How do I manage files in Cubase?
This is a very important step to think about when first starting to use hard disk recording. The one thing you don’t want to do is to record all songs of all your sessions into one big directory- it can get to be 20 or 30 gigabytes and can contain hundreds or thousands of files, depending on the number of tracks, songs, and cuts & splits. Cubase will handle this situation without problems, but should a file problem arise, or if you wish to delete or backup a session, you may need to spend hours just to retrieve one session.
Cubase, by default, will ask for the directory you wish to store your audio files in the first time you record-enable an audio track in a session. This is where you should create a new folder for your session’s audio files. The next step is to name your tracks before you record onto them. This will give it filenames such as Guitar-1 and Bass-1 instead of Audio01-1. The advantages of doing this is lowering your file maintenence time in the future. If you wish to backup a session onto CD-R, or delete a session entirely, you can simply find the [SESSION].all file and the audio folder associated with it, and do with it what you wish.
If Cubase does not ask for a directory but assumes a preset audio file directory, you can either: Go to Options-Audio-Audio files folder and select your directory for each new session you create. Or, you can delete (or rename) your def.all file in your Cubase directory, which contains all your presets. Setup your Cubase, and save the new def.all file before specifying an audio directory.
If you do find yourself with one big audio directory for all of your sessions, Cubase can help you.
Go into each of your sessions, and go to Panels-Audio Pool (or Control-F). Go to Do, Erase unused files. Save your song under the original name. Then go back to the Audio Pool screen and choose File-Prepare Archive. This will duplicate your audio files (only for this session) into a new directory of your choice. After you’ve done this for each session, you may delete the original audio folder after you make sure the separate folders exist. Cubase has now separated only your used audio files for each session into their own location.
When you need help, Sweetwater has the answers!
Our knowledge base contains over 28,000 expertly written tech articles that will give you answers and help you get the most out of your gear. Our pro musicians and gear experts update content daily to keep you informed and on your way. Best of all, it’s totally FREE, and it’s just another reason that you get more at Sweetwater.com.
Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. Select manufacturers may require that only the manufacturer’s products qualify towards the minimum purchase amount needed to be eligible for promotional financing. Otherwise, an invoice that meets the minimum purchase amount and contains at least one qualifying manufacturer product is eligible for promotional financing. No interest will be charged on promo purchase balance, and equal monthly payments are required on promo purchase until it is paid in full. The payments equal the amount financed divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded up to the next whole dollar. These payments may be higher than the payments that would be required if this purchase was a non-promo purchase. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to the prior months’ rounding. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases. New Accounts as of 07/31/2025: Purchase APR is 34.99%. Penalty APR is 39.99%. Min Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.
Offer applies only to single-receipt qualifying purchases. No interest will be charged on the promo balance if you pay it off, in full, within the promo period. If you do not, interest will be charged on the promo balance from the purchase date. The required minimum monthly payments may or may not pay off the promo balance before the end of the promo period, depending on purchase amount, promo length and payment allocation. Regular account terms apply to non-promo purchases and, after promo period ends, to the promo balance. New Accounts as of 07/31/2025: Purchase APR is 34.99%. Penalty APR is 39.99%. Min Interest Charge is $2. Existing cardholders: See your credit card agreement terms. Subject to credit approval.
The estimated required monthly payment shown which excludes taxes and delivery equals the amount financed divided by the number of months in the promo period, rounded up to the next cent. During the last month(s) of the promo period the required monthly payment may be reduced due to this rounding. These payments apply only with the financing offer shown. If you make these payments by the due date each month, you should pay off this amount financed within the promo period, if it is the only balance you are paying off. If you have other balances on your account, this payment will be added to any other minimum monthly payments.
Applies only to select items from this manufacturer. Ask your Sweetwater Sales Engineer for more details.