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Editing tempo and signature
Background
Whenever you create a new project, Cubase will automat-
ically set the tempo and time signature for this project. The
tempo and signature settings can be displayed in the
Tempo Track Editor.
Tempo modes
Before we go into detail about tempo and signature set-
tings, you should understand the different tempo modes.
The tempo can either be fixed throughout the entire proj-
ect (this is called “fixed tempo mode”) or follow the tempo
track (this is called “tempo track mode”), which may con
-
tain 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), a fixed tempo is
used (see
“Setting the fixed tempo” on page 293). You
can also switch the tempo mode with the Activate Tempo
Track button on the Tempo Track Editor toolbar.
In tempo track mode, the tempo cannot be changed on
the Transport panel, i. e. the tempo information here is for
display purposes only.
Signature events are always active, regardless of whether
fixed tempo mode or tempo track mode is selected.
A note about tempo-based audio tracks
The start position of audio events on the timeline depends
on the current tempo setting. However, it is important to re-
alize that the actual audio (“within” the events) will play back
as recorded, regardless of any tempo changes you make.
Therefore, it is good practice to make the proper tempo and
time signature settings before you start recording tempo-
based audio.
• To make an already recorded audio track follow the
tempo changes, you can use the Sample Editor, see the
chapter “The Sample Editor” on page 176.
Tempo and signature display
You can view the current tempo and signature settings of
your project in a number of ways:
• On the Transport panel.
See above, and the section “The Transport panel” on page 68.
• In the Tempo Track Editor.
Open the Project menu and select Tempo Track Editor, or [Ctrl]/[Com-
mand]-click the Tempo button on the Transport panel.
About the Tempo Track Editor
The Tempo Track Editor has a toolbar, info line, and ruler
just like other editors in Cubase, plus an area for the dis-
play of time signature events and a tempo curve display.
The toolbar
The toolbar contains various tools and settings:
Toolbar Info line Ruler
Time Signature area
Tempo curve display
ToolsActivate Tempo
Track
Auto-Scroll Snap on/off
Suspend Auto-Scroll when Editing
Show Info
Curve type for new
tempo events
The selected tempo
Snap pop-up