Steinberg Cubase Le 8 Manual

							MixConsole
Working with Channel Racks
231
Output (-12.0 to 12.0 dB)
Sets the output gain.
Gain Reduction LED
Indicates the amount of compression of the signal.
Attack (0.1 to 100.0 ms)
Determines how fast the compressor responds. If the attack time is long, more 
of the initial part of the signal passes through unprocessed.
Release (10 to 1000 ms or Auto mode)
Sets the time after which the gain returns to the original level. If Auto is 
activated, Tube Compressor automatically finds the best release setting for 
the audio material.
Drive (1.0 to 6.0)
Controls the amount of tube saturation.
Mix (0 to 100)
Sets the level balance between the dry signal and the wet signal.
VintageCompressor (Cubase Elements only)
VintageCompressor is modeled after vintage type compressors.
Input (-24 to 48 dB)
In combination with the Output setting, this parameter determines the 
compression amount. The higher the input gain setting and the lower the 
output gain setting, the more compression is applied.
Output (-48 to 24 dB)
Sets the output gain.
Gain Reduction LED
Indicates the amount of compression of the signal.
Attack (0.1 to 100 ms)
Determines how fast the compressor responds. If the attack time is long, more 
of the early part of the signal passes through unprocessed.
Punch (On/Off)
If this is activated, the early attack phase of the signal is preserved, retaining 
the original punch in the audio material, even with short Attack settings.
Release (10 to 1000 ms or Auto mode)
Sets the time after which the gain returns to its original level. If Auto is 
activated, Vintage Compressor automatically finds the best release setting 
for the audio material. 
						

							MixConsole
Working with Channel Racks
232
EQ
You can make equalizer settings for the 4 bands. These have different default 
frequency values and different Q names. However, they all have the same frequency 
range (20
 Hz to 20 kHz). You can specify different filter types for each individual 
module.
1)Activate Band x
Activates the equalizer band.
2)Select EQ Band x Type
Opens a pop-up menu where you can select an EQ type for the band. Bands 
1 and 4 can act as parametric, shelving, or high/low-cut filters. EQ bands 2 
and 3 are always parametric filters.
3)Gain
Sets the amount of cut or boost.
4)Freq
Sets the center frequency of the frequency range to be cut or boosted.
5)Q
Determines the width of the affected frequency range. Higher values give 
narrower frequency ranges.
Tools (Cubase Elements only)
EnvelopeShaper
This channel strip module can be used to attenuate or boost the gain of the attack 
and release phase of audio material. You can use the knobs to change parameter 
values. Be careful with levels when boosting the gain and if needed reduce the 
output level to avoid clipping.
Attack (-20 to 20 dB)
Changes the gain of the attack phase of the signal.
Release (-20 to 20 dB)
Changes the gain of the release phase of the signal. 
						

							MixConsole
Working with Channel Racks
233
Length (5 to 200 ms)
Determines the length of the attack phase.
Output (-24 to 12 dB)
Sets the output level.
Sat (Cubase Elements only)
Allows you to add warmth to the sound. Open the pop-up menu to select between 
Tape Saturation, and Tube Saturation.
Tape Saturation
This channel strip module simulates the saturation and compression of recording on 
analog tape machines.
Drive
Controls the amount of tape saturation.
Dual Mode
Simulates the use of two tape machines.
Auto Gain
Adjusts the gain automatically.
Output
Sets the output gain.
Drive Amount LED
Indicates the amount of drive of the signal.
Low-Frequency
This is a low shelving filter with fixed frequency.
High-Frequency
This is a Hi Cut filter. Use the frequency fader to reduce harshness of the 
output signal.
Tube Saturation
This channel strip module simulates the saturation and compression of recording of 
analogue tube compressors.
Drive
Controls the amount of tube saturation.
Output Gain
Sets the output gain. 
						

							MixConsole
Working with Channel Racks
234
Drive Amount LED
Indicates the amount of drive of the signal.
Low-Frequency
This is a low shelving filter with fixed frequency.
High-Frequency
This is a Hi Cut filter. Use the frequency fader to reduce harshness.
Limit (Cubase Elements only)
Allows you to avoid clipping even at high levels. Open the pop-up menu to select 
between Brickwall Limiter, Maximizer, and Standard Limiter.
Brickwall Limiter
Brickwall Limiter ensures that the output level never exceeds a set limit.
Due to its fast attack time, Brickwall Limiter can reduce even short audio level 
peaks without creating audible artifacts. However, this channel strip module creates 
a latency of 1
 ms. Brickwall Limiter features separate meters for input, output, and 
the amount of limiting.
Threshold (-20 to 0 dB)
Determines the level where the limiter kicks in. Only signal levels above the 
set threshold are processed.
Release (ms)
Sets the time after which the gain returns to the original level when the signal 
drops below the threshold. If Auto is activated, Brickwall Limiter 
automatically finds the best release setting for the audio material.
Gain Reduction LED
Displays the amount of gain reduction.
Maximizer
This channel strip module raises the loudness of audio material without the risk of 
clipping.
Optimize
Determines the loudness of the signal.
Output (-24 to 6 dB)
Determines the maximum output level. Set this to 0 dB to avoid clipping.
Gain Reduction LED
Displays the amount of gain reduction. 
						

							MixConsole
Working with Channel Racks
235
Mix (0 to 100)
Sets the level balance between the dry signal and the wet signal.
Standard Limiter
This channel strip module is designed to ensure that the output level does not 
exceed a set output level, to avoid clipping in following devices. Limiter can adjust 
and optimize the Release parameter automatically according to the audio material, 
or it can be set manually. Limiter also features separate meters for the input, output, 
and the amount of limiting (middle meters).
Input (-24 to 24 dB)
Adjusts the input gain.
Output (-24 to 6 dB)
Determines the maximum output level.
Gain Reduction LED
Displays the amount of gain reduction.
Release (0.1 to 1000 ms or Auto mode)
Sets the amount of time it takes for the gain to return to its original level. If 
Auto is activated, Limiter automatically finds the best release setting for the 
audio material.
Saving/Loading Strip Presets
You can save and load strip presets. Strip presets have the file name extension 
.strippreset.
PROCEDURE
• In the top right corner of the Channel Strip rack, open the Presets pop-up 
menu and perform one of the following actions:
• To save the current settings as a preset, select Save Strip Preset and name 
your preset.
• To load a preset, select Load Strip Preset and select a preset.
NOTE
You can also apply channel strip settings together with insert and EQ settings from 
track presets. You can load, tag, and save strip presets in the MediaBay.
Sends
The Sends rack for audio-related channels features send effect slots that allow you 
to load send effects and value sliders that allow you to determine the send level for 
a channel. For MIDI channels the Sends rack features send effect slots that allow 
you to load send effects. 
						

							MixConsole
Using Channel Settings
236
Adding Send Effects
PROCEDURE
1. On the MixConsole toolbar, activate Show Channel Racks.
2. Click Racks and activate Sends to show the rack above the fader section.
3. Click one of the send slots to open the send selector.
4. Click a send effect to select it.
The selected send effect is loaded.
5. Click on the left of the slot to activate the send.
Bypassing Send Effects
• To bypass all sends, click the bypass button at the top of the Sends rack.
• To deactivate bypass, click the button again.
Adding FX Channels to a Send
PROCEDURE
1. Right-click on the send slot to open the context menu.
2. Select Add FX Channel to Send.
3. In the Add FX Channel Track window, select the effect and configuration.
4. Click Add Track.
RESULT 
The FX channel track is added in the Project window, and the send is automatically 
routed to it.
Using Channel Settings
You can open each MixConsole channel in a separate Channel Settings window. 
This allows for better overview and editing of the channel settings.
• To open the channel settings for a specific channel, click E in the fader 
section. 
						

							MixConsole
Using Channel Settings
237
For audio-related channels, the following sections can be shown/hidden by clicking 
Set up Window Layout and activating/deactivating the corresponding options:
•Channel Inserts
•Channel Faders
•Channel Sends
The Channel Strip and Equalizer are always available.
The channel settings are especially suitable for the following actions:
• Moving the channel strip to Pre/Post-Inserts position
By default, the inserts are positioned before the channel strip in the signal 
flow. In the Inserts section you can change this by clicking the arrow at the 
top of the Strip tab. The tabs are swapped.
• Making EQ settings
The channel settings feature a large EQ curve display with several modes. By 
default, the equalizer controls are hidden, but you can click the little green 
button at the top right corner to show the equalizer controls or the equalizer 
knob controls below the EQ curve. 
						

							MixConsole
Adding Notes to a MixConsole Channel238
• Showing the output chainIf you click  Sh
 ow Output Chain   on the toolbar, the  output chain is shown 
in the  Chan
nel Faders  section. This allows you to keep track of more 
complicated output routings.
• Browsing through channels
R
ELATED LINKS
Equalizer Settings on  page  226
Browsing through Channels
Every channel has its own  Channel Settings window, but you can view any 
channel’s settings from a single window. Th is allows you to have a single Channel 
Settings window open in a convenient position on the screen and use it for all your 
EQ and channel effect settings.
To select a channel in the  Channel Settings 
 window, proceed as follows:
• To show the previous/next channel, click  Go to Previous/Ne
 xt Channel.
• To browse through the edited channels, click  Go to Las
 t/Next Edited 
Channel .
The buttons are only available if at  least two
  channels have been edited.
• Select a channel in the  MixConsole 
 to select the corresponding channel in 
the  Channel Settings  window. 
This is the default behavior. If this is not what you want, open the  Fun
 ctions 
menu and deactivate  Follow ‘e’ buttons or selection changes .
• Select a track in the  Pro
 ject window to select the corresponding channel in 
the  MixConsole  and the Channel Settings  window. 
Adding Notes to a MixConsole Channel
PROCEDURE
1. On the MixConsole toolbar, click  Set up Window Layout , and activate 
Notepad .
The Notepad  section is shown above the fader section.
2. Select the channel for which you want to add notes, click in the notepad 
section and type in your notes.
3. To close the notepad, press [Esc], or click in another section of the 
MixConsole . 
						

							MixConsole
Keyboard Navigation
239
Keyboard Navigation
The channel selector section, the channel rack section, and the fader section can 
be controlled with the computer keyboard.
For this, you must activate a section. An activated section is indicated by a frame.
Activating a Section for Keyboard Navigation
PROCEDURE
1. Click with the mouse in an empty area of the section to activate it.
Activated sections are shown with a white frame.
2. Press [Tab] to activate the next section.
3. Press [Shift]-[Tab] to activate the previous section.
Navigating in a Section
Once you have activated a section, you can use the computer keyboard as 
described below. In the channel racks section and in the fader section, controls that 
are selected for keyboard control are indicated by a red frame.
• To navigate through the controls, use the arrow keys.
• To activate or deactivate a switch, press [Return].
• To expand or collapse an active rack, to open or close a value field in a slot, 
or to open the plug-in panel for a loaded plug-in, press [Return].
• To access the controls in the left zone, press [Ctrl]/[Command]-[Return].
• To access the controls in the middle zone, press [Return].
• To access the controls in the right zone, press [Alt]/[Option]-[Return].
• To close a pop-up menu or a plug-in panel, press [Esc].
• To enable or disable the loaded plug-in, press 
[Ctrl]/[Command]-[Alt]/[Option]-[Return]. 
						

							240
Audio Effects
Cubase comes with a number of effect plug-ins included. This chapter contains 
general details about how to assign, use and organize effect plug-ins. The effects 
and their parameters are described in the separate PDF document “Plug-in 
Reference”.
IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANT
This chapter describes audio effects, i. e. effects that are used to process audio, 
group, VST instrument, and ReWire (not in Cubase LE) channels.
Overview
Audio effects can be used as follows:
•Insert effects
These effects are inserted into the signal chain of an audio channel, which 
means that the whole channel signal passes through the effect. This makes 
inserts suitable for effects for which you do not need to mix dry and wet sound, 
e.
 g. distortion, filters or other effects that change the tonal or dynamic 
characteristics of the sound.
In Cubase Elements you can have up to eight different insert effects per 
channel (and the same is true for output busses – for recording with master 
effects). In Cubase AI and Cubase LE, four insert effects per channel are 
available.
•Send effects
Each audio channel has eight sends in Cubase Elements and four sends in 
Cubase AI and Cubase LE, each of which can be freely routed to an effect (or 
to a chain of effects).
Send effects are practical for two reasons: you can control the balance 
between the dry (direct) and wet (processed) sound individually for each 
channel using the sends, and several different audio channels can use the 
same send effect. Send effects are handled by means of FX channel tracks.