Steinberg Cubase SE 3 Operation Manual

CUBASE SE
Automation 12 – 231
Using Write/Read automation
All track types except folder, marker, video and ruler tracks feature 
Write (W) and Read (R) buttons in the mixer, in the Track list and in the 
Channel Settings window. Furthermore, the control panels for all plug-
in effects and VST Instruments also feature Write and Read buttons.
The Write and Read buttons for a channel in the mixer, and for an automation 
subtrack in the Track list.
•If you activate Write for a channel, all mixer parameters...

CUBASE SE
12 – 232 Automation
There are also global Read All and Write All Automation buttons in the 
mixer’s common panel and at the top of the Track list:
The global Write and Read buttons in the mixer, and in the Track list.
•When Read All is activated, all your recorded mixer actions for all 
channels will be performed during playback.
•When Write All is activated, all mixer actions you perform during play-
back (for all channels) will be recorded as automation events.
Recording your actions – an...

CUBASE SE
Automation 12 – 233
6.If you wish to redo anything that was recorded, activate Write mode 
again, and start playback from the same position.
•You can have Write and Read activated simultaneously, if you want to 
watch and listen to your recorded mixer actions while you’re recording 
fader movements for another mixer channel, etc.
Recording plug-in automation
Every parameter for every assigned effect or VST Instrument can be 
automated in much the same manner as described above.
The following...

CUBASE SE
12 – 234 Automation
Assigning an automated parameter to an automation subtrack
To select which parameter is currently shown in the automation track 
for the FX channel, proceed as follows:
1.Click in the parameter display for the FX channel automation subtrack.
The parameter display pop-up list is shown containing the automation parameters for 
the plug-in. The parameter(s) you previously automated are indicated by an asterisk af-
ter the parameter name in the list.
Automated parameters for the...

CUBASE SE
Automation 12 – 235
Working with automation curves
About automation curves 
There are two kinds of automation curves, “ramp” and “jump”:
•Jump curves are created for any parameter that only has on/off values, 
like a Mute button, for example.
•Ramp curves are created for any parameter that generates continuous 
multiple values, such as fader or dial movements etc. 
Examples of jump and ramp automation curves shown in the event display.
About the static value line
When you first open an...

CUBASE SE
12 – 236 Automation
Editing automation events
Drawing automation events
By using write automation in the mixer, you generate automation events 
by moving parameter dials and fader settings in the mixer. You can also 
add them manually, by drawing automation curves on an automation 
subtrack. Proceed as follows:
1.Open a volume automation subtrack for an audio track by clicking the 
“+” sign.
The static value line is shown in the event display.
2.Select the Pencil tool.
You can also use the...

CUBASE SE
Automation 12 – 237
5.When you release the mouse button, the number of automation events 
is reduced to a few events, but the basic shape of the curve still remains 
the same.
This “thinning” of events is governed by the Automation Reduction Level setting in the 
Preferences dialog, see page 241.
6.If you now activate playback, the volume will change with the automa-
tion curve.
In the mixer the corresponding fader moves accordingly.
7.Simply redo the operation if you are not happy with the...

CUBASE SE
12 – 238 Automation
• The Line tool in Parabola mode works in the same way, but aligns the automa-
tion events with a parabolic curve instead, giving more “natural” curves and 
fades.
Note that the result depends on the direction from which you draw the parabolic curve.
• The Sine, Triangle and Square Line tool modes create automation events 
aligned with continuous curves.
If snap is activated and set to Grid, the period of the curve (the length of one curve 
“cycle”) is determined by the grid...

CUBASE SE
Automation 12 – 239
•To select all automation events on a subtrack, right-click (Win) or 
[Ctrl]-click (Mac) the automation subtrack in the Track list and choose 
“Select All Events” from the context menu.
Removing automation events
There are several ways to remove event points:
•By selecting points and pressing [Backspace] or [Delete] or selecting 
Delete from the Edit menu.
•By clicking on a point with the Eraser tool.
•By selecting a range (with the Range Selection tool), and pressing...

CUBASE SE
12 – 240 Automation
Tips and common methods
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to describing which 
automation method you should use. You can for example never even 
open an automation subtrack, and stick with write automation through-
out a project. Or you can stick to drawing automation curves to auto-
mate settings in a project. Both methods have their advantages, but it 
is of course up to you to decide what to use and when.
•Editing curves on automation subtracks offers a...