User manual

395
Working with the Tempo track
Background
For each track in Cubase that can make use of this func-
tion, you can specify whether it should be time-based or
tempo-based (see “Switching between musical and linear
time base” on page 42). For tempo-based tracks, the
tempo can either be fixed through the whole project (this
is called “Fixed tempo mode”) or follow the Tempo track
(this is called “Tempo track mode”), which may contain
tempo changes.
• To switch between Fixed tempo mode and Tempo track
mode, use the Tempo button on the Transport panel:
When the Tempo button is lit (and the text “Track” is
shown), the tempo follows the Tempo track; when it is de-
activated (and the text “Fixed” is shown), the Fixed tempo
is used (see “Setting the Fixed tempo” on page 399). You
can also switch tempo mode in the Tempo Track Editor
(see below).
In Tempo track mode, the tempo cannot be changed on
the Transport panel, i.e. the tempo information here is for
display purposes only.
The Tempo track also contains time signature events.
These are always active, regardless of whether Fixed
tempo mode or Tempo track mode is selected.
A note about tempo-based audio tracks
For tempo-based tracks, the start time position of audio
events depends on the current tempo setting. However, it
is important to realize that the actual audio (“within” the
events) will play back as recorded, regardless of any
tempo changes you make. Therefore, it’s good practice to
make the proper tempo and time signature settings before
you start recording tempo-based audio.
Ö To make an already recorded audio track follow the
tempo changes, you can use the Sample Editor, see “The
Sample Editor” on page 233.
How well this works depends on the character of the audio recordings,
since the Hitpoint detection feature works best with fairly rhythmical
material.
Ö To adapt the tempo track to time-based material, you
can use the Time Warp tool, see “The Time Warp tool” on
page 402.
This allows you to adjust the tempo track so that tempo-based material
(e.g. positions in music) coincides with time-based material (e.g. positions
in narration, video, etc.).
The Tempo Track Editor – Overview
To make changes to the actual Tempo track, you need to
open the Tempo Track Editor by selecting “Tempo Track”
on the Project menu.
The toolbar
The toolbar contains various tools and settings. The tempo
and time signature displays to the right allow you to view
and edit the value of the selected tempo curve point or time
signature event, much like the info line in other editors.
Tools
Tempo track on/off
Autoscroll
Snap on/off
Snap pop-up
Curve type selector
Curve type for new tempo events
Time signature
The selected tempo
Tempo
record slider
Open Process Tempo
dialog (Cubase only)
Open Process Bars
dialog (Cubase only)