4.0

6
Introduction
Welcome
Congratulations and welcome to the world of Cubase. You
have now become a member of the world's largest commu-
nity of music production software users. Looking back at
more than 20 years of innovation in computer-based music
production, Steinberg has always been the driving force
behind software technology and Cubase is the benchmark
for this development. With Version 4, Cubase is taking the
next evolutionary step towards a totally integrated software
and hardware system.
Whether you're already a user of some computer-based
music production software or this is your first hands-on
experience with a software-based sequencer/digital audio
workstation: this version of Cubase gives you full access
to the Cubase workflow and provides you with a powerful
yet easy-to-use music production system. Cubase AI fea-
tures the same professional audio engine used in Stein-
berg's flagship version of Cubase - Cubase 4. It supports
both Windows XP and OSX operating systems, including
the latest Intel Mac systems from Apple Computers. With
a brand-new set of great-sounding plug-ins, new instru-
ment tracks, and the ability to play ACIDized audio files
matching a song's tempo. In addition, Cubase AI offers
advanced integration features to simplify set-up and oper-
ation of your Yamaha/Steinberg hardware/software sys-
tem. Please read the operation manual of your Yamaha
hardware for specific details.
Take some time to find your way around in this new version
of Cubase. If you are a first-time user, you will find a lot of
help in the tutorial section, which is included in this manual.
It comes with matching Cubase AI project files and even
short training videos, which you will find on your program
DVD. Even if you are already familiar with Cubase, it makes
sense to study these tutorials in order to learn about some
of the new features, and how they are integrated.
Last but not least, by registering your software you will have
access to Steinberg's personal user area on the Steinberg
website! It gives you access to special offers from Stein-
berg and ensures that you are always up-to-date on the la-
test news about tips and tricks, updates or special events.
Finally, you are also invited to join our Cubase user forum at
www.steinberg.net, which is the best way to communicate
directly with us and other Cubase users around the world.
See you around! The Steinberg Cubase Team
About the manuals and the help
The Cubase AI documentation is divided into several sec-
tions, as listed below. The documents are in Adobe Acro-
bat format (extension “.pdf”) – these can be accessed in
the following ways:
• You can open the pdf documents from the Documentation
submenu on the Help menu in the program.
• Under Mac OS X the pdf documents are located in the folder
“/Library/Documentation/Steinberg/Cubase AI 4”.
Ö To read the pdf documents, you need to have a suit-
able pdf reader application installed on your computer.
An installer for Acrobat Reader is provided on the program DVD.
The Getting Started
This is the manual you are reading now. The Getting
Started covers the following areas:
• Computer requirements.
• Installation issues.
• Setting up your system for audio, MIDI and/or video work.
• Tutorials describing the most common procedures for record-
ing, playing back, mixing and editing in Cubase AI.
In other words, this book does not go into detail on any
Cubase AI windows, functions or procedures.
The Operation Manual
The Operation Manual is the main Cubase AI reference
documentation, with detailed descriptions of Cubase AI
operations, parameters, functions and techniques. You
should be familiar with the concepts and methods de-
scribed in the Getting Started manual before moving on to
the Operation Manual.
Plug-in Reference
This manual describes the features and parameters of the
included VST plug-ins, real-time audio effects and VST in-
strument.
Remote Control Devices
This pdf document lists the supported MIDI remote control
devices and describes how to set them up and use them
with Cubase AI.