Steinberg Cubase 8 Manual

Playback and Transport
Transport Menu
201
Playback Functions
Post-roll from Selection Start/End
Starts playback from the beginning or end of the currently selected range and 
stops after the time set in the post-roll field on the transport panel.
Pre-roll to Selection Start/End
Starts playback from a position before the start or end of the currently 
selected range and stops at the selection start or end, respectively. The 
playback start position is set in the pre-roll field on the transport panel.
Play...

Playback and Transport
Setting the Project Cursor Position
202
Metronome Functions
Metronome Setup
Opens the Metronome Setup dialog.
Metronome On/Off
Activates/Deactivates the metronome click.
Precount On/Off
Activates/Deactivates the precount.
Synchronization Functions
Project Synchronization Setup
Opens the Project Synchronization Setup dialog.
Use External Sync
Sets Cubase to be synchronized externally.
Setting the Project Cursor Position
To move the project cursor, do one of the following:
• Use fast...

Playback and Transport
Left and Right Locators
203
• Use the functions on the Transport menu.
• Use key commands.
NOTE
If Snap is activated when dragging the project cursor, the snap value is taken into 
account. This is helpful for finding exact positions quickly.
RELATED LINKS
Markers on page 281
Transport Menu on page 200
Arranger Track on page 259
Playing Back with the Shuttle Speed Wheel on page 199
Left and Right Locators
The left and right locators are a pair of markers that you can use for...

Playback and Transport
Auto-Scroll
204
• Press [Alt]/[Option] and click at the position in the ruler.
• Adjust the Right Locator Position value on the Transport panel.
To set the right locator to the project cursor position, do one of the following:
• Press [Ctrl]/[Command] and on the numeric keypad press [2].
• Press [Alt]/[Option] and click R on the Transport panel.
To set both locators, do one of the following:
• Click and drag left or right in the upper half of the ruler.
• Select a range or an event...

Playback and Transport
Time Formats
205
Selecting the Primary Time Format
In the Transport panel, you can select the primary time format. This is the global 
display format that is used for all rulers and position displays in the program, except 
the ruler tracks.
PROCEDURE
1. In the main transport section of the Transport panel, click Select Primary 
Time Format.
2. Select a time format from the pop-up menu.
You can also select Project > Project Setup > Display Format to select the primary 
time...

Playback and Transport
Locating to Specific Time Positions
206
Switching the Primary and Secondary Time Format
PROCEDURE
• In the Main Transport section of the Transport panel, click Exchange Time 
Format.
RESULT 
The primary and secondary time formats are switched and all rulers and position 
displays are updated.
Locating to Specific Time Positions
You have several possibilities to locate to specific time positions in the Project 
window.
• In the Transport panel, use the functions in the Main...

Playback and Transport
Metronome
207
Metronome
You can use the metronome click as a timing reference. The two parameters that 
govern the timing of the metronome are tempo and time signature.
• To activate the metronome click, activate the Click button on the Transport 
panel.
You can also select Transport > Metronome On or use the corresponding 
key command.
• To activate the precount, click the Precount button on the Transport panel.
You can also select Transport > Precount On or set up a key command...

Playback and Transport
Metronome
208
Precount Options Section
In the Precount Options section, the following options are available:
Precount Bars
Allows you to set the number of bars that the metronome counts in before 
recording starts.
Use Project Count Base
Activate this to let the metronome play one click per beat according to the 
project count base.
Use Count Base
Activate this to set the rhythm of the metronome. For example, setting this to 
1/8, gives you eighth notes (two clicks per beat).
Use...

Playback and Transport
Chase
209
Beeps
Allows you to activate beeps generated by the program. Adjust the pitch and 
level of the beeps for the Hi (first) beat and Lo (other) beats using the sliders 
below.
Sounds
Allows you to load audio files for the Hi and Lo metronome sounds in the 
Sound fields below. The sliders set the level of the click.
Chase
Chase is a function that makes sure your MIDI instruments sound as they should 
when you locate to a new position and start playback. This is accomplished...

210
Virtual Keyboard
The Virtual Keyboard allows you to play and record MIDI notes by using your 
computer keyboard or mouse. This is useful if you have no external MIDI instrument 
at hand and you do not want to draw in notes with the Draw tool.
When the Virtual Keyboard is displayed, the usual key commands are blocked 
because they are reserved for the Virtual Keyboard. The only exceptions are:
• Save: [Ctrl]/[Command]-[S]
• Start/Stop Record: Num [*]
• Start/Stop Playback: [Space]
• Jump to left...