Cubase 9.5 Tutorial - How To Make a Soundboard in Groove Agent

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of creating a soundboard using Cubase 9.5 and Groove Agent. You'll learn how to capture audio on your desktop with Audacity and then edit and organize your samples within Cubase. This is a useful skill for music producers, sound designers, or anyone interested in sound manipulation.

Step 1: Capture Desktop Audio with Audacity

To begin, you need to record the audio you want to use for your soundboard.

• Download and Install Audacity: If you haven't already, download Audacity from the official website and install it on your computer.
• Set Up Audio Input:
  • Open Audacity and go to the preferences.
  • Choose the audio host that allows you to record system sound (usually "Windows WASAPI" for Windows or "Core Audio" for Mac).
• Select the Right Input Device:
  • Choose the output device you are using (e.g., your speakers or headphones) to capture the audio that is playing on your computer.
• Record Your Audio:
  • Click the record button in Audacity and play the audio you want to capture.
  • Stop the recording once you have captured all the desired audio.

Step 2: Edit Your Audio in Audacity

Once you've recorded your audio, you'll need to edit it to prepare for use in Groove Agent.

• Trim Unwanted Sections:
  • Use the selection tool to highlight any parts of the audio that you don’t need (like silence before or after the desired sound).
  • Press the delete key to remove these sections.
• Export Your Samples:
  • Go to File > Export and choose your desired format (WAV or MP3 are commonly used).
  • Save your audio files in a folder where you can easily access them later.

Step 3: Import Samples into Groove Agent

Now that you have your audio samples ready, it’s time to import them into Groove Agent.

• Open Cubase 9.5: Launch Cubase and create a new project.
• Add Groove Agent:
  • Go to Instruments and select Add Groove Agent.
  • This will open the Groove Agent interface.
• Import Your Audio Files:
  • Drag and drop your audio files from the folder into the Groove Agent's sample slots.
  • You can also right-click in a slot and select Import to choose your audio files.

Step 4: Arrange and Customize Your Soundboard

With your samples loaded, you can arrange and customize your soundboard.

• Organize Your Samples:
  • Click and drag samples to arrange them in the order you want.
• Adjust Settings:
  • Click on individual samples to access settings like volume, pitch, and effects.
  • Experiment with different adjustments to get the sound you desire.

Step 5: Save Your Soundboard

Finally, save your work to ensure you don’t lose your soundboard.

• Save Your Project:
  • Go to File > Save As and name your project.
  • Choose a location on your computer to save it.

Conclusion

You've now created a soundboard using Audacity and Groove Agent in Cubase 9.5. Key steps included capturing audio, editing it, importing it into Groove Agent, and customizing your soundboard. As a next step, consider experimenting with additional effects and sounds to enhance your soundboard further. Happy sound designing!