Steinberg Cubase SX/SL 3 Score Layout And Printing Manual

CUBASE SXThe basics 2 – 31
About dialogs in the Score Editor
There are two basic types of dialogs available in the Score Editor:
• Non-modal dialogs can remain open while you continue working in the score.
In a non-modal dialog, you click the Apply button to apply the settings in the dialog to 
the selected objects in the score. This means you can select different elements in the 
score and change their settings, without having to close the dialog in between.
The dialog is closed by clicking the standard...

CUBASE SX2 – 32 The basics
Setting the initial time signature
From within the score
1.Double click on the time signature symbol at the beginning of the staff.
A dialog opens.
The time signature dialog with a 4/4 signature.
2.If the piece is in 4/4 or 2/2, you can select common time/cut time di-
rectly by clicking one of the two symbols on the right.
This will set the time signature to 4/4 or 2/2, respectively, but also give you a common/
cut time symbol on the staff.
3.If the piece is in any other time,...

CUBASE SXThe basics 2 – 33
Composite time signatures and the For Grouping Only option
For composite signatures, the numerator can be made up of up to four 
groups. For example, ”4+4+3+/” on the upper line and 8 on the lower 
means the time signature is 11/8.
The reason for dividing the numerator into several numbers is to get 
beaming and tied notes displayed correctly automatically. This does 
not affect the metronome or anything else, only beams and ties. For 
more information on beaming, see page...

CUBASE SX2 – 34 The basics
Setting the time signature by editing the tempo track
You can also add, edit and delete time signatures by editing the tempo 
track (this is described in the Operation Manual). Please note:
• The score always shows the time signature events on the tempo track, regard-
less of whether or not the Master button is activated. Likewise, any time signa-
tures you create in the Score Editor will be shown in the tempo track.
• You can not create composite time signatures from the tempo...

CUBASE SXThe basics 2 – 35
In the Staff Settings dialog
1.Click in the staff to make it the active staff.
2.Double click just to the left of the staff, or select Setup from the Staff 
Settings submenu on the Scores menu.
The Staff Settings dialog appears, showing the current settings for the active staff.
3.Locate the Key/Clef section.
4.Use the left scroll bar to select one of the available clefs.
You will find out how to insert clef changes on page 88.
5.Click Apply.
•You can select another staff in...

CUBASE SX2 – 36 The basics
Using Auto Clef
Auto Clef activated in the Staff Settings dialog.
In the Staff Settings dialog you will also find an option called Auto 
Clef. If this is activated, the program will automatically select a treble 
clef or a bass clef for the staff, depending on in which range the notes 
in the part fall.
Setting the initial key
In the Staff Settings dialog
1.Make sure the desired staff is the active staff and bring up the Staff 
Settings dialog from the Scores menu.
Or, you can...

CUBASE SXThe basics 2 – 37
Setting the key for a split system
You might have a split system (see page 85 and page 109) with two 
staves.
1.Click in the system to make one of its staves the active staff.
2.Open the Staff Settings dialog.
3.Set a key for the upper staff.
This will automatically set the lower staff to the same key.
4.If you need to set a different key for the lower staff, activate the “Lower 
Staff” check box and set a key for this.
The Lower Staff check box
Directly in the score
If the...

CUBASE SX2 – 38 The basics
Working with transposing instruments
Scores for some instruments, for example a lot of brass instruments, 
are written transposed. Therefore, the Score Editor provides a “display 
transpose” function. With this function notes are transposed in the 
score, without affecting the way they are played back. This allows you 
to record and play back a multi staff arrangement, and still score each 
instrument according to its own transposition.
Setting display transpose
1.Make the...

CUBASE SXThe basics 2 – 39
Working order
When you prepare a score we suggest you do things in the following 
order, since this will minimize the time needed if you make a mistake 
somewhere and need to redo a step. Try our suggestion first, and if 
you think another method suits your particular working situation bet-
ter, go ahead and do it!
• Preferably work on copies of recorded tracks.
If the parts are fairly complex you might have to change them permanently after which 
they don’t play back as they...

CUBASE SX2 – 40 The basics
Force update
If for some reason the screen isn’t redrawn properly (as a result of the 
computer’s recalculation of the page’s appearance), you can select 
“Force Update” from the Global Functions submenu on the Scores 
menu or click the Update button on the toolbar. This forces a total re-
draw of the whole page.
The Update button