Cubase SE 1.07

[Boneman]

I compose mainly in a "classical" way and I own Garritan Orchestra.

[alphabetgreen]

Originally Posted by Boneman

I compose mainly in a "classical" way and I own Garritan Orchestra.

OK Boneman (is that how you like to be called?). I've just realised that you're original thread is dated 07, so I would imagine that you've probably got to grips with Cubase SE by now. However, if there is anything that I can help you with, you only have to ask, and I hope that I can do likewise. I compose classically as well. I'd be interested to learn how you're coping with GPO and perhaps listen to some of your music. I've posted a couple of discussions giving links to an orchestral piece and a chamber piece. Please feel free to listen and comment. I'd like to know what you think.

Cheers,

Simon

[Maltaman]

Hey Alphabetgreen I could really do with some help too. I bought Cubase Se about 5 years ago and just startet using it for the first time. It works fine so far and ive recorded some guitar and vocal tracks but have no idea how to use the VST instruments. I dont have a midi keyboard at this time. Can you help please??

[stevel]

Originally Posted by Maltaman

Hey Alphabetgreen I could really do with some help too. I bought Cubase Se about 5 years ago and just startet using it for the first time. It works fine so far and ive recorded some guitar and vocal tracks but have no idea how to use the VST instruments. I dont have a midi keyboard at this time. Can you help please??

VSTi are triggered by midi tracks, so you won't be able to use them unless you import a MIDI file, use the key editor to draw notes in, or get a MIDI keyboard to play in music.

Steve

[Maltaman]

Thanks for that. Any suggestions on using Groove Agent SE? If you can point me to step by step instructions how to add a drum track it would be great. Is it me or are the manuals generally very ambiguous???

[alphabetgreen]

Right, here we go Maltaman. Follow these instructions:

1. Load up Cubase SE1.

2. Go to 'file' menu (above), and select 'new project'.

3. In the middle of the screen, you'll see a small window window with a list of templates. Select '16 Track MIDI Sequenzer' and press 'OK'.

4. Now you'll see another small window saying 'select directory'. Just press 'OK'.

5. You should now have the main primary interface covering about two thirds of the screen. Maximise it to cover all.

6. Just above where all the tracks are supposed to be, you'll see (about 4 cm down from the top of the screen), what looks like a black ruler with measures marked in white and a short horizontal line in luminous blue. Drag the left side of the blue line left as far as you can to where it says '1' on the black ruler (that marks the beginning of your song).

7. Now drag the right end of the blue line to where you want your song to finish (let's say 80 measures for now, so take it to where it says '81').

8. Go to the devices menu at the top of the screen and select 'VST Instruments'.

9. There should now be a small window in the middle of your screen that says 'VST Instruments'. (you might also find that the main primary interface has shrunk again. Just ignore that for the moment).

10. OK, so this window has 16 sections. Go to section one and 'click and hold' on the black bit behind where it says 'No VST Instrument'. A drop-down list of VSTs will appear (unless you have installed any new librariies, you will just have a list of the basics that came with Cubase SE1). Select 'drums - lm7'.

11. Now maximise the screen to full capacity, so that the VST window disappears.

12. On the main page, you'll see a list of midi tracks. Click on 'MIDI 10' (on the grey background area. It will turn white).

13. Now, at the far left of the screen, you'll see a black box that says "out: Not Connected". 'Click and hold' on the small arrow (on the left of the box) and select 'lm 7'.

14. Now, a bit further down, you'll see another black box that says "map: No Drum Map". Now select "GM Map".

15. Go back to the list of midi tracks and double-click on where it says "MIDI 10". Now, simply type in 'drums', or 'percussion', whichever you prefer.

16. Now, to the right of that particular box, you'll see a collection of horizontal spaces where all the tracks should be. Double-click anywhere in the area where track 10 should be. An empty track will appear.

17. Double-click on the empty track and you'll find the whole layout for which to make your drum track. A word of caution. Remember to switch off the 'click' track when playing back.

I hope this helps. It bloody ought to. It took me ages to write this out clearly.

Cheers,

ABG

[Maltaman]

Wow thanks that is extremely helpful. Thanks for taking the time to write it out ...I wonder why they don't write manuals like that! Received the instructions overnight (its 8:30am right now) so I'll be trying it out tonight when i get home. Was messng round last night quite a bit too so its all slowly making more sense. The more I dig the more things there seem to be to learn but I'm not complaining as it will all lead to a really professional result (I hope!). Thanks again!

[alphabetgreen]

No problem, let me know how you get on.

[Maltaman]

Hi again. Well i followed the instructions but realised there was no reference to Groove Agent SE at all so I ended up with basically a blank slate where i had to plot every single drum beat! I'm not at the stage yet where i can create a drum beat from scratch (I dont play drums) What I'm trying to do at this stage is just keep it simple so my recording process so far goes like this: I start by opening a new project, with no tracks. Then I add two tracks. One for my daughters vocals (Input 1) which is her mic connected to the pc thru a Tascam US122. The second track (Input 2) is my guitar which is also connected thru the US122. So far so good, we record a couple of gtr tracks and do some vocal tracks. Drum beat is missing tho! So what Ive tried to do is go into devices/VSTinstruments and I select the first empty slot there and choose Groove Agent SE from the drop down menu. A click on the w turns it green and brings up a new audio track in my project. Another click on that symbol on the left brings up the Groove Agent SE window/ interface itself. However i cant seem to link GA with that audio track in terms of getting it to start and stop when i want it to. The timing link to the click track also seems to work sometimes and others not so im missing something fundamental here! Am not sure about the significance of the R(ead) and W(rite) buttons either

[alphabetgreen]

It sounds to me like Groove Agent Se should be a midi track, not an audio track.