User manual

67
Recording
Background
This chapter describes the various recording methods
that you can use in Cubase. As it is possible to record
both audio and MIDI tracks, both recording methods are
covered in this chapter.
Before you start
This chapter assumes that you are reasonably familiar with
certain basic recording concepts, and that the following
initial preparations have been made:
• You have properly set up, connected and calibrated
your audio hardware.
• You have opened a project and set the project setup
parameters to your specifications.
Project setup parameters determine the record format, sample rate, pro-
ject length etc. that affect the audio recordings you make during the
course of the project. See “The Project Setup dialog” on page 34.
• If you plan to record MIDI, your MIDI equipment should
be set up and connected correctly.
Basic recording methods
This section describes the general methods used for re-
cording. However, there are additional preparations and
procedures that are specific to audio and MIDI recording
respectively. Make sure to read these sections before you
start recording (see “Audio recording specifics” on page
69 and “MIDI recording specifics” on page 79).
Record-enabling tracks
Cubase can record on a single track or on several tracks
(audio and/or MIDI) simultaneously. To make a track ready
for recording, click the Record Enable button for the track
in the Track list, in the Inspector or in the mixer. When ac-
tivated, the buttons turn red, indicating record ready
mode.
Record Enable in the Inspector, Track list and mixer
Ö If the option “Enable Record on Selected Track” is ac-
tivated in the Preferences (Editing–Project & Mixer page),
tracks are automatically record-enabled when you select
them in the Track list.
Ö You can set up key commands to record-enable all
audio tracks simultaneously and to deactivate Record En-
able for all audio tracks (Arm/Disarm all Audio Tracks).
You will find these commands in the Key Commands dia-
log, in the Mixer category (see “Setting up key commands”
on page 480).
Ö The exact number of audio tracks you can record si-
multaneously depends on your computer CPU and hard
disk performance.
In the Preferences (VST page), you can find the option “Warn on Proces-
sing Overloads”. When this is activated, a warning message will be dis-
played as soon as the CPU clip indicator (on the Transport panel) lights
up during recording.
Manually activating recording
You activate recording by clicking the Record button on
the Transport panel or toolbar or by using the correspond-
ing key command (by default [*] on the numeric keypad).
Recording can be activated in Stop mode (from the current
cursor position or from the left locator) or during playback:
• If you activate recording in Stop mode, and the option
“Start Record at Left Locator” is activated on the Trans-
port menu, recording will start from the left locator.
The pre-roll setting or the metronome count-in will be applied (see
“About Pre-roll and Post-roll” on page 84).
• If you activate recording in Stop mode, and “Start Record
at Left Locator” is deactivated, recording will start from the
current project cursor position.