Steinberg Cubase 7 User Manual

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The score and MIDI playback
About this chapter
In this chapter you will learn:
- How to use the Arranger mode to have the playback follow the structure of the 
score.
- How to use the “mapped” Dynamics symbols.
ÖCubase only: You can also play back articulations in the Score using the Expression 
Map and Note Expression functions, see 
“Expression maps (Cubase only)” on page 
555 and “Note Expression” on page 565.
Scores and the Arranger mode
Repeats (bar lines) appear in all layouts, as well as Project symbols like Segnos, 
Codas, Da Capo, endings, etc. To have the playback in Cubase follow these 
directions, proceed as follows:
1.Add the desired repeats and project symbols to the score.
2.Right-click the toolbar in the Score Editor and make sure that “Arranger” is ticked.
This adds the Arranger buttons to the toolbar.
3.Click the “Activate Arranger Mode” button on the toolbar and start playback.
Playback follows the repeats and Project symbols in the score – sections within 
repeat symbols are repeated, the playback position jumps to the beginning when 
encountering a Da Capo symbol, and so on.
Working with mapped dynamics
Apart from the dynamics symbols found on the Dynamics tab, you can also use 12 
“mapped” Dynamics symbols. These make use of the Note Expression functionality in 
Cubase, see the chapter 
“Note Expression” on page 565. Mapped Dynamics symbols 
can be played back using three different methods: by modifying the velocity values in 
percentages, by sending volume controller messages or by sending additional generic 
controllers. These methods can also be combined. 
						

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The score and MIDI playbackWorking with mapped dynamics
Setting up the symbols
You can make settings for the symbols in the Dynamics Mapping Setup dialog. On the 
left in the upper section, the available symbols are listed.
•To open the dialog, right-click on one of the symbols on the Dynamics Mapping 
tab in the Symbols Inspector and select “Dynamics Mapping…”.
When mapped dynamics symbols have been added to the score, you can also 
double-click on a symbol to open the dialog.
In the dialog, you can make the following settings:
Change Velocities
You can create dynamics by defining different velocities for the different symbols. 
Proceed as follows:
1.Activate the “Change Velocities” checkbox in the lower section of the dialog. 
2.Set up a percentage value (positive or negative) in the Velocity column to specify 
by how much the corresponding symbol will raise or reduce the current velocity 
value of a note.
Send Volume
You also have the possibility to define the dynamics by sending Volume controller 
values. Proceed as follows:
1.Activate “Send Volume” in the lower section of the dialog, and select whether you 
want to use the MIDI controllers 7 or 11 or the VST 3 parameter Volume (if the 
instrument you are using is compatible with VST 3). 
2.Set up a percentage value (positive or negative) in the Volume column to specify 
by how much the corresponding symbol will raise or reduce the current volume of 
a note.
ÖWhen “Send Volume” is activated and set to VST 3 Volume, the VST 3 volume events 
in the notes are being merged with the volume specified for the Dynamics symbols, 
according to the Merge Mode setting, see below. However, make sure that the edited 
part does not contain events for MIDI controller 7 (Main Volume) or 11 (Expression) 
on the controller lane. 
						

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The score and MIDI playbackWorking with mapped dynamics
The Merge modes
When you use the parameter VST 3 Volume in the notes and for the dynamics 
symbols, the result depends on the Merge Mode. The following modes are available: 
Send Controller
You can also send an additional MIDI controller (except MIDI controllers 7 and 11, 
which are used for the “Send Volume” function). 
If you combine this with the “Send Volume” function, you can set up a sound which 
gets brighter as it gets louder, which is useful when working with strings or woodwind 
and brass instruments.
To set up an additional controller, proceed as follows:
1.Activate “Send Controller” and specify the controller you want to use in the pop-
up menu.
You can select any of the available MIDI controllers, but also VST 3 parameters 
(except Volume, Pan, and Pitch).
2.Set up a percentage value (positive or negative) in the Controller column to specify 
by how much the corresponding symbol will raise or reduce the controller value of 
a note.
Initializing the Dynamic Range 
You can specify the dynamic range for the work with mapped dynamics symbols using 
the pop-up menu in the middle section of the dialog.
If you select “pp-ff”, the extreme Dynamics symbols (pppp, ppp, ffff, and fff) do not 
have an effect. If you select “pppp-ffff”, the whole dynamic range will be used.
Using dynamics symbols in the Score Editor
Once you have set up the dynamics as desired, you can use the symbols in the Score 
Editor.
Inserting dynamics symbols
When you insert dynamics symbols, note the following:
•Select the desired symbol on the Inspector tab and click at the position in the 
Score Editor at which you want to insert the symbol.
Note that the “mapped” dynamics symbols have a different color scheme than the 
regular dynamics symbols.
•Crescendi and Decrescendi are updated intelligently, i. e. when you have inserted 
a crescendo between two dynamics symbols and the order of these symbols is 
reversed, the decrescendo automatically becomes a crescendo.
•When you insert a crescendo symbol which is not preceded by a Dynamic symbol, 
the “assumed” start value is mezzo forte (mf). 
ModeDescription
AverageWhen this is selected, the average of the two volume messages will be 
used for the notes.
MergeWhen this is selected, the VST 3 Volume setting for the Dynamics symbols 
modulates the existing VST
 3 Volume setting of the notes. Higher settings 
increase the volume and low settings decrease the volume set for the note. 
						

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The score and MIDI playbackWorking with mapped dynamics
•Likewise, if a crescendo symbol is not followed by a dynamic symbol, an end value 
will be calculated automatically. 
For a crescendo, this is one value above the start value, and for a decrescendo 
one value below the start value.
Modifying/Editing dynamics symbols
You can change the settings for the dynamics symbols at any time in the Dynamics 
Mapping Setup dialog, as described above.
•You can step between the available dynamics symbols by using the commands 
“One up” and “One down” on the context menu, by using the corresponding key 
commands, or by clicking the “+” and “-” buttons on the toolbar.
When several dynamics symbols are selected, they will all be modified 
accordingly. 
						

							895
Tips and Tricks
Overview
This chapter provides useful information about editing techniques and answers to a 
number of questions that might arise when you use the Score Editor. For more 
information about the functions referred to, please use the index and check the 
previous chapters.
Useful editing techniques
Use this section to find out more about some editing techniques that help you to use 
the score functions more efficiently.
Moving a note without transposing it
If you hold down [Ctrl]/[Command] while moving a note (or several notes), only 
horizontal movements are possible, so that you do not have to worry about the notes 
being transposed. You can also set up a key command for this. This is done in the Key 
Commands dialog (Nudge category).
Moving and spacing several staves
If you have a number of staves that you want displayed with an equal distance (for 
example, all strings of a grand staff in a full orchestra score), this can be done using 
the Position Info window: 
1.Open the Preferences (Scores–Editing page) and deactivate the “Global staff 
Spacing with [Alt Gr]/[Option]-[Command]” option.
2.In the score, select the staves you want to set to an equal distance.
3.Open the Position Info window by clicking on the ruler.
4.Use the To Previous Staff or To Next Staff settings to specify the desired distance 
between the staves.
All selected staves are spaced according to your settings.
•If you do this when the “Global staff Spacing with [Alt Gr]/[Option]-[Command]” 
option is activated, all staves in the score are affected.
Polyphonic voicing
If you are working on a full score with more than one instrument in one staff (2 flutes, 
2 trumpets, etc.), you should use polyphonic voices. And even if both instruments play 
the same notes, you should insert notes for both instruments (you can mute the notes 
of the second voice, if playback is an issue). If you do this, it is much easier to extract 
single parts later by using the “Extract Voices” command. 
						

							896
Tips and TricksUseful editing techniques
Using the bar handles
Double-clicking a bar handle opens the Bar Copy dialog. This function is great for 
copying accents, but you can also use it for copying drum phrases, etc. For more 
information, see 
“Moving and duplicating with the bar handles” on page 828.
•If you hold down [Shift] and double-click on a bar handle, this and the next bar are 
selected. 
This is handy when copying phrases of two or more bars in one go.
Copying a section with “invisibles”
If you want to copy and paste a section which contains hidden elements, adjusted 
beams and stems, etc., there are two ways to proceed:
•Use the filter bar to make indicators appear in the score. Then select these 
indicators together with the notes before you copy.
This ensures the notes are copied with their formatting, etc.
•Double-click the bar handle of one of the bars, and make sure all relevant event 
types are activated in the dialog. Then select the bars you want to copy by clicking 
their bar handles, and copy them by [Alt]/[Option]-dragging the bar handles.
For more information, see “Moving and duplicating with the bar handles” on page 
828.
Using “Scores Notes To MIDI”
This function converts the score data, as displayed, into MIDI data. Let’s say for 
example that you have set up the score so that it is displayed to 99
 % the way you 
want it to be. Yet, that last 1
 % forces you to deactivate some of the Staff Settings (like 
Clean Lengths, No Overlap, or Auto Quantize), which makes other parts of the score 
illegible. In this case, try using the “Scores Notes To MIDI” function. Note that you 
should work on a copy of the track! For more information, see 
“Using “Scores Notes 
To MIDI”” on page 752.
Optimizing rests
If you have a number of consecutive empty bars, you can replace them with one 
multiple rest, see 
“Multiple rests” on page 870.
Zero system lines
Having no system lines at all might seem like a stupid idea to start with. But this option 
allows you to create chord sheets really quickly, see 
“Using Make Chord Symbols” on 
page 842.
A lead sheet created by specifying “0” system lines 
						

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Tips and TricksFrequently asked questions
Examples and scales
If you are creating scale examples and similar, you can use the Real Book option and 
manually hide all symbols at the beginning of the first staff to make the score appear 
like separate unconnected “lines”.
Remember you can also hide the bar lines.
An example scale without bar lines
Controlling the order and appearance of grace notes
Normally, grace notes are beamed. Their order under the beam is controlled by their 
order in the track. It is enough to put a grace note one tick before the next grace note 
to make them appear in the desired order under the beam.
Initially the grace notes are put in with a 32nd note beam. By double-clicking the note 
and changing the “flag” type in the Set Note Info dialog, you can change this.
Complex grace notes
Speeding up inserting key changes
If you have a grand staff with many instruments, inserting key changes one by one can 
take a lot of time.
In this case, activate “Key Changes for the entire Project” on the Key context menu or 
in the Score Settings dialog, on the Project–Notation Style subpage (Keys category). 
This way, all changes made to the key always affect the entire project.
Speeding up inserting staccato and accents
Symbols linked to notes can also be put in for a number of notes at the same time, 
even on different staves, see 
“Adding a symbol to several notes using the Draw tool” 
on page 816.
Setting the distance between staves in a piano score
Drag the first bass staff on the first page. This copies the spacing to all staves. Please 
note that this can only be done in Page Mode.
Frequently asked questions
In this section, you can find some answers to questions concerning adding and 
editing of notes as well as the handling of symbols and layouts.
I enter a note with one value and it is shown as a note with another value.
Set the Rests value for Display Quantize to a smaller note value. Try deactivating Auto 
Quantize, especially if you do not have any triplets or triplets only.
Notes are not displayed at the correct positions.
Try changing the Notes value for Display Quantize. 
						

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Tips and TricksFrequently asked questions
There are a number of short rests after my notes.
Your Rests value for Display Quantize might be set to too small a note value. Raise it. 
Also check the “Clean Lengths” setting.
When I change the length of a note, nothing happens.
This is because the Display Quantize value puts a restriction on what note values can 
be displayed. Check that Display Quantize is set to the smallest note value you have in 
your project.
I have adjusted Display Quantize and the other staff settings best I can. The notes 
are still shown with the wrong values.
You might need to use one of these three features: inserting Display Quantize events, 
using polyphonic voicing, or applying “Scores Notes To MIDI”.
In the Score Settings dialog, I change the Display Quantize settings on the Staff 
page (Main subpage) and nothing happens.
Did you remember to click Apply? Maybe you have already inserted Display Quantize 
events in the score? These override the staff settings.
Suddenly many Display Quantize events appear in the score.
This is not a malfunction. If you had Auto Quantize on and start inserting Display 
Quantize events, the auto quantizing is automatically transformed into Display 
Quantize events.
One long note is shown as many tied notes.
Do other notes occur at the same positions but with different lengths? Then you need 
to use polyphonic voicing. Are the note(s) syncopated? Then you should try the 
syncopation feature.
Even though I’ve tried the above, notes are not tied as I want them.
The way notes are tied in Cubase follows basic notation rules. You may need to make 
exceptions to these rules, by using the Cut Notes tool.
I have an unnecessarily large amount of rests.
Especially with polyphonic voicing, superfluous rests may be created. Try deactivating 
rests for one or more voices. You might also leave the rests activated in the Score 
Settings dialog on the Staff page (Polyphonic tab) and then hide the rests you do not 
need, one by one.
When using polyphonic voices, a number of rests are drawn on top of each other.
As above, you should try hiding rests in the Score Settings dialog on the Staff page 
(Polyphonic tab), center rests and possibly manually moving or hiding rests.
In polyphonic voices, notes that are on the same musical position are not displayed 
exactly vertically above each other.
This is not a malfunction. Cubase has built-in automatic algorithms for making the 
score as legible as possible. Sometimes this includes adjustments of the “graphic” 
position of notes, especially with small intervals like seconds. You can always move 
the notes using the Layout tool.
When using polyphonic voices, notes with small intervals “collide”.
As described above, Cubase tries to avoid this, but only for voices 1 and 2 in the 
upper staff and voices 5 and 6 in the lower. For other voices, please use the Layout 
tool to manually move the notes. 
						

							899
Tips and TricksFrequently asked questions
When I select a note, nothing is shown on the info line.
The note is probably tied to another note. This means that the second note does not 
really exist, it is just a graphic indication that the main note is long. Try selecting the 
main note instead.
Symbols from the Layout Symbols tab are sometimes invisible when I open the 
score.
This is not a malfunction. Those symbols are part of a layout. If you open the score 
with another layout, for example because you open another combination of tracks, you 
can see another layout which might not contain any Symbols at all. See the chapter 
“Working with layouts” on page 858 for details.
I can’t select an object on the screen, or I can’t select an object without selecting 
another object.
Drag a selection rectangle around the objects. Then hold down [Shift] and deselect all 
the objects you do not want included, by clicking on them. You should also check out 
the lock layer function.
Symbols have disappeared.
Are they layout symbols? Then maybe they belong to another layout than the one you 
are editing now.
If that is not the reason, maybe you have inserted the symbol into the wrong staff, see 
“Important! – Symbols, staves, and voices” on page 815.
A symbol doesn’t move with its staff. Auto Layout produces far too wide spacing.
Maybe you have inserted the symbol into the wrong staff. Please observe the warning 
in the section 
“Important! – Symbols, staves, and voices” on page 815.
A note symbol appears too far from the note I wanted it inserted on.
Do you have activated the correct voice? Note symbols are inserted into voices, just 
like notes.
The note I recorded is displayed with the wrong length. For example, I recorded a 
sixteenth and got a quarter note.
You probably have the wrong Display Quantize value set. Open the Score Settings 
dialog and select the Staff page. If Auto Quantize is activated, deactivate it, unless you 
have mixed triplets and regular notes. Also check the Notes and Rests Display 
Quantize values. If the settings are too “coarse”, change them to a smaller note value. 
If you for example need the program to display an eighth note rest, Rests Display 
Quantize must be set to “8” or a smaller value (please refer to the chapter 
“How the 
Score Editor works” on page 725). If No Overlap is activated, you might want to turn 
it off.
There is a pause after a note that I don’t want.
You probably added a note with the wrong note value. Either lengthen the note 
(physically or graphically – see 
“Changing the length of notes” on page 765) or delete 
the one you have (see “Deleting notes” on page 770) and add a new one with the 
correct note value. If this problem occurs a lot in your score, try selecting a larger 
Rests Display Quantize value (see 
“Using Rests as Display Quantize setting” on page 
728).
There is no pause after the note although there should be one.
Either the note is too long (use Clean Lengths or change the current note’s length), or 
Rests Display Quantize is set to too high a value. Open the Score Settings, select the 
Staff page and lower the value. 
						

							900
Tips and TricksIf you wish you had a faster computer
The note has an accidental when it shouldn’t, or it doesn’t when it should.
Maybe the note is simply of the wrong pitch? Click on it (using the Object Selection 
tool) and look at the info line (if this is not shown, see 
“The info line” on page 735). 
Move it to the correct pitch (see “Editing pitches of individual notes” on page 763). If 
this is not the reason, maybe you have the wrong key set? And finally, you can also 
use enharmonic shifting (see 
“Accidentals and enharmonic shift” on page 793).
Notes are not grouped under beams the way I want it.
Normally the program groups eighth notes, sixteenths, etc. under beams. This can be 
deactivated. There is also detailed control of which notes are grouped under a beam. 
This is described in the section 
“Handling beaming” on page 797.
If you wish you had a faster computer
Here are some tips for those who find some operations slower than they would like:
•Work on a smaller section of the score at a time. Break the project up into parts 
and work on those parts individually until the final layout stage.
•Switch on multi-rests as late as possible.
•When working in Edit Mode, set Default Bars Across The Staff to a small value, for 
example 2.
•In Edit Mode, resize the window so that only one grand staff at a time is visible.
•Consider upgrading your computer hardware.