Steinberg Cubase SE 3 Audio Effects And VSTi Manual

							 
CUBASE SE
The included effect plug-ins 1 – 21 
Filter plug-ins
 
This section contains descriptions of the plug-ins in the “Filter” category. 
StepFilter
 
StepFilter is a pattern-controlled multimode filter that can create 
rhythmic, pulsating filter effects. 
General operation
 
StepFilter can produce two simultaneous 16-step patterns for the fil-
ter cutoff and resonance parameters, synchronized to the sequencer 
tempo.  
						

							 
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1 – 22 The included effect plug-ins 
Setting step values
 
• 
Setting step values is done by clicking in the pattern grid windows. 
• 
Individual step entries can be freely dragged up or down the vertical 
axis, or directly set by clicking in an empty grid box. By click-dragging 
left or right consecutive step entries will be set to the pointer position. 
Setting filter cutoff values in the grid window. 
• 
The horizontal axis shows the pattern steps 1-16 from left to right, and 
the vertical axis determines the (relative) filter cutoff frequency and 
resonance setting. 
The higher up on the vertical axis a step value is entered, the higher the relative filter 
cutoff frequency or filter resonance setting.
 
• 
By starting playback and editing the patterns for the cutoff and reso-
nance parameters, you can hear how your filter patterns affect the 
sound source connected to StepFilter directly. 
Selecting new patterns 
 
• 
Created patterns are saved with the project, and up to 8 different cut-
off and resonance patterns can be saved internally.  
Both the cutoff and resonance patterns are saved together in the 8 Pattern memories. 
 
• 
To select new patterns you use the pattern selector. 
New patterns are all set to the same step value by default.
Pattern Selector   
						

							 
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The included effect plug-ins 1 – 23 
Using pattern copy and paste to create variations
 
You can use the Copy and Paste buttons below the pattern selector 
to copy a pattern to another pattern memory location, which is useful 
for creating variations on a pattern. 
• 
Click the Copy button with the pattern you wish to copy selected, se-
lect another pattern memory location, and click Paste. 
The pattern is copied to the new location, and can now be edited to create variations 
using the original pattern as a starting point.
 
StepFilter parameters
 
Parameter/Value Description 
Base Cutoff This sets the base filter cutoff frequency. Cutoff values set in the 
Cutoff grid window are values relative to the Base Cutoff value.
Base Resonance This sets the base filter resonance. Resonance values set in the 
Resonance grid window are values relative to the Base Reso-
nance value. Note that very high Base Resonance settings can 
produce loud ringing effects at certain frequencies.
Glide This will apply glide between the pattern step values, causing 
values to change more smoothly.
Filter Mode  This slider selects between lowpass (LP), bandpass (BP) or 
highpass (HP) filter modes (from left to right respectively).
Sync 1/1-1/32 
(Straight, Triplet 
or Dotted)This sets the pattern beat resolution, i.e. what note values the 
pattern will play in relation to the tempo. 
Mix Adjusts the mix between dry and processed signal.
Output Sets the overall volume. 
						

							 
CUBASE SE
1 – 24 The included effect plug-ins 
Modulation plug-ins
 
This section contains descriptions of the plug-ins in the “Modulation” 
category. 
Chorus
 
The Chorus plug-in adds short delays to the signal, and pitch modu-
lates the delayed signals to produce a “doubling” effect.
The parameters are as follows: 
•Note that clicking and dragging in the display allows you to adjust the 
Frequency and Delay parameters at the same time!
 
Parameter Description 
Mix Sets the level balance between the dry signal and the effect. If Chorus is 
used as a send effect, this should be set to maximum as you can control 
the dry/effect balance with the send. 
ShapesThis sets the modulation waveform. Triangle produces smooth modulation, 
saw produces ramp shaped modulation and pulse waveform produces 
stepped modulation.
Frequency This sets the modulation rate.
Delay This controls the depth of the Chorus effect.
StagesThis adds one to three more delay taps, producing a thicker, multi-layered 
chorus effect.  
						

							 
CUBASE SE
The included effect plug-ins 1 – 25 
Flanger
 
Flanger is a classic flanger effect with stereo enhancement.
The parameters are as follows: 
Parameter Description 
MixSets the level balance between the dry signal and the effect. If the Flanger 
is used as a send effect, this should be set to maximum as you can control 
the dry/effect balance with the send. 
Output Sets the overall volume.
Tempo sync 
on/offThe button above the Rate knob is used to switch tempo sync on or off. 
The button is lit when tempo sync is on.
Rate If tempo sync is on, this is where you specify the base note value for 
tempo syncing the flanger sweep (1/1 - 1/32, straight, triplet or dotted).
If tempo sync is off, the sweep rate can be set freely with the Rate knob, 
without sync to tempo.
Tempo Sync 
knobThis is the note value multiplier (x1 to x10) for the flanger sweep when 
tempo sync is used.
Shape Sync 
knobThis changes the shape of the modulating waveform, altering the char-
acter of the flanger sweep.
Feedback This determines the character of the flanger effect. Higher settings pro-
duce a more “metallic” sounding sweep.
Depth This sets the depth of the modulation sweep.
Delay This parameter affects the frequency range of the modulation sweep, by 
adjusting the initial delay time. 
Stereo Basis This sets the stereo width of the effect. 0% is mono, 50% original stereo, 
and 100% maximum stereo enhancement.  
						

							 
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1 – 26 The included effect plug-ins 
You can also change parameters in the graphic display. This works as 
follows: 
• 
If tempo sync is on, you can set the base note value by clicking the 
waveform and dragging left and right. 
When tempo sync is off, this sets the Rate parameter.
 
• 
You can set the Depth parameter by clicking the waveform and drag-
ging up and down. 
This means you can freely adjust Rate and Depth at the same time by clicking and 
dragging.
 
• 
By click-dragging the green/blue line in the display left or right you 
can change the Stereo Basis parameter. 
						

							 
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The included effect plug-ins 1 – 27 
Metalizer
 
The Metalizer feeds the audio signal through a variable frequency fil-
ter, with tempo sync or time modulation and feedback control. 
•Note that clicking and dragging in the display allows you to adjust the 
Sharpness and Tone parameters at the same time!
 
Parameter Description 
Mix Sets the level balance between the dry signal and the effect. If Metalizer 
is used as a send effect, this should be set to maximum as you can con-
trol the dry/effect balance with the send. 
Output Sets the overall volume.
Tempo sync 
on/offThe button above the Speed knob is used to switch tempo sync on or 
off. The button is lit when tempo sync is on.
Speed If tempo sync is on, this is where you specify the base note value for 
tempo-syncing the effect (1/1 - 1/32, straight, triplet or dotted). Note 
that there is no note value modifier for this effect.
If tempo sync is off, the modulation speed can be set freely with the 
Speed knob, without sync to tempo.
On button Turns filter modulation on and off. When turned off, the Metalizer will 
work as a static filter.
Mono button When this is on, the output of the Metalizer will be in mono. 
Sharpness Governs the character of the filter effect. The higher the value, the nar-
rower the affected frequency area, producing sharper sound and a 
more pronounced effect.
Tone Governs the feedback frequency. The effect of this will be more notice-
able with high Feedback settings.
Feedback The higher the value, the more “metallic” the sound.  
						

							 
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1 – 28 The included effect plug-ins 
Phaser
 
The Phaser plug-in produces the classic “swooshing” sound that 
characterizes phasing. It works by shifting the phase of the signal and 
adding it back to the original signal, causing partial cancellation of the 
frequency spectrum. 
Parameter Description 
Mix Sets the level balance between the dry signal and the effect. If the 
Phaser is used as a send effect, this should be set to maximum as you 
can control the dry/effect balance with the send. 
Output Sets the overall volume.
Tempo sync 
on/offThe button above the Rate knob is used to switch tempo sync on or off. 
The button is lit when tempo sync is on.
Rate If tempo sync is on, this is where you specify the base note value for 
tempo syncing the Phaser sweep (1/1 - 1/32, straight, triplet or dot-
ted). If tempo sync is off, the sweep rate can be set freely with the Rate 
knob, without sync to tempo.
Feedback This sets the amount of feedback. A higher value produces a more pro-
nounced effect.
Tempo Sync 
knobThis is the note value multiplier (x1 to x10) for the Phaser sweep when 
tempo sync is used. 
Stereo Basis This sets the stereo width of the effect. 0% is mono, 50% original ste-
reo, and 100% maximum stereo enhancement.  
						

							 
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The included effect plug-ins 1 – 29 
You can also change parameters in the graphic display. This works as 
follows: 
• 
If tempo sync is on, you can set the base note value by clicking the 
waveform and dragging left and right. 
When tempo sync is off, this sets the Rate parameter.
 
• 
You can set the Feedback parameter by clicking the waveform and 
dragging up and down. 
This means you can freely adjust the Rate and Feedback at the same time by clicking 
and dragging.
 
• 
By click-dragging the blue/green line in the display left or right you 
can change the Stereo Basis parameter. 
Ringmodulator
The Ringmodulator can produce complex, bell-like enharmonic sounds. 
Ring modulators work by multiplying two audio signals. The ring modu-
lated output contains added frequencies generated by the sum of, and 
the difference between, the frequencies of the two signals. 
The Ringmodulator has a built-in oscillator that is multiplied with the 
input signal to produce the effect. 
Parameter Description
Oscillator LFO 
AmountLFO Amount controls how much the oscillator frequency is affected 
by the LFO.  
						

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Oscillator Env. 
AmountEnv. Amount controls how much the oscillator frequency is af-
fected by the envelope (which is triggered by the input signal). 
Positive and negative values can be set, with center position rep-
resenting no modulation. Left of center, a loud input signal will de-
crease the oscillator pitch, whereas right of center the oscillator 
pitch will increase when fed a loud input.
Oscillator Wave Selects the oscillator waveform; square, sine, saw or triangle.
Oscillator Range Determines the frequency range of the oscillator in Hz.
Oscillator 
FrequencySets the oscillator frequency +/- 2 octaves within the selected 
range.
Roll-OffCuts high frequencies in the oscillator waveform, to soften the over-
all sound. This is best used when harmonically rich waveforms are 
selected (e.g. square or saw).
LFO Waveform Selects the LFO waveform; square, sine, saw or triangle.
LFO Speed Sets the LFO Speed.
LFO Env. Amount Controls how much the input signal level – via the envelope gen-
erator – affects the LFO speed. Positive and negative values can 
be set, with center position representing no modulation. Left of 
center, a loud input signal will slow down the LFO, whereas right 
of center a loud input signal will speed it up.
Invert StereoThis inverts the LFO waveform for the right channel of the oscillator, 
which produces a wider stereo perspective for the modulation.
Envelope Generator 
(Attack and 
Decay dials)The Envelope Generator section controls how the input signal is 
converted to envelope data, which can then be used to control os-
cillator pitch and LFO speed. It has two main controls:
Attack sets how fast the envelope output level rises in response to 
a rising input signal.
Decay controls how fast the envelope output level falls in response 
to a falling input signal.
Lock L