Basics
Audio Hardware
Cubase runs on nearly every audio interface available on the market. It detects all ASIO-, Core Audio- and MME- compatible audio hardware, which may then be put to immediate use. Countless professional vendors offer interfaces in every price class and with the most diverse analog and digital I/O options. You have every conceivable option to configure the setup that meets your needs and suits your working methods best.
Project Window
As the primary window in Cubase SX3, the Project window affords you a view of the arrangement and its various tracks. The Project window is fully scalable; you can hide and show tools and display panels at will to adapt the window to the requirements of the task at hand. For a better view of complex arrangements, you can mix individual tracks down using special folder tracks.
You may enter track settings directly in the Track Inspector, a panel at the left of the Project window that you can show and hide on demand. It provides access to all of the selected track’s key control elements and parameters, including all mixer parameters. This means you can edit mixer settings right in the Project window without having to open a new window.
Workflow
Cubase SX3 was developed specifically to enable efficient, ergonomic handling that is easily personalized to satisfy your requirements. Keyboard shortcuts are available for nearly all functions in Cubase SX3. You can assign these key commands freely and export the entire set if you wish to use your personalized key commands on other systems. Preprogrammed key configurations are available if you are adopting Cubase now but have experience with another program to ensure a painless changeover. If you wish to jump quickly to specific locations within arrangement, you can place markers at any position. The Workspace function lets you create different window layouts that are accessible via key commands. You are free to create the perfect panel for every step of the production process. Cubase SX3 offers unlimited undo so you can give your creative urges free rein: Go ahead and try anything out; you can always cancel any number of editing actions if it doesn’t work out.
File Management
A clearly-ordered file management system is vital when you’re working on complex projects. This is what the Pool in Cubase SX3 is here to do - it serves to manage all the audio files and video clips in a given project. Numerous functions are available for importing clips, converting file formats, renaming and auditioning files, applying audio effects, and so forth. What’s more, you can archive and import the entire pool into other projects.
Resource Management
If you use scores of virtual instruments and effects at the same time, you may soon discover where your computer’s performance limits lie. Cubase SX3 offers functions enabling you to create complex arrangements that require less computing power and let you use performance-hungry plug-ins. As the name would suggest, the Freeze function freezes VST instruments or audio tracks with insert effects. The track is mixed into a temporary audio file, freeing up sufficient resources for further processing. Unlike conventional track bouncing, which requires you to commit early on, freezing grants you greater flexibility throughout the production process because its actions can be undone at any time. You have another easy option for tapping additional resources – simply connect computers via the VST System Link. By linking two computers via a conventional digital audio connection, you can trigger one computer plug-ins’ with sample precision and have the other do the computing. This lets you combine the two computer systems’ performance power.
- Audio import and export: AIFF, WAV, BWAV, WAV64, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, Real Audio G2, WMA and WMA Pro (Windows only), REX , SD2 (Mac OS X only)
- Dolby Digital AC3 and DTS file formats may be generated using the optionally available Nuendo Dolby Digital Encoder and Nuendo DTS Encoder.
- Import and export OMF files to swap projects with other systems
- Audio CD grabbing including preview and partial extraction
- Import MIDI files and Cubase SL/SE and VST 5 projects
- Video import: PEG (1/2), AVI, QuickTime, WMV and WMV Pro
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