Steinberg Cubase 7 User Manual

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Fades, crossfades, and envelopesEvent envelopes
Event envelopes
An envelope is a volume curve for an audio event. It is similar to the realtime fades, but 
allows you to create volume changes within the event, not only at the start or end. 
To create an envelope for an audio event, proceed as follows:
1.Zoom in on the event so that you can view its waveform properly.
2.Select the Draw tool.
When you move the Draw tool over an audio event, a small volume curve symbol is 
shown next to the tool.
3.To add an envelope point, click in the event with the Draw tool.
An envelope curve and a curve point appear.
4.Drag the curve point to adjust the envelope shape.
The waveform image reflects the volume curve.
•You can add as many curve points as you like.
•To remove a curve point from the envelope, click on it and drag it outside the event.
•The envelope curve is a part of the audio event – it will follow when you move or 
copy the event.
After copying an event with an envelope, you can make independent adjustments 
to the envelopes in the original event and the copy.
ÖIt is also possible to apply an envelope to the audio clip using the Envelope function 
on the Process submenu of the Audio menu (see 
“Envelope” on page 304).
•To remove an event envelope curve from a selected event, open the Audio menu 
and select the Remove Volume Curve option. 
						

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The arranger track 
Introduction
The arranger track allows you to work with sections of your project in a non-linear 
fashion, to simplify arranging to the maximum extent. Instead of moving, copying and 
pasting events in the Project window to create a linear project, you can define how 
different sections are to be played back, like a playlist.
For this, you can define arranger events, order them in a list, and add repeats as 
desired. This offers a different and more pattern-oriented way of working, which 
complements the usual linear editing methods in the Project window. 
You can create several arranger chains, making it possible to save different versions 
of a song within the project without sacrificing the original version. When you have 
created an arranger chain that you like, you have the option of “flattening” the list, 
which creates a normal linear project based on the arranger chain.
You can also use the arranger track for live performances on the stage, in clubs or at 
parties.
Setting up the arranger track
Let’s say you have prepared a number of audio files that form the base of a typical pop 
song, with introduction, verse, chorus and bridge. Now you want to arrange these 
files.
The first step is to create an arranger track. On the arranger track, you define specific 
sections of the project by creating arranger events. These can be of any length, may 
overlap and are not bound to the start or end of existing events and parts. Proceed as 
follows:
1.Open the project for which you want to create arranger events.
2.Open the Project menu and select Arranger from the Add Track submenu (or right-
click the track list and select the corresponding option from the context menu).
An arranger track is added. There can be only one arranger track in a project, but 
you can set up more than one arranger chain for this track, see 
“Managing arranger 
chains” on page 156.
3.On the Project window toolbar, make sure that Snap is activated and that the 
Snap Type is set to a mode that allows your arranger events to snap to appropriate 
positions in the project.
Snap to events is activated, i. e. when drawing in the Project window, new events will snap to 
existing events.
4.On the arranger track, use the Draw tool to draw an event of the desired length.
An arranger event is added, called “A” by default. Any following events will be 
named in alphabetical order.  
						

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The arranger trackSetting up the arranger track
•You can rename an arranger event by selecting it and changing its name in the 
Project window info line or by holding down [Alt]/[Option], double-clicking on the 
name in the arranger chain (see below) and entering a new name.
You may want to name your arranger events according to the structure of your 
project, e.
 g. Verse, Chorus, etc.
5.Create as many events as you need for your project.
When arranger events have been created, the music sequence is determined by the arranger 
events.
Events can be moved, resized and deleted using the standard techniques. Please 
note:
•If you want to change the length of an event, select the Object Selection tool and 
click and drag the lower corners of the event in the desired direction.
•If you copy an arranger event (by [Alt]/[Option]-dragging or by using copy/paste), 
a new event will be created with the same name as the original.
However, this new event will be totally independent from the original event.
•Double-clicking on an arranger event adds it to the current arranger chain. 
						

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The arranger trackWorking with arranger events
Working with arranger events
You now have a number of arranger events that form the basic building blocks for your 
arrangement. The next step is to arrange these events using the functions of the 
Arranger Editor.
Creating an arranger chain
You can set up an arranger chain in the Arranger Editor or in the Inspector for the 
arranger track. The Arranger Editor is opened by clicking the “e” button in the 
Inspector or in the track list. 
On the right in the Arranger Editor, the available arranger events are listed, in the order 
they appear on the timeline. To the left you find the actual arranger chain, which shows 
in which order the events will be played back, from top to bottom, and how many times 
they are repeated.
Initially the arranger chain is empty – you set it up by adding events from the list to the 
chain. There are several ways to add events to the arranger chain:
•By double-clicking on the name of an event in the window section on the right (or 
in the Project window).
When an event is selected in the arranger chain on the left, this will add the event 
above the selected event. When no events are selected in the arranger chain, the 
event will be added at the end of the list.
•By selecting one or more events in the list, right-clicking and selecting “Append 
Selected In Arranger Chain”.
This will add the selected events at the end of the list.
•By dragging and dropping arranger events from the list on the right to the arranger 
chain on the left.
A blue insertion line shows you where the dragged event will end up.
…to open the Arranger Editor.
Click the “e” button… 
						

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The arranger trackWorking with arranger events
An event is dragged into the arranger chain.
•By dragging arranger events from the Project window into the arranger chain.
If you followed our example, you should now have arranger events arranged in a very 
basic pop song pattern. However, we have used audio files that are only a few bars 
long – to turn our pattern into a “song” (or at least into a basic sketch of the song 
structure), these files must be looped. This is where the Repeats function comes in.
If you want an event to repeat several times, proceed as follows:
•Click in the Repeats field for an event, type in the desired number of repeats and 
press [Enter].
When playing back the arranger chain, the Counter column indicates which repeat 
of this event is currently playing.
•Click in the Mode field for an event and select the desired repeat mode.
When you now play back the arranger chain, you will hear the complete arrangement. 
Proceed as follows:
1.Make sure that Arranger mode is activated.
In Arranger mode the project will be played back using the arranger settings.
2.Position the Arranger Editor window so that you can see the arranger track in the 
Project window, and click in the arrow column for the event at the top of the list.
You will see the project cursor jump to the beginning of the first event specified in 
the arranger chain.
3.Activate playback, either from the Arranger Editor or on the Transport panel.
The events are played back in the specified order.
OptionButtonDescription
NormalIn this mode, the arranger chain will be played back as you 
set it up.
Repeat 
foreverIn this mode, the current arranger event will be repeated in a 
loop until you either click on another event in the Arranger 
Editor or press play once again.
Pause after 
RepeatsIn this mode, the playback of the arranger chain will be 
stopped after having played back all repeats of the current 
arranger event. 
						

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The arranger trackWorking with arranger events
Editing the arranger chain
In the arranger chain on the left, you can do the following:
•Select multiple events by [Ctrl]/[Command]-clicking or [Shift]-clicking as usual.
•Drag events to move them in the list.
•Drag events holding [Alt]/[Option] to create copies of the selected items.
The insert location for both move and copy operations is indicated by a colored 
insertion line. A blue line indicates that the move or copy is possible; a red line 
indicates that moving or copying events to the current position is not allowed.
•Use the Repeats column to specify how many times each event is to be repeated.
•Click the arrow to the left of an event in the arranger chain to move the playback 
position to the start of that event.
•To remove an event from the list, right-click on it and select “Remove Touched” 
from the context menu. To remove several events, select them, right-click and 
select “Remove Selected”.
Navigating
To navigate between arranger events, you use the arranger transport buttons:
These controls are available in the Arranger Editor, on the Project window toolbar, and 
on the Transport panel.
In the Arranger Editor, the event that is currently played back is indicated by an arrow 
in the leftmost column, and the indicators in the Counter column.
Managing arranger chains
You can create several arranger chains. This way, you can create alternative versions 
for playback. In the Arranger Editor, the toolbar buttons on the right are used for this:
•In the Inspector, these functions are accessed from the Arranger pop-up menu 
(opened by clicking on the Arranger name field).
The arranger chains you create will be listed on the Name pop-up menu, found in the 
Arranger Editor to the left of the buttons, at the top of the arranger track Inspector, 
and in the track list. Please note that to be able to select another arranger chain from 
the pop-up menu, the Arranger mode must be activated.
First repeat of current chain step Previous chain step
Next chain step Last repeat of current chain step
ButtonDescription
Click this to rename the current arranger chain.
Creates a new, empty arranger chain.
Creates a duplicate of the current arranger chain, containing the same 
events.
Removes the currently selected arranger chain. Only available if you have 
created more than one arranger chain. 
						

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The arranger trackFlattening the arranger chain
Flattening the arranger chain
When you have found an arranger chain that suits your purposes, you can “flatten” it, 
i.
 e. convert the list into a linear project. Proceed as follows:
1.Click the Flatten button (or select Flatten Chain from the pop-up menu in the 
Inspector for the arranger track).
The events and parts in the project are reordered, repeated, resized, moved and/or 
deleted (if these are not within the boundaries of any used arranger event), so that 
they correspond exactly to the arranger chain.
The Flatten 
button
2.Activate Playback.
The project will now play back exactly as in Arranger mode, but you can view it and 
work with it as usual.
Flattening options
Sometimes it might be useful to keep the original arranger events even after flattening 
the arranger track. By using flattening options you can define which chain is flattened, 
where it is stored and how it is named together with other options.
1.Click the Flattening options button.
2.In the window that opens, select the desired options.
In the Source section you can specify which arranger chains are flattened. The 
available options are:
!Flattening the arranger chain may remove events and parts from the project. Only use 
the Flatten function when you know you do not want to edit the arranger track/chain 
any more. If in doubt, save a copy of the project before flattening the arranger chain.
OptionDescription
Current ChainIf you activate this option, only the current chain will be flattened.
Checked 
Chains…If you activate this option, you can select the arranger chains you want 
to flatten in the list to the left.
All ChainsIf you activate this option, all arranger chains of the current project will 
be flattened. 
						

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The arranger trackFlattening the arranger chain
The Destination section allows you to choose where the result of the flattening is 
saved. The available options are:
In the Options section you can make further settings. The available options are:
3.You can now flatten the arranger track by clicking the Flatten button.
If you realize that you want to do further arrangements, you can click the “Go Back” 
button and make your adjustments. Your Flattening settings will be kept.
4.Click the “Go Back” button to go back to the Arranger Editor or close the window 
by clicking its Close button.
OptionDescription
Current ProjectThis is only available if you have selected “Current Chain” as Source. If 
you activate this option, the result of the flattening of the current chain 
will be saved in the current project.
New ProjectIf you activate this option, you can flatten one or several chains in a new 
project. In this case it might be useful to use naming options. If you 
activate “Append Chain Name”, the Chain Names will be appended in 
brackets to the project name. If you activate “Use Chain Name”, the new 
projects will have the name of the current arranger chains. If you activate 
“Add Number”, the new projects will be named like the old ones and a 
number will be appended in brackets.
OptionDescription
Keep Arranger 
TrackIf you activate this option, the arranger track will be kept when flattening 
the arranger chain. Activate “Rename Arranger Events” to append a 
number to the events, according to their use. For example, if you use 
arranger event “A” two times, the first occurrence will be renamed “A 1” 
and the second “A 2”.
Make Real Event 
CopiesNormally, you will get shared copies when flattening the arranger track. 
If you activate this option, real copies will be created instead.
Don’t Split 
EventsIf this option is activated, MIDI notes that start before or are longer than 
the arranger event will not be included. Only MIDI notes that begin and 
end inside the arranger event boundaries will be taken into account.
Open New 
ProjectsIf you activate this option, a new project will be created for every 
flattened arranger chain. If you activate the “Cascade New Projects” 
option the opened projects will be cascaded. 
						

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The arranger trackLive mode
Live mode
If you have set up an arranger track and play it back, you have also the possibility to 
influence the playback order “live”. Note that the Arranger mode has to be activated to 
be able to use the Live mode. 
1.Set up an arranger chain in the Inspector or in the Arranger Editor for an arranger 
track, activate the Arranger mode and play back your project.
Now you can use your arranger events listed in the lower section of the Inspector 
to play back your project in Live mode.
2.Switch into Live mode by clicking on the little arrow in the lower list of the 
Inspector to the left of the arranger event you want to trigger.
The arranger event will be looped endlessly, until you click on another arranger 
event. This might be useful, for example, if you want to loop a guitar solo with a 
flexible length.
In the Jump Mode pop-up menu, you can define how long the active arranger event 
will be played, before jumping to the next one. The following options are available:
OptionDescription
NoneJumps to the next section immediately.
4 bars, 
2
 bars
When one of these modes is selected, a grid of 4 or 2 bars (depending on 
the setting) will be placed on the active arranger event. Whenever the 
respective grid line is reached, playback will jump to the next arranger event. 
An example:
Let’s say you have an arranger event which is 8 bars long and the grid is set 
to 4 bars. When the cursor is anywhere within the first 4 bars of the arranger 
event when you hit the next arranger event, playback will jump to the next 
event when the end of the fourth bar of the arranger event is reached. When 
the cursor is anywhere within the last 4 bars of the arranger event, playback 
will jump to the next event at the end of the event.
When an event is shorter than 4 (or 2) bars and this mode is selected, 
playback will jump to the next section at the event end. 
						

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The arranger trackArranging your music to video
•You can stop Live mode by clicking the Stop button or go back to “normal” 
playback in Arranger mode by clicking on any arranger event in the upper list.
In the latter case, playback will be continued from the arranger event where you 
clicked. 
Arranging your music to video
The relative time of your arranger track can be taken as a reference instead of the 
project time. This is useful, if you want to use the arranger track to compose music for 
video and fill a specific video section with music, by repeating the corresponding 
number of arranger events. 
If you position your external sync master device to a position that does not match the 
Project Start time, Cubase will jump automatically to the right position in the arranger 
track and will start playback from there, i.
 e. the correct relative position and not the 
absolute project time will be found. The reference for the external timecode can be 
MIDI or any other timecode that can be interpreted/read by Cubase. 
An example:
1.Set up a project with a MIDI track and three MIDI parts. The first part should start 
at position 00:00:00:00 and end at position 00:01:00:00, the second should start 
at position 00:01:00:00 and end at position 00:02:00:00 and the third should 
start at position 00:02:00:00 and end at position 00:03:00:00.
2.Activate the Sync button on the Transport panel.
3.Add an arranger track and create arranger events that match the MIDI parts.
4.Set up the arranger chain “A-A-B-B-C-C”, activate the Arranger mode and play 
back your project.
5.Start external timecode at position 00:00:10:00 (within the range of “A”).
In your project, the position 00:00:10:00 will be located and you will hear “A” 
playing. Nothing special!
Now, let’s see what happens if your external sync master device starts at a position 
that does not match the Project Start time:
6.Start at 00:01:10:00 (within the range of what originally was “B”).
In your project, the position 00:01:10:00 will be located and you will hear “A” 
playing, because it plays twice in the arranger track.
7.Start external timecode at position 00:02:10:00 (within the range of what originally 
was “C”).
In your project, the position 00:02:10:00 will be located and you will hear “B” 
playing, because it plays “later” in the arranger track.
ÖIf the Arranger mode is not activated or no arranger track exists, Cubase will work as 
usual. 
1 barJumps to the next section at the next bar line.
1 beatJumps to the next section at the next beat.
EndPlays the current section to the end, then jumps to the next section.
Option Description