Steinberg Cubase SE 3 Audio Effects And VSTi Manual

							CUBASE SE
The included effect plug-ins 1 – 41
Vocoder parameters
The Vocoder parameters govern the general sound quality of the 
vocoded sound.
Parameter Description
Number of 
BandsThis governs how many frequency bands the modulator signal is divided 
into (2-24). Fewer bands will provide a thinner more resonant sound, 
whereas using more bands will make the sound fuller and more intelligible.
Bandwidth This sets the bandwidth for the frequency bands, which affects the over-
all timbre. Very narrow bandwidth settings will produce a thin, whistle-
like sound. 
Min./Max. 
Freq.These parameters set the minimum and maximum frequency limits for 
the Vocoder, respectively.
log/linLog/Lin controls how the frequency bands are spaced between the mini-
mum and maximum frequencies. Log = equal spacing in octaves, Lin = 
equal spacing in Hz. This affects the basic timbre of the Vocoder.
Env.Speed This determines the attack and release times of the Vocoder envelope. 
Fast settings will cause the modulator signal to trigger the Vocoder in-
stantly, longer settings will gradually increase the attack/release times, 
providing a more subtle Vocoder effect. If set to “HOLD” the modulator 
is “frozen”, and doesn’t affect the carrier synth at all.
High Thru This lets through high frequencies around the “S” frequency from the 
original input signal while notes are played.
Talk Thru Adjusts the level of the original input signal passed to the Vocoder out-
put while notes are played.
Gap ThruGap Thru (only available in MIDI mode) sets the level of the original input 
signal that is passed to the Vocoder output when no MIDI notes are being 
played. This lets you apply the Vocoder to a vocal track adding vocoded 
parts just where you want them.
Output This controls the output level of the Vocoder.
Emphasis This is a highpass filter, gradually cutting lower frequencies while letting 
high frequencies pass. 
						

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1 – 42 The included effect plug-ins
Vocoder synth parameters
If the built-in synthesizer is the carrier, it is the sound of this instrument 
that the modulator source is applied to. The synth is polyphonic with 
up to 8 voices and features 2 oscillators per voice. The synth has the 
following parameters:
Parameter Description
Voices This sets the number of voices for the synth (1-8).
Fine Tune Tunes the oscillators ± a semitone, in cents (100th of a semitone) steps.
Pitch Bend Sets the up/down range of the Pitch Bend in semitone steps (1-12).
Noise Adds white noise to the sound.
NoiseMod This makes the oscillators modulate the noise level. This gives the noise 
a rasping sound, turning “sss” into “zzz”.
P.Drift Adds random pitch variation to the oscillators.
P.Glide This makes the pitch glide between notes played. The parameter con-
trols the time it takes for the pitch to glide from one note to the next. 
P.Bright This is a lowpass filter that can be used to soften the tone of the oscilla-
tors. It does not affect the white noise generator.
P.Detune Allows you to detune one of the oscillators in cent steps.
LFO Rate Controls the LFO rate (for vibrato).
Vibrato Adds vibrato to the oscillators. This can also be controlled by using the 
Mod Wheel. 
						

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The included effect plug-ins 1 – 43
Restoration
This section contains descriptions of the plug-ins in the “Restoration” 
category.
Grungelizer
The Grungelizer adds noise and static to your recordings – kind of like 
listening to a radio with bad reception, or a worn and scratched vinyl 
record. The available parameters are as follows:
Parameter Description
Crackle This adds crackle to create that old vinyl record sound. The farther to 
the right you turn the dial, the more crackle is added.
RPM switch When emulating the sound of a vinyl record, this switch lets you set the 
RPM (revolutions per minute) speed of the record (33/45/78 RPM).
Noise This dial regulates the amount of static noise added.
Distort Use this dial to add distortion.
EQ Turn this dial to the right to cut off the low frequencies, and create a 
more hollow, lo-fi sound.
AC This emulates a constant, low hum of AC current.
Frequency 
switchThis sets the frequency of the AC current (50 or 60Hz), and thus the 
pitch of the AC hum.
Timeline This dial regulates the amount of overall effect. The farther to the right 
(1900) you turn this dial, the more noticeable the effect.  
						

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1 – 44 The included effect plug-ins
Reverb plug-ins
This section contains descriptions of the plug-ins in the “Reverb” 
category.
Reverb A
Reverb A is a reverb plug-in which provides smooth, dense reverb 
effects. Reverb A has the following parameters:
Parameter Description
Mix Sets the level balance between the dry signal and the effect (wet). If 
Reverb A is used as a send effect, this should be set to maximum wet, 
as you can control the dry/wet balance with the send. 
Room Size This setting determines the “size” of the simulated room environment.
Predelay This parameter sets a delay between the direct sound and the reverb 
effect output. A short predelay before the reverb reduces reverb “clut-
ter” which blurs the sound, and makes the reverb effect more natural-
sounding.
Reverb Time This parameter sets the length of the reverb time.
Filter HighCut This filters out high frequencies for the reverb, which can make the re-
verb sound softer.
Filter LowCut This filters out the lower frequencies for the reverb. It can be used to 
reduce low frequency “rumble”.  
						

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The included effect plug-ins 1 – 45
Reverb B
The Reverb B provides reverb with low processor demands. It has the 
following parameters:
Parameter Description
Mix Sets the level balance between the dry signal and the effect. If Reverb B 
is used as a send effect, this should be set to maximum as you can con-
trol the dry/effect balance with the send.
Room Size Governs the “size” of the simulated room environment.
Predelay This parameter sets a delay between the direct sound and the reverb 
effect output. A short predelay before the reverb reduces reverb “clut-
ter” which blurs the sound, and makes the reverb effect more natural-
sounding.
Reverb Time This parameter sets the length of the reverb effect.
Damp This parameter “dampens” the higher frequencies, producing a rounder 
and smoother sounding reverb.  
						

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							2
The included VST Instruments 
						

							CUBASE SE
2 – 48 The included VST Instruments
VB-1 Bass Synth
The VB-1 is a virtual bass instrument built on real-time physical mod-
elling principles. It has the following properties:
•VB-1 is polyphonic with up to 4 voices. 
•VB-1 receives MIDI In Omni mode (on all MIDI channels).
You don’t need to select a MIDI channel to direct MIDI to the VB-1.
•VB-1 responds to the following MIDI messages: 
MIDI Note On/Off (velocity governs volume), Volume and Pan.  
						

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The included VST Instruments 2 – 49
VB-1 Parameters
Parameter Description
Pick-up To change the Pick-up position, click and drag the lower end of the Pick-
up. Positioning the pick-up position towards the left produces a hollow 
sound that emphasizes the upper harmonics of the plucked string. When 
placed towards the right position, the tone is fuller and warmer. 
Pick This determines where along the length of the string the initial pluck is 
made. This controls the “roundness” of the tone, just like on a real bass. 
Click-drag the Pick to change position.
Shape This knob selects the basic waveform used to drive the plucked string 
model. This parameter can drastically change the sound character. The 
control smoothly morphs through the waves. It is possible to create 
sounds that have no relation to a bass guitar with this control.
Volume This knob regulates the VB-1 volume.
Damper This parameter controls the length of time the string vibrates after being 
plucked.  
						

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LM-7 Drum Machine
The LM-7 is a 24-bit drum machine. It has the following properties:
•LM-7 is polyphonic with up to 12 voices.
•LM-7 receives MIDI in Omni mode (on all MIDI channels).
You don’t need to select a MIDI channel to direct MIDI to LM-7.
•LM-7 responds to the following MIDI messages: 
MIDI Note On/Off (velocity governs volume).
Volume and Tune faders 
(for each drum sound).This adjusts the Pan (the position in the stereo image) 
for the individual drums. The setting is applied to the 
currently selected drum, indicated by a lit yellow LED 
over the Pad button.
This sets the 
global velocity 
sensitivity for 
LM-7.
Pad (one for each drum sound). Press to audition the drum sound 
assigned to the Pad, or to select a sound for adjusting pan.
Master Volume