z] under Windows and [Command]-[Z] under Mac 
OS X.
When key commands with modifier keys are described in this manual, they are 
shown with the Windows modifier key first, in the following way:
[Win modifier key]/[Mac modifier key]-[key]
For example, [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Z] means “press [Ctrl] under Windows or 
[Command] under Mac OS X, then press [Z]”. 
Similarly, [Alt]/[Option]-[X] means “press [Alt] under Windows or [Option] 
under Mac OS X, then press [X]”.
ÖThis manual often refers to right-clicking, for example, to open context 
menus. If you are using a Mac with a single-button mouse, hold down [Ctrl] and 
click.
How you can reach us
On the Help menu in Cubase you will find items for getting additional informa-
tion and help.
The menu contains links to various Steinberg web pages. Selecting a menu 
item automatically launches your browser and opens the page. On these pages 
you can find support and compatibility information, answers to frequently asked 
questions, information about updates and other Steinberg products, etc. This 
requires that you have a web browser installed on your computer, and a work
-
ing Internet connection.
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2
System requirements and installation
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							15 — System requirements and installation
About this chapter
In this chapter the requirements and installation procedures for the Windows 
version and the Mac version of Cubase are described.
Minimum requirements
To use Cubase (32-bit or 64-bit version), your computer must meet the follow-
ing minimum requirements:
Windows
• Windows 7 (32-bit or 64-bit)
• Intel or AMD dual-core processor
•2 GB RAM
•8 GB of free hard-disk space
• Windows-compatible audio hardware (ASIO-compatible audio hardware recom-
mended for low-latency performance)
• Display resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels recommended
• USB port for USB-eLicenser (license management)
• DVD ROM dual-layer drive required for installation
• QuickTime 7.1 and video card supporting OpenGL 1.2 (OpenGL 2.0 recommended)
• Internet connection required for license activation
Mac OS X
• Mac OS X 10.6 (32-bit or 64-bit)
•Intel dual-core processor
•2 GB RAM
•8 GB of free hard-disk space
• CoreAudio compatible audio hardware
• Display resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels recommended
• USB port for USB-eLicenser (license management)
• DVD ROM dual-layer drive required for installation
• Video card supporting OpenGL 1.2 (OpenGL 2.0 recommended)
• Internet connection required for license activation
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Starting Cubase 64-bit on a 64-bit Mac OS X system
When you install Cubase on a 64-bit Mac OS X system, the program is set to 
start in 32-bit mode.
•To start Cubase in 64-bit mode, right-click the application symbol in the Mac 
OS X Finder, select “Get Info” and deactivate the “Open in 32-bit mode” 
option in the dialog that appears.
General notes on how to set up your system
•RAM – There is a direct relation between the amount of available RAM and 
the number of audio channels that you can have running. 
The amount of RAM specified above is the minimum requirement, but as a general rule “the more 
the better” applies.
•Hard-disk size – The size of the hard disk determines how many minutes of 
audio you will be able to record. 
Recording one minute of stereo CD quality audio requires 10 MB of hard-disk space. That is, eight 
stereo tracks in Cubase use up at least 80 MB of disk space per recording minute.
•Hard-disk speed – The speed of the hard drive also determines the number 
of audio tracks you can run.
That is the quantity of information that the hard disk can read, usually expressed as “sustained 
transfer rate”. Again, “the more the better” applies.
•Wheel mouse – Although a mouse without a wheel will work fine with 
Cubase, we recommend that you use a wheel mouse.
This will speed up value editing and scrolling considerably. 
MIDI requirements
If you intend to use the MIDI features of Cubase, you need the following:
• A USB MIDI keyboard or a MIDI instrument and a MIDI interface to connect external 
MIDI equipment to your computer
• Any audio equipment required to listen to the sound from your MIDI devices
!On the Steinberg web site, under “Support–DAW Components”, you can 
find detailed information on what to consider when setting up a computer 
system dedicated to audio work.
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							17 — System requirements and installation
Audio requirements
In music production it is very important to work with low latencies. Therefore it is 
strongly recommended to use a dedicated ASIO audio interface. Although 
Cubase can run with many audio cards that are installed in a computer, they 
might not offer you low enough latencies. For an overview of the audio hardware 
offered by Steinberg, see http://www.steinberg.net/products/hardware.html.
Cubase will run with audio hardware that meets the following specifications:
•Stereo.
• 16 bit.
• Support of at least the 44.1kHz sampling rate.
• Windows – If there is no dedicated ASIO driver available, you can also use the 
Generic Low Latency ASIO Driver.
• Mac – The audio hardware must be supplied with Mac OS X-compatible drivers 
(CoreAudio or ASIO). 
Using the built-in audio hardware of Macintosh computers
Although Cubase is designed with multi-channel input and output in mind, it is 
of course possible to use the program with “basic” stereo inputs and outputs. 
All current Macintosh models provide at least built-in 16 bit stereo audio hard-
ware. For detailed information, refer to the documentation describing your 
computer.
Depending on your preferences and requirements, using the built-in audio 
hardware may be sufficient for use with Cubase. It is always available for selec-
tion in Cubase – you do not have to install any additional drivers.
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Installing Cubase
Copy protection
Many Steinberg products use the USB-eLicenser (also referred to as a “don-
gle”), a hardware copy protection device.
The USB-eLicenser is a USB device on which your Steinberg software licenses 
are stored. All hardware-protected Steinberg products use the same type of 
device, and you can store more than one license on one device. Also, licenses 
can (within certain limits) be transferred between USB-eLicensers – which is 
helpful, e. g., if you want to sell a piece of software. 
In the eLicenser Control Center (which can be found on the Start menu on 
Windows systems or in the Applications folder on a Mac) you can check which 
licenses are installed on your USB-eLicenser. 
ÖIf you are using other copy-protected Steinberg products, you may want to 
transfer all licenses for your applications to only one USB-eLicenser, thus 
using up only one USB port of your computer. Please refer to the eLicenser 
Control Center Help for information on how to transfer licenses between USB-
eLicensers.
Cubase is sold with a USB-eLicenser and an activation code. The USB-eLicen-
ser contains a time-limited license that allows you to use Cubase out-of-the-box 
for a total of 25 non-consecutive hours.
!Please read the following section before installing Cubase.
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							19 — System requirements and installation
However, to be able to make unlimited use of your version of Cubase, you must 
activate your permanent license (see 
“License activation” on page 20).
Steinberg software products always come with a license activation code, but 
not always with an USB-eLicenser:
•If you want to activate a license for such a Steinberg software (e. g. an 
update/upgrade, or a VSTi) and store this license on the USB-eLicenser you 
received with your original version of Cubase, click the “Enter Activation Code” 
button in the eLicenser Control Center and follow the instructions.
More information on the transfer or activation of licenses can be found in the 
help for the eLicenser Control Center.
Starting the installation
The installation procedure puts all files in the right places, automatically.
Depending on your system, the Start Center program on the DVD may start 
automatically. If no interactive start center appears, open the DVD and double-
click the file “Start_Center.exe” (Win) or “Start_Center.app” (Mac). From the 
Start Center you can initiate the installation of Cubase and browse through the 
additional options and information presented there.
In case you do not want to install Cubase via the interactive Start Center, fol-
low the procedure below.
Windows
1.Double-click the file “Setup.exe”.
2.Follow the instructions on screen.
Macintosh
1.Double-click the file “Cubase 6.mpkg”.
2.Follow the instructions on screen.
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License activation
When you start Cubase, a dialog opens that informs you for how many hours 
you can still use the trial version. This dialog also contains an option to launch 
the license activation process:
1.Make sure that your USB-eLicenser is connected to a USB port on your 
computer.
2.Click the “Start License Activation” button.
A dialog opens, allowing you to enter your activation code and download your permanent license.
Register your software
We encourage you to register your software! By doing so you are entitled to 
technical support and kept aware of updates and other news regarding 
Cubase.
•To register your software, open the Help menu in Cubase and select the 
Registration option.
The Registration page of the Steinberg web site opens in your web browser. Continue by following 
the instructions on screen.
ÖYou can also directly go to www.steinberg.net/mysteinberg, log in to the 
exclusive MySteinberg online customer portal and register your product by fol
-
lowing the instructions on screen.
Hardware installation
Installing the audio hardware and its driver
1.Install the audio hardware and related equipment in the computer, as 
described in the hardware documentation.
2.Install the driver for the audio hardware.
A driver is a piece of software that allows a program to communicate with a certain piece of hard-
ware. In this case, the driver allows Cubase to use the audio hardware. Depending on the operat-
ing system of your computer, there are different types of drivers that can be used. 
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