Cubase Quickstart Guide

Getting started with Cubase

In this guide, we’ll show you how to get up and running with Cubase. That means we’ll show you how to create a session, set up audio and MIDI devices, and then record with them. Once you’ve successfully activated and installed the software, follow the sections below to get started.

1. Create a new project
2. Navigate the Project & Mix Console windows
   • Project
   • Mix Console
3. Selecting an audio device
4. Configure the inputs & outputs
5. Create and record audio tracks
6. How to enable a MIDI device
7. Create and record MIDI tracks
   • Record to an instrument track
   • Record to a MIDI track

Create a new project

TIP: Create a master folder named Cubase Projects in a location that’s easily accessible, such as an external hard drive. This will make it much easier to locate and manage all of your project folders. 

When you first launch Cubase, Steinberg Hub will appear, which is where you will create and manage your project. You’ll also name the project and set its folder destination, as well. Steinberg has created many different templates that are split up in different categories; Recording, Scoring, Production, and Mastering. All preset project templates will have audio tracks, busses, and even effects preloaded to get you up and running quickly. However, if you prefer to start from scratch, click the More tab, and select Empty. 

1. Select a project preset or empty project using the tabs at the top.
2. Underneath the preset window, click the folder icon to select the destination where you want to save the project folder, and then name it in the Project Folder field.
3. Click Create.

How to Create a Project in Cubase

Navigate the Project & Mix Console windows

When using Cubase, you’ll primarily work in the Project and Mix Console windows. Each of these windows are divided up into Zones, which you can show or hide by clicking the Show/Hide Zone button on the top right part of the window and are also fully customizable by clicking the Cog icon in its section.

Project

The Project window is where you will create and edit audio and MIDI tracks, load virtual instruments, and perform parameter automation such as fades and is comprised of three zones: 

• The Left Zone displays the Track Inspector, which provides various details of the track and also allows you to add plug-ins, view the version history of the track, and other various functions. 
• The Bottom Zone allows you to view a mini version of the Mix Console window, and is also where you will make detailed edits to audio, work with chord pads, and edit samples.
• The Right Zone displays the VSTi rack and Media rack, which displays any sort of media; VST’s, plug-ins, samples, and any presets you’ve created.

Mix Console

The Mix Console window is where you will control each track’s level, hardware & software inserts, as well as sends and returns. In other words, it’s where you will create the mix by adjusting the volume, panning the tracks, and adding plug-ins. To open a full-screen version of it, navigate to Workspaces then click Mix Console or by pressing F3 on your keyboard.

Selecting an audio device

Like most DAW’s, Cubase has dedicated audio settings, which means you’ll need to select your audio device inside the VST Audio System settings. If this is the first time connecting your audio interface, you’ll want to install its driver beforehand. Once done, the interface can be connected directly to the computer and then selected as the default audio device. 

1. Click the Studio menu, and then select Studio Setup.
2. In the window that appears, click VST Audio System and select your audio device from the dropdown box.
3. Underneath VST Audio System, click Control Panel and adjust the buffer size and sample rate which is most applicable to your project.

Is your audio device not showing up?

If your audio device does not show up in Cubase, make sure you’ve downloaded and installed the correct drivers, and also visit our troubleshooting guides for PC & Mac.

How to Set Up Your Audio Interface in Cubase

Configure the inputs and outputs

Once you’ve selected your audio device, you next need to configure the I/O settings, which means that you’ll tell Cubase what to label your input and output channels. These settings don’t require any customization but should be set to default when you get started for the first time. 

1. Click the Studio menu and select Audio Connections.
2. By default, Cubase lists the first two inputs and outputs of your interface as one stereo bus. To change them, click the channel in Device Ports. 
3. To add additional inputs or outputs, click Add Bus, select either Stereo or Mono, and then click Add Bus.

Adding outboard gear

If you are looking to incorporate external hardware such as an outboard compressor or EQ, you will click the External FX tab, and set up the routing.

Getting Started with Analog Outboard Gear

Learn more about how to get up and running with your analog output hardware.

How to Set up and Use External Effect Processors in Cubase

Create and record audio tracks

TIP: Once audio is recorded, it automatically saves into your session folder’s Audio folder. Make sure when copying or moving a Cubase project folder that the .cpr project file and Audio folder are always kept together. It will ensure that you’ll always be able to restore your session.

Recording audio is easy once the audio settings are configured. All you have to do is create a mono or stereo track, select the input, and then start recording. Each time you create a new track, rename it and change the track color. To do so, just double-click on its name or channel tab. Keeping organized with good track titles and giving them distinct colors will add a lot to your Cubase workflow.

1. Click the Project menu or right-click the left part of the project screen and select Add Audio Track.
2. When the Add Audio Track window appears, select the number of tracks you wish to create, rename the tracks, and then update the input and output source.
3. Record enable the track by clicking the Record button on the track, and press C on your keyboard to turn the metronome on. 
   • If you would like to hear yourself simultaneously click the Speaker icon next to the Record Enable button to turn on input monitoring.
4. To begin recording, press the Record button on the transport bar.
5. Press the Stop button on the transport bar or the spacebar on your keyboard to stop recording.

Inserting a plug-in

To use plug-ins and effects in Cubase, you must add them as an insert. You can also select hardware inserts for outboard gear, but that requires additional I/O configuration. The signal flows from top to bottom, so the order you choose will have a direct impact on the processed signal.

Cubase VST Plug-in Management

Learn more about how to scan, add, load, and troubleshoot plug-ins inside of Cubase.

How You Can Record Audio

How to enable a MIDI device

When launching Cubase, it will scan for any connected MIDI device. All you have to do is make sure that all of the MIDI ports of your MIDI device are enabled. Follow these steps to enable a MIDI device.

1. Go to the Studio menu and click Studio Setup.
2. Under the MIDI section, click MIDI Port Setup and enable or disable any MIDI inputs and outputs necessary.
   • Before you go further, press a key/pad on your MIDI device and look at the MIDI Monitor on the right side of the taskbar to make sure your MIDI device is triggering as it should.

Is your MIDI device not being recognized?

If your MIDI device does not show up in Cubase, make sure you’ve downloaded and installed the correct drivers, and also visit our MIDI device troubleshooting guide.

Resolving MIDI Device Issues on PC and Mac

Create and record MIDI tracks

To trigger virtual instrument plug-ins, you need MIDI data. MIDI data can be drawn in with your mouse (in the MIDI Editor window) but also recorded by playing your device. There are two methods for recording MIDI and playing virtual instruments; via an Instrument track or a MIDI track. The first option is quick and straightforward, but the second is more useful when sending multiple MIDI tracks to the same virtual instrument. Keep in mind that MIDI data only triggers the instrument, and you’ll need to record it to an audio track if you want an actual audio file.

Record to an instrument track

An Instrument track is a combination of MIDI and Group (Aux) tracks. It records MIDI data only, and holds the virtual instrument plug-in and outputs audio for monitoring. The virtual instrument audio can be sent to an audio track via a Group send for recording.

1. Click the Project menu or right-click the left part of the project screen and select Add Instrument Track.
2. Select a virtual instrument plug-in from the dropdown box, set the audio output routing, and then click Add Track.
3. Record enable the instrument track and play your MIDI controller.

Record to a MIDI track

A MIDI track only records MIDI data and needs to be sent to an Aux Input where it can trigger a virtual instrument or external hardware synthesizer.

1. Click the Project menu or right-click the left part of the project screen and select Add MIDI Track.
2. Name the track, select the amount of tracks to add, and then click Add Track.
3. Once done, update your MIDI track’s output to one of the VI’s MIDI input channels. Now the MIDI will record on one track and sound out of the other.  
   • Routing MIDI tracks to a Virtual Instrument will decrease the number of instances you need to run, which in turn, will provide increased project performance.

How to Record Audio and MIDI from VIST Instruments in Cubase

Additional resources

• How to Set Up a DAW Controller in Cubase
• How to Set Up a MIDI Controller in Cubase
• eLicenser Control Center Troubleshooting Guide
• Cubase User Manuals

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