An ADVANCED look at The CUBASE Channel Signal Flow

Introduction

This tutorial provides an advanced understanding of the signal flow in Cubase, focusing on pre and post fader inserts and sends. By mastering these concepts, you can enhance your mixing techniques and achieve a more professional sound in your music production.

Step 1: Understanding Pre and Post Fader Position

• Pre Fader: This refers to effects or processing that occurs before the fader level is applied. Changes to the fader will not affect the signal being processed.
• Post Fader: This occurs after the fader level is applied. Adjusting the fader will directly impact the level of the signal being sent to effects or processing.

Practical Advice

• Use pre fader settings for effects that should remain consistent regardless of the track's volume, such as reverb on background vocals.
• Post fader settings are ideal for effects where the level should change with the fader, like delay on a lead vocal.

Step 2: Exploring Pre and Post Fader Channel Strips

• The channel strip in Cubase allows you to apply inserts and sends either pre or post fader.
• Inserts: Effects applied directly to the channel signal before it reaches the output.
• Sends: Effects that allow you to send a portion of the signal to effects buses.

Practical Advice

• To set an insert as pre or post fader, adjust the routing in the channel settings.
• Remember that using pre fader inserts can help maintain effect levels during volume adjustments.

Step 3: Configuring Pre and Post Fader Sends

• Sends can be configured to send signals either pre or post fader.
• Pre Fader Sends: Useful for monitoring or recording purposes, ensuring that the send level stays constant regardless of fader adjustments.
• Post Fader Sends: Ideal for effects that should follow the track volume, ensuring a cohesive sound.

Practical Advice

• For live performances, consider using pre fader sends to maintain consistent monitoring levels.
• For studio mixes, post fader sends can help create a more dynamic effect response.

Step 4: Implementing Post Fader Inserts into Pre Fader Sends

• You can combine post fader inserts with pre fader sends for complex routing.
• This allows you to apply effects after the fader has influenced the signal but still send the original level to effects.

Practical Advice

• Use this technique to create unique effects, such as adding a compression effect after a fader adjustment while maintaining a consistent send to a reverb effect.

Step 5: Rules of Thumb for Signal Flow

• Always consider the desired effect when choosing pre or post fader settings.
• Experiment with different configurations to determine what works best for your mix.
• Keep in mind that complex routing can lead to phase issues if not managed carefully.

Conclusion

Understanding the nuances of pre and post fader signal flow in Cubase is essential for crafting professional mixes. Experiment with different configurations to see how they affect your sound, and use this knowledge to enhance your mixing skills. For further learning, consider exploring additional resources or workshops on Cubase mixing techniques.