Steinberg Cubase 7 User Manual

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The MixConsoleWorking with the Channel Racks
To set up the routing for a channel, proceed as follows:
1.On the toolbar, activate the “Show Channel Racks” button, select Racks and 
activate Routing. 
The Routing rack is shown above the fader section.
2.Open the input or the output routing pop-up menu for a channel by clicking one of 
the slots of the Routing rack.
The routing selector opens. It contains only busses and group channels that are 
configured in the VST Connections window. 
3.Select an entry.
The selected input or output is loaded and automatically activated.
•To set up the routing for multiple selected channels at the same time, press [Shift]-
[Alt]/[Option] and select a bus.
You can route the outputs from multiple audio channels to a group. For example, to 
control the channel levels using one fader, apply the same effects and equalization 
to all the channels.
•To set several selected channels to incrementing busses (the second selected 
channel to the second bus, the third to the third bus, etc.), press [Shift] and select 
a bus.
•To disconnect input or output bus assignments, select “No Bus”.
Cubase only: For details on routing surround channels, see “Routing” on page 268.
Available Input Busses
The input routing selector only lists busses that correspond to the channel 
configuration. If you select a group channel as input for an audio channel, you can 
record a downmix, see 
“Recording from busses (Cubase only)” on page 115.
For mono channels, the following input routing configurations are available:
- Mono input busses or individual channels within a stereo or surround input bus 
(Cubase only). 
- External inputs configured on the Studio tab of the VST Connections window. 
These can be mono or individual channels within a stereo or surround bus 
(Cubase only). They can also be routed to the Talkback input.
!The settings that you make for the input channel will be a permanent part of the 
recorded audio file! 
						

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The MixConsoleWorking with the Channel Racks
- Mono output busses, mono group output busses, or mono FX channel output 
busses, provided that these will not lead to feedback.
For stereo channels, the following input routing configurations are available:
- Mono or stereo input busses or stereo child busses within a surround bus 
(Cubase only). 
- External inputs that are configured on the Studio tab of the VST Connections 
window. These can be mono input busses or stereo input busses. They can also 
be routed to the Talkback input.
- Mono or stereo output busses, mono or stereo group output busses, and mono or 
stereo FX channel output busses, provided that these will not lead to feedback.
Cubase only: For surround channels, the following input routing configurations are 
available:
- Surround input busses.
- External inputs that are configured on the Studio tab of the VST Connections 
window, provided that these have the same input configuration. 
- Output busses, provided that these have the same input configuration or will not 
lead to feedback.
Available Output Busses
For output busses any assignment is possible. 
About Group Channels
Group channels are almost identical to audio channels, but note the following:
•They have no Input Routing, Monitor buttons or “Record Enable” buttons.
•You can route the output of a group to an audio channel (see “Recording from 
busses (Cubase only)” on page 115), to an output bus, or to another group. 
You cannot route a group to itself.
•Solo functionality is automatically linked for channels that are routed to a group 
and the group channel.
•Mute functionality depends on the “Group Channels: Mute Sources as well” 
setting in the Preferences dialog (VST page).
If deactivated, channels that are routed directly to that group channel remain 
unmuted, and if any of those channels have sends routed to other group channels, 
FX channels, or output busses, those will still be heard.
 
If activated, channels directly routed to the group channel are muted as well.
!The “Group Channels: Mute Sources as well” option does not affect how mute 
automation is written. Writing mute automation for a group channel only affects the 
group channel and not the channels that are routed to it. When writing automation, 
you will see that the other channels are also muted upon muting a group channel. 
However, during playback, only the group channel will respond to the automation. 
						

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The MixConsoleWorking with the Channel Racks
Making Filter, Gain, and Phase Settings
The Pre rack for MIDI channels allows you to open the Input Transformer. For further 
information, see 
“The Input Transformer” on page 595.
The Pre rack for audio-related channels features a high-cut and a low-cut filter as well 
as gain and phase settings. These are described in the following sections.
Using the High-Cut and Low-Cut Filters
Each audio-related channel has separate high-cut and low-cut filters that allow you to 
attenuate signals with frequencies that are higher or lower than the cutoff frequency.
To set up the high-cut filter for a specific channel, proceed as follows:
1.Activate the “Show Channel Racks” button on the toolbar, click Racks, and 
activate “Pre (Filters/Gain/Phase)”.
2.Activate the On/Off button to activate the high-cut filter.
3.Drag the slider to the left or to the right to adjust the cutoff frequency.
The available range spans from 20 kHz to 50 Hz.
To set up the low-cut filter for a specific channel, proceed as follows:
1.Activate the On/Off button to activate the low-cut filter.
2.Drag the slider to the left or to the right to adjust the cutoff frequency.
The available range spans from 20 Hz to 20 kHz.
ÖBoth filters have a slope of 24 dB per octave.
Changing the Input Gain 
Each audio-related channel and input/output channel features a Gain slider for the 
incoming signal. This way, you can change the level of a signal before the EQ and the 
effects section. This is useful as the level going into certain effects can change the 
way the signal is affected. A compressor, for example, can be “driven” harder by 
raising the input gain. Gain can also be used to boost the level of poorly recorded 
signals.
•To cut or boost the gain, drag the gain slider to the left or to the right, or double-
click to enter a new value in the value field. 
						

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The MixConsoleWorking with the Channel Racks
Setting the Phase
Each audio-related channel and input/output channel has a Phase button. When this 
button is activated, the phase polarity is inverted for the signal. Use this to correct the 
phase for balanced lines and microphones that are wired backwards, or microphones 
that are out of phase due to their positioning.
•Phase polarity is important when mixing two similar signals. 
If the signals are out of phase with respect to one another, there will be some 
cancellation in the resulting audio, producing a hollow sound with less low-
frequency content.
Adding Insert Effects
The Inserts rack for MIDI channels features insert effect slots that allow you to load 
MIDI inserts for a channel. For further information, refer to the separate PDF document 
“Plug-in Reference”.
The Inserts rack for audio-related channels features insert effect slots that allow you to 
load insert effects for a channel. For further information, see 
“Audio effects” on page 
227 and refer to the separate PDF document “Plug-in Reference”.
To load an insert effect for a specific channel, proceed as follows:
1.Activate the “Show Channel Racks” button on the toolbar, click Racks, and 
activate Inserts. 
The Inserts rack is shown above the fader section.
2.Click one of the insert slots.
The insert selector opens.
3.Select an insert effect.
The selected insert effect is loaded and automatically activated and its plug-in 
panel opens.
ÖTo open the plug-in panel of an already loaded insert effect, double-click on the 
corresponding label in the insert slot. 
						

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The MixConsoleWorking with the Channel Racks
Using FX Chain Presets
You can load or save FX chain presets. These presets are useful to save and load all 
insert rack settings whenever you need them. Other rack settings like EQ or Channel 
Strip, for example, are not affected. FX chain presets have the file name extension 
.fxchainpreset. You can also load, tag, and save FX chain presets in the MediaBay, 
see 
“Filtering according to media type” on page 399. 
•To load a preset, open the presets pop-up menu in the top right corner of the 
Inserts rack, select “Load FX Chain Preset…” and select a preset.
•To save the current settings as a preset, open the presets pop-up menu in the top 
right corner of the Inserts rack, select “Save FX Chain Preset…” and name your 
preset.
ÖYou can also apply inserts together with EQ and Channel Strip settings from track 
presets, see 
“Applying inserts and EQ settings from track presets” on page 426.
Moving Inserts to Post-Fader or Pre-Fader Positions
For each audio-related channel, you can add 6 pre-fader and 2 post-fader inserts. To 
move an insert from a pre-fader to a post-fader position, open its context menu and 
select “Move to Post-Fader Slot”. To move a post-fader insert to a pre-fader position, 
open its context menu and select “Move to Pre-Fader Slot”. 
Side Chaining
Some of the inserts feature side-chain functionality. To activate it, open the context 
menu for the corresponding insert and select “Activate Side-Chain”.
Bypassing Inserts
•To bypass all inserts, click the Bypass button at the top of the Inserts rack. 
•To bypass a single insert, click the button on the left of the inserts slot.
Clicking the button again deactivates bypass. 
						

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The MixConsoleWorking with the Channel Racks
Making EQ Settings
The EQ rack is only available for audio-related channels. It features a built-in 
parametric equalizer with up to 4 bands for each audio channel. 
To activate an EQ for a specific channel, proceed as follows:
1.Activate the “Show Channel Racks” button on the toolbar, click Racks, and 
activate Equalizers. 
The EQ rack is shown above the fader section.
2.Activate an EQ module by clicking its On/Off button.
Although the modules have different default frequency values and different Q 
names, they all have the same frequency range (20
 Hz to 20 kHz). The only 
difference between the modules is that you can specify different filter types for 
each individual module.
3.Set the amount of cut or boost with the gain control, that is, the upper slider.
The range is ± 24 dB.
4.Set the frequency with the frequency slider.
This is the center frequency of the frequency range to be cut or boosted. 
						

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The MixConsoleWorking with the Channel Racks
5.Click the EQ type button in the top right corner of the EQ module or open the 
context menu, and select a filter type from the pop-up menu.
EQ bands 1 and 4 can act as parametric, shelving, or high/low-cut filters, while EQ 
bands 2 and 3 are always parametric filters.
6.Set the Q-Factor with the bottom slider.
This determines the width of the affected frequency range. Higher values give 
narrower frequency ranges.
7.To invert an EQ band to mirror the curve along the x axis, open the context menu 
and select “Invert EQ Settings”.
This allows you to filter out unwanted noise. For example, boost the noise by 
setting the filter to a positive gain and then invert the EQ band to filter the noise. 
Using EQ Presets
You can load or save EQ presets. These allow you to save and load EQ rack settings 
whenever you need them. You can also load, tag, and save them in the MediaBay 
where they correspond to the “Plug-in Presets” media type, see 
“Filtering according 
to media type” on page 399.
•To load a preset, open the presets pop-up menu in the top right corner of the EQ 
rack, select “Load Preset…”, and select a preset.
•To save the current EQ settings as a preset, open the presets pop-up menu in the 
top right corner of the EQ rack, select “Save Preset…” and name your preset.
ÖYou can also apply EQ settings together with inserts and Channel Strip settings from 
track presets, see 
“Applying inserts and EQ settings from track presets” on page 426.
Using EQ Bypass
To bypass all EQ modules, click the Bypass button at the top of the EQ rack, or open 
the context menu and select “Deactivate EQ”. This is useful, if you want to compare 
the sound with and without EQ.
Using the Curve Display
To make settings directly in the curve display, proceed as follows:
•To activate an EQ module, click and hold.
This opens the graph, adds a curve point and activates the corresponding EQ 
module. 
						

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The MixConsoleWorking with the Channel Racks
•To deactivate an EQ module, double-click its curve point or drag it outside the 
display.
•To adjust the gain, drag the curve point up or down.
Press [Ctrl]/[Command] to edit the gain only. 
•To adjust the frequency, drag it left or right.
Press [Alt]/[Option] to edit the frequency only.
•To set the Q-factor, press [Shift] while dragging.
•To invert the EQ curve, that is to mirror it along the x axis, open the context menu 
and select “Invert EQ Settings”.
Using Channel Strip Modules
The Channel Strip rack is only available for audio-related channels. It allows you to 
load built-in plug-in modules for separate channels. For further information on the 
parameters, see the description of the plug-ins in the separate PDF document “Plug-
in Reference”. Note however, that the Channel Strip modules have a reduced feature 
range compared to the corresponding plug-ins. 
Module Description
Gate  
(Noise Gate)Silences audio signals below a set threshold level. As soon as the 
signal level exceeds the set threshold, the gate opens to let the 
signal through. 
Compressor
 
(Standard, Tube, or 
Vintage)
Allows you to achieve smooth and warm compression effects. 
You can move the compressor up or down to change its position 
in the signal flow. 
EQ Position Allows you to change the EQ position within the Channel Strip. You 
can change the EQ position up or down to change its position in the 
signal flow. 
Transient Shaper
 
(EnvelopeShaper) Allows you to attenuate or boost the gain of the attack and release 
phase of the channel signal.
Saturation 
 
(Tape or Tube) Allows you to add warmth to the sound. 
Limiter
 
(Brickwall, 
Maximizer, 
Standard) Ensures that no clipping occurs, even at high levels. 
						

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The MixConsoleWorking with the Channel Racks
Using Strip Presets
You can load or save strip presets. These allow you to save and load all Channel Strip 
settings whenever you need them. Strip presets have the file name extension 
.strippreset. You can also load, tag and save strip presets in the MediaBay, see 
“Filtering according to media type” on page 399.
•To load a preset, open the presets pop-up menu in the top right corner of the 
Channel Strip rack, select “Load Strip Preset…”, and select a preset.
•To save the current settings as a preset, open the presets pop-up menu in the top 
right corner of the Channel Strip rack, select “Save Strip Preset…”, and name your 
preset.
ÖYou can also apply Channel Strip settings together with insert and EQ settings from 
track presets, see 
“Applying inserts and EQ settings from track presets” on page 426.
Adding Send Effects
For MIDI channels, the Sends rack features send effect slots that allow you to load 
send effects, see 
“MIDI Sends section” on page 457.
For audio-related channels, it features send effect slots that allow you to load send 
effects, and value sliders that allow you to determine the send level, see 
“Audio 
effects” on page 227.
To load a send for a specific channel, proceed as follows:
1.Activate the “Show Channel Racks” button on the toolbar, click Racks, and 
activate Sends. 
The Sends rack is shown above the fader section.
2.Click in one of the send slots.
The send selector opens.
3.Select a send effect in the send selector or type in a name in the name field.
The selected send effect is loaded.
4.Activate the send using the On/Off button on the left of the slot. 
						

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The MixConsoleWorking with the Channel Racks
Adding FX Channels to a Send
To add an FX channel to a send, proceed as follows:
1.Open the context menu for your send, and select “Add FX Channel to Send…”.
2.In the Add FX Channel Track window, select the effect and configuration and click 
“Add Track”.
The FX channel track is added in the Project window, and the send is automatically 
routed to it.
For further information, see “Send effects” on page 235.
Bypassing Sends
To bypass all sends, click the Bypass button at the top of the Sends rack. To 
deactivate bypass, click the button again.
Global Bypass Options
On the toolbar, you can bypass all inserts, equalizers, Channel Strips, and sends by 
using the global bypass options.
Copying and Moving Rack and Channel Settings
You can copy rack and channel settings by using drag and drop. Drag and drop works 
between different channels or different rack slots on the same channel. When you 
drag, a blue frame indicates the sections where you can drop your settings. 
The following applies:
•To copy the rack settings from one rack to another, drag the rack and drop it on 
the rack to which you want to copy the settings.
•To move the rack settings from one rack to another, press [Alt]/[Option], drag the 
rack and drop it on the rack to which you want to move the settings.
•To copy the channel settings from one channel to another, drag the channel and 
drop it on the channel to which you want to copy the settings.
You can copy rack and channel settings between different types of channels, 
provided that the target channels have corresponding settings.
- For example, copying from input/output channels leaves the sends settings in the 
target channel unaffected. 
- Cubase only: For projects with surround sound, any insert effects that are routed 
to surround speaker channels become muted when the settings are pasted to a 
mono or stereo channel.