Workshop. Cubase for beginners

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Skippy Studio offers an 1-day online Cubase workshop for those who are interested in music production and never had the opportunity or time to dive into this. Making music is for everyone. You don’t need to be a trained musician or play an instrument to make music nowadays.

In the workshop you will learn how to use a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW; Cubase) for mixing a multitrack from an existing recording (song) or to make your own multitrack composition using samples and virtual instruments. A multitrack consist of all the individual elements of an audio production, each with their own dedicated track in the DAW (i.e. kick, snare, guitar, piano). Some may be mono, while others are stereo. They may have been recorded in a studio from microphones or direct inputs to an audio interface, or they originate from sample libraries or virtual instruments. Don’t worry if you don’t understand in detail. That is what the workshop is for.

Although the possibilities offered by modern DAWs seem unlimited this also poses a barrier to start using them effectively. You can compare this to, for example, Adobe Photoshop that also takes some effort to master. However, with a little help from this workshop you will be able to make a jump start. Perhaps a first step towards eternal fame. And if you are never go to use a DAW ever again, you had a day of fun (or perhaps frustration)!

Thus, don’t hesitate and let me know if you are interested.

Image: Cubase project window, mix console, and plugin. After the workshop you will no longer be horrified by this screenshot. However, if you faced a blacked out after seeing this screen then this workshop is not for you!

Image. Cubase Pro 13 impression.

During the first part of the Workshop I will explain the basic features of Cubase using some simple exercises. This will include

• Audio, studio, and project setup.
• Project window.
• Mix console
• Preferences (metering)
• Track types (audio, midi, instruments, group, effects)
• Channel editor (e.g., inserts, sends, equalizer)
• Plugins (e.g., reverb, delay, pitch)
• Routing (grouping channels, effects channels)
• Virtual instruments (VSTi)
• Mediabay

Step 2. Mixing and processing a multitrack song

Option 1. Mixing an existing multitrack recording

[to be updated]

Aim: you will be provided with a multitrack recording that you will be mixing and processing into a stereo audio file to sound as good as possible given the time limits of the workshop.

• Import and organize all audio files (grouping, coloring, resizing events, etc)
• Gain staging
• Balancing and panning
• De-essing
• Compression (vocal, bass-kick sidechaining)
• EQ
• Reverb and delay
• Volume automation
• Stereo-bus limiting
• Export final audio file

Option 2. Composing and mixing your own multitrack song

[to be updated]

Aim: you will be composing your own multitrack song using available samples and virtual instruments from Cubase that, subsequently, you will be mixing and processing into a stereo audio file to sound as good as possible given the time limits of the workshop. Here we will place less emphasis on mixing.

• GrooveAgent
• Using samples (keys and tempo)
• Compose a 2 to 3 minute song using samples and/or virtual instruments
• Setup your group channels and mix busses (routing)
• Balancing and panning
• EQ
• Reverb and delay
• Export final audio file

Are there any costs involved?

Yes, registration costs are (approximately) 5,- Euro. No refund is possible.

How do I register?

First send me an email (ahcvankampen@gmail.com) if you want to participate. Once the date for the workshop is set you can do the actual registration via Fiverr. To do this, first register yourself with Fiverr. Next, visit the Fiverr link I will send you by email. I am offering this workshop as a service through Fiverr and it helps me if you leave me a good review after the workshop. In addition, Fiverr takes care of the registration fees and administration for me.

How many participants can enter the workshop?

There is a hard limit of 10 participants due to a software license restriction on my side. More accurate is to say that the number of computers that can participate is limited to 10. Thus, you can always invite a friend to sit behind your computer with you.

What is the duration of the workshop?

The first part of the workshop will run from 9:00 till 12.00 during which you will get acquainted with Cubase. The second part of the workshop will run from 13.00 – 17.00 during which you will be working on the multitrack. The end result will be presented to all participants.

What will be the language of choice?

English or Dutch, depending on the participants.

When will the workshop be given?

The date for the next workshop is not yet determined but preferably will be on a Saturday or Sunday. However, specific arrangements can be made.

Do I need to prepare for the workshop?

Yes, you will need to install and test Cubase at least one week prior to the workshop. This allows some troubleshooting if necessary. See ‘How to download and install Cubase‘ below. In addition, I will ask you to have a look at one or few videos (max 1 hour). Optionally, you can already have a look at the introduction video mentioned above.

Which DAW will I use?

You will use Cubase Pro from Steinberg because I have many years of experience using this DAW. The principles you will learn during the workshop also apply other DAWs such as Reaper, Logic Pro, and Studio One. However, for the Workshop you must use Cubase. See ‘How to download and install Cubase‘ below. A quick 14 minute introduction to Cubase is provided by the next video.

Can I use an older version of Cubase?

If you already own a license for an older version of Cubase Pro then, in principle, you can use it. However, since there is a risk that certain options and/or content are not available in your version, I recommend to activate the Cubase Pro 13 Trial version for this workshop.

Can I use an other version of Cubase?

If you have a license for, for example, Cubase Elements or Cubase Artists then, in principle, you can use it. However, not all options and/or content will be  available in your version. I recommend to activate the Cubase Pro 13 Trial version for this workshop.

Do I need to buy Cubase?

No. Steinberg offers a fully functional 60-day trial version of Cubase Pro. See ‘How to download and install Cubase‘ below.

What will I learn?

• You will learn the basic concepts of a DAW and how these are implemented in Cubase.
• You will learn the very basics of mixing a multitrack song. A multitrack recording will be provided to you as part of the workshop.
• Alternatively, you can compose your own song (multitrack) by using different sample libraries and/or virtual instruments such as Steinberg’s HALion. For the workshop it will be decided in advance if we will work on an existing multitrack or if you will compose your own song. The composition option will put less emphasis on mixing. Depending on the interest of the participants.

What multitrack will I be working on?

If it is decided that the workshop focusses on an existing multitrack (and not on making an own composition) then you will work on the song Arizona from Maxwell and the Shakes.

What kind of composition can we make in the workshop?

Cubase Pro comes with many samples and virtual instruments that you can use to put together a song. You don’t need any musical background nor to play an instrument nor to do any recording to pull this off. Of course, knowing a little about music (theory) will help but it is not strictly necessary. If this option is chosen for the workshop, then given the time constraints we can go in less depth about the mixing and Cubase features. The next song is an example of a song that was composed in Cubase and fully based on existing samples and virtual instruments. It took, however, a bit longer than a single day to create.

What should I use to participate online?

The workshop will be online using Zoom, which you need to install on your computer. In addition, you will need a webcam and a microphone to communicate. I will stream high-quality audio using a separate program. You will receive this audio through your web-browser. Preferably use Chrome and make sure that it has the setting “Sites can play sound” enabled. To allow sites to play sound via Chrome, follow the below steps:

• Settings
• Security & Privacy
• Site Settings
• Navigate to Content and click on “Additional Content Settings”
• Navigate to Sound and click “Sites can play sound”

In other browsers you may have to tweak different settings to get sound but most of them (including Chrome) will radiate audio by default.

What kind of computer do I need to participate in the workshop?

You will need a computer that is suitable to run Cubase Pro 13.  You can find the requirements [here]. In short:

Windows

• OS: 64-bit Windows 11 Version 22H2 (or higher) or 64-bit Windows 10 Version 22H2 (or higher)
• CPU minimum: Intel® Core™ i5 (4th Generation) or AMD Ryzen
• Graphics minimum: Graphics card with native Windows 10 support
• Graphics recommended: AMD R or RX series and later or NVIDIA Series 700 and later

Mac

• OS: macOS Sonoma, macOS Ventura, macOS Monterey
• Apple silicon-based: Native App, Rosetta 2 App
• CPU minimum: Intel® Core™ i5 (late 2015 or later) or Apple silicon
• Graphics: Graphics card with Metal support

General

• CPU cores: 4 or more
• RAM minimum: 8 Gbyte
• Hard disk free space: 75 Gbyte
• Display resolution minimum at 100% UI scaling: 1440 x 900
• OS compatible audio hardware
• ASIO compatible audio hardware

Connect a pair of good speakers to your computer or use a headphone.

Do I need any special computer/software optimization?

In principle you are good to go with the above specifications but for smaller computers you might want to disable CPU / hard disk intensive applications that are running in the background (e.g., backup software). Also in Cubase you can optimize some settings. See ‘How to download and install Cubase‘ below. Try to play one of the Cubase Pro 13 demo projects.

Do I need any other hardware?

In principle no. With the computer specifications given above you should be fine. However, sometimes problems may occur with the audio device on older computers in the sense that Zoom and Cubase cannot use the computer audio device at the same time. For example, with a Zoom session running you may have audio from Zoom but not from Cubase, or vice versa. However, we will try to solve such issues in the week prior to the workshop.

A better solution would be to use an external audio interface that can be connected by USB to your computer, which also has additional advantages. An external audio interface doesn’t have to be very expensive (see for example the Focusrite USB audio interfaces), but if you don’t plan to continue working with a DAW then don’t make the investment and just use the onboard audio device of your computer. If you want advice about audio interfaces, then let me know.

If possible, then connect a second monitor to your computer. This is convenient for working with the different windows of Cubase. In addition, it allows you to have Cubase on one screen and the Zoom session on the second.

Will I get a certificate?

Of course!

Can Steinberg help me troubleshooting?

Perhaps they can. See Steinberg Help Center

What if I want to learn more about Cubase after the workshop?

I offer Cubase Training but there are also plenty of online resources available to get you going. For example, the Cubase User Forum is found [here]. Other Cubase communities are found on Discord (e.g., Cubase Nation, Cubase). There are also plenty of good tutorials to be found on YouTube. For example from Dom Sigalas, Chris Selim, and One Man And His Songs,

What if I have any further questions?

Just let me know by email: ahcvankampen@gmail.com

Cubase is not free software and different versions are available. We will use the most extensive (and expensive) version, Cubase Pro 13 which is currently 579,- euro (buy here). Fortunately, you don’t have to buy the software for the workshop. A full version, including all content/sample libraries, is available as a trial version for free and will work for 60 days after activation.

You can install Cubase but if you want to use the trial version then do not activate it more than 60 days prior to the workshop!! Otherwise you will not be able to use it during the workshop. I suggest to install Cubase about 2 weeks prior to the workshop. This will give you sufficient time to test if everything is working and to already have a look around. After the workshop you will then have plenty of time left to complete or improve your multitrack, or do try out other features of Cubase.  

Step 1. Register with Steinberg

• Go to https://www.steinberg.net.
• Click on the account icon (my Steinberg) and create an account (or go directly to https://signin.steinberg.net/)

Step 2. Download the Steinberg Download Assistant (SAM)

• Go to https://www.steinberg.net/cubase/trial/
• Select Try Cubase Pro 13
• Follow the instructions to install the Steinberg Download Assistant

Step 3. Install the Cubase software

• Start the Steinberg Download Assistant. This will prompt you to login and may install further software (Microsoft Visual C++) on your computer
• In the Steinberg Download Assistant
  • Expand the Cubase menu on the left side
  • Click on ‘Cubase Pro 13’
  • Click on ‘Install all’ (this will install the program and all content)
• Note:
  • Make sure you have sufficient diskspace (see FAQ above)
  • The installation may take a while
  • Also make sure to download the Demo Projects (these should be downloaded manually in the Download Assistant)
  • The demo projects are downloaded as a zip file. Extract one or more of these demo projects.

Various programs have now been installed an appear on your desktop (e.g., Steinberg Activation Manager, Halion, Cubase, …..)

Step 4. Activation
Now you have to activate your license

• Start the Steinberg Activation Manager (SAM)
• Login if requested
• Activate the Cubase Trial – after activation this version can only be used for 60 days!

Step 5. Start Cubase Pro 13

Start Cubase by clicking on the Cubase desktop icon. If you start Cubase for the first time, you are asked to select the Audio driver. Select an ASIO driver. If you don’t know which one to select then select the Generic Low Latency ASIO driver. You can still change the driver at a later stage if necessary

The Cubase Pro Hub will be started started.

To test Cubase  you can open one of the demo projects:

• Select ‘Open Other’
• Open one of the demo projects you have unzipped, i.e., load the Cubase project file (extension .cpr). Use one of the Cubase Pro 13 demo projects.
• Neglect messages about missing presets
• Hit Play

If everything is OK then you are listening to your first Cubase project. If your audio drops out or is sounding strange (clicks, crackles) then your computer might not be suitable but try the optimization in the next step.

Step 6. Optimizing the performance of Cubase Pro 13

Press F12 to bring up the Audio Performance window. Ideally, the shown metering should not go red. If it does, you can do some optimization within Cubase.

Go to menu ‘Studio’ –> ‘Studio Setup’. This opens a screen to change some settings to improve performance

• Open the ‘Control Panel’ of your audio driver and set ASIO Buffer size to the maximum value

In the Audio System part you can set

• Set Processing Precision to 32 bit float
• Activate Multi Processing
• Activate ASIO-guard (experiment with low/normal/high to see what gives the best performance for you)
• Activate Steinberg Audio Power scheme

In the next video this is explained for Cubase 12, but you will get the idea

If you really get serious with Cubase then there are plenty of other configuration possibilities for Cubase and your computer. Some of which may further improve your performance. See for example my posts about Cubase Configuration and Computer Configuration.

7. Have a look at the Cubase documentation (optional)

You can access the full online Cubase documentation [here]. The Cubase User Forum to ask any Cubase question is found [here]. Other Cubase communities are found on Discord (e.g., Cubase Nation, Cubase). There are also plenty of good tutorials to be found on YouTube. For example from Dom Sigalas, Chris Selim, and One Man And His Songs,