Steinberg Cubase SE 3 Operation Manual

CUBASE SE
Audio processing and functions 14 – 261
Clip 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 with-
out causing clipping, you should use the Normalize function instead 
(see page 263).
Pre- and Post-Crossfade...

CUBASE SE
14 – 262 Audio processing and functions
Noise Gate
Scans the audio for sections weaker than a specified threshold level, 
and replaces them with silence. 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...

CUBASE SE
Audio processing and functions 14 – 263
Dry/Wet mix
Allows you to specify a mix ratio between “dry” and processed sound.
Pre- and Post-Crossfade
See page 259.
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 result-
ing amount (if the specified maximum level is...

CUBASE SE
14 – 264 Audio processing and functions
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) should be phase reversed.
Pre- and Post-Crossfade
See page 259.
Pitch Shift
This function allows you to change the pitch of the audio with or without 
affecting its length. You can create “harmonies” by specifying...

CUBASE SE
Audio processing and functions 14 – 265
When the “Transpose” tab is selected, the dialog contains the follow-
ing parameters:
Keyboard display
This offers a way to specify the transpose interval in semitones, and 
gives a graphic overview of the transposition setting.
•The “root note” is indicated in red.
This has nothing to do with the actual key or pitch of the original audio, it just provides 
a way to display transpose intervals. If you like, you can change the root note by using 
the...

CUBASE SE
14 – 266 Audio processing and functions
Listen Key/Chord button
Clicking this button plays a test tone, pitched according to the acti-
vated interval key on the keyboard display. If “Multi Shift” is activated, 
this button is called “Listen Chord”, and plays all activated intervals, 
as a chord.
Pitch Shift Base
This allows you to set the root note (the red key in the keyboard dis-
play). This has no actual relation to the pitch of the audio material, but 
should be viewed as an aid for easily...

CUBASE SE
Audio processing and functions 14 – 267
When the “Envelope” tab is selected, you can specify an envelope 
curve on which the pitch shift should be based. This allows you to 
create pitch bend effects, pitch shift different sections of the audio by 
different amounts, etc.
Envelope display
Shows the shape of the envelope curve, over the waveform image of 
the audio selected for processing. Envelope curve points above the 
center line indicate positive pitch shift, while curve points below the...

CUBASE SE
14 – 268 Audio processing and functions
The same envelope with damped spline segments selected
The same envelope with linear segments selected.
Range
This parameter determines the vertical pitch range of the envelope. If 
set to “4”, moving a curve point to the top of the display corresponds to 
pitch shifting by + 4 semitones. The maximum range is +/- 16 semi-
tones. 
Transpose and Fine Tune
Allows you to adjust the value of a curve point numerically:
1.Click on a curve point to select it.
The...

CUBASE SE
Audio processing and functions 14 – 269
Example
Let’s say that you wish to create a pitch bend effect, so that the pitch is 
raised linearly by exactly 2 semitones in a specific part of the selected 
audio.
1.Remove all curve points by clicking the Reset button.
2.Select a linear curve by clicking the right Curve Kind button.
3.Create a point where you want the pitch bend to start by clicking on 
the envelope line.
Since this is the starting point for the pitch bend, you want its pitch to be...

CUBASE SE
14 – 270 Audio processing and functions
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.
It is recommended that this function is...