Cubase 10.5 Tutorial - 2 Helpful Automation Tips

Introduction

This tutorial provides two helpful automation tips for Cubase 10.5, particularly when working with plugins that do not allow direct automation through their interface, such as Amplitube 4. By following these steps, you will learn how to effectively automate parameters using MIDI tracks and the project window in Cubase.

Step 1: Automating Parameters Using a MIDI Track

To automate plugin parameters when direct automation is not available, you can use a MIDI track. Follow these steps:

1. Create a MIDI Track:

   • Go to the 'Project' menu.
   • Select 'Add Track' and then choose 'MIDI'.

2. Select Your Plugin:

   • Load the desired plugin (e.g., Amplitube 4) on an audio track.

3. Access MIDI Control:

   • Open the MIDI track you just created.
   • In the Inspector panel, locate the 'MIDI Send' section.
   • Choose the plugin's parameter you want to automate.

4. Record Automation:

   • Enable recording on the MIDI track.
   • Play your project and adjust the plugin parameter in real time while recording.
   • Your adjustments will be captured as MIDI data.

5. Edit Automation Data:

   • Open the MIDI editor by double-clicking on the recorded MIDI part.
   • You can fine-tune the automation curves and points here.

Step 2: Automating Parameters in the Project Window

If you prefer to automate directly in the Cubase project window, follow these steps:

1. Open Automation Lanes:

   • In the project window, locate the track containing the plugin.
   • Click on the small triangle next to the track name to expand it.
   • Select 'Add Automation Track' from the context menu.

2. Choose the Parameter:

   • From the automation track, select the appropriate parameter from the dropdown menu that corresponds to your plugin.

3. Draw Automation Curves:

   • Use the pencil tool to draw the desired automation curve directly onto the automation lane.
   • You can create points by clicking on the lane, which you can then move to adjust the automation.

4. Adjust Automation Settings:

   • Right-click on the automation line to access additional options for smoothing or linearizing the automation curve.
   • Ensure the automation lane is active for playback.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned how to automate plugin parameters in Cubase 10.5 using both MIDI tracks and the project window. These techniques are particularly useful when dealing with plugins that lack built-in automation capabilities. Experiment with both methods to see which best fits your workflow, ensuring a more dynamic and engaging mix. For further exploration, consider experimenting with different plugins and parameters to enhance your music production skills.