Steinberg Cubase 8 Manual
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Audio processing and functions
Audio processing
403
Process button
Performs the processing and closes the dialog.
NOTE
To perform the process, you can also press [Enter] or [Return].
Cancel button
Closes the dialog without processing.
Pre/Post-Crossfade
Some processing functions allow you to gradually mix the effect in or out. This is
done with the Pre/Post-Crossfade parameters. For example, if you activate
Pre-Crossfade and specify a value of 1000
ms, the processing is applied gradually
from the...](http://img.usermanuals.tech/thumb/86/98229/w64_d_1507296127-steinberg-cubase-8-manual_d-402.png "Page 403
Audio processing and functions
Audio processing
403
Process button
Performs the processing and closes the dialog.
NOTE
To perform the process, you can also press [Enter] or [Return].
Cancel button
Closes the dialog without processing.
Pre/Post-Crossfade
Some processing functions allow you to gradually mix the effect in or out. This is
done with the Pre/Post-Crossfade parameters. For example, if you activate
Pre-Crossfade and specify a value of 1000
ms, the processing is applied gradually
from the...")
401 Audio processing and functions Background Audio processing in Cubase can be called “non-destructive”, in the sense that you can always undo changes or revert to the original versions. This is possible because processing affects audio clips rather than the actual audio files, and because audio clips can refer to more than one audio file. This is how it works: PROCEDURE 1. If you process an event or a selection range, a new audio file is created in the Edits folder, within your project folder. This new file contains the processed audio, while the original file is unaffected. 2. The processed section of the audio clip (the section corresponding to the event or selection range) then refers to the new, processed audio file. The other sections of the clip will still refer to the original file. • The original, unprocessed audio file can still be used by other clips in the project, by other projects or by other applications. • Since all edits are available as separate files, it is possible to undo any processing, at any point and in any order! This is done in the Offline Process History dialog. RELATED LINKS The Offline Process History dialog on page 418 Audio processing You apply processing by making a selection and selecting a function from the Process submenu of the Audio menu. Processing is applied according to the following rules: • When events are selected in the Project window or the Audio Part Editor, the processing will be applied to these events only. Processing will only affect the clip sections that are referenced by the events.
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 402 • When an audio clip is selected in the Pool, the processing will be applied to the whole clip. • When you have made a selection range, the processing will be applied to this range only. Other sections of the clip are not affected. If you attempt to process an event that is a shared copy (i. e. the event refers to a clip that is used by other events in the project), you are asked whether you want to create a new version of the clip. Select “New Version” if you want the processing to affect the selected event only. Select “Continue” if you want the processing to affect all shared copies. Common settings and features If there are any settings for the selected Audio processing function, these will appear when you select the function from the Process submenu. While most settings are specific for the function, some features and settings work in the same way for several functions. The “More…” button If the dialog has a lot of settings, some options may be hidden when the dialog opens. • To reveal these, click the “More…” button. • To hide the settings, click the button again (now labeled “Less…”). The Preview, Process, and Cancel buttons These buttons have the following functionality: Preview button Allows you to listen to the result of the processing with the current settings. Playback will continue repeatedly until you click the button again (the button is labeled “Stop” during Preview playback). You can make adjustments during Preview playback, but the changes are not applied until the start of the next “lap”. Some changes may automatically restart the Preview playback from the beginning. NOTE To start or stop previewing, you can also press [Space].
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 403 Process button Performs the processing and closes the dialog. NOTE To perform the process, you can also press [Enter] or [Return]. Cancel button Closes the dialog without processing. Pre/Post-Crossfade Some processing functions allow you to gradually mix the effect in or out. This is done with the Pre/Post-Crossfade parameters. For example, if you activate Pre-Crossfade and specify a value of 1000 ms, the processing is applied gradually from the start of selection, reaching full effect 1000 ms after the start. Similarly, if you activate Post-Crossfade, the processing is gradually removed, starting at the specified interval before the end of the selection. IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANT The sum of the Pre-Crossfade and Post-Crossfade times cannot be larger than the length of the selection. Envelope The Envelope function allows you to apply a volume envelope to the selected audio. The dialog contains the following settings: Curve Kind buttons These determine whether the envelope curve consists of spline curve segments (left button), damped spline segments (middle button) or linear segments (right button). Envelope display Shows the shape of the envelope curve. The resulting waveform shape is shown in dark gray, with the current waveform shape in light gray. You can click on the curve to add points, and click and drag existing points to change the shape. To remove a point from the curve, drag it outside the display.
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 404 Presets If you have set up an envelope curve that you may want to apply to other events or clips, you can save it as a preset by clicking the Store button. • To apply a stored preset, select it from the pop-up menu. • To rename the selected preset, double-click on the name and enter a new one in the dialog that opens. • To remove a stored preset, select it from the pop-up menu and click Remove. Fade In and Fade Out For a description of these functions, click on the related link. RELATED LINKS Fades, crossfades, and envelopes on page 247 Gain Allows you to change the gain (level) of the selected audio. The dialog contains the following settings: Gain This is where you set the desired gain, between -50 and +20 dB. The setting is also indicated below the Gain display as a percentage. Clipping detection text If you use the Preview function before applying the processing, the text below the slider indicates whether the current settings result in clipping (audio levels above 0 dB). If that is the case, lower the Gain value and use the Preview function again. • If you want to increase the level of the audio as much as possible without causing clipping, use the Normalize function instead.
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 405 Pre/Post-Crossfade Some processing functions allow you to gradually mix the effect in or out. This is done with the Pre/Post-Crossfade parameters. For example, if you activate Pre-Crossfade and specify a value of 1000 ms, the processing is applied gradually from the start of selection, reaching full effect 1000 ms after the start. Similarly, if you activate Post-Crossfade, the processing is gradually removed, starting at the specified interval before the end of the selection. IMPORTANT The sum of the Pre-Crossfade and Post-Crossfade times cannot be larger than the length of the selection. RELATED LINKS Normalize on page 407 Merge Clipboard This function mixes the audio from the clipboard into the audio selected for processing, starting at the beginning of the selection. IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANT For this function to be available, you need to have cut or copied a range of audio in the Sample Editor first. The dialog contains the following settings: Sources mix Allows you to specify a mix ratio between the original (the audio selected for processing) and the copy (the audio on the clipboard). Pre/Post-Crossfade Some processing functions allow you to gradually mix the effect in or out. This is done with the Pre/Post-Crossfade parameters. For example, if you activate Pre-Crossfade and specify a value of 1000 ms, the processing is applied gradually from the start of selection, reaching full effect 1000 ms after the start. Similarly, if you activate Post-Crossfade, the processing is gradually removed, starting at the specified interval before the end of the selection. IMPORTANT The sum of the Pre-Crossfade and Post-Crossfade times cannot be larger than the length of the selection.
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 406 Noise Gate Scans the audio for sections weaker than a specified threshold level and replaces them with silence. The dialog contains the following settings: Threshold The level below which you want audio to be silenced. Levels below this value will close the gate. Attack Time The time it takes for the gate to open fully after the audio level has exceeded the threshold level. Min. Opening Time This is the shortest time the gate will remain open. If you find that the gate opens and closes too often when processing material that varies rapidly in level, try raising this value. Release Time The time it takes for the gate to close fully after the audio level has dropped below the threshold level. Linked Channels This is available for stereo audio only. When it is activated, the Noise Gate is opened for both channels as soon as one or both channels exceed the Threshold level. When Linked Channels is deactivated, the Noise Gate works independently for the left and right channel. Dry/Wet mix Allows you to specify a mix ratio between “dry” and processed sound.
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 407 Pre/Post-Crossfade Some processing functions allow you to gradually mix the effect in or out. This is done with the Pre/Post-Crossfade parameters. For example, if you activate Pre-Crossfade and specify a value of 1000 ms, the processing is applied gradually from the start of selection, reaching full effect 1000 ms after the start. Similarly, if you activate Post-Crossfade, the processing is gradually removed, starting at the specified interval before the end of the selection. IMPORTANT The sum of the Pre-Crossfade and Post-Crossfade times cannot be larger than the length of the selection. Normalize The Normalize function allows you to specify the desired maximum level of the audio. It then analyzes the selected audio and finds the current maximum level. Finally it subtracts the current maximum level from the specified level and raises the gain of the audio by the resulting amount (if the specified maximum level is lower than the current maximum, the gain will be lowered instead). A common use for Normalizing is to raise the level of audio that was recorded at too low an input level. The dialog contains the following settings: Maximum The desired maximum level for the audio, between -50 and 0 dB. The setting is also indicated below the Gain display as a percentage. Pre/Post-Crossfade Some processing functions allow you to gradually mix the effect in or out. This is done with the Pre/Post-Crossfade parameters. For example, if you activate Pre-Crossfade and specify a value of 1000 ms, the processing is applied gradually from the start of selection, reaching full effect 1000 ms after the start. Similarly, if you activate Post-Crossfade, the processing is gradually removed, starting at the specified interval before the end of the selection. IMPORTANT The sum of the Pre-Crossfade and Post-Crossfade times cannot be larger than the length of the selection.
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 408 Phase Reverse Reverses the phase of the selected audio, turning the waveform “upside down”. The dialog contains the following settings: Phase Reverse on When processing stereo audio, this pop-up menu allows you to specify which channel(s) are phase-reversed. Pre/Post-Crossfade Some processing functions allow you to gradually mix the effect in or out. This is done with the Pre/Post-Crossfade parameters. For example, if you activate Pre-Crossfade and specify a value of 1000 ms, the processing is applied gradually from the start of selection, reaching full effect 1000 ms after the start. Similarly, if you activate Post-Crossfade, the processing is gradually removed, starting at the specified interval before the end of the selection. IMPORTANT The sum of the Pre-Crossfade and Post-Crossfade times cannot be larger than the length of the selection. Pitch Shift This function allows you to change the pitch of the audio with or without affecting its length. You can also create “harmonies” by specifying several pitches or apply pitch shift based on a user specified envelope curve.
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 409 When the Transpose tab is selected, the dialog contains the following parameters: Keyboard display This is a graphic overview of the transposition setting. Here, you can specify the transpose interval in semitones. • The root note is indicated in red. This has nothing to do with the actual key or pitch of the original audio, it just provides a way to display transpose intervals. You can change the root note by using the settings in the Pitch Shift Base section, or by pressing [Alt]/[Option] and clicking in the keyboard display. • To specify a transpose interval, click on one of the keys. The key is indicated in blue, and the program plays test tones in the base pitch and transpose pitch to give you an audible confirmation. • If “Multi Shift” is activated (see below), you can click on several keys to create “chords”. Clicking on a blue (activated) key removes it. Pitch Shift settings The “Semitones” and “Fine-Tune” settings allow you to specify the amount of pitch shift. You can transpose the audio ±16 semitones, and fine-tune it by ±200 cents (hundredths of semitones). Volume/Amplitude Allows you to lower the volume of the pitch-shifted sound. Multi Shift When this is activated, you can add several transpose values, creating multi-part harmonies. This is done by adding intervals in the keyboard display (see above). Note that you cannot use the Preview function in Multi Shift mode. • If the intervals you add make up a standard chord, this chord is displayed to the right. Note, however, that to include the base pitch (the original, untransposed sound) in the processed result, you need to click the base key in the keyboard display as well, so that it is displayed in blue. Listen Key/Chord button Clicking this button plays a test tone pitched according to the activated interval key on the keyboard display. If “Multi Shift” is activated, this button is called “Listen Chord” and plays all activated intervals as a chord. Pitch Shift Base This allows you to set the root note (the red key in the keyboard display). It has nothing to do with the actual pitch, but is an aid for setting up intervals and chords.
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 410 Algorithm Settings This is where you can make settings for the MPEX 4 algorithm. For each quality setting you can choose between the regular setting and a setting where the formants are preserved. If you are processing vocal material, select the Preserve Formant setting in order to preserve the vocal characteristics of the pitch-shifted audio and to avoid a “chipmunk voice” effect. Time Correction When this is activated, the pitch shift process will not affect the length of the audio. When this is deactivated, raising the pitch will shorten the audio section and vice versa, much like changing the playback speed on a tape recorder. RELATED LINKS About time stretch and pitch shift algorithms on page 428 Using envelope based Pitch Shift When the “Envelope” tab is selected, you can specify an envelope curve on which the pitch shift will be based. This allows you to create pitchbend effects, pitch-shift different sections of the audio by different amounts, etc. Envelope display Shows the shape of the envelope curve over the waveform image of the audio selected for processing. Envelope curve points above the center line indicate positive pitch shift, while curve points below the center line indicate negative pitch shift. Initially, the envelope curve will be a horizontal, centered line, indicating zero pitch shift. • You can click on the curve to add points, and click and drag existing points to change the shape. To remove a point from the curve, drag it outside the display.