Some quick questions from a new Cubase LE 4 user

[Jim Feia]

I am new to home recording and recently purchased Cubase LE 4 with the Lambda interface. Here are a few question that would help me get started with what I want to do: 1) How do I get started with laying down a loop track of an instrument so I can record other tracks (non-loop tracks) over this original loop? 2) How do I get my recordings quantized to a specified value such as the nearest 16th note, etc.,.... presently there's a button that says Auto Q ON, but my recorded tracks are not sounding quantized at all???) 3) Are there rhythm track available for downloading and/or importing so that I can start a recording by playing over an existing rhythm track -or- should I just plug a drum machine into a line-in and record myself and the drum machine simultaneously?? 4) Can I import an existing CD (or other recording) and add my own instrument track to it with Cubase resulting in a new recording with added tracks (doesn't matter to me if some of the sound quality is lost in the process... just want to get some ideas added to some existing recordings?) 5) The click track on my Cubase doesn't sync with the recordings I do upon playback... any way of fixing this?? 6) Is there such a thing as CUBASE FOR DUMMIES available for newbies like me? Thank you to everyone who can help me resolve these issues and tolerating some likely very elementary and potentially stupid questions.

[uab9253]

Originally Posted by Jim Feia

I am new to home recording and recently purchased Cubase LE 4 with the Lambda interface. Here are a few question that would help me get started with what I want to do: 1) How do I get started with laying down a loop track of an instrument so I can record other tracks (non-loop tracks) over this original loop? 2) How do I get my recordings quantized to a specified value such as the nearest 16th note, etc.,.... presently there's a button that says Auto Q ON, but my recorded tracks are not sounding quantized at all???) 3) Are there rhythm track available for downloading and/or importing so that I can start a recording by playing over an existing rhythm track -or- should I just plug a drum machine into a line-in and record myself and the drum machine simultaneously?? 4) Can I import an existing CD (or other recording) and add my own instrument track to it with Cubase resulting in a new recording with added tracks (doesn't matter to me if some of the sound quality is lost in the process... just want to get some ideas added to some existing recordings?) 5) The click track on my Cubase doesn't sync with the recordings I do upon playback... any way of fixing this?? 6) Is there such a thing as CUBASE FOR DUMMIES available for newbies like me? Thank you to everyone who can help me resolve these issues and tolerating some likely very elementary and potentially stupid questions.

WOW- I may only get to a couple of these. Yikes.
1. A couple of dozen ways. One is to record a midi loop via a controller. There is a repeat function at the track level. This will copy the loop and set it side by side with the original for as many repeats as you specified. You can also set markers or locators and cycle play between them, using any piece of audio you want. Read the getting started manual.

2. Not an expert here, but the manual does cover the many different ways to quantize a midi performance

3. You can go the drum machine route. There are also drum loops out there that are mostly crap if they're free. I scoop midi files and then cut all the tracks off in Cubase but the drums. If LM-7 was included as a VST drum machine in LE you can point the midi drum track to that. It's great fun.

4. Yes, yes and yes. Use the import and pick audio track. Browse to your PC cd player and pick your track. No loss in quality coming in or going out. Jam with the stars. Sleep with their girlfriends too.

5. No idea what you mean. If the click is in sync while recording it should also be on playback. Even latency problems shouldn't really jar your click. More details.

6. Yes, the manuals that come on the cd, print them out at work when the boss isn't looking. Also read this forum and others. Try stuff. Break stuff. Cuss. Ask questions.

I have only been using Cubase 4 for about 2 months and already know quite a bit. Patience. Luck. Perserverance.

Buena suerte.

[Jim Feia]

Thanks Allan for the answers... I'm starting to make progress and appreciate the help.

[Electriclight]

[quote=Jim Feia;49311]

1) How do I get started with laying down a loop track of an instrument so I can record other tracks (non-loop tracks) over this original loop?

Project>New Track> Audio or MIDI

2) How do I get my recordings quantized to a specified value such as the nearest 16th note, etc.,.... presently there's a button that says Auto Q ON, but my recorded tracks are not sounding quantized at all???)

MIDI>Quantize Setup

3) Are there rhythm track available for downloading and/or importing so that I can start a recording by playing over an existing rhythm track -or- should I just plug a drum machine into a line-in and record myself and the drum machine simultaneously??

You can buy CD's with drum tracks in a single stereo file or others with seperate wav's for each part of the kit. If you go the Drum Machine route that still doesn't mean you have to record somultaneously. Record your drum track from the machine, tweak it, cut and paste it, loop it, whatever. Then record your audio on another track while listening to the drum line.

5

) The click track on my Cubase doesn't sync with the recordings I do upon playback... any way of fixing this??

So you recorded to the exact same click track? It should sync up.

6) Is there such a thing as CUBASE FOR DUMMIES available for newbies like me? Thank you to everyone who can help me resolve these issues and tolerating some likely very elementary and potentially stupid questions.

There's no substitute for reading the manual and playing with the program. There's a learning curve and it's steepest at the very beginning. You'll feel alot better in a week or two.