Bouncing Tracks in Cubase

[xBTWATWDx]

So when I record I usually designate two tracks for each mic so that when we stop and pick up at a spot in the song, I can make the transition really smooth. well now I am done recording and I want to bounce each pair of tracks down to only one track per mic. Is there a way to do this without mixing down then importing the mixed down wav file into its own track? If not can you link two tracks so that if you make any adjustment (volume, effect) to one, it automatically does the same to the other?

Also, I head Brandon talk about applying an eq to the entire drum bus. Is it possible to create a master channel for just the drums, (or any related set of tracks for that matter) which then gets routed to the master mix? eg Snare -> Drum master -> master this way applying a universal eq to all of the drum tracks would be a piece of cake.

thanks

Dan

[brandondrury]

Which version of Cubase are you using, dude?

I used to fire up multiple tracks at the same time back in my Vegas days, but Cubase SX3 did away with all of that. In Cubase SX3, they have "lanes" which make it really easy to just record right over another take without deleting it. (Just muting it). Comping the best take is super easy. I just have to cut the pieces I want and drag them to the bottom. Done.

Even when I used Vegas and setup multiple tracks to record, I still just ended up dragging the chunk of each file I wanted into the "keeper track". I just had to split the track to keep the good stuff and get rid of the junk. In Cubase SX3, "3" is the shorcut for the cut / split / whatever tool.

Also, I head Brandon talk about applying an eq to the entire drum bus. Is it possible to create a master channel for just the drums, (or any related set of tracks for that matter) which then gets routed to the master mix? eg Snare -> Drum master -> master this way applying a universal eq to all of the drum tracks would be a piece of cake.

Sure. It's called a "Group Track". Create a new group track, rename it "drums", and then route each track's output to "drums" instead of to "stereo out". In SX3, this is on the top of each channel in the "mixer view" thing.

In fact, I usually create a "parallel compression" group track and then a "drums" group track. I'll route the parallel compression bus to the drums bus. This lets me smash the living shit out of the kick and snare leaving only a really powerful attack and then that track goes to the same drum bus as everything else. So if I put a limiter on the drum bus, the parallel compression will get limited too.

This is what I talk about when I say "powerful routing features".

You could do the same with snare reverb too. Instead of putting reverb on an aux, put it on a group track. Then route it to the drum bus. So, you could send snare bottom or whatever to that reverb. That reverb would then go to your drum bus. This way you control all drum stuff with a single fader. I don't usually do this reverb trick, but there are times when it is helpful.

[xBTWATWDx]

Hey brandon
thanks for the help. I use SX also. I just got it so I am not down with all of the features yet. The routing sounds awesome. I will have to just try recording into one track next time. but there is no way to bounce down to 1 track with out mixing down then importing? I have a coiuple of takes that bleed into the next over a couple of measures.

[xBTWATWDx]

speaking of this routing business. Is it possible to hide or minimize a track once its routed so that my work space is not so cluttered?

[brandondrury]

but there is no way to bounce down to 1 track with out mixing down then importing?

There is a button that lets you automatically import the file back in after exporting.

Again, I'm not exactly sure why you need to bounce the file at all. Are you combining a bunch of tracks together that play at the same time(submixing) or are you just combining the little fragments together where no more than 1 track plays at the same time? Does that make sense?

speaking of this routing business. Is it possible to hide or minimize a track once its routed so that my work space is not so cluttered?

Yes. They are called folder tracks. I usually create a "drums" folder track. I then drag all my drum tracks into this "drums" folder track. I can then minimize it so it's like 1/4" or so on the screen. Maximize it and you are back in business.

Also, don't forget about the "z" button. Highlight a track and press Z. It'll make it huge. Push "z" again, it'll get small again.

Brandon