Steinberg Cubase Le 8 Manual
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Audio Effects Plug-In Information Window 261 2. In the dialog, specify a name and location for the plug-in information export file. 3. Click OK to export the file.
262 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. 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. • 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.
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 263 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]. 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.
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 264 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. This only works if the entire audio event is selected (separately or as part of a selection range). 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. 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.
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 265 • 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 and crossfades on page 174 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. 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 267
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 266 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. Noise Gate Scans the audio for sections weaker than a specified threshold level and replaces them with silence.
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 267 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. Dry/Wet mix Allows you to specify a mix ratio between “dry” and processed sound. 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.
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 268 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. 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.
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 269 Remove DC Offset This function will remove any DC offset in the audio selection. A DC offset is when there is too large a DC (direct current) component in the signal, sometimes visible as the signal not being visually centered around the “zero level axis”. DC offsets do not affect what you actually hear, but they affect zero crossing detection and certain processing, and it is recommended that you remove them. IMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANTIMPORTANT It is recommended that this function is applied to complete audio clips, since the DC offset (if any) is normally present throughout the entire recording. Resample The Resample function can be used for changing the length, tempo and pitch of an event. The original sample rate of the event is listed in the dialog. Resample the event to a higher or lower sample rate by either specifying a sample rate or by specifying the difference (as a percentage value) between the original sample rate and the desired new one. • Resampling to a higher sample rate will make the event longer and cause the audio to play back at a slower speed with a lower pitch. • Resampling to a lower sample rate will make the event shorter and cause the audio to play back at a faster speed with a higher pitch. • You can audition the result of the resampling by entering the desired value and clicking “Preview”. The event will then be played back as it will sound after the resampling. • When you are satisfied with the preview result, click “Process” to close the dialog and apply the processing. Reverse Reverses the audio selection, as when playing a tape backwards. There are no parameters for this function.
Audio processing and functions Audio processing 270 Silence Replaces the selection with silence. There are no parameters for this function. Stereo Flip This function works with stereo audio selections only. It allows you to manipulate the left and right channel in various ways. The dialog contains the following parameters: Mode This pop-up menu determines what the function does: •Flip Left-Right Swaps the left and right channel. •Left to Stereo Copies the left channel sound to the right channel. •Right to Stereo Copies the right channel sound to the left channel. •Merge Merges both channels on each side for mono sound. •Subtract Subtracts the left channel information from the right. This is typically used as a “Karaoke effect”, for removing centered mono material from a stereo signal. Time Stretch This function allows you to change the length and “tempo” of the selected audio without affecting the pitch.