HOW TO KEEP EVENTS IN THEIR PLACE AFTER TEMPO CHANGE | Quick Tip Cubase 13

Introduction

This tutorial provides a quick and effective method for maintaining the placement of events in Cubase 13 after a tempo change. Understanding how to use linear mode versus musical mode at the track level is crucial for ensuring your audio and MIDI events stay aligned with your project’s timing.

Step 1: Understanding Linear Mode and Musical Mode

Before making any changes, familiarize yourself with the two modes:

• Linear Mode: Events remain in their fixed positions on the timeline, regardless of tempo changes. This mode is ideal for audio tracks where you want the timing to stay consistent.

• Musical Mode: Events adjust according to the project tempo. This mode is suitable for MIDI tracks or situations where you want your notes to follow the tempo changes.

Practical Advice

• Use linear mode for audio tracks that need to stay in sync with the original performance.
• Switch to musical mode for MIDI tracks that should adapt to the new tempo.

Step 2: Setting Track Modes

To set the appropriate mode for your tracks, follow these steps:

1. Select the Track: Click on the track you want to adjust in the project window.
2. Open the Inspector: If not already visible, open the Inspector panel by clicking on the "Inspector" button located on the left side of the project window.
3. Locate the Track Control Settings: Within the Inspector, look for the "Track Control" section.
4. Choose the Mode:
   • For linear mode, ensure the “Linear” option is selected.
   • For musical mode, select the “Musical” option.

Practical Tips

• Double-check each track to ensure the correct mode is selected before making any tempo changes.
• You can switch between modes at any time, but be aware that this may affect how events are positioned.

Step 3: Changing the Tempo

Once your tracks are set to the appropriate mode, you can change the tempo without affecting the placement of events.

1. Access the Tempo Track: Go to the top of your project window, and locate the tempo track.
2. Adjust the Tempo: Click on the tempo value and enter your desired tempo or use the tempo changes in the tempo track.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Forgetting to set the correct mode before changing the tempo can lead to unwanted shifts in your event placements.
• Always save a backup of your project before making significant changes, so you can revert if necessary.

Conclusion

By understanding and utilizing linear and musical modes in Cubase 13, you can effectively manage how events are affected by tempo changes. Make sure to double-check your track settings before making adjustments to maintain the integrity of your project. For further exploration, consider experimenting with different types of tracks and tempo changes to see how they interact in both modes.