>Step by step

Exploring workflow techniques in Cubase

1 To begin, I create a template project. As I make DnB, I’ll set BPM to my preferred tempo of 174. Next, I add five Folder Tracks for each instrument type: Drum/Perc, Bass/Mids, Musical, FX/Atmos and Vocal. I then colour each folder, which will give me a handy visual reference. 2 Inside each folder, I set up a Group Channel (ie, bus) corresponding to each instrument/folder type, then colour each group to match the folders. This’ll give me control over the separate groups, especially once track counts increase. 3 Next, I add auxiliary FX busses to the project, which will facilitate parallel processing later. I’ve loaded up compressor auxes to the drums, bass and musical groups, alongside reverb and delay effects. I’ll probably change these plugins and add extra busses later, but it’s a good idea to have a basic setup for now. 4 I call up a few Audio Tracks, Instrument Tracks and Sampler Tracks inside the separate groups. Using Cubase’s MixConsole window, I route them to the appropriate group busses. Again, these channel types may change later, depending on the sound I’m creating. 5 I now link my Group Tracks and FX Channels to fresh VCA Faders, giving me a secondary fader for each group – this’ll help with gain staging later. Within MixConsole, I drag the VCA Faders next to the Stereo Out, which neatens things up. Now I’m happy, it’s time to save my setup as a new template project. 6 With my template project ready to go, it’s time to write some music! I pop open Cubase’s MediaBay and navigate to my sample library. Using the search bar, I type 174 Drum, dig out a cool percussion loop and drag it on to a fresh Audio Track.

7 Over in the right Zone area, I open the

VST Instruments tab, which gives me a compact view of all the instruments in a project. Here, I’ve loaded up a reFX Nexus pad sound. For easy parameter control, I can adjust the Quick Controls in the top right-hand corner, providing swift manipulation of six knobs. 8 Next, I lay down a quick pad chord progression. Double-clicking a MIDI region brings up the Lower Zone, where I select Chord Pads. After highlighting the desired starting note, I click through the various chords using the Tensions button. I then drag and drop a two-chord progression into my MIDI region. 9 Having the ability to undo and redo mixer settings is especially useful when A/B referencing my changes in a session. This is achieved by bringing up the MixConsole, selecting the left-hand Zone and clicking the History tab. 10 For speedy workflow when mixing, I deselect any unwanted channels and view only Group Channels or FX Channels in the MixConsole view. I also use the Zone tab to set up individual Zones, such as VCA and Master Output channels. 11 I also spend time creating my own FX presets for speedy recall. To load these up, I simply right-click on the channel Zone in the project window or from the independent channels in MixConsole. This way, I can rapidly apply complex channel strip settings that would usually take time to dial in. 12 To help with the arrangement process, I like to use Cubase’s Marker Track, adding and renaming Cycle Markers for each song section (intro, drop, chorus, outro, etc). I can now play and loop each section from the right-hand Zone’s Inspector window.