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CUBASE Saving music to audio CD

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Topic CUBASE Saving music to audio CD
I'd like to save a projec to an audio CD. How do I go about doing that? Thanx in advanced.
2
Alrighty then! Now we're getting somewhere, du... ahem, Classie (I guess I should have noticed that one!):D

If you've got midi tracks in and they're of the general midi type, you can go completely virtual and use the included Universal Sound Module the comes with Cubase. I think it usually installs with Cubase but if it doesn't, just look for the Universal Sound Module folder in the install cd. You can drag copy it into your vstplugins directory on your harddrive. When you restart Cubase, the module should then appear in your VST Instruments popup. This helps you get started with virtual synths.

Once you call up the Universal Sound Module (USM), assign all midi tracks to it and you should be able to have midi sound without turning on a single external module (it also beats the MS GS synth hands down). The important difference between using USM over the MS synth is that your signal path is completely virtual and you can render "in-the-box" without having to wire your soundcard out to an input to capture sound. The Hypersonic demo that comes with Cubase is a fantastic sound source, but is only good for 30 starts.

I'm sorry if I was a bit harsh in my previous post, caffeine hasn't kicked in yet when I posted. Don't be afraid to ask more questions. It's how we all learn. Here's a bit of a tidbit - I usually render bass and drum midi tracks to separate audio tracks so I can add some of Cubase's included effects like compressors and delays separately to them. Once you learn about bussing, add an ambient reverb to that and buss all audio tracks there; makes for a more cohesive mix. Somewhat advanced. I know, but you'll get there.

Glad to have you aboard, Classie83!:)

EDIT: A bit OT. - I noticed that I previously helped you with your QS. How's it coming along? Have you been able to midi it to Cubase yet? Were you able to connect the QS outs to your soundcard?
3
If your midi is driving a softsynth, you will have to render them to an audio track before you can export the wave. If the sound source is from an external module, you will have to record that to an audio track as well.
4

%1$s a écrit If your midi is driving a softsynth, you will have to render them to an audio track before you can export the wave. If the sound source is from an external module, you will have to record that to an audio track as well.


How do I go about rendering them to an audio track? Is there a way to automatically convert them?
5
Thanx for the info. I have a manual, and I did go through it, but I guess I just didn't see that part of it. I'm new to all this stuff...and I'm not a dude. ;)
6
You can mixdown the project by exporting it from Cubase to an audio .wav file then dragging the resulting wav file into media player (if you're using windows xp) and burning if from there. The wav file should be in 44.1 khz 16 bit for cd burning.

Most burners come packaged with burning software such as Nero or Easy CD Creator - same process relatively. Nero has its own explorer type window, just open a new audio cd project, drag the wav from the right side of the explorer to the left, and just follow instructions from there.
7
Hmm....I tried exporting the project to a disc, but it's not happening for some reason. BTW, the tracks are midi tracks.
8
Hi Classie83!

I didn't mean to slight you with my previous post. There's no mistake in recording to midi, however; as a matter of fact, it's a lot easier to edit a flubbed note in midi than in audio. I do believe, however, that as a classical pianist, flubbed notes are a rarity with you. :) Though Cubase cannot burn to CD, it can render to a wav file provided you record audio into it first. As I previously mentioned, you can use Windows Media Player to burn audio cds. Likewise, if your pc came with a cd burner, it should come with cd burning utilities like Nero, EasyCD or the like.

I've a feeling you're using the onboard sound of your pc. To check you can do the following:

Right click on My Computer, then Properties. Choose the Hardware tab, then press Device Manager. (Alternatively, you can click on Start > Control Panel > System to bring up the System Properties window, too.) Expand the Sound Video and Game Controllers branch by clicking on the plus (+) sign. Your soundcard should be listed among the devices there.

Assuming you're using a standard soundcard or onboard sound, the connectors on the pc will be 1/8" stereo jacks. If your pc is relatively new, the line in jack will be colored light blue (line outs are usually lime green - pls refer to your soundcard's manual). To connect your QS to your pc, you will need a 1/8" stereo TRS to 1/4" TR Y-cable. I don't know how you're monitoring your audio but I'm assuming you connected your monitors directly to your QS. In that case, you might need another Y-cable to connect your monitors to the soundcard's line out. Radioshack usually sells these Y-cables though the most common are 1/8" stereo to RCA male connectors, you will need RCA to 1/4" adapters.

The important thing is to get audio into your pc so you can record and massage it in Cubase. Once we've figured out your soundcard, we can go on to the next step, Recording Audio.
9
Right I knew that midi wasn't audio. So I guess I've made a mistake in recording it in all midi? And I didn't know that Cubase SE doesn't burn to CD. That's kind of what I wanted to use it for? Is there an alternative way that I can get this music onto CD despite the fact that Cubase doesn't do it?

I'm going to try your suggestions...I don't know how I can check which soundcard(s) I have. I'm not too familiar with the various ones.
10
Hello again!

Midi isn't audio. It's only a series of control messages that commands your synth on what notes to turn on and off, when to do so and for how long (actually, it's more than that but let's not get into details). In short, midi has no 'sound' of it's own.

There are 2 ways to record your performance:

1) connect the audio outs of your QS to a recorder of some sort (casette, hard disk recorder, MD recorder, Pro Tools, etc.) or...

2) connect the audio outs of the QS to the LINE INPUTS of your soundcard. In Cubase, you can right click on an empty portion beneath the midi tracks and create an audio track. I forgot to mention that you must also configure cubase for your audio inputs and outputs. You can't burn to cd using Cubase, but you can use media player in a pinch.

I don't think you mentioned what soundcard you were using. Give us an idea and we can walk you through on what to do.
11
Hi again. I have a feeling that I want to do is really simply done. lol I have midi tracks only. Do they have to be audio tracks in order to burn a project to a disc? If so, is there a way to convert the midi tracks to audio without re-doing the song? Thanx. I tried to use the export fuction, but it said there is no audio to export.
12

%1$s a écrit Just a thought, Classie83- is Cubase set to echo the midi input on the output? I'm a Cakewalk guy, but I know that when I set Cake to echo the midi input, if I let it loop around to midi in/out and back to the synth, lots of weird things happen. :cool:


Yeah, like kitc said, Cubase is automatically set to Midithru mode. I have yet to try all of these suggestions. As soon as I do, I'll be sure to post what happens! Lord knows, I'll probably need more help. lol
13
Yeah- I've worked with midi and QS synths. I use a Roland XP10 (I have to turn local mode on that one off manually, too) and a JV1010. I keep the midi thru on my Cake turned off to avoid sonic weirdness like midi loops. I can always turn it on as needed.
The Axeman (##(===> Cuts From My New Blues CD
14
Hi Axeman,

I just thought I'd clarify a few things just for the sake of, urm... clarification. :)

By default, Cubase is in Midi thru mode, so it echoes the midi data coming in from the midi inputs to the midi outputs. Most sequencers, including Sonar, do that by default. However, they normally expect the controller keyboard to be transmitting on one midi channel per port, as well as being in Local Off mode. (SIDENOTE: Most sequencers can record more than one midi channel per track (and multiple tracks, as well) and they will re-channel all data that is recorded into whatever the output channel the track is recorded to.)

The Alesis QS synths, however, were designed with performance in mind; the ability to independently control several midi layers using both internal and external sounds, hence, the QS has the ability to transmit (and respond) on all 16 midi channels at once if that is what the user prefers. That is its default mode regardless of whether it is in Program or Mix mode and its this behavior that throws off most users during the first few attempts of using it with DAW sequencers.

When using a keyboard workstation as a controller, it usually has to be set to Local Control Off so that the keyboard is disconnected from it's internal sound module. Notes pressed on the kepboard are sent to the keyboard's midi out then into the sequencer. These notes are then 'echoed' by the sequencer to the midi out and back to the keyboard to trigger its internal sounds. Not doing so will cause double triggers since the internal module is responding to both its keyboard and the echoed midi from the DAW. In the QS case, all 16 channels are echoed back to the one channel the track is set to leading to a very loud note or notes as the case may be.

Some DAW sequencers, like Sonar, are capable of sending a command that sets the keyboard to Local Off whenever you load the program, and most synths respond positively to that command. The QS, however, needs to be set manually. That setting is located in page 6 of the global settings (activated by pressing Edit Select then the Right Bank select button, then paging over to page 6). Its not even called local settings in the QS, but is known as Kbd Mode. The various modes are Normal, CH Solo, and Out1...Out16. When using the QS standalone like during gigs, it should be set to Normal mode; when used with a DAW, it can be set to any of the Out1 to Out16 modes.

A rather long winded post... hope it helps the other QS and Cubase users out there.

Cheers!
15
Just a thought, Classie83- is Cubase set to echo the midi input on the output? I'm a Cakewalk guy, but I know that when I set Cake to echo the midi input, if I let it loop around to midi in/out and back to the synth, lots of weird things happen. :cool:
The Axeman (##(===> Cuts From My New Blues CD
16
Thanx a lot. I really have to like print out everything you've told me here, so that I can use it as I work.
17
You're welcome, Classie83. If you need more help with Cubase, the QS and whatever, just holler and I'll be glad to assist.
18
Well, to sequence multitimbrally with the QS, you have to be in Mix mode. The first patch of the mix user bank usually is a multitimbral performance where all 16 channels are active and controllable by Cubase. Be aware though that at its default 'normal' setting, the QS is transmitting on all 16 channels, you will have to go into the QS' global settings and set it to be transmit to 'OUT 1' or whatever channel you desire when using the QS with Cubase. Maybe that's why it sounds weird to you. Cubase will then re-channel the input into the appropriate track that you are recording on. Remember that fx in a mix are shared among the 16 patches so that a patch in a mix will sound differently compared to the same patch in Program mode.
19

%1$s a écrit [quote=Classie83]The sounds in the QS8 banks sound the same as the first bank in each category. It's really weird. I was going to call Alesis for this prob. But I did manage to record a small midi project, which is what I now want to put onto CD.


Under Devices > Midi Device Manager, you can define what kind of synth is connected to your midi ports. Unfortunately, my Cubase SL2 only lists the QS7 and I've been trying to find a device definition for my QS6. You can use the QS7 definition and Cubase will happily output the correct bank and patch changes to your synth. The patch names will reflect QS7 patches, though. At least, when you're scrolling thru the patch lists in the track inspector, you won't have to see patch numbers anymore. Theoretically, you could edit the device definition so that it would reflect the correct patch and mix names, but frankly, I haven't gotten around to doing that.

Here's a very good Cubase Resource. (The things one discovers when looking for free stuff!) There are loads of tutorials and links to some pretty good free vst effects and instruments. Lemme tell 'ya, I must have downloaded every free vst fx and vsti on the planet. Try looking for the excellent Green Oak Crystal vsti; a bit of a cpu hog but it's pads are truly excellent and, did I say free?

Post an mp3 of your cd sometime. I'd like to hear your music.

Best,[/quote]
Although I've been a classical pianist for about 17 years, and am pretty good at computers, as far as recording music, I'm just starting out. But per your solution, I've already got the device classified as a QS7 because as you mentioned, Cubase SE doesn't list the QS8. So, this problem still exists. Funny thing is when I take out the midi cable, the QS8 sounds go back to normal. Weird. Thanx for that link btw. I'm gonna check it out.:) And the project is just a simply children's lullaby that I am working on. I am also a lyricist and I want to record music for my lyrics...but that is for later when I learn this techie stuff more thoroughly. :)
20

%1$s a écrit The sounds in the QS8 banks sound the same as the first bank in each category. It's really weird. I was going to call Alesis for this prob. But I did manage to record a small midi project, which is what I now want to put onto CD.


Under Devices > Midi Device Manager, you can define what kind of synth is connected to your midi ports. Unfortunately, my Cubase SL2 only lists the QS7 and I've been trying to find a device definition for my QS6. You can use the QS7 definition and Cubase will happily output the correct bank and patch changes to your synth. The patch names will reflect QS7 patches, though. At least, when you're scrolling thru the patch lists in the track inspector, you won't have to see patch numbers anymore. Theoretically, you could edit the device definition so that it would reflect the correct patch and mix names, but frankly, I haven't gotten around to doing that.

Here's a very good Cubase Resource. (The things one discovers when looking for free stuff!) There are loads of tutorials and links to some pretty good free vst effects and instruments. Lemme tell 'ya, I must have downloaded every free vst fx and vsti on the planet. Try looking for the excellent Green Oak Crystal vsti; a bit of a cpu hog but it's pads are truly excellent and, did I say free?

Post an mp3 of your cd sometime. I'd like to hear your music.

Best,
21

%1$s a écrit Alrighty then! Now we're getting somewhere, du... ahem, Classie (I guess I should have noticed that one!):D

If you've got midi tracks in and they're of the general midi type, you can go completely virtual and use the included Universal Sound Module the comes with Cubase. I think it usually installs with Cubase but if it doesn't, just look for the Universal Sound Module folder in the install cd. You can drag copy it into your vstplugins directory on your harddrive. When you restart Cubase, the module should then appear in your VST Instruments popup. This helps you get started with virtual synths.

Once you call up the Universal Sound Module (USM), assign all midi tracks to it and you should be able to have midi sound without turning on a single external module (it also beats the MS GS synth hands down). The important difference between using USM over the MS synth is that your signal path is completely virtual and you can render "in-the-box" without having to wire your soundcard out to an input to capture sound. The Hypersonic demo that comes with Cubase is a fantastic sound source, but is only good for 30 starts.

I'm sorry if I was a bit harsh in my previous post, caffeine hasn't kicked in yet when I posted. Don't be afraid to ask more questions. It's how we all learn. Here's a bit of a tidbit - I usually render bass and drum midi tracks to separate audio tracks so I can add some of Cubase's included effects like compressors and delays separately to them. Once you learn about bussing, add an ambient reverb to that and buss all audio tracks there; makes for a more cohesive mix. Somewhat advanced. I know, but you'll get there.


Yeah, what you said above is pretty deep! lol But it gives me somewhere to start. Funny because I used to go to a training studio about 6 years ago, but I never really paid attention as I didn't have the equipment at home. Now, I wish I had taken a few more notes. lol
22
Hi there. No, you weren't harsh. I probably should look through the manual a bit more. And thanx for your earlier help. I have the QS hooked up via a midi Y cable to my comp. I have a problem with the midi hook up though. The sounds in the QS8 banks sound the same as the first bank in each category. It's really weird. I was going to call Alesis for this prob. But I did manage to record a small midi project, which is what I now want to put onto CD.