User manual

117
Recording
Audio recording specifics
• Use the audio hardware’s own application program to set the input levels (if
possible).
See the documentation for the audio hardware.
• If your audio hardware supports the ASIO Control Panel function, it may be
possible to make input level settings.
To open the ASIO control panel, open the Device Setup dialog via the Devices
menu and, in the list to the left (below “VST Audio System”), select your audio
card. When this is selected, you can open the Control Panel by clicking the
Control Panel button in the settings section to the right.
The next step is to check the level of the audio being written to a file on your hard disk.
This is only necessary if you have made any adjustments to the input channel (level
settings, EQ, insert effects, etc.).
Also note the following:
• If you record in 32-bit float format, the bit resolution will not be reduced – which
means there is no risk of clipping at this stage.
Also, this preserves the signal quality perfectly. Therefore, you should consider
using 32-bit float format when you are recording with effects (see
“Recording with
effects (Cubase only)” on page 121).
• If you record in 16- or 24-bit format, the available headroom is lower, which means
clipping can occur if the signal is too loud. To avoid this, set the signal as
described below.
1. In the MixConsole, open the Functions Menu, and on the Global Meter Settings
submenu, select Meter Position, and activate “Post-Fader”.
2. Set up the input channel, by adding EQ and/or effects.
With some effects you may want to adjust the level of the signal going into the
effect – use the Input Gain function for this. Note that you need to press [Shift] or
[Alt]/[Option] to adjust the Input Gain.
Adjusting the
Input Gain
3. Play back the audio and check the level meter of the input channel.
The signal should be reasonably loud without exceeding 0 dB (the Clipping
indicator for the input bus should not light up).
4. If necessary, use the input channel fader to adjust the signal level.
Audio pre-record
This feature allows you to capture up to 1 minute of any incoming audio you play in
Stop mode or during playback, “after the fact”. This is possible because Cubase can
capture audio input in buffer memory, even when not recording.
Proceed as follows:
1. Open the Preferences dialog (Record–Audio page).
2. Specify a time (up to 60 seconds) in the “Audio Pre-Record Seconds” field.
This activates the buffering of audio input, making Pre-Record possible.
3. Make sure an audio track is record-enabled and receives audio from the signal
source.
4. When you have played some audio material you want to capture (either in Stop
mode or during playback), click the Record button.