Steinberg Cubase SX/SL 3 Operation Manual

CUBASE SX/SLAutomation 14 – 331
•X-Over mode works like Autolatch mode, but with one difference: As 
soon as you “cross” any existing (previous) automation curve, the writ-
ing is automatically turned off.
•Overwrite mode affects volume automation only. It works like Autolatch 
mode, with one significant difference: the program starts writing the 
automation as soon as you start playback, and stops writing when you 
turn off Write.
This means that automation will be written continuously from the moment...

CUBASE SX/SL14 – 332 Automation
Recording your actions – an example
If the settings in your current project are crucial, you may not want to 
“experiment” with automation until you know more about how it all fits 
together. If so, you can create a new project for the following example. It 
doesn’t even have to contain any audio events, just a few audio tracks. 
Proceed as follows:
1.Open the Mixer window.
2.Click the “Write All” button in the mixer common panel.
Cubase SX/SL is now in global Write mode....

CUBASE SX/SLAutomation 14 – 333
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 example assumes that you have assigned an insert effect 
to an FX channel track (see page 267), and describes how to record 
automation for the effect:
1.Activate Write All in the mixer common panel or in the Track list to put 
Cubase SX/SL in global Write mode.
2.Select the FX channel track in the Track list...

CUBASE SX/SL14 – 334 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 after 
the parameter name in the list.
Automated parameters for...

CUBASE SX/SLAutomation 14 – 335
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 (top subtrack) and ramp automation curves shown in the event 
display.
About the static value line
When you...

CUBASE SX/SL14 – 336 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 SX/SLAutomation 14 – 337
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 342.
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 SX/SL14 – 338 Automation
• The Line tool in Parabola mode works the same way, but aligns the automation 
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 SX/SLAutomation 14 – 339
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 
[Backspace] or [Delete] or selecting Delete from the Edit menu.
•By clicking in the parameter display on a subtrack and selecting “Re-
move Parameter” from the pop-up.
This will remove all...

CUBASE SX/SL14 – 340 Automation
Editing automation events in the Project Browser
You can also edit automation events in the Project Browser. Proceed 
as follows:
1.Open the Project Browser by selecting it from the Project menu.
The Browser window opens. The window is divided into two sections, the Structure 
list to the left, and the event display to the right.
2.Click on the “+” sign for a track in the structure list.
Automated tracks have two subitems: Track Data and Automation. The Automation 
item...