Cubase Mixing tips

[Hot pocket]

Since there are a few people on here that use Cubase, Maybe you that use it could give some mixing ITB tips.

One that I am particularly interested in is, Q. Seeing that Cubase doesn't have scene memory, what are some things you do to circumvent that problem?

[brandondrury]

Maybe you that use it could give some mixing ITB tips.

Okay. What do you want to know?

Seeing that Cubase doesn't have scene memory, what are some things you do to circumvent that problem?

What is "scene memory"?

Brandon

[Hot pocket]

Okay. What do you want to know?


What is "scene memory"?

Brandon

The ability to save a particular mix as a "Scene" so if you screw up too badly you can recall what you have done, by "Scene Memory" or "Scene Recall"

Not the same as an undo, but close. I think another phrase would be "Snap shot"?

[brandondrury]

Oh. Cubase SX3 can do this. You just have to save your mixer settings. It's no big deal.

I never really got into doing it that way. Instead if I do a seperate mix, I just save the Cubase file as Song_Name_001, Song_Name_002, etc. It's not uncommon for me to have 15 different versions before the final mix is finished on some songs.

Brandon

[Hot pocket]

By doing this you are only saving the mixer setup correct? But that doesn't recall automation? Or does it?

[brandondrury]

If you are referring to the mixer settings I can't remember, actually.

This is why I just save the entire file. You know....File > Save. This always saves everything.

Brandon

[Hot pocket]

lol! Yes I am aware of this? But that just seems "to me" as taking up a lot of hard drive space. But it may be the only work around to it.

[brandondrury]

But that just seems "to me" as taking up a lot of hard drive space.

Uhhh. I think the biggest Cubase file I've ever had was 1MB or so.

When I track a full band, it's not rare to use about 1GB per song depending on the band. So, saving 15MB for 15 completley different mixes is about the equivalent of 1.5 minutes of a stereo wav file. Or 4.5 seconds of audio if have 20 tracks.

Brandon

[Hot pocket]

Actually you're right! When I sent the first msg, I was thinking that every time you saved the project that you were "Re-saving" the audio files.
But this is not true. Cubase pulls the files from the pool into the project but doesn't have to re-save the audio files from project to project.

So that isn't too bad.
Good show!!!

[scribe]

Hey there,
Cubase 4 does all this and much more really easily. Saving as a template is good too when tracking I find. I went straight from VST5 to 4 (skipped sx) and am blown away by it............ Cheers.

[brandondrury]

I went straight from VST5 to 4 (skipped sx) and am blown away by it............ Cheers.

About a year ago I switched from VST5 to Cubase SX3 and I too was blown away. I still am (and this is a major reason I haven't made the jump to Cubase 4).

Actually you're right! When I sent the first msg, I was thinking that every time you saved the project that you were "Re-saving" the audio files.
But this is not true. Cubase pulls the files from the pool into the project but doesn't have to re-save the audio files from project to project.

So that isn't too bad.

My gut said you were leaning in that direction. In that case, you'd be right. You'd have a few terrabytes in no time!

Brandon

[Hot pocket]

Hey there,
Cubase 4 does all this and much more really easily. Saving as a template is good too when tracking I find.

I actually do use templates, I have one for writing which is used for...."Writing"!
Has the track order and all of my vsti's. One for Editing and one for importing and mixing....which is really only now beginning to be used.

C4 has actually sparked interest in me to really start using my system to the fullest. I have resources that I just don't use, and this is not good.
But I have virtually gone through all of the cubase series. I did logic for a while but I hated the learning curve. Cakewalk and all the rest. Cubase kicked their asses.

Brandon I forgot about the ctrl+alt+s (which as you know) re-saves the project under a different name. Song_1_01, Song_1_02, etc. etc.
I still think scene recall would be a nice feature to incorporate within cubase. It's not a deterrent that it is not in there....just would be nice if it were in there.

HP

[brandondrury]

It's always a good idea to browse over the features included in a program from time to time to see what you could be doing to save you a few hours of work.

Personally, I don't have a whole lot of need to switch from mix to mix on the same song. I keep the old mix Cubase files only because there are times where I take chances on a mix by consolidating files and such and I may pen myself into a corner that I don't want to be in. I usually only look forward with my mixes.

Brandon

[musichead]

I usually only look forward with my mixes.

Amen, bro.

Never look back or you'll be convinced nothing beats that "something" that happened while recording the ultra rough demo... Of course, some rare cases you might end up putting a two track take on the actual record... no matter what you do, the most inspired take is SELDOM THE BEST RECORDED ONE. Then it's time to make those decisions.