Question about Cubase

hexx · Question about Cubase

Since it's kinda hard to play a couple of instruments simultaneously (especially when one of those instruments has got a neck with strings that sometimes bangs into things like microphone stands, when I move), I''ve been playing around with Cubase to try and lay down a rhtyhm and synth backing. For this, I need to record a couple of tracks in each tune.

I bet this sounds real straightforward to y'all, but Cubase seems to disagree: when I want to lay track #2 on track#1, it records track #1 on track #2 as well. That really messes things up and muting track #1 while recording track#2 is not an option, coz' I need to monitor what I've recorded already.

So I was hoping that one of you could tell me what I am doing wrong. Is there an option, hidden somewhere inside the software, that I've overlooked?

My setup: all instruments are plugged into a mixing panel, which in it's turn is connected to the soundcard. Cubase uses the same soundcard.

Norris Shepherd

Wow, that's weird.

I'm just learning Cubase, and had the EXACT same problem last night.

What was happening in my case (umm.. i hope you're on a PC) had to do with the mixer on the computer (windows mixer, or the one that came with your soundcard)

For the windows mixer, select options, properties, then choose 'recording' to see the set of sliders for recording.

Only the 'line-in' should be selected.

Now, to monitor the tracks already recorded, without them being fed back into the track you are currently recording is the problem.....

What I did:

- fed the 'line-out' from my soundcard into a channel on my mixer.
- keep the fader/level for that channel at '0', but turn the volume up in the monitor mix, or aux send on the mixer.
- Plug the headphones into the 'monitor out' or 'aux send' on your mixer.

this allowed me to hear the tracks recorded, but they didn't get recorded with the current track i was working on.

hexx

Thanks Norris, that might be a useful workaround (I'm on a PC as well, btw). Been digging around on the Cubase forums a bit, and have found out that it might have to do with the input settings (recording source) of the specific track. The forum-people over there said that it is default set to 'what you hear' and should be changed into the line input on the soundcard.

So there's already two things to look into when I get home this evening: the sofware solution as described in the Cubase-forum, and the hardware workaround you suggested.

On a side note: as relatively simple recording software like Magix can handle this easily, I really feel that bad-ass software like Cubase should be able to do that as well.

So it's human vs. machine again, tonight, I fear. No rest unto the weary!

Jambalaya

Yeah, if it's set to "what you hear" Rolling Eyes

then you're going to get a mix of every sound your computer makes. You should set it to record ONLY from the specific line input channel(s) you need, and that should take care of it.

[EDIT: the Rolling Eyes

is for the term in general, not directed at you. Wink

]

hexx

hexx · human vs. machine: the human has been victorious!

Both Norris Shepherd and Jambalaya were right! It did take some rewiring and I also had to order that wretched Cubase to record the tracks from a specific sound source.

The rewiring consisted of plugging the output of the mixer into the inputs of a Presonus Inspire 1394 which, in its turn, uses firewire to speak with the PC. Then (and that's where the subjection of Cubase comes in) I went to Devices -> Device Setup and selected the Inspire ASIO driver instead of the ASIO multimedia driver that came with the Soundblaster Audigy soundcard.

Works like a charm. Now all I need to change the sound source for is when I want to record a hawt drumtrack I have found on teh internetz or when I start streaming the tracks on which I am planning to lay layers of assorted synths, guitars and the inevitable madness that comes with such endeavours. In which case I will of course also plug the output of the mixer into the line-in of the soundcard.

A somewhat long story, I know, but who knows if any future Cubase n00bs like me might ever find it useful. Oh, and last but not least: big kudos for putting me on the right track with this, Norris and Jambalaya.

Jambalaya

Glad you got it working! Smile

Soundblaster cards are a big pain in the ass when it comes to anything resembling pro audio. My recommendation is always to get rid of it & use something else, because the hassle isn't worth it. Wink

hexx

Norris Shepherd

Yay!! Your post actually got me thinking, and because of actually thinking, I figured out a way to use my mixer's reverb after the fact to add reverb to a 'dry' track.

It involves creating another track, but at least it works.

Does anyone know of any good and free/reasonably priced VST Reverb plugins for Cubase? Cause the one that came with it is crap....

hexx

ehm, maybe squeeze a hardware reverb pedal somewhere in the mixer? that way you could set reverb for each mixer channel (or turn it off completely).

Komuso Tokugawa

My 2 cents...as I used to use Cubase VST 32 and Cubase LE extensively:

a) Ditch Cubase and use http://www.cockos.com/reaper/
b) Free vst reverb? Any of the following:
http://www.kjaerhusaudio.com/classic-series.php
http://www.dasample.com/index.php?show=glaceverb
Ambience :
http://magnus.smartelectronix.com/

Jambalaya

+1 for Reaper. Wink

Then you can ditch Winamp as well.

If you need VST plugins these are good:

http://www.jeroenbreebaart.com/audio_vst.htm

There's also the Gersic.com plugin database - at the moment, though, it seems to be down - maybe he's working on the site or something. It is a really extensive collection of links to freeware plugins.

http://www.gersic.com/plugins

Norris Shepherd

Cool. Thanks for the input on VST's. Also, I had seen mention of Reaper somewhere else in this forum... but it looks like it's got more than a few supporters.

It's downloaded, and waiting to be installed.. added to the list of audio to-do's.

Also, SanityInn sent me these links to a bunch of VST free plugins.

http://www.recording.org/ftopict-19107.html

http://www.recording.org/ftopict-12877.html

Now I have lots more toys to play with and try out....

vonjohin

EDIT: I missed the part where "non commercial use is $50" for the software. "Non-commercial use" as defined here, refers to the use of this software for the production of your own content, not for the purpose of making money. So if you use the software and make money from using it, like producing tracks to play with in SL, I think you'd technically violate that.

Which Cubase are you using?

I'm a Mac guy, and I don't know Reaper, but I gotta ask, why wouldn't you just upgrade to Cubase 4 Studio for $199 rather than go with Reaper? Cubase 4 is astounding in its function and value. At $225 it seems a lot for a "non standard" program when you can get a competitive upgrade in Cubase for $199..

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pr...mp;ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=71342069

I think the audio engine in Steinberg's Cubase and Nuendo is stunning, personally. Its cross-platform,comes with 46 great plugins, all the VST stuff you find for free works with it, plus 4 software synths. I don't know the reverb from it you're referring to, but the ones that come with Cubase 4 sound pretty good to me. I've got 4 here, and think the new interface, etc. is really intuitive.

I've never used Reaper, I can't comment on it. I just know that if your experience with Cubase before was the bad old days of VST 32 and LE, you're definitely missing the boat with how well the new software functions and sounds.

The reviews seem great, and I'm curious to see its routing features from the one review. I think I'll download Reaper to play with on my Windows drive on the Mac Pro. I can't resist. I just love studio toys. Smile

Komuso Tokugawa

I still use Cubase LE [had vst 32, but LE came with my audio interface and MFX] to do the occasional project, but finally reached my limit on gouging software companies [and I'm a software engineer myself] that continually release bug ridden products with crap support.

Cubase 4 may finally be the stable Holy Grail...but I'm afraid they had already lost me as a customer before they releases the latest version - and I'd been one since 1997.

No more money to Steinberg...I'll put it towards a company that is lightweight, responsive and innovative.
Everything I've seen about Reaper so far fits the bill there!

I'd probably go Sonar now if I really wanted to invest in a higher end commercial package with all the bells and whistles that Reaper may be missing at the moment. The good thing about Reaper is it does do pretty much everything you need at a very very competitive price point from a team of very seasoned audio pros.

vonjohin

Sonar is wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. Can't see a Windows-based system not using that, really. Cubase is really good now, too. I mean really, really good. But Sonar.... wow. They hack packed some amazing things in there and Digidesign could learn a lot from them.

Question about Cubase

human vs. machine: the human has been victorious!