5 CUBASE ROUTING TIPS

Introduction

This tutorial provides five essential routing tips for Cubase users, particularly beneficial during the mixing process. These tips are especially relevant for users of the Pro version of Cubase and can enhance your workflow, improve your mixing techniques, and optimize your sound design.

Step 1: Determine the Signal Routing of Track

Understanding how your audio signal flows through your tracks is crucial for effective mixing.

• Open your project and select the track you want to analyze.
• Check the Inspector panel to see the routing options.
• Make sure you are aware of where the audio is being sent, especially if there are multiple effects or outputs involved.

Practical Advice:

• Regularly review the signal routing to avoid confusion later in the mixing process.

Step 2: Working with Post and Pre Fader Sends

Using sends allows you to route audio to effects without affecting the original track's volume.

• Access the Sends section of the Inspector panel.
• Choose whether you want to set the send to "Pre" or "Post" fader.
  • Pre Fader: Sends audio before it reaches the fader, useful for effects that should remain constant regardless of the track's volume adjustments.
  • Post Fader: Sends audio after the fader, allowing the effect level to change with the track's volume.

Common Pitfalls:

• Forgetting to check whether your sends are set to pre or post, which can lead to unexpected mix results.

Step 3: Pan Your Sends

Panning your sends can create a more spacious mix.

• In the Sends section, locate the pan controls for each send.
• Adjust the pan settings to spread your effects across the stereo field.

Practical Advice:

• Use panning creatively to enhance the stereo image of your mix. Experiment with different positions to find what works best.

Step 4: How to Record Your FX on a Separate Track

Recording effects onto a separate track can help you manage your mix more effectively.

• Create a new audio track in your project.
• Set the input of this new track to receive the audio from the effects you want to record.
• Enable monitoring on the new track and press record while playing back your session to capture the processed sound.

Tip:

• This technique allows you to free up processing power and make further edits to the recorded effects.

Step 5: Working with Several Outputs

Utilizing multiple outputs can give you greater control over your mix.

• Go to the VST Connections window to set up additional outputs.
• Assign your tracks to these outputs as needed for routing to external hardware or for separate mixes.

Practical Advice:

• Use separate outputs for different elements like drums or vocals to process them individually, allowing for more nuanced mixing.

Conclusion

By implementing these five routing tips in Cubase, you can enhance your mixing skills and improve your workflow. Regularly reviewing signal routing, effectively using pre and post fader sends, panning your effects, recording them on separate tracks, and managing multiple outputs will lead to a more professional-sounding mix. Experiment with these techniques and see how they can elevate your music production process.