Steinberg Cubase LE Operation Manual

22
Working with System Exclusive
messages 

CUBASE LE22 – 442 Working with System Exclusive messages
Introduction
System Exclusive (Sys Ex) is a special type of MIDI message used to 
send data that only make sense to a unit of a certain make and type. 
Every major MIDI manufacturer has its own Sys Ex identity code. Sys-
tem Exclusive messages are typically used for transmitting patch data, 
i.e. the numbers that make up the settings of one or more sounds in a 
MIDI instrument.
Cubase LE allows you to record and manipulate System Exclusive data 
in...

CUBASE LEWorking with System Exclusive messages 22 – 443
2.Deactivate the Sysex checkbox in the Record section, but make sure 
the Sysex checkbox in the Thru section is activated.
With this setting (shown in the figure above), SysEx messages will be recorded but not 
echoed back out to the instrument (which could lead to strange results).
3.Activate recording on a MIDI track and initiate the dump from the front 
panel of the instrument. 
4.When done recording, select the new part and open the List Editor...

CUBASE LE22 – 444 Working with System Exclusive messages
Transmitting a bulk dump back to a device
1.Make sure the MIDI track with the System Exclusive data is routed to 
the device.
You may want to check your device’s documentation to find details about which MIDI 
channel should be used, etc.
2.Solo the track.
This might not be necessary, but it is a good safety measure.
3.Make sure the device is set up to receive System Exclusive data (of-
ten, the reception of SysEx is turned off by default).
4.If...

CUBASE LEWorking with System Exclusive messages 22 – 445
Recording System Exclusive parameter changes
Often you can use System Exclusive to change individual settings in a 
device, open up a filter, select a waveform, change the decay of the 
reverb etc. Many devices are also capable of transmitting changes 
made on the front panel as System Exclusive messages. These can be 
recorded into Cubase LE, and thus incorporated into a regular MIDI 
recording.
Heres how it works: lets say you open up a filter...

CUBASE LE22 – 446 Working with System Exclusive messages
Editing System Exclusive messages
While System Exclusive events are shown in the List Editor, their entire 
content is not (only the beginning of the message is displayed in the 
Comment column for the event). Furthermore, you cannot edit the 
event (other than moving it) as you can with other event types in the 
List Editor.
Instead, you use the MIDI SysEx Editor for this.
•To open the SysEx editor for an event, click in the Comments column 
for...

CUBASE LEWorking with System Exclusive messages 22 – 447
Selecting and viewing values
To select a value, either click on it or use the cursor keys. The se-
lected byte is indicated in various formats:
• In the main display, values are shown in Hexadecimal.
• To the right of this, values are shown as ASCII.
• At the bottom of the dialog, the selected value is shown in binary and decimal 
formats.
Editing a value
The selected value can be edited directly in the main display or in the 
decimal and binary...

CUBASE LE22 – 448 Working with System Exclusive messages 

23
Export Audio Mixdown 

CUBASE LE23 – 450 Export Audio Mixdown
Background
The Export Audio Mixdown function allows you to mix down all audio 
tracks, complete with effects and automation, into one or several audio 
files, in one of several file formats. The following rules apply:
• All audio you hear on playback will be included in the mixdown file!
You can however choose whether you want effects and automation included in the 
mixdown, as described below.
• Cubase LE can export to a number of different file formats, each with...