Steinberg Cubase SX/SL 3 Audio Effects And VSTi Manual

 
CUBASE SX/SL
The included effect plug-ins 1 – 21 
The Calibrate function
 
This function, activated by using the Calibrate button located below 
the Threshold knob, is used to automatically set the threshold level. It 
is especially useful for material with consistent inherent background 
noise, like tape hiss. This may most of the time be masked by the au-
dio content, but becomes noticeable during silent passages.
Use it as follows: 
1. 
Find a part of the audio material, preferably not too short,...

 
CUBASE SX/SL
1 – 22 The included effect plug-ins 
The Compressor section
 
Compressor reduces the dynamic range of the audio, making softer 
sounds louder or louder sounds softer, or both. Compressor functions 
like a standard compressor with separate controls for threshold, ratio, 
attack, release and make-up gain parameters. Compressor features a 
separate display that graphically illustrates the compressor curve 
shaped according to the Threshold, Ratio and MakeUp Gain parame-
ter settings....

 
CUBASE SX/SL
The included effect plug-ins 1 – 23 
The Limiter section
 
Limiter is designed to ensure that the output level never exceeds a 
certain set output level, to avoid clipping in following devices. Con-
ventional limiters usually require very accurate setting up of the attack 
and release parameters, to totally avoid the possibility of the output 
level going beyond the set threshold level. Limiter adjusts and opti-
mizes these parameters automatically, according to the audio mate-
rial. You...

 
CUBASE SX/SL
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Magneto (Cubase SX only)
 
Magneto brings the positive qualities of analog recording to your dig-
ital system, by providing the following capabilities: 
• Simulates “tape saturation” and “tape overdrive” in a very realistic manner.
• Adds warmth, punch, and brilliance to a sound.
• Allows you to emphasize the “small details” in the sound.
• Works great on bass and guitar recordings as well as on drums, including 
individual samples and drum loops.
•...

 
CUBASE SX/SL
The included effect plug-ins 1 – 25 
About the Drive parameter and Magneto output levels
 
• Magneto is different from analog tape recorders in one respect: On an analog 
tape machine, you will get a lower output level when overdriving the tape “too 
far”. This is known as the “saturation” effect. In Magneto, high Drive settings 
do not have this effect on the Output level.
• Magneto needs headroom to perform its “magic”. For this reason you may 
note a decrease in Output level (compared...

 
CUBASE SX/SL
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Input Level
 
This is used to make sure the input signal is strong enough, without 
exceeding full level (so that clipping is avoided). 
• If your input is already normalized, or sufficiently hot, leave this knob at 0.0 dB.
• If you need to adjust the input level, switch the Level metering to Input. Then 
adjust the knob until the signal peaks are as close as possible to 0dB without 
ever exceeding that level!
 
Output Level
 
• Under normal conditions,...

 
CUBASE SX/SL
The included effect plug-ins 1 – 27 
The main parameters
 
You can change the Magneto parameters in realtime – i.e. while the 
audio material is played back – and the changes take effect more or 
less immediately (depending on your system). This allows you to ex-
periment to get a feeling for how the settings interact. 
Input level, Output Level, “Level” buttons and Meters
 
These are used to adjust the level throughout the signal chain as de-
scribed on the previous pages. 
Drive
 
This...

 
CUBASE SX/SL
1 – 28 The included effect plug-ins 
Characteristics
 
This affects the tonal characteristics of the “tape saturation” effect 
controlled by the Drive parameter, as described above. 
Tape Speed
 
This switches the tape simulation between 15 and 30 ips (inches per 
second) tape speed. There are slight differences in the harmonic 
character of the two. How much you will actually be able to hear of 
this difference depends on the frequency content of the material. 
HF-Adjust
 
Various types...

 
CUBASE SX/SL
The included effect plug-ins 1 – 29 
MIDI Gate
 
Gating, in its fundamental form, silences audio signals below a certain 
set threshold level. I.e. when a signal rises above the set level, the 
Gate opens to let the signal through while signals below the set level 
are cut off. MIDI Gate however, is a Gate effect that is not triggered by 
threshold levels, but instead by MIDI notes. Hence it needs both audio 
and MIDI data to function. 
Setting up
 
MIDI Gate requires both an audio signal...

 
CUBASE SX/SL
1 – 30 The included effect plug-ins 
What to do next depends on whether you are using live or recorded 
audio and whether you are using real-time or recorded MIDI. We will 
assume for the purposes of this manual that you are using recorded 
audio, and play the MIDI in real-time.
Make sure the MIDI track is selected and start playback. 
5. 
Now play a few notes on your MIDI keyboard. 
As you can hear, the audio track material is affected by what you play on your MIDI key-
board.
 
The...