Steinberg Cubase 7 User Manual

161
The transpose functions
Introduction
Cubase offers transpose functions for audio, MIDI and instrument parts and for audio 
events. These allow you to create variations of your music or change the harmonics of 
an entire project or separate sections. 
Transpose can be applied on three levels:
•To the entire project
By changing the project Root Key in the Project window toolbar, the whole project 
will be transposed (see 
“Transposing an entire project with the root key” on page 
161). 
•To sections of...

162
The transpose functionsTransposing your music
If the events already contain root key information
Let’s say you want to create a project based on loops. Proceed as follows:
1.Open the MediaBay and drag some loops into an empty project, see “Inserting the 
files into the project” on page 402.
For this example, import audio loops with different root keys.
2.Open the Root Key pop-up menu in the Project window toolbar and set the project 
root key.
If the Root Key pop-up menu is not visible, right-click...

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The transpose functionsTransposing your music
Proceed as follows:
1.Open the Project menu and select “Transpose” from the Add Track submenu (or 
right-click the track list select the corresponding option from the context menu). 
A transpose track is created. You can only have one transpose track in a project.
2.Set the project to the desired root key by selecting the corresponding option from 
the Root Key pop-up menu in the Project window toolbar.
3.Right-click the transpose track in the track list...

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The transpose functionsTransposing your music
To check or change the root key setting of a MIDI part, proceed as follows:
1.Select your MIDI part in the Project window and check the Project window info 
line.
A MIDI part 
with the root 
key set to “D”
2.Click on the root key value in the info line to open the corresponding pop-up menu 
and select the desired root key.
Transposing separate sections of a project using transpose events
Sometimes you may want to transpose only certain sections of your...

165
The transpose functionsOther functions
5.Play back your project.
The parts of your project on the same position as the transpose events will be 
transposed according to the specified transpose values.
ÖYou can also transpose the whole project using the transpose track. This is useful if 
your singer does not reach a certain pitch, for example. You could then transpose the 
whole project by -2 semitones, for example. Always remember to verify that the 
“Global Transpose” setting for drums and...

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The transpose functionsOther functions
The Global Transpose setting
If you are working with drum and percussion loops or special effects (FX) loops, you 
will want to exclude these from being transposed. This can be achieved by locking 
them using the Global Transpose setting. Proceed as follows:
1.Open your project.
2.Select the desired event or part and set the “Global Transpose” setting on the info 
line to “Independent”.
A symbol will be displayed in the upper right corner of the selected part or...

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The transpose functionsOther functions
Locking the transpose track
If you want to prevent your transpose events from being changed by mistake, activate 
the Lock button on the transpose track. This way, you will not be able to move your 
transpose events or change their transpose values.
Muting transpose events
Sometimes it might be useful to disable the transpose track, e. g. to hear the original 
sound of individual tracks. If you activate the mute button on the transpose track, your 
transpose...

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The transpose functionsOther functions
3.Make sure that the “Keep Transpose in Octave Range” button is activated on the 
transpose track and change the transpose value of the transpose event to 7.
Your chord will be transposed accordingly.
If you enter a transpose value of 7, your chord will be transposed by seven semitones 
upwards. In this example, this would be G3/B3/D4.
4.Set the transpose value to 8 semitones.
As “Keep Transpose in Octave Range” is activated, your chord will now be 
transposed...

169
Using markers
Introduction
Markers are used to locate certain positions quickly. If you often find yourself jumping 
to a specific position within a project, you should insert a marker at this position. You 
can also use markers to make range selections (see 
“Using markers to make range 
selections in the Project window” on page 175) or for zooming (see “Zooming to 
cycle markers” on page 170). Markers are located on the marker track.
There are two types of markers: position markers and cycle...

170
Using markersThe Marker window
Editing cycle markers using tools
Cycle markers can be edited on marker tracks using the following tools (Snap is taken 
into account):
In the Marker window, you can open the Functions pop-up menu and select the “Set 
marker start to cursor” and “Set marker end to cursor” options to set the start or end 
of the selected cycle marker in the marker list to the cursor position. 
Zooming to cycle markers
•When you select a cycle marker on the Zoom pop-up menu, the event...