6 Cubase Channel Strips Tips

The MixConsole in Cubase 8 has some powerful tools built into every channel. Tools that might even save you using third-party plug-ins'¦  

1 - Load and Save

In MixConsole, make sure the main control area of the window is visible and then go to the Strip area for any given audio or audio-capable track. Click on the small icon to the right of the “strip” text and you can save or load strip presets or load entire track presets. This is useful for if you have spent time setting up a processing chain for a particular sound like a vocal and then want to call that strip up again the next time you record the same vocalist. 

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2 - Through the Gate

The channel strip contains a bunch of really useful tools and each strip is identical and well-integrated into MixConsole. The first option is a Noise Gate, which is great for making sure as little background noise as possible creeps into the recording when you are otherwise not performing. The second section is a compressor, also a staple of tracking and mixing. If you click on the tiny arrow next to its name you will see that three models of compressor are available and can be selected here. 

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3 - EQ for You

There's a four-band EQ available on each channel strip and if you right-click on any of its knobs you are able to assign them straight to a Quick Control slot. This is great if you have any kind of hardware controller attached to your system because it means that you can get hands-on control of EQ for any track. Even if you don't, being able to tweak EQ from the quick controls in software is still easier than coming into the rather smaller EQ area inside the channel strip. 

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4 - De-Essing

The next section is a de-esser which is invaluable, used carefully, for dealing with sibilance in vocal tracks and can also be used to tame crash cymbals that have become overly splashy. Beneath this is a saturation section with three optional modules: tube, tape or Magneto saturators which can be used to impart a warmer, more analogue sound to any channel. 

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5 - To the Limit

At the base of each channel strip is a Limiter module with three models available. Limiting a track in the mix should be used with care, as you will probably be better off saving limiting until the mastering stage. However if you are struggling to squeeze enough level out of a recorded sound, or working with music that is supposed to be mixed loud and hot, you can consider using limiting at the channel strip stage. 

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6 - In Context

If you right-click on the name field of any section in the channel strip you can access a contextual menu with a bunch of options. These include the ability to A/B settings, copy slots, copy settings and turn off the module which can also be done by left-clicking on its name. There are also options specific to certain modules like activating sidechaining for the compressor or opening the Remote Control editor, which is available for most sections. 

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Learn more Cubase Tips & Tricks in these videos:

http://www.askvideo.com/courses/application/cubase

Hollin Jones was classically trained as a piano player but found the lure of blues and jazz too much to resist. Graduating from bands to composition then production, he relishes the chance to play anything with keys. A sometime lecturer in videographics, music production and photography post production, Hollin has been a freelance w... Read More

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