How to Select Notes Only on Offbeat for Velocity Editing | Club Cubase February 1st 2022

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of selecting notes only on offbeats for velocity editing in Cubase. This technique is essential for enhancing the dynamics of your musical compositions, allowing for a more nuanced and expressive performance. By learning to manipulate offbeat notes effectively, you can improve your mixes and achieve a more professional sound.

Step 1: Open Your Project in Cubase

• Launch Cubase and open the project you want to work on.
• Ensure that you have the MIDI track containing the notes you wish to edit.

Step 2: Access the MIDI Editor

• Double-click on the MIDI track to open the MIDI Editor.
• Alternatively, select the track and press Ctrl + E (Windows) or Command + E (Mac) to open the editor.

Step 3: Identify Offbeat Notes

• In the MIDI Editor, look at the grid where your notes are displayed.
• Offbeat notes typically fall between the main beats, often on the "and" of a measure (e.g., 1 and 2 and).
• Use the zoom function to get a better view of the note placement for accuracy.

Step 4: Select Offbeat Notes

• Click and drag to select a range of notes, or hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and click individual offbeat notes to select them.
• For more precision, you can use the Range Tool to highlight specific areas where offbeat notes are located.

Step 5: Adjust Velocity of Selected Notes

• With the offbeat notes selected, locate the Velocity Editor at the bottom of the MIDI Editor.
• Adjust the velocity sliders to increase or decrease the dynamics of the selected notes.
  • Tip: A higher velocity will make the notes sound louder and more pronounced, while a lower velocity will create a softer sound.

Step 6: Preview Changes

• Play back the section of your project to hear how the changes to the offbeat notes affect the overall mix.
• Make further adjustments as necessary until you achieve the desired effect.

Step 7: Save Your Changes

• Once satisfied with your edits, save your project to ensure your changes are not lost.
• Use File > Save or press Ctrl + S (Windows) or Command + S (Mac).

Conclusion

Selecting and editing offbeat notes for velocity adjustments in Cubase can significantly enhance the expressiveness of your music. By following these steps, you can improve the dynamics of your compositions effectively. Experiment with different velocity settings to find what works best for your project, and consider revisiting this technique as you refine your mixing skills. Happy editing!