Steinberg Cubase SX/SL 3 Audio Effects And VSTi Manual

							CUBASE SX/SL
The included effect plug-ins 1 – 41
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 SX/SL
1 – 42 The included effect plug-ins
Tonic – Analog Modeling Filter 
(Cubase SX only)
Tonic is a versatile and powerful analog modeling filter plug-in based 
on the filter design of the Monologue monophonic synthesizer. Its vari-
able characteristics plus the powerful modulation functions make it an 
excellent choice for all current music styles. Designed to be more a 
creative tool rather than a tool to fix audio problems, it can add color 
and punch to your tracks while being light on CPU usage.
The Tonic Analog Modeling Filter has the following properties:
•Dynamic multimode analog modeling filter (mono/stereo).
•24 dB low pass, 18 dB low pass, 12 dB low pass, 6 dB low pass, 
12 dB band pass and 12 dB high pass modes.
•Adjustable drive and resonance up to self-oscillation.
•Envelope follower for dynamic filter control with an audio signal.
•Audio and MIDI trigger modes.
•Powerful step LFO with smoothing and morphing.
•X/Y matrix pad for additional realtime modulation with access to all 
Tonic parameters.  
						

							CUBASE SX/SL
The included effect plug-ins 1 – 43
Filter
Env Mod
Parameter Description
Mode Sets the filter type. Available filter types are: 24 dB Low pass, 
18 dB Low pass, 12 dB Low pass, 6 dB Low pass, 12 dB Band 
pass and 12 dB High pass.
Cutoff Sets the filter cutoff frequency. How this parameter operates is 
governed by the filter type.
Res Changes the resonance of the multi-mode filter. Full resonance 
puts the filter into self-oscillation.
Drive Drive adds a soft, tube-like saturation to the sound. Like for an 
analog filter, the amount of saturation also depends on the input 
signal level.
Mix Sets the balance between dry and effect signal.
Ch. Chose between mono or stereo operation. When set to mono, the 
output signal of Tonic will be mono regardless of the input signal.
Parameter Description
Mode Tonic offers three types of envelope modulation:
“Follow” tracks the input signal’s volume envelope for dynamic con-
trol of the filter cutoff.
“Trigger” uses the input signal to trigger the envelope and have it 
run through a single envelope cycle.
“MIDI” uses any MIDI note to trigger the envelope. The filter cutoff 
tracks the keys played on the keyboard. In addition velocities higher 
than 80 will add an accent to the envelope by increasing the enve-
lope depth and reducing the decay time.
For MIDI control, set up a separate MIDI control track and select 
“Tonic” from the output pop-up menu for the track.
Attack Controls the attack time of the envelope. Higher attack times result 
in slower rise times when the envelope is triggered.
Release Controls the release time of the envelope. Higher release times re-
sult in slower envelope tails.
Depth Controls the amount of envelope control applied to the filter cutoff 
level.
LFO Mod Using this parameter, envelope level modulates the LFO speed. 
A rather stunning effect… 
						

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1 – 44 The included effect plug-ins
LFO Mod
X/Y Pad
Parameter Description
Mode Sets the direction of the step LFO modulation. The available 
modes are: Forward, Reverse, Alternating, and Random.
Depth Controls the amount of LFO modulation applied to the filter cutoff 
level.
Rate Controls the speed of the LFO modulation. The LFO rate is always 
in sync with the song tempo. For example: a rate of 4.00 steps per 
beat advances the step sequencer in 16th notes at a 4/4 time sig-
nature. A rate of 4.00 beats per step would advance the LFO at 
only one step per bar in a 4/4 time signature.
Smooth The smooth parameter controls the smoothing of the LFO steps. 
This works like a glide effect applied to the filter cutoff.
Morph Morph controls the playback value of the LFO step sequencer. It 
makes the LFO steps drift about randomly. Experiment freely with 
the morph parameter. As you return the knob to its zero position 
the step pattern will return to its original setting.
Steps Sets the number of steps played in sequence. Deactivated steps 
are grayed out in the step window.
Preset Offers a number of step LFO waveform patterns. Choices include: 
Sine, Sine+, Cosine, Triangle, Sawtooth, Square, Random and 
User (which is the pattern saved with the respective program).
Step Matrix Click into the step matrix to set the level for each of the 16 LFO 
steps. A higher amount results in a deeper filter cutoff modulation. 
Click and drag along the matrix to “draw” a waveform.
Parameter Description
X Par Sets the parameter to be modulated on the x axis of the XY Pad. All 
of Tonic’s parameters are available as destinations
Y Par Sets the parameter to be modulated on the y axis of the XY Pad.
XY Pad  Use the mouse to control any two of Tonic’s parameters in combi-
nation. By moving the mouse horizontally, you can control the x pa-
rameter, by moving it vertically, you can control the y parameter. 
You can also record controller movements as automation data. 
						

							CUBASE SX/SL
The included effect plug-ins 1 – 45
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. 
Shapes This sets the modulation waveform. Triangle produces smooth modu-
lation, 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.
Stages This adds one to three more delay taps, producing a thicker, multi-lay-
ered chorus effect.  
						

							CUBASE SX/SL
1 – 46 The included effect plug-ins
Flanger
Flanger is a classic flanger effect with stereo enhancement.
The parameters are as follows:
Parameter Description
Mix Sets 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.  
						

							CUBASE SX/SL
The included effect plug-ins 1 – 47
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. 
						

							CUBASE SX/SL
1 – 48 The included effect plug-ins
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.  
						

							CUBASE SX/SL
The included effect plug-ins 1 – 49
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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1 – 50 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 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.