This document provides instructions for using various audio editing and effects tools in the Cubase digital audio workstation software. It explains how to import audio files, arrange tracks on the timeline, loop sections of audio, edit individual sounds, adjust volume and effects on tracks, and use dynamics processors like compressors and limiters as well as noise gates to control audio levels.

1. Cubase guide, Josh McLean
File new project
Create new project
Create project folder
Save the new project to folder
Blank file open
Import audio files
Make sure snap is on to keep the component parts on bar positions, not flexible enough change the
settings from bars to beats so that you have more freedom to move the audio files across the
timeline
Change to use quantise so it is more adjustable

2. Cubase guide, Josh McLean
Once tracks inserted onto your arrange page
To copy a audio file hold Alt left click and drag the file across
After doing this a couple of times and added in other files make a tempo with them
With the selct bar at the top make sure that covers the files and then press the loop button on the
transport bar to make the files only stay in the little loop which you are trying to create.
To edit the individual sound press the ‘e’ button on the arrange window which you are wanting to
edit

3. Cubase guide, Josh McLean
To adjust the sound go to audio tab then mixer on the drop down menu this allows you to change
the volume of the individual tracks
To fade in or out the sound the 3 blue adjustable tabs at the stop you move those to how you want
them
Affects you are able to add in the insert column

4. Cubase guide, Josh McLean
Insert sockets are for dynamics
On the edit for the individual track, this opens the capabilities for the single file instead of the overall
sound file
When you add dynamic to individual sounds this is what you will adjust the ‘compressor for example
To add an effect such as reverb to an individual file you right click on the arrange window and press
the ADD FX tab then change it to your specification, press the wet only button on the mixer

5. Cubase guide, Josh McLean
Which turns the mix up to full, on this option you can choose the specification which I chose ‘drum
medium snare’ for the reverberation exit this and it will be on the arrange window
Now when you come to edit a indivudal file the reverb or effect option you chose is accessable to
the individual audio file option. On the right the sends option click there, the rever is ‘called FX1-
Roomworks’
A limiter is a type of compressor designed for a specific purpose — to limit the level of a signal to a
certain threshold. Whereas a compressor will begin smoothly reducing the gain above the threshold,
a limiter will almost completely prevent any additional gain above the threshold. A limiter is like a
compressor set to a very high compression ratio (at least 10:1, more commonly 20:1 or more). The
graph below shows a limiting ratio of infinity to one, i.e. there is no gain at all above the threshold.
http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/processing/limiter/
A noise gate or gate is an electronic device or software that is used to control the volume of an audio
signal. Gating is the use of a gate. Comparable to a compressor, which attenuates signals above a
threshold, noise gates attenuate signals which register below the threshold. However, noise gates
attenuate signals by a fixed amount, known as the range. In its most simple form, a noise gate allows
a signal to pass through only when it is above a set threshold: the gate is 'open'. If the signal falls
below the threshold no signal is allowed to pass (or the signal is substantially attenuated): the gate is
'closed'. A noise gate is used when the level of the 'signal' is above the level of the 'noise'. The
threshold is set above the level of the 'noise' and so when there is no 'signal' the gate is closed. A
noise gate does not remove noise from the signal. When the gate is open both the signal and the
noise will pass through. Gates typically feature 'attack', 'release', and 'hold' settings and may feature
a 'look-ahead' function.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_gate