Audio Production Basics with Cubase 10.5

by Frank D. Cook, Harley Glynn, Eric Kuehnl (Contribution by)

Overview

Learn the basics of recording, editing, and mixing audio using Cubase Elements, Artist, or Pro. Experience the software used worldwide by musicians, producers, engineers, mixers, and audio professionals. Filled with tips and insights, Audio Production Basics with Cubase 10.5 will get you working fast. With this book and the included media files, you’ll get the practical, hands-on exposure you need. We cover everything from setting up your computer to the fundamentals of audio production, including:

Basic Digital Audio Workstation operations and audio hardware optionsPrinciples of sound production and microphone use Essential Cubase concepts and operationsMIDI fundamentals for playing and performing with virtual instruments Multi-track recordingPlug-in use and signal processing techniquesMixing your project and using automationOutputting your final mixdown

Cubase software is very powerful, yet fun and easy to use. Everything you learn here will apply to all editions of Cubase (Elements, Artist, and Pro), so you can easily upgrade in the future no matter where you are starting today. Take the first step now, with Audio Production Basics with Cubase 10.5.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781538137260
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	04/30/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	336
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

Frank D. Cook is a musician and long-time digital audio user. He has worked in publishing and education for more than 20 years. Frank is the author of the acclaimed Pro Tools 101 course book, along with numerous other book titles in digital audio. He has taught college courses in commercial music, has authored four Pro Tools video training courses for LinkedIn Learning, and is an Avid Master Instructor.

Harley Glynn is an ardent user of Steinberg’s Cubase, with diverse experience in the audio industry. Harley has used Cubase for over 10 years, producing hundreds of music tracks. His experience includes post-production mixing, SFX design, and production sound for short films. Harley currently works as an adjunct professor in the Los Rios Community College District. He has been a college-level instructor in the field of audio production since 2012.
Frank D. Cook is a musician and long-time digital audio user. He has worked in publishing and education for more than 20 years. Frank is the author of the acclaimed Pro Tools 101 course book, along with numerous other book titles in digital audio. He has taught college courses in commercial music, has authored four Pro Tools video training courses for LinkedIn Learning, and is an Avid Master Instructor.
Eric Kuehnl is a composer, sound designer, and educator. He is the Director of Partner Programs for NextPoint Training, and the Co-Director of the Music Technology Program at Foothill College. Previously, Kuehnl has worked at Avid Technology and Sony Computer Entertainment America. He holds a master's degree from California Institute of the Arts and a bachelor's degree from Oberlin Conservatory, and studied composition at the Centre Iannis Xenakis in Paris.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction. Welcome to the World of Audio xv

Getting Started in Audio Production xv

Who Should Read This Book xv

About This Book xvi

Requirements and Prerequisites xvi

Media Files xvi

Course Organization and Sequence xvii

Conventions and Symbols Used in This Book xvii

Keyboard Shortcuts and Modifiers xvii

Icons xviii

Chapter 1 Computer Concepts 1

Selecting a Computer 3

Mac Versus Windows Considerations 3

The Importance of RAM 4

Processing Power 6

Storage Space 7

Storage Options 9

Onboard Sound Options (Audio In and Out) 10

Other Options to Consider 10

Working with Your Computer 12

File Management 12

Launching Applications 17

Saving Files 19

Working with an Application 20

Menus 20

Keyboard Shortcuts and Other Key Commands 22

Review/Discussion Questions 24

Exercise 1 Exploring Audio on the Computer 26

Chapter 2 DAW Concepts 31

Functions of a DAW 32

What Can a DAW Do? 32

Common DAWs 32

Plug-In Formats 38

What Is a Plug-In? 38

Common Plug-In Formats 39

Cubase Systems 40

Cubase Software Options 40

Cubase Hardware Options 41

Downloading and Installing Cubase Elements 42

Accessing the Installer 42

Installation Steps 42

Launching Cubase Elements for the First Time 49

Important Concepts in Cubase Elements 50

Project Files Versus Audio Files 51

Audio Versus MIDI 52

Review/Discussion Questions 53

Exercise 2 Working with a Multi-Track Project 55

Chapter 3 Audio Recording Concepts 61

The Basics of Audio 62

Frequency 62

Amplitude 63

Microphones 63

Traditional Microphones 63

USB Microphones 65

Other Considerations 65

Basic Miking Techniques 67

Multi-Tracking and Signal Flow 69

What is Multi-Track Recording? 69

Recording Signal Flow 70

Moving Audio from Analog to Digital 70

Analog Versus Digital Audio 70

The Analog-to-Digital Conversion Process 71

The Audio interface 72

Audio Interface Considerations 72

Working Without an Audio interface 75

Review/Discussion Questions 76

Exercise 3 Selecting Your Audio Production Gear 78

Chapter 4 MIDI Recording Concepts 83

A Brief History of MIDI 84

Digital Control 84

The Birth of MIDI 85

The MIDI Protocol 86

MIDI Notes 86

Program Changes 87

Controller Messages 88

MIDI Controllers 89

Tone-Generating Keyboards 89

Keyboard Controllers 91

Drumpad Controllers 91

Grid Controllers 92

Alternate Controllers 92

What to Look for in a MIDI Controller 93

Purchasing a Keyboard Controller 93

Setup and Signal Flow 94

Plug-and-Play Setup 95

MIDI Cables and Jacks 95

Using a MIDI Interface 96

Considerations for Using Multiple MIDI Devices 97

MIDI Versus Audio 97

What Is MIDI? 97

Monitoring with Onboard Sound Versus Virtual Instruments 98

Tracking with Virtual Instruments 99

Creating Tracks for Virtual Instruments 99

Summary 101

Review/Discussion Questions 102

Exercise 4 Selecting Your MIDI Production Gear 104

Chapter 5 Cubase Concepts, Part 1 107

Creating a Project 108

Main Windows 109

Project Window Overview 110

MixConsole Overview 116

Transport Panel 119

Working with Tracks 122

Adding Tracks 122

Primary Track Types 123

Mono Versus Stereo Tracks 124

MIDI Versus Instrument Tracks 124

Events Versus Files 125

Basic Navigation 125

Using the Transport Controls 125

Zooming and Scrolling in the Project Window 126

Controlling Playback Behavior 128

Monitoring Your Timeline Location 130

Ranges and Selections 131

Locator Ranges Versus Range Selections 132

Playing a Range Selection 133

Range Scenarios 133

Review/Discussion Questions 135

Exercise 5 Configuring and Working on a Project 137

Chapter 6 Cubase Concepts, Part 2 145

Setting Up for Recording 146

Recording Audio 147

Specifying a Record Range 147

Record-Enabling Audio Tracks 147

Monitoring Record-Enabled Audio Tracks 148

Initiating a Record Take 149

Undoing a Record Take 151

Recording MIDI 152

Monitoring a MIDI Controller 152

Record-Enabling MIDI and Instrument Tracks 155

Selecting a MIDI Record Mode 156

Importing Media 157

Supported File Types 157

Importing Files from the Desktop 158

Using the Import Command 159

Snap Types and the Grid 159

The Snap Types 159

Snap Off 161

Setting the Grid Type 161

Working With Parts and Events 162

Recognizing Parts and Events in the Project Window 163

Selecting the Right Tool 164

Basic Editing Techniques 165

Advanced Editing Techniques 167

Review/Discussion Questions 173

Exercise 6 Importing and Editing MIDI Parts And Audio Events 175

Chapter 7 Mixing Concepts 185

Basic Mixing 186

Setting Levels 186

Panning 190

Processing Options and Techniques 193

Gain-Based Processing 193

Time-Based Processing and Effects 193

Inserts Versus Sends 193

Mixing in the Box 194

Advantages of In-the-Box Mixing 194

Getting the Most Out of an In-the-Box Mix 195

Review/Discussion Questions 196

Exercise 7 Creating a Basic Mix 198

Chapter 8 Signal Processing 205

Plug-In Basics 206

Viewing Inserts on Channels 206

Inserting Plug-Ins on Tracks 208

Moving and Duplicating Plug-Ins 209

Displaying Plug-In Windows 210

Common Plug-In Controls 210

Adjusting Plug-In Parameters 212

Adjusting Parameters with the Mouse 213

Adjusting Parameters with a Scroll Wheel or Track Pad 213

Adjusting Plug-In Parameters with the Computer Keyboard 213

EQ Processing 214

Types of EQ 214

Basic EQ Parameters 215

EQ Plug-Ins in Cubase Elements 215

Strategies for Using EQ 216

Dynamics Processing 217

Types of Dynamics Processors 217

Basic Dynamics Parameter's 219

Dynamics Plug-ins in Cubase Elements 219

Strategies for Using Compression 219

Reverb and Delay Effects 220

What Is Reverb? 220

Reverb in Cubase Elements 221

Applications for Reverb Processors 221

What Is Delay? 222

Delay in Cubase Elements 222

Applications for Delay Processors 223

Wet Versus Dry Signals 224

Using Time-Based Effects as Inserts on Effect Tracks 224

Using Send-and-Return Configurations 224

Review/Discussion Questions 227

Exercise 8 Optimizing Tracks with Signal Processing 229

Chapter 9 Finishing a Project 237

Recalling a Saved Mix 238

Using Automation 238

Selecting an Automation State 239

Writing Real-Time Automation 241

Creating Automation Manually 241

Editing Automation Events 244

Using the Line Tool for Automation 246

Creating an Audio Mixdown 248

Adding Processing on the Output Fader 248

Considerations for Bouncing Audio 252

Exporting an Audio Mix 252

Review/Discussion Questions 255

Exercise 9 Preparing the Final Mix 257

Chapter 10 Beyond the Basics 263

Customizing Key Commands in Cubase 264

The Info Line 268

Submixing with Group Tracks 270

Simplifying a Mix 270

Creating Stems 273

Project Window Zones 274

Left Zone 274

Lower Zone 275

Right Zone 276

Using the Chord Pads 277

Selecting and Modifying Chords 278

Adding Chords to Tracks 280

Using the Chord Assistant 280

Accessing the Chord Assistant 281

Circle of Fifths 281

Auditioning Chords and Adding Chords to a Project 282

Keyboard Shortcuts 283

Common Functions and Operations 283

Commonly Used Tools 283

Common Zoom Commands 284

Common Fade Functions 284

Common Edit Functions 284

Track Commands 285

Review/Discussion Questions 285

Exercise 10 Finalizing a Project 288

Exercise 11 Exploring in Cubase 295

Index 307

About the Authors 315