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The SX2 Project.

The Cubase SX2 Project

A start to end guide for recording with Cubase SX.

By Bas.

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Table of Contents

SX Overview..................................................................... 5Introduction................................................................................................................5

Setting U.................................................................................................................. !

Bac"ground infor#ation............................................................................................$%he hardware &i'er..............................................................................................$

&idi Basics..............................................................................................................1(

)hat do the nu#bers #ean* ..............................................................................11

)hat can I do with contro++ers*..........................................................................12

,igita+ -ecording.....................................................................................................1

Cab+es and wiring.................................................................................................... 1/

The SX interface............................................................. 15SX Basics.................................................................................................................15

Audio ,e0ice Setu.................................................................................................1&I,I de0ice setu................................................................................................... 22

Audio Inut and utut...........................................................................................2/

Basic concets of SX...............................................................................................2!

Creating trac"s In SX..........................................................................................2$

Adding &idi to the Project................................................................................. 2

&ore setu otions and references........................................................................ 1Preferences..........................................................................................................1

3ey Co##ands.................................................................................................../%oo+bars and editors............................................................................................!

%he %ransort Bar............................................................................................... $

%rac" tyes and editor..............................................................................................4

&idi trac"s.......................................................................................................... 4

Audio %rac"s.......................................................................................................4o+der %rac"s...................................................................................................... 4

X Channe+ %rac"...............................................................................................4

6rou Channe+ %rac"..........................................................................................4

-u+er %rac"......................................................................................................... 4

The Midi Project............................................................. 41Introduction............................................................................................................../1,ru# &as............................................................................................................../5

Inutting dru#s......................................................................................................./$

7ote about sounds................................................................................................... /4

8uanti9e...................................................................................................................5(

:e+ocities.................................................................................................................5

Patch Scrits............................................................................................................ 5/

&idi +ugins creati0e uses....................................................................................... 55;ffects and &I,I.................................................................................................... !1



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)riting the auto#ation data.................................................................................... !2

&anua++y adding auto#ation +anes..........................................................................!2

Arranging the roject...............................................................................................!/

%he range too+..........................................................................................................!!

The Audio Project.......................................................... !

Setting u.................................................................................................................!

&onitoring............................................................................................................... !

;'terna+ &onitoring............................................................................................!&onitoring through SX.......................................................................................!

&onitoring


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%he +ead 0oca+...................................................................................................11$

Auto#ation....................................................................................................... 114

;'ort Audio.....................................................................................................122

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SX Overview.Introduction.

%his boo" ro0ides a guide to recording with Steinberg>s Cubase SX #usic

roduction suite. It wi++ show= in as #uch detai+ as ossib+e= how to #a"e

recordings in 0arious situations= how to edit and #aniu+ate the #usic you ha0ecreated and wi++ show tis and tric"s to a++ow you to find the ?uic"est and #ost

efficient ways to get jobs done in SX. %he ai# is that this one docu#ent wi++ co0er

basic and #ore ad0anced and esoteric too+s in the rogra#= and as such wi++

ro0ide a +ot of infor#ation= which I hoe wi++ be resented in a way that wi++

assist users of a++ s"i++ +e0e+s= fro# beginner to e'ert. )here ossib+e I sha++

ro0ide rojects on the Internet to acco#any the boo"= so you can see first handwhat the roject in0o+0ed when it was created.

Before I get into the roject= there are a few things that need to be e'+ained= so#e

of which #ay be ob0ious to #any eo+e= but for others it wi++ hoefu++y e'+ain

the interface and how to get around SX. %o sa0e referencing 0arious other

docu#ents I ha0e created= I wi++ coy so#e infor#ation into this one= #a"ing this a

one@sto@sho for reference when using SX. %he first chater co0ers concets andthe interface of SX= so#e setu considerations and so#e bac"ground infor#ation

on &idi and audio for#ats= +us so#e suggestions for setting u the syste# to

wor" efficient+y with Cubase SX.

,uring the course of this guide= there wi++ be a +ot of references to Key

Commands. %hese are 0ery usefu+ >shortcuts> to #enu>s or functions in SX= and

where a+icab+e= the defau+t 3ey Co##and wi++ be shown. Be aware that you wi++ha0e the ossibi+ity of changing the# a++ to your own referred "eys= but for those

starting out = the defau+ts wi++ be usefu+.



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Setting Up.

Setting u Cubase on the PC is theoretica++y not a difficu+t rocess= but gi0en thatthere are so #any 0ariab+es on a PC that #ight cause it to fai+= it is worth running

through a few chec"s to #a"e the insta++ation rocess as ain+ess as ossib+e.

Make sure that the sound card is setup correctly and works with Windows

Media player before installin SX. It #a"es the fau+t finding difficu+t if the

syste# is in an un"nown state before insta++ing any software.

Test playback of Midi files and audio files in Windows itself. It #ay not ro0e

that a++ wi++ be 3 in SX= but it wi++ gi0e so#e confidence that the sound card is

correct+y insta++ed.

!nstall the software" but do not install all the freeware pluins. &any of therob+e#s reorted on foru#s show so#e fai+ure of a +ugin= that cause a #yriad of

rob+e#s with SX. By insta++ing on+y the a+ication itse+f= you can ru+e out theossibi+ity of third arty +ugins causing rob+e#s.

Check connections. %here are #any interfaces that can be used with SX= so #a"e

sure that yours is correct+y cab+ed. &idi connections shou+d be #ade so that theoutut fro# the e'terna+ "eyboard if used connects to the inut of the &idi

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Background information.

%he Progra# uses a %ae based interface to recorded data= i.e. It is based around a

#u+ti@trac" tae #achine= where each trac" records different instru#ents= be they &idi

or audio. %he transort bar ,efau+t "ey Co##and 2 is based around a tae recorder

contro+ with sto= start= rewind= fast forward and record buttons. %he #i'er inside SX

e#u+ates #i'ers found in studio>s a++ around the wor+d. %here are #ajor differences in

the #i'er inside SX and the hardware #i'ers though= sca+abi+ity. Channe+s are on+ycreated if the trac" is created in SX= or if a :S% instru#ent is added to the roject.

A+so the SX #i'er can be used to #i' &idi data = as we++ as audio data.

A+though #i'ers are co##on+ace= #any users ha0e not co#e fro# a traditiona+

studio bac"ground= and therefore are not aware of the functiona+ity of a rea+ #i'ing

des"= and the routing that it can ro0ide. or this reason the first bit of bac"ground

infor#ation wi++ be about hardware #i'ers= what they do= and how that re+ates to thesoftware 0ersion found in SX.

%he concet of trac"s wi++ a+so be co0ered in this section so that an understanding of

what is recorded= where it is +aced= what tye of container is used and what the

ad0antages are for the user.

The hardware Mixer.

Sound is catured by de0ices +i"e &icrohones and instru#ent ic"us= and trans+ated

into an ana+ogous 0o+tage or current. %he #o0ing wa0e through the air or other

#ediu# shou+d idea++y for# a direct ana+og e?ui0a+ent in the e+ectrica+ wa0efor#

created by the >transducer> . %his is se+do# the case = as a++ de0ices ha0e their owncharacteristics= and on+y share one co##on feature@ they are a++ i#erfect. nce the

signa+ is catured it can be fed to a recording de0ice +i"e a tae #achine or go

through a series of de0ices to #odify the signa+ in so#e way= andor be assed to an

a#+ifier where the signa+ is boosted in +e0e+ a++owing it to be heard o0er sea"ers.

%he &i'er a++ows a few sound sources to be added or #i'ed together to create a

signa+ that shou+d be si#i+ar to the effect of recording a++ the instru#ents with one

#icrohone. %he 0o+tages are added together in a si#i+ar #anner to the way that the

0arious wa0es in the air #i' together to create an e0en #ore co#+e' wa0efor#.

%he &i'ing des" has ad0antages o0er the rea+@wor+d +i0e #i'ing that occurs in the air=in that the des" a++ows for #ore contro+ of the signa+. If the guitarist or dru##er is too+oud sounds +i"e rea+ +ife= doesn>t it* the on+y way to reduce the +e0e+ of the signa+ is

to get the# to turn down the a#+ifier the guitarist uses= or as" the dru##er to +ay

#ore ?uiet+y. 7either haens in rea+ +ife. But for signa+s assing through the #i'ing

des"= each channe+ can be #essed with= and the #ain contro+ we use is the 0o+u#e

contro+. By adjusting the 0o+u#e for each channe+ each instru#ent on the #i'ing

des"= a ba+ance can be achie0ed where no one instru#ent wi++ o0erower the rest.

)e can areciate that a Bass guitar is genera++y #ore >bassy> than a guitar= and that

the cy#ba+s on a dru# "it wi++ genera++y be shar and high itched. %his is a++ to do

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with the fre?uency content of each instru#ent. ne thing that #ight not be

areciated is that each instru#ent has a range of fre?uencies that it creates= which

can o0er+a the ranges used by other instru#ents. )hen #i'ed together this can #a"e

the definition between the instru#ents hard to discern. )e a+so ha0e the rob+e# that#icrohones and other transducers are not erfect= and one of the i#erfections is that

they do not create e'act+y ana+ogous signa+s fro# the rea+ signa+ they atte#t to ic"u= and so#e of that is because they do not ic" and and trans+ate a++ fre?uencies in

the sa#e #anner. or these reasons the ;8 e?ua+i9ation section co#es into it>s own.

%he ;8 section is a f+ashy tone contro+= where not on+y can certain fre?uencies be cut

or boosted = but where so#e can be cut and so#e boosted at the sa#e ti#e. %his can

be used for re#edia+ wor" +i"e trying to fi' the inaccuracies of the #icrohone or

other transducer or for creati0e uroses +i"e >#a"ing a sace> in the #i' a++owingtwo or #ore instru#ents to +ay at the sa#e ti#e= so the >+ead> one sti++ stands out.

n a &i'ing des"= the signa+s fro# 0arious channe+s can route to a #aster outut orBuss where the signa+s get #i'ed together. But with the ad0ent of #u+ti trac"

recording= the des" a+so ga0e the abi+ity to be ab+e to route signa+s to other oututs= so

that they cou+d be sent to the tae recorder. 6enera++y these oututs wou+d be ca++ed

grou oututs. ;ach outut of each grou cou+d ha0e one or #ore trac"s routed tothe#= and ro0ided an e'tra 0o+u#e contro+= a++owing the signa+ +e0e+ to be tri##ed

before it went to the tae #achine. In so#e cases the signa+ fro# a channe+ cou+d be

sent to both the #ain outut and a grou outut. n #any des"s the grou cou+d be

routed to the #ain outut= a++owing >sub@#i'es> on each grou= to be #i'ed at the

outut Buss = thus a++owing a way of #i'ing bac"ing instru#ents and 0oca+s on

different grous= and #i'ing those two grous together. %his can gi0e a +ot of contro+to a #i'= as we++ as a++owing a +i#ited a#ount of effects to be used on what #ight be

a +ot of channe+s.

Another area where the &i'ing des" beca#e in0a+uab+e was in +acing effects on

signa+s. &ost &icrohone recordings end u sounding 0ery dry as they do not ic" u

the subt+e echo>s caused by the rea+@+ife signa+s bouncing of wa++s of a roo#. %here0erberation and echo effects units atte#t to address this= by creating a sound that

si#u+ates rea+ roo#s= ca0es or concert ha++s etc.

As these effects #ay be re?uired on #ore than one channe+ of the des"= a syste# was

de0ised where each channe+ cou+d >send> a certain a#ount of a signa+ to an X sendeffect send and that wou+d go to the effects unit= which wou+d ass it>s signa+s with

the X on bac" to the X return= where it wou+d route to an outut Buss . ne thingto note is that the origina+ channe+ signa+s wou+d sti++ be routed to the outut Buss =

and the effects wou+d therefore get #i'ed with the dry signa+ at the outut Buss . In

SX the X Channe+ is a0ai+ab+e as a send fro# each audio tye trac"= and the return

fro# that X channe+ is routed to an outut Buss . So#e e'tra faci+ities that do not

e'ist on #id range des"s was the abi+ity to S;7, to grous= and the abi+ity to

-U%; or send one grou to another. %his cou+d be done with so#e e'terna+ wiring=but in the 0irtua+ #i'er of SX= both of these are a0ai+ab+e= which #eans that X

channe+s are not a+ways the best way of using shared effects= as these are +i#ited in the

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choice of outut routing. nce the difference between routing and sending is grased=

the #i'ing des" concet in SX is ?uite easy to fo++ow.

ne other feature that rea+ des"s ro0ide is the abi+ity to brea" a signa+ ath and insertan effect so that it wi++ on+y affect that one channe+. %he co##on too+s that get used in

this way are co#ressors= which atte#t to >ta#e> a signa+ that ju#s fro# +ow +e0e+sto high +e0e+s i.e. has a wide dyna#ic range by turning down the gain during +oud

sections. %his feature is of course a0ai+ab+e in SX>s #i'er= on a++ audio tye

channe+s= grous and X channe+s.



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Midi Basics.

&idi is a set of nu#bers sent a+ong a &idi cab+e= or a 0irtua+ &idi ort inside a

co#uter. %hese nu#bers reresent a set of tas"s for the recei0ing &idi de0ice to

react to. ;asy enough to say= but a +itt+e #ore to thin" about if we wish to use this factin a constructi0e #anner.

3nowing these nu#bers and how each string of nu#bers for#s a #essage is not

essentia+ to use &idi. %he SX interface can genera++y hide a++ that co#+e'ity fro# the

user= but it does rea++y he+ in certain situations= where you #ay want to #aniu+ate

data= based on the tye of #essage. %he creati0e use of contro++ers to #aniu+ate

sound= is a rea+ +us oint of both 0irtua+ and rea+ synths= and a +itt+e understanding of

the #essage for#at can he+ in using too+s +i"e the inut transfor#er= or +ogica+ editor.

%his shou+d be the +east entertaining art of the boo"= but in the case of &idi the o+d

adage >3now+edge Is Power>is certain+y true. Being ab+e to +oo" at any #essage and

#aniu+ate it in a #anner that gets the resu+t you re?uire= gi0es you end+ess scoe for

creati0e uses of &idi= and a++ this fro# a #ere age or two of reading #y dry rose.

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What do the numbers mean

A++ nu#bers in &idi are sent as Bit codes= which #eans that they can ha0e 0a+ues of

( to 255. If the 0a+ue is 12 or abo0e= then that 0a+ue is seen as a >co##and> tye= andbytes that fo++ow are seen as either data bytes for the >co##and> or further subsets of

that co##and.

%he first nu#ber sent by a #idi de0ice as art of a string of nu#bers is ca++ed the

Status byte. It basica++y says that what co#es after is infor#ation about a articu+ar

tye of #essage.Be+ow is the +ist of nu#bers that #a"e u status bytes= a+ong with the #essage for#at

for that articu+ar status byteD

.ame Status /yte /yte2 /yte0

7ote ff 12@1/ 7ote 7u#ber :e+ocity off 0a+ue

7ote n 1//@154 7ote 7u#ber :e+ocity on 0a+ue

Aftertouch 1!(@1$5 7ote 7u#ber Aftertouch :a+ue

Contro++er 1$!@141 Contro++er I, :a+ue

Progra#

Change

142@2($ :a+ue

Channe+ressure 2(@22 :a+ue

Pitchbend 22/@24 Coarse 0a+ue ine 0a+ue

Syse' 2/(E2/$ secia+ case.

!ote" %he nu#bers for the status bytes are in ranges. %his is because the &idi channe+

that they are sent on is art of the status byte. %he 0a+ue 12 is note off= &I,I channe+

( referred to as &idi channe+ 1= nor#a++y. So there are 1! &idi channe+s a0ai+ab+e

for each of the abo0e #essages= e'cet Syse'= which does not use the concet of

channe+s.

)e need not rea++y go into Syse' for this e'ercise= as it is un+i"e+y that we wi++ be

#aniu+ating Syse' data for creati0e uroses. A+though it can be a 0ery usefu+ way to

contro+ so#e synths= it is beyond the scoe of this docu#ent.

Contro++ers on the other hand are of a +ot of interest= as these can be used for a++ sorts

of creati0e uses in SX.



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What can # do with contro$$ers

Contro++ers can be used to #aniu+ate sound on synths or :S%i>s which are

rogra##ed to accet this #essage tye. %hat wi++ be a+#ost the entire current cro ofe'terna+ synths= and #ost :S%i>s. i+ters and resonance= tuning and X +e0e+s=

0o+u#es= an and e0en itch bend range #ay be a0ai+ab+e to be rogra##ed 0ia &I,I

contro++er #essages. In short= they can add to the sound= or configure the sound so thatyou get what you want fro# the synth.

%he &I,I contro++er nu#ber the second nu#ber sent in the contro++er #essage has

12 ossib+e 0a+ues= so if a synth is rogra##ed to accet contro++ers= then what are

the +i"e+y ara#eters that cou+d be contro++ed by this tye of #essage* )e++ the

answer is retty di0erse= as each synth wi++ use one or #ore of the #essages forwhate0er urose it sees fit= but there are standards defined in the secification that

a++ow for contro+ of these ara#etersF

/ank chane@ A++ows for #ore than one ban" of sounds to be se+ected= e'anding the

a+ate of sounds a0ai+ab+e= used in conjunction with rogra# change.

Main $olume@ A++ows for the 0o+u#e of a sound to be set= and #odified in rea+ ti#e.

Modulation@ A++ows for so#e #odu+ation to be added to a sound.

Sustain pedal@ a++ows for a iano tye sustain eda+ to be used to get the sound to

carry on +aying after the notes are re+eased.

%here are ob0ious+y +ots of these we cou+d discuss= but the #ost i#ortant art is toareciate that these &I,I contro++ers a++ ha0e a contro++er nu#ber= and a 0a+ue= so we

can use this infor#ation to a++ow us to contro+ sounds or other 0ariab+es using SX.



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&iital )ecordin1

%he ter# ,A) stands for ,igita+ Audio )or"station= and a+ies to too+s +i"e SX

that can record audio in digita+ for#at and #aniu+ate the sounds. But what is digita+*

%he wa0efor# of a sound assing through the air is trans+ated into a continuous+y

0arying 0o+tage by a #icrohone= and that signa+ is ca++ed ana+ogue at that oint. %he

0o+tage of the signa+ reresents the wa0e ressure at a gi0en oint in ti#e. %he

wa0efor# cou+d be recorded onto an ana+ogue tae #achine as a constant+y changing

#agnetic fie+d.

Co#uters dea+ with nu#bers= so the ana+ogue signa+ wou+d need to be reresented in

another #anner for a co#uter to record it. %o do this= the Ana+ogue to ,igita+Con0erter A,C >sa#+es> the signa+ +e0e+ at fi'ed oints in ti#e= and reresents

each +e0e+ as a nu#ber. %he rate at which sa#+es are ta"en is ca++ed the sampling

rate. Co##on sa#+ing rates are //.13h9 or //=1(( sa#+es er second and

/3h9. It is wise to note that if the signa+ is recorded at //.13h9 and +ayed bac" at/3G9= the sound wi++ be higher itched= and +ay bac" faster. It is a+so worth noting

that the #ore sa#+es er second that are ta"en the #ore accurate the reresentation

of the signa+ wi++ be. %here is a +ot of #ath in0o+0ed in the rocess of creating a

digita+ signa+ fro# an ana+ogue signa+= but with suitab+e +e0e+s and sa#+ing rates= the

sounds +ayed bac" fro# a digita+ syste# can be ?uite accurate to the origina+= and do

not suffer the sa#e noise rob+e#s of ana+ogue recording e?ui#ent= once they are inthe digita+ do#ain.

Bit deth is the nu#ber of bits used to reresent each sa#+e. 1!= 2/ and 2 Bit f+oat

are the co##on deths used in SX. A Bit is a Binary ,igit= and in a sa#+e of 1! bits

each bit reresents a 0a+ue within a binary nu#ber. %he first bit the +east significant

Bit or s confor# to one or #ore standards for what the #a'i#u#

0o+tage shou+d be. %ry to #atch the #i'ing des" or re@a#+ifier send +e0e+s with

those e'ected by the audio card= to #a"e the #ost of the a0ai+ab+e bits= whi+e not

c+iing the inut of the audio card.

%he standard +e0e+s are @1(dB: and E/dBU= the +atter being the >rofessiona+>

standard. @1(dB: uses a ea" signa+ (.1! :o+ts= and the rofessiona+ standard uses1.2 :o+ts -&S as the fu++ sca+e reading. )hiche0er +e0e+ is used= the #eters on a

#i'ing des" wi++ reresent the ea" 0a+ues for each standard as (dB.



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The SX2 Project.

or reference the dB decibe+ is a ratio of two signa+ +e0e+s= and is used to e'ress the

gain a+ied to a signa+= or as the +e0e+ of a signa+ with resect to a reference 0o+tage.

Cables and wirin1

Aart fro# the 0arious signa+ +e0e+s that can be used= there are a+so 0arious tyes of

cab+e used in a studio. -easonab+e ?ua+ity &icrohones tend to use balancedcab+es=

as does a+#ost a++ rofessiona+ e?ui#ent. %his techni?ue uses wires in a cab+e= one

ground or earthin the U3 wire and 2 signa+ wires hot and co+d. Because cab+escan ic" u noise fro# e+ectrica+ sources nearby= this #ethod was created to #a"e the

signa+ ath as noise@free as ossib+e.

)ith an unba+anced cab+e= noise e+ectrica+ 0o+tages ic"ed u by the signa+ +ead

wou+d cause a 0o+tage between the signa+ wire and the ground wire= and that wou+d

then be assed on to the ne't iece of e?ui#ent as noise. )ith the ba+anced cab+e=

noise ic"ed u on the signa+ wires is cance+ed out as both the signa+ wires recei0e thesa#e noise in theory and when the signa+s are added together by the recei0ingde0ice= they shou+d cance+ the 0o+tage. %he #ethod used is to in0ert the co+d signa+=

add that to the ositi0e hot signa+= and the su# of the two wi++ be twice as #uch for

the signa+ itse+f= but ( for any noise ic"ed u on both the signa+ +eads.

In genera+ ter#s= ba+anced cab+es do ic" u +ess noise.

!mpedance1

%he e+ectrica+ resistance to an a+ternating signa+ such as ana+ogue audio is ca++ed

i#edance. or best signa+ transfer the outut i#edance of a de0ice shou+d #atch the

inut i#edance of the de0ice to which it connects. Anyone who has used a Gigh@

i#edance &icrohone and +ugged it into a #i'ing des" which e'ects +owi#edance inuts or 0ice 0ersa wi++ "now that the +e0e+s aear incorrect. If you get

rob+e#s with +e0e+s fro# #icrohones or guitars= then too+s +i"e ,I direct inject

bo'es= or #atching transfor#ers can be 0ery usefu+= to #a"e sure that the signa+ +e0e+s

and i#edance are correct at each stage. If you need to use e'cessi0e gain on one

channe+ of the des"= the chances are that the +e0e+ or i#edance are not #atched to the

e?ui#ent that is +ugged into that channe+.

%he #ath behind why the i#edance of the circuitry affects the +e0e+s is beyond thescoe of this docu#ent.

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The SX2 Project.

The SX interface.

Before starting the rojects I wi++ run through the basics of the SX interface= and getinto the detai+s which wi++ he+ you to #aster the rogra#= and a++ow you to get what

you want done= as ?uic"+y and ain+ess+y as ossib+e. %his chater wi++ be a reference

for where functions are accessib+e= and what is a0ai+ab+e in the rogra# as a who+e.

-ather than going through the #enu>s in order= I sha++ co0er the setu areas that wi++

enab+e you to record= and #i'= and show the other #enu>s so that you can for# your

own #ethods for the tye of wor" that you intend to do with SX.

The SX /asics1

n starting SX= there are references a++owing a defau+t roject to oen auto#atica++y=the +ast roject to oen= or to start with no roject. or this section= I sha++ assu#e that

you ha0e the defau+t of SX starting with no roject. %he ter# roject refers to a song=

or arrange#ent and is the wor"ing area for #usica+ creation. %he roject ho+ds

infor#ation about &I,I data= audio data= auto#ation= and a++ of the #usica+ asects

of the >song> . %here are references and resets that are he+d outside of the roject

itse+f= and I sha++ state where these ite#s are he+d when I discuss the#. A roject issa0ed to a fi+e with the e'tension .CP- Cubase Project .

Audio fi+es for a roject are recorded by defau+t into an audio fo+der= which is a sub@

directory of the roject fo+der. It is i#ortant for the sa"e of bac"us that this concetof the directory structure is understood. It can sa0e a +ot of ti#e and effort if you start

wor"ing with each roject ha0ing it>s own fo+der fro# the start. Use a new roject

fo+der er roject is the best aroach to #a"e certainyou wi++ not end u with audiofi+es be+onging to different rojects in the sa#e audio fo+der.

)hen creating a new roject= SX re?uests a te#+ate= and a roject fo+der. At the

oint where the roject fo+der is se+ected= I strong+y suggest that you use the browser=

and create a new roject fo+der for each roject.

1. Start SX.

2. ro# the file#enu se+ect .ew Project.. ro# the te#+ates dia+og se+ect mpty.



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/. ro# the Set Project folderdia+og na0igate to the area where you wish to storerojects= and ress the createbutton. 7a#e the roject fo+der so that it #a"es

sense to you. &a"e sure that the new fo+der is high+ighted se+ected before c+ic"ing

the 3 button.

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%hat wi++ now ha0e created a directory structure for the audio recordings= and wi++ be

the defau+t +ace where the CP- fi+e is sa0ed.

TipD Ga0ing a standard roject area can seed u the na0igation for oening rojects.I use a fo+der na#ed Audio i+es= and then create a directory for each a+bu#= with the

actua+ roject fo+ders created be+ow that for each song on that a+bu#.

Tip3or writing it can be usefu+ to create roject fo+ders under a directory for new

songs. If the song turns out to be a bit of a f+o= then de+eting the secific roject

fo+der wi++ get rid of the idea= and +ea0e the syste# c+ean. If the idea wor"s= then use

the Sa%e project to new folderfi+e #enu ite#= to #a"e sure a++ the audio and #usic

data gets coied to the intended +ocation= for e'a#+e a fo+der of songs for an a+bu#.

%his wi++ be co0ered in detai+ +ater in the boo".

%he roject wi++ now +oo" so#ething +i"e thisD

%he co+u#n at the +eft is the !nspector= the co+u#n ne't to that is the trac" +ist= and

fina++y the #ain area is the roject area.

So that we can use this +ater we sha++ sa0e the roject at this oint. Using the fi+e #enu

Sa0e defau+t 3ey Co##and3Contro+@S . As the roject has not been sa0ed before

the dia+og wi++ oen u as"ing for a fi+ena#e. Sa0e it as Project41cpr.

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The SX2 Project.

Before we create trac"s and start recording= +et us first e'+ore the #enu>s for

i#ortant setu and reference otions= so that the de0ices we ha0e connected audio

and &I,I interfaces are set u correct+y.

5udio &e%ice Setup1

%he audio and &I,I setus for de0ices are in the &e%ices '&e%ice Setup #enu.

or the audio card the #ain contro+s are in the $ST Mutitracksection of the dia+og.

)ith the Setuptab se+ected= chec" the dri0er that you intend to use is se+ected. %here

wi++ genera++y be tyes of dri0er= the &irectX= the Multimedia= and the 5S!#

dri0er. %heir na#es wi++ a++ be refi'ed with HASI= e'cet for the actua+ 5S!#

dri0er= which wi++ be refi'ed with the #anufacturer na#e. )here a card suorts the

5S!#dri0er= this is the best choice. %his dri0er a++ows for +ow@+atency #onitoring=

which I wi++ discuss +ater when we do so#e recording as art of the roject.

%he +atency 0a+ues for both inut and outut are dis+ayed be+ow the se+ected dri0er.



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The SX2 Project.

Be+ow that the contro+ ane+ is a0ai+ab+e for the audio card. ,eending on the dri0erse+ected there are a few ossib+e dia+ogs that wi++ aear if this is ressed.

)ith the 5S!#dri0er se+ected= the #anufacturers own contro+ ane+ wi++ be

dis+ayed= a++owing the buffer si9e or +atency 0a+ue to be a+tered= and on so#e cards

this wi++ a++ow so#e a+ternate routing otions for signa+s within the audio card.



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The SX2 Project.

)ith the Multimediadri0er se+ected= the contro+ ane+ button oens a standard &&;

setu dia+og.



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The SX2 Project.

)ith the &irectXdri0er se+ected the &irectX setupdia+og is ca++ed fro# the contro+

ane+ button.

or the rest of the roject= I sha++ assu#e that the 5S!#dri0er is being used.

nce the correct dri0er is setu= and the contro+ ane+ +atency settings are configured=

the settings are stored in the registry of )indows= and are roject indeendent.



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The SX2 Project.

M!&! de%ice setup1

%he &I,I de0ices attached to the syste# are dis+ayed through the fo++owing sectionsof the &e%ice Setupdia+ogF

Windows M!&!. %hese are the dri0ers that confor# to the windows &I,I standard.

%he dia+og a++ows for hiding unused orts= so that they don>t aear in the inut and

outut dro@down #enu>s of &I,I trac"s.

&irectMusic1%hese are the dri0ers that confor# to &icrosoft>s &irectX standard.

%he dia+og a++ows for hiding unused orts= so that they don>t aear in the inut and

outut dro@down #enu>s of &I,I trac"s.

&efault M!&! Ports1%his is used to set the defau+t inuts and oututs when a new

trac" is created.

5ll M!&! inputs1&I,I trac" inuts can be set to use secific interfaces= or to use >a++

&I,I inuts>. %his dia+og +i#its the inuts that wi++ be used when the >a++ &I,I inuts>

de0ice is se+ected.

Timin problems with M!&! dri%ers1

)ith different #anufacturers the i#+e#entation of &I,I dri0ers can cause SX to

record &I,I data fro# an inut= and +ace it incorrect+y= with the notes being +aced

either +ate or ear+y. In SX there is a #ethod to show a++ a0ai+ab+e dri0ers= so that the

user can choose the best dri0er for their syste#.

1. Coy the IgnorePortfi+ter fi+e fro# the &I,I Port ;nab+er directory to the Cubase

SX a+ication fo+der. .ote3%he fi+e Jignoreortfi+terK is ( Bytes in +ength.

2. Start SX.

. en the de0ices ,e0ice setu ane+= and se+ect the )indows &I,I section.

/. Gide a++ if any of the orts +isted there by c+ic"ing in the show co+u#n showLno.

5. In the ,irect&usic section #a"e sure a++ the orts e#u+ated and otherwise are

showing ha0e showLyes for each entry.

!. C+ose the dia+og= create a new roject and add a &I,I trac".

$. Se+ect the first inut fro# the dro down.

. %est that the recording through that inut and dri0er is +aced correct+y in the art.Goefu++y that wi++ be a non@e#u+ated ort.

4. If that has any record ti#ing issues the notes are +aced incorrect+y on the screen=

then de+ete the art and change the inut for the trac" to the ne't dri0er for thathysica+ inut i.e use the e#u+ated if the non@e#u+ated ort was tried re0ious+y=

and test again. ne of these shou+d wor" 3.

1(. &a"e a note of the wor"ing Inut. If neither wor"= then try showing the )indows



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The SX2 Project.

&I,I inut orts= and test the#.

11. nce you ha0e a wor"ing set of inuts= test the +aybac" in the sa#e #anner.

12. nce you ha0e deter#ines which orts which wor" correct+y= oen the de0icesetu@ ,irect&usic section and hide any that don>t wor". ,o the sa#e in the

)indows &I,I section.

1. ina++y set u the defau+t &I,I orts that you want in the ,efau+t &I,I orts

section= and then disab+e any unused or unwanted &I,I inuts fro# the A++ &I,I

Inuts section.

.ote3%he &I,I inuts and oututs can be na#ed in the Windows M!&! and

&irectMusicsections of the of the &e%ice Setupdia+og.



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The SX2 Project.

Settin 6p !nputs and outputs for 5udio1

In the re0ious section= we saw how to se+ect the dri0er for audio de0ices. )ithin SX

we can set u /ussesthat a++ow you to se+ect your re?uired inut or outut de0ices.%his is accessed fro# the $ST Connectionsdia+og defau+t 3ey Co##andD / .

%he dia+og a++ows addition or re#o0a+ of /usseswhich are configured to use 5S!#

inuts or oututs. %he 5S!#oututs and inuts are resented by the dri0er we set u

in the re0ious section. &ost of the orts re+ate to hardware inuts or oututs= but for

so#e de0ices the 5S!#dri0er can resent a M!X)de0ice as an inut.

or #any a+ications a stereo inut and a stereo outut /uss wi++ be enough to

record and +ay bac" audio= but for &u+ti@trac" recording= #ore /usses #ay be

re?uired. %he /usses #ay be either #ono= stereo= ?uad or 0arious tyes of surround=

#eaning that they wi++ use differing a#ounts of hysica+ or 5S!# inuts or oututs.

%o #a"e this +ess confusing= I sha++ run through a few setus and we sha++ create so#e

/ussesand gi0e so#e e'a#+e uses.

1. Sa0e the current setu for the $ST connections as a reset= by c+ic"ing on the E

sy#bo+ ne't to the reset dro@down #enu at the to of the dia+og. Ca++ the reset

so#ething you wi++ re#e#ber= +i"e My default.

2. ro# the $ST Connections window= outputstab= rena#e the e'isting Buss by

doub+e@c+ic"ing on the na#e= and o0er tying. In this case ca++ it Master #ut1

. In the +eft ane of the dia+og= right c+ic" and se+ect 5dd /uss '( Stereo

/.-ena#e that Buss to 7X out.

5. C+ic" on the 5S!# &e%ice Port for the +eft channe+ of the new Buss and se+ect thesa#e 5S!#outut as on the first Buss .

!. C+ic" on the 5S!# &e%ice Port for the right channe+ of the new Buss and se+ect

the sa#e 5S!#outut as on the first Buss .

%he ane+ shou+d +oo" so#ething +i"e thisF

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The SX2 Project.

%he setu you ha0e just created= a++ows you to route signa+s to one or both of the

Busses= and for the signa+ to be heard on the sa#e hysica+ oututs. If you route the

effects to the 7X outBuss and the dry signa+s to the Master #ut Buss then you can

so+o either one= to hear the dry signa+ on+y= or the wet effected signa+ on+y. )e sha++

use this Bussing arrange#ent in the roject= so it wi++ be a good idea to sa0e it as a

reset. o++ow the sa#e rocedure as before= but ca++ the reset &ry and Wet1

Another usefu+ a+ication of using the sa#e hysica+ oututs for effected and dry

signa+s is on the inut Buss . -ea+ ti#e recording of signa+s with effects +aced onthe# is a great feature of SX= but it can a+so be usefu+ to record the dry signa+ at thesa#e ti#e= and the sa#e ru+e a+ies. Create two Busses that use the sa#e hysica+

inuts= and on+y +ace the effect on one of the Busses.

Switch to the !nputs tab of the $ST Connections dia+og and using the abo0e #ethod

sa0e the reset as My defaultfor the e'isting setu. Add another Buss using the

sa#e inuts as the first Buss = na#e that 7X inand rena#e the origina+ Buss to &ry

in.

Sa0e the reset for this configuration as &ry and Wet1-estore your o+d configurations for the inut and outut by se+ecting the resets dro

down in both Inut and utut tabs of the :S% Connections dia+og.



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The SX2 Project.

/asic concepts of SX1

%he 6UI in SX is ?uite c+ose to the +ogica+ +ayout of a recording studio. %rac"s are

created in the roject windowKs Track -ist and the e?ui0a+ent #i'er channe+ is

created for that trac". %he trac"s are si#i+ar in concet to the trac"s of a &u+ti@trac"

tae recorder= and the inut Buss is si#i+ar to the channe+ of the #i'ing des" that

feeds the tae #achine inuts. %he oututs of the trac"s are reresented by #i'er

channe+s= and these can be routed to grous or outut Busses in the sa#e way that

traditiona+ #i'ing des"s can route signa+s. %o be ab+e to e'+ain so#e of thereferences and otions that #a"e SX so owerfu+ and user friend+y= I wi++ first need

to co0er so#e of the genera+ +ayout of SX= so that the references and 3ey Co##ands

wi++ #a"e #ore sense.

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The SX2 Project.

Creatin tracks !n SX1

1. en the test roject Project41cpr using the 7ile menu '(#pendefau+t 3ey

Co##andD Contro+@ .2. en the $ST Connections dia+og defau+t 3ey Co##and / and se+ect the

resets you sa0ed ear+ier &ry and Wetfor both the inut and outut tabs of the

dia+og.

. C+ose the dia+og Contro+@)

/. -ight c+ic" on the trac" +ist and se+ect 5dd 5udio Track1Use the dro down #enu

in the dia+og to see what for#ats are a0ai+ab+e. Se+ect Mono.

5. Press #Kand a new trac" is created in the roject.

!. By defau+t the Insector wi++ show the detai+s for the routing of that trac".

$. Add another audio trac"= of the sa#e tye.

. ro# the to ane of the Insector= with trac" 2 se+ected set the inut to be 7X !n'

(-eft.

4. Set the outut to be Master out1

1(.Se+ect the first trac" in the trac" +ist. en the &i'er fro# the de0ices #enudefau+t 3ey Co##and .

11.&a"e sure no icons are +it in the +eft hand Stri and the 0iew shou+d +oo" +i"e this

1. Mou now see the two inut Busses= two &ono audio trac"s= and two outut Busses.

2. %o change the 0iew of the &i'er= ress the showe+tended mi+er %iewicon at the

botto# +eft of the #i'er= and the show input and output settinsicon. 7ote howthe different 0iews can be se+ected easi+y.

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The SX2 Project.

. or the Channe+ tit+ed Audio1= set the inut to be &ry !n'(-eftand the outut to

be Master #ut1/. Contro+@) or using the 3ey Co##and that was used to oen the #i'er= wi++ c+ose

it. 7ote that with the audio trac" 5udio4se+ected in the trac" +ist the Insector wi++

show the sa#e inut and outut as you set in the &i'er.

5. At the to of the trac" +ist= ress the Wwrite auto#ation button twice. %hat wi++

create a fo+der in the roject window= which wi++ ho+d the inut and outut Busses

that are configured.

!. Se+ect the 7X inchanne+ in the trac" +ist. In the Insector= Contro+@c+ic" on the

tiny +us sy#bo+ ne't to the Inserts. %he use of Contro+@C+ic" "ees the e'isting

0iew oen= and adds the se+ected 0iew rather than re+acing it which is what

haens with a nor#a+ c+ic" on the +us sy#bo+.

$. C+ic" on the first s+ot of the Inut Buss insert the b+ac" area and se+ect the &5T6/ fro# the #enu.

. )hat you ha0e created is a air of audio trac"s= one of which can record the dry

signa+ fro# an instru#ent or 0oice= whi+e at the sa#e ti#e the other trac" wi++

record the sa#e signa+ with effects added. %his has the ad0antage of being ab+e touse the c+ean signa+ in the #i' +ater on= if you find that the effect you inserted on

the Buss was not right for the needs of the #usic. %his #ethod a+so shows so#e of

the ower of the the routing that SX ro0ides= and has hoefu++y gi0en a brief

o0er0iew of the &i'er and so#e of the ethos of the way that SX does things.

5ddin Midi to the Project1

Adding &I,I trac"s to the roject is si#i+ar in concet to the re0ious rocedure= but

there are no inut Busses to thin" about. %he orts can be accessed direct+y fro# the

inut and outut dro down #enu>s for &I,I trac"s. recorded or #anua++y entered

&I,I infor#ation is sa0ed within the roject fi+e .CP- itse+f.

or the sa"e of co#+eteness= we sha++ run through adding a few &I,I trac"s=showing what is a0ai+ab+e and where. At this oint I a# trying to gi0e enough detai+

so that the settings and references in SX wi++ #a"e sense= and then when we co#e to

record a roject= we can add so#e #eat to the bones.



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The SX2 Project.

1. In the current roject add a &I,I trac" using the right@c+ic" #enu on the trac" +ist

5dd M!&! track1%here are no otions re?uired for this rocedure= the trac" is

created with the inut and outut that you set u in the ,e0ice setu #enu under

&efault M!&! ports12. %o add another &I,I trac"= doub+e c+ic" be+ow the se+ected e'isting &I,I trac"=

and the new one is created. %he &I,I channe+ wi++ incre#ent fro# the e'isting

trac".

. %he current oututs a0ai+ab+e for the trac" wi++ be to hardware interfaces that are

configured on your syste#.

/. en the &e%ices'($ST !nstrumentsane+ defau+t 3ey Co##and 11.

5. In s+ot 1 c+ic" on the b+ac" area of that dia+og= and se+ect a4as the $STiyou want

to use. C+ose the 6UI for the a4and c+ose the :S% Instru#ents dia+og.

!. Se+ect one of the &I,I trac"s= and on itKs outut dro down #enu in the Insector=

se+ect a4.

$. Any &I,I data recorded on that trac" wi++ now be assed to the a4synth.. As :S%iKs are &I,I contro++ab+e sound #odu+es= you wi++ see that another fo+der

has been created in the roject window= which contains the audio channe+s for the

:S%i.

4. ening the &i'er defau+t 3ey Co##and now shows %wo inut Busses= two

Audio channe+s= two &I,I channe+ stris and two outut Busses. %o see a++ the

inserts and sends X and so on +aced on a sing+e channe+= ress the s#a++ ebutton

on that channe+= and the resecti0e Channel settinswindow wi++ oen one for

&I,I= one for Audio channe+s= one for Busses and one for :S%i channe+s etc..



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The SX2 Project.

If you ha0e a &idi "eyboard connected to the defau+t inut de0ice try se+ecting the

&I,I trac" that you routed to the a4:S%i= and +ay so#e notes. If a++ the

connections are correct you shou+d see &I,I acti0ity on the transort bar defau+t

3ey Co##and 2 and on the &I,I trac" #eter= assu#ing that you ha0e &I,I

through enab+ed in the references. %he a4shou+d resond to the note infor#ation=

and the sound shou+d co#e fro# the oututs that you set u in the $ST

Connections,ia+og. P+aying the "eys shou+d show audio acti0ity in the :S%i

channe+ of the &i'er= and on the outut Buss .

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The SX2 Project.

More setup options and preferences.

&uch of SX is configurab+e to suit the #any #usica+ needs that it #ay encounter= and

the references and 3ey Co##ands are we++ worth e'+oring= to #a"e sure you getSX to wor" in a #anner that wi++ suit your needs. or the sa"e of "eeing this chater

a reasonab+e +ength= I sha++ not co0er e0ery set u otion and reference= but gi0e the

ones I see as i#ortant to get you started= whi+e gi0ing a c+ue where to +oo" when you

want to change so#e asect of SXKs interface= or functiona+ity.

Preferences1

%he references are found in the i+e #enu@NPreferences.

1 5ppearance section1 Co0ers #inor changes in grahics to change the screen>s

contrast between the dar"er co+ors and +ighter co+ors. %he i#act #ay not be as

strong as you #ay wish for the settings= but they can be used to get 0iews of the

roject that stand out enough= without beco#ing too bright.

2 ditin section1:arious editing and too+ se+ection features that are i#ortant to

set u for your needs. %he i#ortant ones for #e areF

2.1Mi+er selection follows project. %his se+ects the channe+ in the #i'er that is

se+ected in the roject window. It is i#ortant to note that it #ay be aw"ward if

you ha0e other references set= where for e'a#+e record enab+e is set for these+ected trac". If you ha0e this otion chec"ed then c+ic"ing on the #i'er wi++

change the se+ected trac" in the roject= and that trac" wi++ no +onger be in record

#ode.

2.2 Cycle follows rane selection1A++ows for auto#atic setting of the +ocatorswhen using the range too+ to se+ect arts of the roject.

2. nable record on selected track1Se+ecting a trac" auto#atica++y uts it into

record enab+e #ode. It sa0es #e a +ot of ti#e= instead of ressing ) the defau+t

3ey Co##and to #anua++y record enab+e the trac". It #ay be worth switching off

after finishing trac"ing.

2./ nable Solo on Selected track1If a trac" so+o is se+ected defau+t 3ey

Co##and S and the another trac" is se+ected= then the new se+ected trac"

beco#es so+oKd = and the re0ious+y se+ected trac" beco#es #uted a+ong with the

rest of the trac"s.

2.5 5utomation follows %ents1Auto#ation trac"s be+ow audio e0ents or &idiarts wi++ be coied and #o0ed with the arte0ent.

2.! Popup toolbo+ on riht click1A++ows for the :S% sty+e too+bo' to be

dis+ayed by defau+t= or the conte't #enu if this otion is not chec"ed. 7ote that

Contro+@right@c+ic" wi++ oen the other #enu if the otion is set= or the too+bo' if

the otion is not set.

0 ditin'5udio section1

.1 Shared clips options1,ecides what action shou+d be ta"en if an audio c+i is

to be rocessed and it aears in #ore than one +ace in the roject. I +ea0e the

setting to oen a dia+og= so that I can #a"e the decision on what I need the rogra#

to do.



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The SX2 Project.

.2 !mport 5udio files options1I use the otions dia+og as the reference=

a++owing #e to decide if I need the audio coied to the audio fo+der= the sa#+e rate

changed or #u+tichanne+ audio fi+es s+it into #u+ti+e &ono fi+es.

8 %ent display section1 A++ows setting of 0arious ara#eters for e0ents in theroject window. %he Show data on small track heihtsotion is usefu+ if you

wish to see wa0efor#s or &idi data dis+ayed in the roject window e0en at +ow

0ertica+ 9oo# +e0e+s.

/.1 %ent display'M!&!1,ecide which editor wi++ oen when &I,I arts are

doub+e@c+ic"ed in the roject window.

9 *eneral section1A++ow auto sa%e= and set the inter0a+ between sa0es. Can be

usefu+ if you forget to sa0e your wor" when you are busy. Set startu roject statusF

otions of #pen last project" #pen default project" show #pen dialo" show

Template dialo" show #pen options dialo" or &o nothin1

! Midi Section1A++ow M!&! throuh. %his is +i"e+y to be needed for #ost

situations= but for so#e odd situations where +oos can be created= it can be

disab+ed. )eset on Stop" )eset on Part end1%hese otions shou+d be +eft switched

off= un+ess there is a rob+e# with notes hanging when SX is stoed. Chase

e%ents1%his is used to a++ow SX to send &I,I infor#ation that is actua++y beforethe start oint which SX is as"ed to +aybac". &I,I contro++ers #ay need to be

chased= as their +ast 0a+ue #ay not be the 0a+ue that the &idi de0ice recei0ed +ast.

I#agine a itchbend that was recorded at Bar 5= and was set to fu++ bend. If the

roject was +ayed fro# Bar $= the contro++er wou+d not be sent= and the #odu+e

#ay +ay out of tune. If the chase is set= then the +ast 0a+ue before the +ay oint

can be sent when there is no e'+icit #essage in the &I,I art. %he tyes of

#essage that can be chased are se+ectab+e here.!.1 M!&! section'M!&! files1;'ort and i#ort otions for &I,I fi+es.

!.2 M!&! section'Midi 7ilter1A++ows for fi+tering of &I,I data either to sto it

assing through to a de0ice= or to sto the #essage tye being recorded. or #ost

uroses I on+y use the Syse' &idi through fi+ter otion.

$ Transport section1So#e references for na0igation and +aybac". Stationary

Cursorswi++ #a"e the roject scro++= and cursor stay sti++. %his can ta"e #ore CPU

for the grahics card= so #ay cause c+ic"s and os in audio as it +oads the syste#.

It can be usefu+ for 0iewing wa0e fi+es as the roject +ays= to identify where a

noise was recorded. -ocate when clicked in mpty Spacecan be usefu+ for ?uic"

na0igation. %he song cursor wi++ ju# to the oint in the -u+er where the #ouse

ointer was c+ic"ed= without ha0ing to go to the -u+er to c+ic". I wi++ co0er #ore ofthese otions in the roject sections of the boo".

$ST section1%he 5uto Monitorinreference a++ows for users to set u when

&onitoring wi++ be acti0e. or e'a#+e I use the reference ditin'( nable

)ecord on selected track1 )ith the 5uto Monitorin setting set to While

)ecord nabled= a se+ected trac" wou+d not +ay bac"= as it wou+d be in &onitor

#ode. I +ea0e the #onitor #ode set to Manual1



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The SX2 Project.

%his is by far not e0ery otion= but as we co#e to the other usefu+ references= I sha++

show ossib+e settings that #ay he+ for gi0en situations.

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The SX2 Project.

Key Commands.

3ey Co##ands are Shortcuts that can be used fro# the "eyboard= and in a +ot of cases

#a"e the #ouse c+ic"s a thing of the ast. )ith a +ot of functions that can be accessedusing 3ey Co##ands = #uch of the #enu dri0en #ouse c+ic"s can be done at the

touch of a "ey= or two. )e ha0e seen a few of the standard "eys that wi++ oen 0arious

tas"s in SX= for the &i'er= / for the :S% Connections ,ia+og. %here are

hundreds of these a0ai+ab+e= and so#e co##on tas"s are not e0en assigned by defau+t=

but can be Jrogra##edK into the 3ey Co##ands dia+og.

%he #ost usefu+ things in the dia+og are the search bo'= and the 3ey Co##ands find

function.

1. en the 3ey Co##ands dia+og fro# 7ile menu'(Key Commands .

2. In the to search bo'= enter M!X) and ress the #agnifying g+ass button.

. %he 3ey co##and for oening the #i'er #ay be dis+ayed. If not then ress the

#agnifying g+ass button a few ti#es #ore= unti+ it is dis+ayed. %his can be a 0ery

?uic" way of finding the #enu ite# or function for which you want to assign a 3ey

Co##and.

/. C+ic" on the Type !n Key entry bo' at the right of the dia+og= and ress / the

function "ey.

5. Press the Select button with the +eft facing arrow and you shou+d see that the

co##and $ST Connectionsis shown on the +eft hand ane. Mou ha0e estab+ished

that the 3ey Co##and / is in use= and that it is assigned to oening the $ST

Connections dia+og.

%hese two features are in0a+uab+e in wor"ing out what functions are a0ai+ab+e= and

what "eys are a+ready assigned= thus #a"ing the job of assigning new co##ands

#uch #ore efficient.

Again= there are far too #any features that can be accessed 0ia 3ey Co##ands for #e

to go through each= but when we get to #a"e so#e #usic with the too+s= I wi++ ointout where the re+e0ant co##and is he+d in the +ist of a0ai+ab+e co##ands. or #enu

ite#s this is fair+y easy= as the structure of the co##ands genera++y fo++ows the #enu

structure of SX.

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The Key Commands Dialog.

7ote that resets can be sa0ed and reca++ed= which cou+d be used to gi0e access to

secific "ey co##ands for secific uroses= thus +i#iting the a#ount of "ey

co##ands and therefore "ey co#binations re?uired in one te#+ate. or e'a#+e= ifdea+ing with &I,I editing= the ?uantise 0a+ues cou+d be #aed to secific "eys= and

in other reset the sa#e "eys cou+d be used for changing too+s in the too+bo'.



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Toolbars and editors.

At the to of the roject window there is a %oo+bar that is configurab+e to dis+ay

#any of the fre?uent+y accessed too+s that SX ro0ides. -ight@C+ic" on the too+bar toenab+e or disab+e articu+ar too+ 0iews. Se+ecting the setu otion oens the fo++owing

dia+og.

7ote that with a +ot of too+s acti0e on the %oo+bar= and when using +ow reso+ution

dis+ays= that so#e too+s #ay not be 0isib+e= as their osition is outside of the

0iewab+e area. If this is the case then re#o0e so#e other too+s to a++ow your re?uired

ones to be seen. Again resets can be used to #a"e the sets of too+s you want to

dis+ay easi+y accessib+e. &any of the too+s are du+icated fro# the %ransort Bar= andtherefore it #ay be #ore usefu+ to hide the transort and #ar"er functions on either

the %oo+bar= or the %ransort Bar. or #uch of the wor"= the %oo+bar can be used=

and the %ransort Bar hidden= sa0ing on screen sace. ro# e'erience= showing thetoo+ se+ection wor"s best for #y needs= and custo#ising the %ransort Bar #ini#ises

the sace used = +ea0ing #e #ore area to actua++y 0iew #y rojects. )ith #any of

these features= on+y e'erience wi++ te++ you what wor"s for your needs. %here is nodefiniti0e right or wrong setting that wi++ suit e0eryone.

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The Transport /ar1

Transport Bar with all functions shown.

%he %ransort Bar is the #ain too+ to +ay and record or na0igate around a roject=

and to dis+ay infor#ation about ti#e= &I,I and Audio acti0ity= set record #odes and

#ore. %his can be ca++ed u or hidden using the defau+t 3ey Co##and 2. It is the

Swiss ar#y "nife of the ,A) wor+d. Because it has the caabi+ity of showing so#uch infor#ation= it can be both in0a+uab+e or be too big= and too c+uttered to see

what you want. )ith the sa#e #ethods as the %oo+bar= you can edit what is dis+ayed=

thus custo#ising the setu to your needs. -ight@c+ic" on the gray area of the %ransort

Bar to access the showhide otions= or the setu screen.

7ote the reset otions at the botto# of the #enu to dis+ay on+y the co##on too+s

you #ay need. Changing to on+y the transort contro+s can sa0e a +ot of sace if youdo not need to see a++ the other infor#ation that the %ransort Bar ro0ides. And the

0iew is easy to change= which #a"es this a 0ery usefu+ feature.

Minimal view of transport controls.

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The SX2 Project.

n the %ransort bar the fo++owing can be dis+ayedF

1. Performance1%his is a s#a++er du+icate of the Perfor#ance #eter defau+t 3ey

Co##and 12.2. )ecord Mode1tions for how the recorded #ateria+ is hand+ed. %his wi++ be

co0ered #ore in@deth in the rojects +ater in the boo".

. -ocators. A dis+ay of the +ocator ositions. %hese can be edited by se+ecting a

fie+d and o0er tying= using the #ouse abo0e or be+ow a fie+d to incre#ent ordecre#ent the 0a+ue = by using a scro++ #ouse abo0e a fie+d to change the 0a+ue.

%his is co##on of a +ot of the nu#eric fie+ds in SX= and the scro++ #ouse can sa0e

a +ot of tying.

/. :o;Scrub wheel1Used for audio wor"= to shutt+e bac" and forth through s#a++

arts of audio= whi+e being ab+e to hear the resu+ting noise. Because &I,I wou+d

not s+ow down and re@tune the way that audio does when it is +ayed s+ow+y= the

&I,I is not +ayed bac" using these too+s.

5. Main Transport1%he start= sto= forward= rewind = and record buttons.

!. Master and Sync1%he Tempobutton switches on or off the te#o reading fro#

the %e#o trac". If the roject re?uires te#o changes= then the %e#o button

shou+d be ressed so that it reads %rac" in the sace by the button. %o oen the

%e#o %rac"= Contro+@c+ic" on the %e#o Button. %he sync button switches the

synchroni9ation to interna+ ti#ing is ta"en fro# the interna+ syste# c+oc" or whense+ected = the sync is switched to the source set u in the sync dia+og Contro+@c+ic"

on the sync button to oen this. %he Clickbutton switches off or on the

#etrono#e= and there is a attern e#erging here Contro+@c+ic" on the C+ic"

button wi++ oen the #etrono#e Setu. ina++y the Pre Countbutton a++ows forenab+ing or disab+ing the recount when a recording is initiated. %he 0a+ues for there count are a+so set in the &etrono#e ,ia+og. 7ote the setu dia+ogs are a+so

a0ai+ab+e fro# the transort #enu= a+ong with #any of the onoff stati for the

transort buttons.

$. Marker1%he #ar"er button a++ows for ?uic" access to the first 15 #ar"ers. %hese

can be set u by c+ic"ing on the Show button= and the #ar"ers the#se+0es added

there= or by setting the song cursor and Contro+@c+ic"ing on the #ar"er nu#ber you

wish to add.

. M!&! 5cti%ity1 Shows inut and outut acti0ity of &I,I data. 7ote acti0ity of the

outut is restricted to rea+ &I,I orts= or orts that are resented to SX as rea+

&I,I orts= +i"e &I,I Mo"e and does not inc+ude &I,I sent to :S%iKs. SMS;Xsyste# e'c+usi0e &I,I data and rea+ ti#e #essages &%C and and &I,I c+oc"

are not shown on the &idi indicators.


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The SX2 Project.

Track types and editor1

I ha0e a+ready discussed a few of the trac" tyes a0ai+ab+e in SX= and now see#s a

good ti#e to show the rest of the tyes = to co#+ete the icture.

Midi tracks1%hese trac"s a++ow recording and editing of &I,I data. %hey a+so ha0e

attached 5utomation -aneswhich wi++ be discussed in detai+ +ater. %he recorded

&I,I data is shown in Parts= which are containers for the &I,I data. %he &I,I Partscan be #o0ed around the roject coied and asted= +i"e sections of te't in a word

rocessor. %o edit0iew the &I,I data= the Score " -ist" &rum" or Key editors#aybe used. %he interface is different for each= but they show the sa#e &I,I data in

different ways. I a# about as usefu+ as a choco+ate teaot reading #usica+ score= so

that wi++ not be co0ered in this boo"= but the +ist and 3ey editors wi++ be co0ered when

we record and edit so#e #usic in the roject.

5udio Tracks1%hese are used for arranging the Audio data recorded or i#orted into

SX. %he data is dis+ayed in two for#ats in the roject window= as eventsor Parts. In

this case the e0ents reresent so#e audio c+is= and the Part is a ho+der or wraer for

e0ents. %hus which editor is used deends on the for#at that is dis+ayed in theroject. 7ote a++ Audio is recorded and reresented as an ;0ent in the roject window=

but can be JwraedK into a art by using the 5udio Menu '( %ents to Part1%heeditor used wi++ ob0ious+y deend on the tye of dis+ay used for audio data. ,oub+e@

c+ic"ing the %entwi++ oen the sa#+e editor= a++owing editing of the raw data that

#a"es the sound. ,oub+e@c+ic"ing the Partwi++ oen the art editor which a++ows

editing of +ace#ent of the %entsit contains.

7older Tracks1o+der trac"s are used to tidy u the roject window= and "ee

rojects #anageab+e. %he fo+ders can house grous= Audio and :S% trac"s= in fact any

of the the other tyes of trac". %hey can be oened to dis+ay the contents or c+osed=

to sa0e sace. %hey a+so ha0e the distinct ad0antage of being ab+e to #o0e a++ the

contents of the fo+der= in one go. %his can #a"e the arrange#ent of #usic a #oresi#+ified affair. At the ush of a button a++ the trac"s in a fo+der can be record

enab+ed= so they #a"e for a good wor" f+ow when recording fro# #u+ti+e sources.

7X Channel Track1%he X channe+ is a secia+ist *roup Channel1 %he X channe+

houses a series of u to inserted effects= and the channe+ is accessib+e as a send fro#Audio= :S%i= and 6rou channe+s. %here are no sends on an X channe+= and it can

on+y be routed to outut Busses.

*roup Channel Track1%he 6rou channe+ a++ows for sends or routing fro# Audio=

:S%i= and other grou channe+s. %he +i#itation is that grous can on+y send or route

to 6rous that were created after the#se+0es. As the grous can be #o0ed in the

roject window= this can create so#e confusion. 3nowing the order in which thegrous were created is not ob0ious= or e0en 0isib+e once they are created.

)uler Track. %his can be used to show another ti#e +ine in a roject. %here is a -u+er



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The SX2 Project.

at the to of the roject= but ha0ing searate -u+er trac"s a++ows for dis+ay of ti#e

and BarBeat for#ats at once= and a+so can be use to a+ign &I,I or Audio arts in the

roject window.

If you ha0e #ade any changes to the acti0e roject= then c+ose the roject Contro+@

) and as" it not to sa0e changes. %hat wi++ +ea0e you with one &idi trac" in the

roject1.cr = ready for the ne't chater= %he &I,I roject.

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The SX2 Project.

The Midi Project1

%o rea++y get to "now a rogra#= the best way to +earn is to use it. In this chater Isha++ ta"e you though #y #ethods for writing a song= and creating a &I,I bac"ing

that can be arranged and #i'ed to a reasonab+e standard. As a +ot of you wi++ ha0eaccess to a 6enera+ &I,I 6& #odu+e or sound source= I sha++ use that as the #ain

instru#ent for this roject. I wi++ add on+y the :S%iKs and X that co#e with SX= so

that as #any eo+e as ossib+e can re+icate the roject= or +oad the 0ersions that

co#e with this boo"= and be ab+e to see what I was atte#ting to do at each stage.

;'eri#entation is the "ey to getting the #ost of any too+= so donKt be afraid to J+ayKwith the too+s= this can he+ you to re#e#ber features as and when you actua++y need

the#.

%a"e care not to set u odd references that #ay i#ede your wor" f+ow in roer

rojects= and bac" u "eyco##ands before adding your custo# ones= so you can

reca++ the set if you do #a"e #ista"es. )ith "eyco##ands= thin" about sche#es

where co##on tas"s ha0e si#i+ar "eystro"es for e'a#+e Contro+@S is sa0e= Contro+@A+t@S is incre#enta+ sa0e= Contro+@Shift@S is sa0e as. &a"e notes if it he+s of the

3ey Co##ands you ha0e set u and see if they are actua++y re?uired after a eriod of

ti#e. I often set u 3ey Co##ands for short ter# reetiti0e tas"s or si#+y to test a

theory and once I ha0e tested the# I re#o0e the# for# the 3ey Co##ands.

or #y way of wor"ing= I tend to #ess around with the e'terna+ &I,I "eyboard= andha0e a &I,I trac" record enab+ed = and routed to the :S%i or &I,I #odu+e that I

want to audition sounds through. &y reference is to use the =ypersonic:S%i as #y

#ain sound source= but I ha0e a few e'terna+ hardware too+s for 6&6S and 6&X6sound creation. %he 6S and X6 are -o+and and Ma#aha e'tensions to the 6&

standard= and a++ow for a +ot #ore contro+ of the sound character than si#+e 6&

sources.

ne rea++y neat too+ in SX is the abi+ity to record a trac" without actua++y ressing

record. %he )etrospecti%e )ecordfunction wi++ cature your +aying of the &I,I

"eyboard as +ong as the trac" is set to record enab+e. or this reason I tend to use the

reference )ecord nable Selected Track= #eaning I on+y need to create a &I,Itrac" with the defau+t inut and outut used and it wi++ cature #y ideas= which I can

then dis+ay using the %ransort #enu co##and )etrospecti%e )ecorddefau+t 3ey

Co##and Shift'P5&>

Assu#ing that you ha0e c+osed the roject you created fro# the re0ious chater= and

SX is oen with no other rojects +oaded use the i+e &enu@N en defau+t 3ey

Co##and Contro+@ = or the i+e #enu -ecent rojects to oen the fi+e

Project41CP).

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If you do not ha0e the Insector showing then use the 3ey Co##and A


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The SX2 Project.

Project window with one MIDI trac added.

P+aying the &usica+ "eyboard connected to the defau+t &I,I inut shou+d show so#e

+ights on the transort bar and the &I,I trac" itse+f= showing that &I,I data is being

recei0ed. Mou shou+d be ab+e to hear the notes as you +ay the#. . P+ay whate0erco#es to #ind and ress SGI%@PA,O the O "ey on the "eyad of the co#uter

"eyboard. %he notes you +ayed shou+d now aear in a art on that trac". %hat is

retrosecti0e record in action.

%o #a"e +ife easier it is better to get the transort co##ands for na0igation out of theway. )hi+e e0erything #ay be done with the #ouse= it is usefu+ to use the co#uter

"eyboard or a -e#ote Contro+ de0ice to ju# around the song= and get SX to +ay=

sto= rewind etc.

A +ot of #y wor" wi++ be based around writing sections of #usic= a 0erse for e'a#+e=

and I wi++ bui+d that section u with #ore instru#entation. Because of this I do nottend to start with #ar"ers= but use the


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The SX2 Project.

If you created the art successfu++y then #a"e sure it is se+ected c+ic" on it with the

#ouse se+ection too+ @ress 1 on the "eyboard to change the too+ if re?uired= or use the

right arrow "ey on the "eyboard to re@se+ect the art .Press the de+ete "ey= orbac"sace "ey both defau+t assign#ents under the 3ey Co##ands. %he art shou+d

be de+eted. 7ote this can be undone using the edit menu undo delete or the defau+t

undo 3ey Co##and Contro+@. %hat wi++ bring the art bac".

Bac" to the roject= I wou+d tend to +ay around unti+ I get an idea= then ossib+e usethe retrosecti0e record= so that I cou+d +ay it bac"= and try to "ee the +uc"y bits that

were recognisab+e as a tune. A+so using T!MW5)PI #ay deri0e the te#o of theart I just +ayed= as at this oint it was +ayed natura++y= with no re+ationshi to the

te#o of the roject. I wi++ co0er the use of T!MW5)P+ater on but it is usefu+ to

"now that it can be used to get a te#o ?uic"+y for a art that you +ayed without ati#ing reference.

%he %ransort Bar can show the current te#o and ti#e signature of the roject= and

wi++ a+so show if the te#o setting is ta"en fro# the %e#o %rac"= or is i'ed. or the

writing stage I tend to +ea0e the te#o setting to fi'ed= so that I can adjust it fro# the

%ransort Bar. &y referred #ethod is to scro++ oint the #ouse ointer o0er the

te#o fie+d and use the scro++ whee+ on the #ouse= but c+ic"ing and tying on thete#o fie+d can achie0e the sa#e resu+t.

I wou+d then set u the c+ic" for the te#o as a guide = which is accessed fro# the

%ransort &enu &etrono#e Setu= or contro+@C+ic" on the C+ic" fie+d of the

%ransort Bar. In rea+ity these otions se+do# need changing= they ha0e been set to

#y references for a whi+e now= and a++ I need to do is to enab+e or disab+e the

#etrono#e and recount.

I set the te#o= the &etrono#e otions active in record and play!ac mode= the re@

count is set to 2 bars= the +eft


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The SX2 Project.

recount bars and +aying the the idea into SX= where it is recorded for osterity.

So#eti#es the idea is not easy to get down with a si#+e #etrono#e= and in these

cases I wou+d tend to set u a dru# trac"= which wi++ gi0e so#e "ind of groo0e for #eto +ay a+ong with. or that I use the &rum mapand editor features of SX.

&rum Maps. %hese are another way of reresenting &I,I data. %he #as a++ow for

the notes to be na#ed to the sound that they wi++ roduce= and a+so a++ow for the

indi0idua+ notes to be +ayed to #ore than one &I,I de0ice= #eaning the "ic" sound

can be roduced by one instru#ent and the snare by another and so on. %his a++ows

the best #i' and #atch dru# "it to be created without re?uiring u to 12 different&I,I trac"s to dri0e the ossib+e 12 instru#ents er #a. %he defau+t 6& #a that

co#es with SX= wi++ dri0e a 6& #odu+e on channe+ 1( the defau+t &I,I channe+ for

dru#s and a++ows na#ed dru#s to be rogra##ed easi+y.

%o create a dru# trac"= si#+y create a &I,I trac"= and use the dro down #enu in

the Insector to se+ect the ,ru# #a. )ith the defau+t reference %ent &isplay

'Midi" dit as &rums When &rum Map is 5ssinedthe art on a dru# trac" wi++

use the dru# editor by defau+t= when doub+e@c+ic"ed.

As we are to use 6& sound sources for the roject= the 6& #a that co#es with SX

wi++ be used to #a"e the dru# rogra##ing easier.



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The SX2 Project.

1. ro# the trac" +ist create another &I,I trac".

2. Set the outut channe+ to 1( using the scro++ #ouse ointed o0er the channe+ fie+d

in the Insector whi+e the trac" is se+ected in the trac" +ist or c+ic"ing on that fie+dand se+ecting 1( fro# the dro down.

. ;nsure the correct outut is used for you syste#= by c+ic"ing or scro++ing o0er theoutut fie+d in the Insector.

/. &a"e the trac" into a dru# trac"= by se+ecting 6& &AP fro# the &a fie+d in the

Insector.

%o test the #a= create a art on that trac"= which can be done using the enci+ too+ress on the #ain "eyboard to change the se+ect too+ to the enci+= or use the right

c+ic" too+bo' or #enu. ,raw a bo' on that trac" and +et go of the #ouse button and a

art is created. 7ote that you can a+so use the A


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The SX2 Project.

%he changeab+e fie+ds are the na#e of the dru# sound= the 8uantise setting for that

sound= the &ute status for each sound= the note nu#ber in and out= the outut channe+

and interface. 7ote that the outut na#ed defau+t wi++ use the outut setting in the

Insector= which can sa0e ti#e in ha0ing to set a++ 12$ ossib+e sounds to a secifiedoutut. If you wish to change a++ the fie+ds to the sa#e 0a+ue for e'a#+e the &I,I

channe+ = then c+ic" on the re?uired fie+d= and ress contro+ and se+ect the re?uired

0a+ue. A++ the dru#s wi++ use that sa#e 0a+ue.

S+ide the artition between the anes to the +eft= and that wi++ +ea0e you with #ore

roo# to enter notes in the grid on the right.

!nputtin drums.%he dru# too+ is se+ectab+e fro# the right c+ic" #enu or too+bo'= or by ressing the

dru#stic" icon on the too+bar. Under the too+ section of the 3ey Co##ands dia+og

there is setting a++owed for a 3ey Co##and for the dru# too+= but this is not assignedby defau+t.

C+ic"ing anywhere in the right hand ane wi++ +ace a dia#ond in the grid= whichsignifies that a note is entered for the articu+ar dru# sound at the ti#e indicated on

the -u+er at the to of the editor window.

Progra##ing the attern is Jsi#+yK a case of utting the correct dru#s in the right

+ace at the right ti#e. As is a+ways the case= there is a +ot #ore to it than that. %o get

so#e rea+is# to dru# +aying= we #ay want to use 0e+ocities for the different dru#s=so they are not a++ sounding +i"e they are being hit the sa#e strength a++ the ti#e. )e

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The SX2 Project.

#ay wish to ha0e the beat wor"ing in a #anner that is s+ight+y off erfect ti#ing= to

get a groo0e to the dru# attern.

ening the Info Bar contro+@I for the dru# trac" wi++ dis+ay a +ot about a note youha0e entered= and a++ows changes to be #ade using the scro++ #ouse= or se+ection and

o0er@tying 0a+ues.

%he 0e+ocity of the notes which are drawn in wi++ be the 0a+ue shown in the !ns1 $el1

,ro down #enu at the to of the editor. %here are 5 reset 0a+ue a0ai+ab+e= or aninut bo' where another 0a+ue can be entered. A+so accessib+e is the setu for the

standard 0e+ocities. %here are "eyco##ands a0ai+ab+e to se+ect the re?uired reset

Insert :e+ocity= but these are not set by defau+t. If you do a +ot of entry of &I,I notes

using the #ouse= then these are worth setting u "ey co##ands for. )ith "ey

co##ands set u= the inut of different +e0e+s beco#es #uch easier= by se+ecting the

correct reset 0e+ocity before entering the note. %he 3ey Co##ands for Insert0e+ocities is under the &idi section of the 3ey Co##ands dia+og.

or this section we wi++ use a standard 0e+ocity setting= and edit the 0e+ocities after

entering the notes.

ne thing we are ai#ing for is a ?uic" entry of dru# beats= so that we can write a

song to that beat. or the seed of creating the rhyth#= I tend to use the JIndeendenttrac" +ooK faci+ity. At the to of the &I,I editors there is the Indeendent %rac"


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The SX2 Project.

Setting +ay #ode enter on the "eyad= sace bar= or the +ay button on the %ransort

bar wi++ +ay the se+ected 2 bars of rather uni#aginati0e dru#s.

&ini#ise the dru# editor= and the roject window wi++ be dis+ayed but the sa#e twobars wi++ reeat. Stoing SX +aying sace bar or ( on "eyad or the transort

contro+s wi++ sto the +oo. Because the +oo is +aying fro# the editor= we do not

ha0e to worry about how #any bars we rogra##ed= and we can write #usic for as

#any bars as we fee+ = whi+e ha0ing the dru# groo0e +aying.

At this stage I set the te#o of the roject= with the dru#s +aying using the scro++whee+ o0er the te#o setting of the transort bar. or this to wor" the te#o #ust be

set to IX;,. Use the te#o button or set a 3ey co##and under the transort section

of the "ey co##ands dia+og #aster trac" on off.

Sa0e the roject = using the defau+t "ey co##and Contro+@A+t@S= which sa0es theroject as a new na#e.

.ote about sounds1%he 6& standard #asprogram changesto sounds +ayed. SXcan use a &idi ,e0ice scrit that wi++ dis+ay the na#e of the sound= and send the

aroriate rogra# and ban" changes to the synth. I sha++ co0er the use of the scrits

+ate in the boo"= but for now I sha++ use the rogra# change fie+d of the Insector to

se+ect the Piano sound I re?uire for the ne't art= a rogra# change 0a+ue 1.

)ith the roject set u for #e to record= I wou+d se+ect trac" 1= and +ay a+ong withthe beat. nce I ha0e an idea= I sto= ress 3eyad 1 #o0e to +eft +ocator = 3eyad O



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The SX2 Project.

record and +ay to the beat. As the reference for record enab+e on se+ected trac" is

set= there is no other setting I need to #a"e to record.

%he fo++owing is the resu+t of the recording= which I sto using the sace bar on the"eyboard.

If the resu+ts of the +aying ha0e so#e hoe of being usab+e= then I wou+d sa0e the

roject at this oint= using Contro+@A+t@S .

or the sa"e of showing the too+s that are a0ai+ab+e= I a# going to "ee the "ee the

e'tre#e+y bad+y +ayed iano art= and we can use that for so#e editing. At this

oint it #ight be usab+e for a basic tune= but had I +i"ed the idea= I wou+d genera++y

ha0e "et that ta"e= and re@+ayed it= on another trac". %hat way as the ideas getfor#a+ised= the +aying gets +ess tentati0e= and the editing after the fact shou+d be +ess

intensi0e.

If the +aying is 3= but I fee+ the need to #a"e the dru#s fit better= it is a case of

restoring the #ini#ised dru# editor= and twea"ing the dru#s to suit. I wi++ run

through the &I,I editing in the iano art first= so that I a# fair+y sure that the +aying

is tidied u to a standard that wi++ be usab+e for the #ain song.

?uanti@e1



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The SX2 Project.

%a"ing the iano art and a+ying ?uanti9e #ay or #ay not #a"e the +aying

accetab+e for the song. 8uantise is a too+ to #o0e #is@ti#ed notes and +ace the# to

a grid set by the ?uanti9e 0a+ue. %he troub+e with strict ?uanti9e is that what the

co#uter sees as #is@ti#ed notes #ay actua++y be correct+y +ayed notes for the fee+of the #usic. or this reason it is wise to on+y #o0e notes that re?uire ?uanti9e and

not the who+e art .

or the sa"e of auditioning the art set the +ocators. or this I wou+d resi9e the Piano

art with the sna set to bar in the roject window using the si9e too+ described

ear+ier. )hi+e the art is sti++ se+ected use the locators to selectionfro# the transort

#enu defau+t "ey co##and P .

Set cyc+e #ode fro# the transort bar or using the defau+t "ey co##and "eyad .en the se+ected art using enter on the #ain "eyboard= or Contro+@; or by doub+e

c+ic"ing the art. Si9e the 3ey ;ditor to show #ost of the notes that you want= with

enough detai+ to see the ti#ing of the notes. Use the si9ing bars at the botto# of theeditor to get a suitab+e 0iew. 7ote that c+ic"ing on the -u+er at the to of the window

and dragging u or down wi++ 9oo# editors or the roject window = which can be

usefu+.

P+ay the art and the dru#s and iano arts wi++ +ay together. If the arts needs to

scro++ in the editor then use the autoscro++ button or the defau+t "ey co##and R to

#a"e sure that the 0iew scro++s the #usic so you can see the notes and hear the# at

the sa#e ti#e. As you co#e across notes that shou+d not be there of which there are a

few sto SX +aying and se+ect the bad note and de+ete it. 7ote the reference

@%ransort@ return to start osition on sto shou+d not be set for this tye of editing.So#e of the edits can be done on the f+y= whi+e the #usic is +aying= and use of the

rewind "eyad by defau+t can #a"e auditioning the edits you just #ade #uch

?uic"er than waiting to hear the edits on the ne't cyc+e. If you de+ete so#e of the notes

that you wanted to "ee= then use the edit undo #enu contro+@ by defau+t .

nce the accidenta+ notes ha0e been re#o0ed= +isten to the +aying for ti#ing issues.It is a+so worth sa0ing the roject at this oint= using contro+@A+t@S. ;0en with the

undo history= so#e hu#an error can cree in= and ha0ing the roject sa0ed at 0arious

stages wi++ sa0e a +ot of the heartache of +osing a good ta"e.

)ith the e'tra notes re#o0ed it is worth e'eri#enting with the ?uanti9e settings tosee what wi++ wor" with the iece. )ith the ?uanti9e setting of 1 fro# the ?uanti9e

dro down #enu of the editor= ress the 8 "ey defau+t ?uanti9e "ey co##and .A+though the art tidies u ?uite we++= there are so#e o0er+aing notes that #a"e the

art sound unnatura+ and the who+e iece is a bit ob0ious+y ?uanti9ed. Use the U "ey

defau+t "ey co##and for undo ?uanti9e to return to the way the art was recorded.

)e cou+d #o0e notes if there are sections or indi0idua+ notes that are out of ti#e= and

we can a+so +et ?uanti9e be a+ied to on+y the se+ected notes. &uch deends on therob+e#s we are trying to fi'= as to the best so+ution.



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The SX2 Project.

or e'eri#entations> sa"e= in this case we sha++ atte#t to create so#e 0ariation in

ti#ing= but get the notes that are too far out of ti#e c+oser to their intended +ace#ent.

or this we can use the ?uanti9e setu fro# the ?uanti9e dro down #enu.

Setting the 7on@?uanti9e 0a+ue to 1/ #eans notes that are +ayed within 1/ tic"s of aperfect?uanti9e 0a+ue are not #o0ed by the ?uanti9e function. %hus the ti#ing of

rea++y bad+y +ayed notes is changed= and the notes that are c+ose to ?uanti9e 0a+ues"ee their osition.

or the test iece this wor"s " aart fro# the fact that one art of the +aying sti++

has note o0er+as which sound odd as the sa#e chord is +ayed twice= and the first one

is not finished. %he offending notes are at bar 12 in the test iece= so using the #ouse

ointer to se+ect the notes by dragging a bo' around the#= or se+ecting #ore than onenote by c+ic"ing and then using shift@c+ic" for subse?uent notes= we can reduce the

+ength of the notes using the scro++ whee+ o0er the +ength fie+d in the info bar. 7ote

that using contro+ and scro++ on this fie+d wi++ gi0e a++ the se+ected note the sa#e

+ength 0a+ue= or without contro+ they a++ ha0e their +ength adjusted by the a#ount of

the change of +ength 0a+ue i.e if the 0a+ue is reduced by 1( tic"s then a++ the se+ected

note +engths are changed by 1( tic"s.



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The SX2 Project.

$elocities1

Instru#ents +i"e the iano owe #uch of their e'ression as #uch to 0e+ocity as they

do to ti#ing. %o test this theory se+ect a++ notes contro+@a and se+ect the 0e+ocity fie+dof the info bar= enter a 0a+ue of 1(( and ress contro+@return. P+ay the art and hear

how boring the art sounds e0en #ore than the origina+ +aying. Show the contro++er

+ane for 0e+ocity= if not a+ready shown= by using the right c+ic" conte't #enu add

contro++er +ane= and se+ecting 0e+ocity fro# the dro down #enu of the now 0isib+e

contro++er +ane. Undo the 0e+ocity changes using contro+@9 edit #enu @undo . %he

high oints and +ow oints of the #usic can be seen and heard as the song +ays. 7ote

that the difference in sound ti#bre for a gi0en 0e+ocity wi++ 0ary with the &I,I#odu+e or :S%i used to audition the sound= and we++ +ayed ieces of #usic #ay not

sound as good if the 0e+ocity resonse of the iano sound is different to the one used



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The SX2 Project.

when trac"ing. P+ayers wi++ +ay with the feedbac" that they get fro# the instru#ent

that they use.

%here are +enty of too+s to a+ter 0e+ocities= and "ee the dy

sx2 project-1-6.pdf

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