Steinberg Cubase 8 Manual
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![Page 196
196
Playback and Transport
This chapter describes the methods for controlling playback and transport
functions.
RELATED LINKS
Transport on page 1080
Transport Panel
The Transport panel contains the main transport functions as well as many other
options related to playback and recording.
• To show the transport panel, select Transport > Transport Panel or press
[F2].
Transport Panel Sections
The Transport panel has different sections that you can show or hide by activating
the corresponding options on...](http://img.usermanuals.tech/thumb/86/98229/w64_d_1507296127-steinberg-cubase-8-manual_d-195.png "Page 196
196
Playback and Transport
This chapter describes the methods for controlling playback and transport
functions.
RELATED LINKS
Transport on page 1080
Transport Panel
The Transport panel contains the main transport functions as well as many other
options related to playback and recording.
• To show the transport panel, select Transport > Transport Panel or press
[F2].
Transport Panel Sections
The Transport panel has different sections that you can show or hide by activating
the corresponding options on...")
![Page 204
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...](http://img.usermanuals.tech/thumb/86/98229/w64_d_1507296127-steinberg-cubase-8-manual_d-203.png "Page 204
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 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 from Selection Start/End Activates playback from the beginning or end of the current selection. Play until Selection Start/End Activates playback two seconds before the start or end of the current selection and stops at the selection start or end, respectively. Play until Next Marker Activates playback from the project cursor and stops at the next marker. Play Selection Range Activates playback from the start of the current selection and stops at the selection end. Loop Selection Activates playback from the start of the current selection and keeps starting over again when reaching the selection end. Record Functions Re-Record Mode Activates/Deactivates the re-record mode that allows you to reinitiate a recording with a single click. Start Recording at Left Locator If this is activated, the project cursor locates to the left locator when you click the record button. Use Pre-/Post-roll Activates the pre-roll/post-roll. Retrospective Record Allows you to capture MIDI notes that you play in stop mode or during playback. Therefore, you need to enable the Retrospective Record option (File > Preferences > Record > MIDI).
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 forward and rewind. • Use the jog/shuttle/nudge control on the Transport panel. • Drag the project cursor in the lower part of the ruler. • Click in the ruler. Double-clicking in the ruler moves the cursor and starts/stops playback. •If Locate when Clicked in Empty Space is activated (File > Preferences > Transport), you can click anywhere in an empty section of the Project window to move the cursor position. • Change the value in any of the position displays. • Use the position slider above the transport buttons in the Transport panel. The range of the slider relates to the length setting in the Project Setup dialog. Hence, moving the slider all the way to the right takes you to the end of the project. •Use markers. • Use the playback options. • Use the arranger function.
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 specifying punch-in and punch-out positions, and cycle boundaries. Locators are indicated by the flags in the ruler. The area between the locators is highlighted in the ruler and the event display. If the right locator is positioned before the left locator, the area between the locators is shown in a different color. Setting the Locators There are several ways to set the locator positions. To set the left locator, do one of the following: • Drag the left handle in the ruler. • Press [Ctrl]/[Command] and click at the position in the ruler. • Adjust the Left Locator Position value on the Transport panel. To set the left locator to the project cursor position, do one of the following: • Press [Ctrl]/[Command], and on the numeric keypad press [1]. • Press [Alt]/[Option] and click L on the Transport panel. To set the right locator, do one of the following: • Drag the right handle in the ruler.
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 and select Transport > Locators to Selection. • Double-click a cycle marker. Auto-Scroll Auto-Scroll allows the waveform display to scroll during playback, keeping the project cursor visible in the window. •To activate Auto-Scroll, click the Auto-Scroll button on the toolbar. • To keep the project cursor in the middle of the screen, select File > Preferences > Transport and activate Stationary Cursors. NOTE Auto-Scroll is available in the toolbar of the Project window and in all editors. Suspend Auto-Scroll when Editing If you do not want the Project window display to change when editing during playback, you can activate Suspend Auto-Scroll when Editing. The Suspend Auto-Scroll when Editing button is located to the right of the Auto-Scroll button. When this option is activated, auto-scrolling is suspended as soon as you click anywhere in the event display during playback. As a visual feedback for that, the Auto-Scroll button turns orange. As soon as playback stops or when you click the Auto-Scroll button again, Cubase will return to the normal Auto-Scroll behavior. Time Formats You can set up different time formats.
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 format. RESULT The time format in the Transport panel and all rulers and position displays are updated. Independent Time Displays You can show time displays that are independent from the global display format. To select an independent time display, do one of the following: • In the ruler of the Project window or any editor, click the arrow button to the right of the ruler. •Select Project > Add Track > Ruler to add a ruler track, and right-click the ruler. • In the Main Transport section of the Transport panel, click Select Secondary Time Format. RELATED LINKS Ruler on page 48 Ruler Track on page 122
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 Transport section or in the Jog/Scrub section. • In the Transport panel, use the position slider above the transport buttons. • In the ruler, click the time position that you want to locate to. Double-click to start/stop playback. • In the lower part of the ruler, drag the project cursor. • Use the following Transport menu functions: Locate Selection/Locate Selection End, Locate Next/Previous Marker, Locate Next/Previous Hitpoint, Locate Next/Previous Event. •Use markers. • Use the arranger functions. •Use locators. On the numeric keypad, press [1] to go to the left locator position, and press [2] to go to the right locator position. On the Transport panel, click L to go to the left locator, and click R to go to the right locator. NOTE If Snap is activated, the snap value is taken into account. This is helpful for finding exact positions quickly.
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 for this. • To set up the metronome, select Transport > Metronome Setup. Metronome Setup You can make settings for the metronome in the Metronome Setup dialog. • To open the Metronome Setup dialog, select Transport > Metronome Setup. Metronome Options Section In the Metronome Options section, the following options are available: Metronome in Record Allows you to activate the metronome click during recording. Metronome in Play Allows you to activate the metronome click during playback.
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 Time Sign. at Rec. Start Time Activate this to let the precount automatically use the time signature and tempo set at the position where recording starts. Use Time Sign. at Project Time Activate this to let the precount use the time signature set on the tempo track and apply any tempo changes on the tempo track during the precount. Use Signature Allows you to set a time signature for the precount. In this mode, tempo changes on the tempo track do not affect the precount. Click Outputs Section In the Click Outputs section, the following options are available: Activate MIDI Click Allows you to activate the MIDI click. MIDI Port/Channel Allows you to select a MIDI output and channel for the MIDI click. You can also select a VST instrument previously set up in the VST Instruments window. Hi Note/Velocity Allows you to set the MIDI note number and velocity value for the first beat in a bar, the high note. Lo Note/Velocity Allows you to set the MIDI note number and velocity for the other beats, the low notes. Activate Audio Click Allows you to activate the audio click that sounds via the audio hardware.
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 by the program transmitting a number of MIDI messages to your instruments each time that you move to a new position in the project, making sure all MIDI devices are set up correctly with regard to program change, controller messages (such as MIDI Volume), etc. EXAMPLE You have a MIDI track with a program change event inserted at the beginning. This event makes a synth switch to a piano sound. At the beginning of the first chorus you have another program change event which makes the same synth switch to a string sound. You now play back the song. It begins with the piano sound and then switches to the string sound. In the middle of the chorus you stop and rewind to some point between the beginning and the second program change. The synth now still plays the string sound although in this section it really should be a piano. The Chase function takes care of that. If program change events are set to be chased, Cubase tracks the music back to the beginning, finds the first program change, and transmits it to your synth, setting it to the correct sound. The same thing can apply to other event types as well. The Chase Events settings (File > Preferences > MIDI) determine which event types are chased when you locate to a new position and start playback. Activated event types are chased. RELATED LINKS Chase Events on page 1069
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 locator: Num [1] • Delete: [Delete] or [Backspace] • Cycle on/off: Num [/] • Show/Hide Transport panel: [F2] • Show/Hide Virtual Keyboard: [Alt]/[Option]-[K] Recording MIDI With the Virtual Keyboard PREREQUISITE You have selected a MIDI or instrument track and activated Record Enable. PROCEDURE 1. Select Devices > Virtual Keyboard. The Virtual Keyboard is displayed in the Transport panel. 2. On the Transport panel, activate Record. 3. Perform one of the following actions to enter some notes: • Click with the mouse on the keys of the virtual keyboard. • Press the corresponding key on your computer keyboard. NOTE Press several keys simultaneously to enter polyphonic parts. The maximum number of notes that can be played at one time varies between the different operating systems and hardware configurations.