Entries Tagged 'DAW software' ↓

We’ve been getting a lot of requests recently for Cubase tips and techniques. Video tutorials are a great way to learn, and there are a lot of free ones available online. Here are 53 free online video and flash tutorials for Cubase SX3 and Cubase 4.

If you’re using another version of Cubase (such as Cubase LE, Cubase SE, or Cubase SL) most of the core concepts still apply. Though some functions may not be available in your version, you can still learn a lot by checking out these tutorials.

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Cubase SX3

Beginner Level Cubase SX3 Tutorials (from MusicPro Guides)

• Adding virtual instruments, audio and MIDI tracks (~6 min)
• Layering and building up arrangements with multiple instruments (~5 min)
• Creating loops with cycle recording (~6 min)

Cubase SX3 Tutorials (from grooveboxmusic.com)

• Overview of track types (~6 min)
• Setting up and recording audio (~4 min)
• Organizing your session with markers (~9 min)

Ten Cubase SX3 Flash Tutorials (~45 min total) (from Auxbuss Publications)

• Use the menu on the left hand side to access ten flash tutorials about MIDI multitracking, VSTi connections, processing audio, automation in detail, dragging events in the logical editor, and audio objects.

…and two more:

• Sidechaining: How to create sidechaining for use with compression or gate effects in Cubase SX3 (~3 min)
• Vocal comping and lanes (~11 min) (from ASK Video)

Cubase 4

Eight Cubase 4 Flash Tutorials (~20 min total) (from Digital Music Doctor)

• Eight flash tutorials about mixing, mastering, using Audio Warp, MIDI editing, using Rewire and soft synths, and the score editor in Cubase 4.

Twenty Four Cubase 4 Video Guides (from SteinbergUsers.com)

• 24 free flash tutorials for Cubase 4 covering FX sends in Cubase, using foldertracks, offline processing, the play order track, studio manager, rendering VST instrument tracks, using notation in Cubase, MIDI devices, external FX integration, audio setup, beat calculator, stacked recording, inplace MIDI editing, using Twiddly.Bits in Cubase, Audiowarp, edit history, MIDI setup, workspaces, Audiowarp hitpoints, crossfades, film score with Cubase, and Timewarp.

…and finally three more for good measure:

• Cubase Installation Tips: Audio and midi device setup in Cubase 4 (~7 min)
• Cubase Project Setup: Setting up a new project and creating basic connections between Cubase 4 and your audio interface (~9 min)
• Cubase Recording Overview: Basic steps for recording audio and midi in Cubase 4 (~9 min)

If you have any favourite free online video tutorials for Cubase that aren’t listed here, please let me know about them. -kf

This is the post where I rant about not seeing a major update to Logic in about three years. And this is the post where I dream about some welcome improvements we should see in the next release. Even though the next major update may not be called Logic.

Improved Compressor

I have to admit, I actually like Logic’s built-in comp. It’s far from transparent and I find it reminiscent of classic dbx compressors. However, that’s the only sound it does well. The new revamped compressor should have a selection of “circuit types” to chose from. Whether they’re just approximations or modeled after specific hardware doesn’t really matter, as long as more options are given.

The new face of the Multipressor

The Multipressor is a plugin I love… when it’s not messing up the phase of the audio! Hopefully, the Multipressor will receive more than a cosmetic makeover. With this revision maybe it could be a contender to compete with Waves C4, Wave Arts MultiDynamics or TC Electronics Master X3. All I can say is I can’t wait to get it!

SpaceDesigner

Logic’s convolution reverb processor isn’t getting the cosmetic makeover that some other plugins are getting. It’s getting more under the hood.

Those familiar with Space Designer will be happy to see these improvements. Perhaps my favourite update is the inclusion of an EQ with the reverb. A new button is now at the top right of the display beside the “reverse” button that gives access to visual 4-band EQ. In addition, a 5.1 surround sound version will also be available.

These new Logic plugins will look very familiar to users of Apple’s Final Cut Studio as they’ve already been updated for Soundtrack Pro 2 in April of 2007. So now that the folks working in audio post have had a few months to enjoy the improved functionality of these plugins, isn’t it time to release them to the music producers? -mc

Apple’s iLife suite was updated today, and that means a new version of GarageBand is now available. The three new features that seem the most exciting (and help bring GarageBand up a notch) are visual EQ (finally), a multi-take feature and the new arrangement feature.

Visual EQ

The first time I saw GarageBand I was surprised the EQ didn’t give the visual feedback I’ve become accustomed to in DAW setting. Getting a visual representation of EQ curves can be a great way to learn about sound. Anyway, it’s finally here.

Multi-take feature

This is great. And if it’s implemented like it looks to be, it’s going to be stellar. Just keep recording take after take of a part, and audition each one after to find the best. Of course you could do many takes before, but there was no neat and tidy may to keep track of everything.

Arrangements

This was one of the things that Steinberg has done with Cubase (and now Sequel) for a some time now. In short, this feature allows you to label different parts of your song (verse, chorus, etc.) and then chose the order in which it plays the sequence. With this feature it is easy to answer the question, “what would it sound like if we did another bridge before the guitar solo and then did the chorus twice at the end of the song?” No need to rerecord, just get GarageBand to take what you’ve done and move it around. Maybe if it sounds good you’ll want to record it over again. If not, go back to the original. Steinberg users: I’m sorry if all that seemed like dreadfully old news.

So now that GarageBand has been upgraded twice since the last version of Logic was released. When are we going to see Logic 8?

Although I’m not a fan of Sequel’s promotional campaign, Steinberg’s answer to GarageBand looks like it might be the first truly intuitive entry-level multitrack and loop-based recording application. The question is, will people be willing to pay for it.

Or to be more specific, will Mac users actually go out and buy this product. In case Steinberg hasn’t noticed yet, Macs ship with GarageBand. However, although GarageBand is supposed to be an entry level version of Logic (and it does share a lot of the same back end, down to using ESX24 files to power its sample driven instruments), the user interface and mindset seem mind-numbingly different.

In contrast, Sequel looks and feels like a multitrack recording application. Anyone who’s used professional DAW software will feel a lot more at home opening up Sequel than GarageBand. The arrange area, the mixer, and the transport are all in clear view.

For Windows users, the competition here is Sony’s Acid Music Studio. For me (and maybe I’m just being totally superficial) Acid Music Studio just doesn’t look or “feel” as good as Sequel. And that’s important to me. I actually get inspiration from using “cool gear.”

Only time will tell if Sequel will be able to hold its own against the competition. But it’s the first entry level software to catch my attention since GarageBand was released in 2004. -mc

A little while ago Michael created a very handy mapped EXS24 drum kit for Apple Logic users using Natural Studio’s fantastic ns_kit7free. It got me wondering if there was a way to add new instruments to GarageBand (GarageBand already comes with a pretty decent selection of drum kits and other instruments, but I’m always curious).

It turns out you can add new sound samples and instruments to GarageBand, though it’s not obvious how at first glance. I found a step-by-step article that guides you through the process of adding additional Logic format sound samples to GarageBand. I just tried it this afternoon using Michael’s EXS24 instrument + the raw .wav files at Natural Studio, and it worked beautifully.

You can never have enough drum sounds, I always say. -kf