Steinberg Cubase 7 User Manual

251
Audio effectsInstalling and managing effect plug-ins
Exporting plug-in information files
You can also save plug-in information as an XML file, e. g. for archiving purposes or 
troubleshooting. The Export function is available for VST, MIDI and Audio Codec plug-
ins. Proceed as follows:
1.Right-click on the desired tab in the Plug-in Information window to open the 
context menu and select “Export”.
A file dialog opens.
2.In the dialog, specify a name and location for the Plug-in Information export...

252
VST instruments and instrument tracks
Introduction
VST instruments are software synthesizers (or other sound sources) that are 
contained within Cubase. They are played internally via MIDI. You can add effects or 
EQ to VST instruments, just as with audio tracks.
Some VST instruments are included with Cubase, others can be purchased 
separately from Steinberg and other manufacturers. 
This chapter describes the general procedures for setting up and using VST 
instruments. The included VST instruments...

253
VST instruments and instrument tracksVST instrument channels
3.You will be asked if you want to create an associated MIDI track connected to the 
VST instrument. Click Create.
The instrument is loaded and activated, and its control panel opens. A MIDI track 
with the name of the instrument is added to the track list. The output of this track is 
routed to the instrument.
4.If you now look in the Project window track list, you will find that a dedicated folder 
for the chosen instrument has been...

254
VST instruments and instrument tracksVST instrument channels
9.Play the VST instrument from your MIDI keyboard.
You can use the MixConsole settings to adjust the sound, add EQ or effects, etc., 
just as with regular audio channels. Of course, you can also record or manually 
create MIDI parts that play back sounds from the VST instrument.
•VST instrument channels give you full access to multitimbral instruments.
You can have several MIDI tracks routed to the VST instrument, each playing a 
different...

255
VST instruments and instrument tracksInstrument tracks
•The On/Off button is used to activate or deactivate the VST instrument.
When an instrument is selected from the instrument pop-up menu, it is activated 
automatically, i.
 e. the On/Off button is lit.
For some instruments you may also bypass the instrument by clicking the Bypass 
button to the right of the On/Off button.
•Click the Edit (“e”) button to open the control panel for the VST instrument. 
•Below the Edit button is a small LED that...

256
VST instruments and instrument tracksInstrument tracks
•To open the control panel for the VST instrument, click the “Edit Instrument” 
button in the Inspector.
•As with MIDI tracks, you can perform the usual MIDI editing procedures on the 
instrument track, like duplicate, split, or repeat the track, drag and drop the MIDI 
parts of an instrument track, etc. For more information, see the chapter 
“MIDI 
realtime parameters and effects” on page 449.
•As with the MIDI track inspector and track...

257
VST instruments and instrument tracksInstrument tracks
Proceed as follows:
1.Open the MediaBay window via the Media menu.
2.In the Results section, open the “Select Media Types” dialog and select “MIDI 
Loops & Plug-in Presets” (see 
“Filtering according to media type” on page 399).
This is not necessary, but will help you locate your MIDI loops more quickly.
3.In the Results list, select a MIDI loop and drag it to an empty section in the Project 
window.
An instrument track is created and the...

258
VST instruments and instrument tracksWhat do I need? Instrument channel or instrument track?
What do I need? Instrument channel or instrument track?
•If you need a particular sound without knowing which VST instrument to use, 
create an instrument track and use the preview features of the Presets browser to 
find the sound you want.
•Do likewise if the instrument track restrictions described above do not matter.
•If you are planning to create an instrument track preset, complete with inserts and 
EQ...

259
VST instruments and instrument tracksInstrument Freeze
3.Click the Freeze button for the VST instrument (the button to the left of the VST 
instrument slot), or the Freeze button in the Inspector for the instrument track.
The Freeze Instrument Options dialog opens with the following options for the Freeze 
operation:
•Select “Freeze Instrument Only” if you do not want to freeze any insert effects for 
the VST instrument channels.
Use this if you are using insert effects on the VST instrument...

260
VST instruments and instrument tracksVST instruments and processor load
Unfreezing
If you need to make adjustments (either to the MIDI tracks, to the VST instrument 
parameters or to the VST instrument channels if these were frozen) you need to 
unfreeze the VST instrument:
1.Click the Freeze button for the VST instrument again (either in the VST Instruments 
window or in the Inspector).
You will be asked to confirm this operation.
2.Click “Unfreeze”.
The tracks and VST instrument are restored and...