VLOGS
How I Get GREAT MIXES Using HEADPHONES
How I Get GREAT MIXES Using HEADPHONES Yes, my friend… you can get great mixes using your studio headphones! Look, we all know that part of working out of your home studio is that everything is not going to be perfect all the time. Sometimes you need to do everything
Mixing VOCALS with the CUBASE Compressor?
Mixing VOCALS with the CUBASE Compressor? I find that lots of people underestimate the power of the stock plugins in their DAW, and Cubase has some extremely powerful ones. Today I want to focus on the stock compressor and show you a trick I use to get a great vocal
My Second-Studio Build in the Last 6 Months
My Second-Studio Build in the Last 6 Months I’m back! After an exciting (and exhausting) move, I’ve finally gotten the chance to settle in to my new home studio. I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to show you around. Let me know what you think in the comments!
I tested ATMOS Mixing in CUBASE using my Headphones
I tested ATMOS Mixing in CUBASE using my Headphones More and more formats are beginning to move toward the Atmos audio standard. But mixing in Atmos can be more complicated and require a lot of expensive equipment… However, what if I told you that you could start mixing in Dolby
Next Level CUBASE PRO – Setting up a TALKBACK Mic
Next Level CUBASE PRO – Setting up a TALKBACK Mic If you’re recording artists live in your studio… you need to be able to communicate with them! No more running back and forth, or yelling through the window! Today, I’ll show you how to setup a talkback mic in Cubase
Use AI to Extract & Analyze stems from any song
Use AI to Extract & Analyze stems from any song Can AI help you produce music? LALAL.ai thinks so! In today’s video, I’ll show you how this service helps you extract stems from songs. This is a really interesting tool with a lot of potential. I’d love to get your
TOP FREE 20 Mixing Plugins you need to CHECK OUT
TOP FREE 20 Mixing Plugins you need to CHECK OUT Did somebody say FREE? That’s right! It’s time for my annual list of my favorite free mixing plugins. Honestly, these are all good enough to pay for, but these companies and generously giving them away to help improve your mixes!
When to activate your Mix Bus Chain? – My Strategy Explained
When to activate your Mix Bus Chain? – My Strategy Explained Today we’re talking about mix bus processing! Doing too much to the mix bus can completely wreck your mix, so you have to tread carefully here. I’ve been getting a bunch of questions lately, so I’m going to share
What should you do about WAVES New Business Model?
What should you do about WAVES New Business Model? In case you haven’t left your studio in a couple of weeks, there’s BIG news…Waves has transitioned to a subscription-only model for their plugins.This has a lot of people very upset, and I’ve been getting quite a few messages about. Today,
If I only had to choose 5 PLUGINS for MIXING
If I only had to choose 5 PLUGINS for MIXING In this video, I share my top 5 Desert Island Mixing Plugins. If I had to mix a song using only 5 plugins, these would be my go-to choices. From EQs to compressors, I’ll explain why these plugins would be
How to QUICKLY Understand EQ
How to QUICKLY Understand EQ Learn to approach EQ like a pro!It’s not as difficult as it seems, and today I’m going to share some of my best EQ tips with you. I’ll help you overcome some common mistakes and misconceptions about EQ to help you get your mixes sounding
Moving CUBASE User Settings to a New Computer? Here’s how I did it
Moving CUBASE User Settings to a New Computer? Here’s how I did it In today’s video, I’m going to walk you step-by-step through my process for transferring my Cubase settings from my old PC to my new MacBook Pro. I’ll also share some other helpful tips, like where to find
Why would anyone use this Cubase Feature?
Why would anyone use this Cubase Feature? In today’s video, we’re looking at a hidden gem in Cubase… The Project Logical Editor. I know, the name doesn’t really sound that fun… or tell you anything about what this tool does, but you need to know! I’ll show you how I
The 5 RULES That Made me a Better MIXER
The 5 RULES That Made me a Better MIXER Happy New Year, Mixdown family! I hope you had a great holiday and your return to normal life has been smooth! Many of us use the start of a new year to make positive changes to our habits (resolutions, right?). I’d
What PROS do when MIXING with Drum Samples
What PROS do when MIXING with Drum Samples In today’s video, we’re looking at creative ways to use drum samples! Drums can be a huge challenge to mix well, especially when they’re poorly recorded, or just don’t sound the way you want them to. While it’s always better to GIRATS,
How I Quickly Setup a temporary Home Studio
How I Quickly Setup a temporary Home Studio Now that I’m getting settled in Calgary, I wanted to give you an updated tour of my studio! Since we’re currently renting, I can’t do any major construction projects, so the setup is more temporary. In this video, I want to show
Sharing my CUBASE MACROS // CRUSH your CUBASE Workflow
Sharing my CUBASE MACROS // CRUSH your CUBASE Workflow Today we’re talking all about macros in Cubase… What they are, how to use them, and more. I’ll show you where to find them, how to create new macros, and share several macros I use on a regular basis. I’d also
M1 Max MacBook Pro // What You Need to Know + Stress Test in CUBASE
M1 Max MacBook Pro // What You Need to Know + Stress Test in CUBASE In today’s video, I’m going to talk more about my new MacBook Pro M1 Pro Max laptop, that is now the heart of my Home Studio. Now that I’ve been working with it for a
I’M BACK with a NEW STUDIO COMPUTER
I’M BACK with a NEW STUDIO COMPUTER New studio, new… laptop???? That’s right! I’m now running everything off this Laptop Computer that I just picked up. When I got started in music production, I NEVER would have thought that I could operate with “just” a laptop. How times have changed.
MY NEW COURSE IS OUT | The CUBASE Recording Machine
MY NEW COURSE IS OUT | The CUBASE Recording Machine ➡️ THE CUBASE RECORDING MACHINE CLICK HERE for all the details ➡️ mixdown.online/recording It’s finally here! While saying a tearful goodbye to the red couch, we’re also welcoming in a brand-new, full-length course to the Mixdown Online family… When I
This Cubase Feature will make you MIX Music Faster
This Cubase Feature will make you MIX Music Faster If your plugin list give you analysis paralysis every time you fire up your DAW, the Cubase Plugin Manager could be just what you need! Today we’re looking at this amazingly helpful plugin that’s included in Cubase. It provides an easy
Mixing on HEADPHONES? – SoundID Reference vs Waves NX Studio
Mixing on HEADPHONES? – SoundID Reference vs Waves NX Studio Today we’re taking a look at two excellent plugins to help you make better mixes on your headphones!Sonarworks Sound ID and Waves NX Studio are designed to overcome the limitations engineers face when mixing on headphones. But which one is
Top FREE Mixing Plugins for 2022
Top FREE Mixing Plugins for 2022 Plugins can get crazy expensive (especially if you’re an addict!) But don’t despair, there are some truly excellent free plugins available to you, and today I’m going to share 10 of my favorites. Leave a comment below if I missed your favorite free plugin
My top 5 Vocal SATURATION Tips for a PRO Vocal Sound
My top 5 Vocal SATURATION Tips for a PRO Vocal Sound My top 5 Vocal SATURATION Tips for a PRO Vocal Sound In the final video of the series on producing pro vocals, we’re going to talk about saturation! Saturation is key to getting warmth, color, and depth to your
Hey Chris
Great work, love the your vids, very informative and professional.
I would like to know if you could give me some assistance with my recordings, I seem to be having some sort of noise in my vocal recordings.
I first thought it was my audio interface( behringer umc202), which I then bought a new one(scarlet 2i2), but still heard the noise.
Then thought it was my microphone (behringer c1), then I bought the Rode Nt2a, but still heard the noise.
I’ve monitored my input levels on the interface, but it doesn’t seem to be clipping.
The noise if really frustrating as it is ruining my vocals.
Please could you assist me in finding out what could be causing this noise, I can send you a sample of the recording.
It is not throughout the track but as certain times.
Im using a 2012 iMac, 8 gig ram, i5.
I will really appreciate any help.
Thanks for the great work, I’ve learnt a lot from your youtube channel.
I have watched several videos on channel levels, bus levels and master levels but still having trouble with the control room level meter when looking at average loudness. How important is that level meter and what meter scale should be used there. Great job with your videos. I may look at others but always come back to see what you say to make my moves.
Thanks
Greetings Chris, Hope all is well. I requested the free template download and still have not received the download link yet.
My email is starr7rcs@yshoo.com.
Also, I was wondering if you can help me solve an issue with midi? Sorry, to be off topic. I sure could use some help with playing midi with my controller. For some reason now all my midi notes being recorded as I play are at the same volume, velocity stuck at 75 no matter how soft or hard I pressed the keys. Never had this problem before. I tried other keyboards that worked normally before, however, they all present the same problem. I tried resetting the preferences. I tried repairing Cubase. I even uninstalled Cubase 9.5 and reinstalled it to no avail. I checked for any hardware changes, all was normal. I reinstalled the current Steinberg interface, ur22 drivers. I tried Greg Hondo suggestion, that did not work. I am completely stumped Is there something you can think of that is causing this? how do I restore back to how hard I press the midi keyboard to affect the incoming velocity according to how hard or soft I play, instead of a continuous velocity stuck at 75?. Thank you for sharing your Cubase knowledge.
All The Best
Tim
September 15, 2018
Chris, I’m trying to download or even receive your Mix Template I have filled out the information but have not received your email with the Mix Download book/info
Could you please send it to me.
p/s love your program and learning, hard to find someone who can identify like you can.
Cheers and thanks
Bruce
Bruce,
I just sent you an email. Very happy you like the channel 🙂 Thanks!
Hi Chris, thank’s for lot of very useful videos. I have a special question. I use to record mainly live recoding (worships) using C 9.5 for multitrack. At the postprocessing – this is my question – how deep are you going to clean up the overlappings between track (especially toms, SD and HH). Could you give some advise what is enough/sufficient. Up to now I used to clean up everything between every single hits on SD or HH also toms. – which is lot of work. Thank you in advance for your response.
KR Jan.
For drums, I will clean toms and use a gate on Kick and Snare only if the bleed is problematic. Hope that helps!
Hi Chris,
I’ve been considering purchasing the Steinberg UR-RT4 interface. You review was most timely.
Can I ask you what interfaces do you use in your studio.
Eddie
Hey Eddie,
I use the Lynx Aurora16 which is old but sounds very good. No preamps, only converters.
I’m thinking about maybe getting something more recent, we’ll see.
I also have the UR-RT4 to use with my laptop when I’m on the road
Gday Chris.
Loving your tips and info but wondering if you could tell this nooby how to import your template into Cubase 10.
Cheers Matt
Hey Matt, check this one out, it was done on C9.5 but it’s the same process with C10 https://youtu.be/kVaRWxCkqYs
Hope that helps!
Hello Chris,
I bought your ultimate guide to cubase because i’m new in the DAW world.
I really like your work and i also subscribe and follow you it helps me very much thank you for that.
So my question: i bought cubase 10 pro and 4k monitor (27 inch) and in cubase i check the HiDPI in preferences (Like you said in your tutorial) but if i open Halion soninc SE it is very small can almost not read aut if i open Groove Agent that one is big and ok to see, also the 3rd VST are small.
On my PC in display settings i set the scale to 150% but still its small.
Do you also work with 4k? is there something what i have to do in preference? or on my PC?
I hope you can help me.
Regards,
Richie
Hello Richie,
Sometimes I work in 4K (150%), if not, 2560×1440 works well for me.
All the Steinberg VSTs and plugins are supposed to work well in 4K, some third-party plugins will work well but most of them are not yet adapted to 4K, so that’s why they are small.
If you have a problem with Halion Sonic that displays too small, I would suggest getting in touch with the Steinberg support 🙂
Hallo Chris, might be a basic question but…: what is the difference between compressor and limiter in reality, do I need both of them? Peak control (C) = ceiling (L), make up gain (C) = gain (L) these are the main functions. Thank’s in advance for your response maybe tutorial (video). Jan
I can make a vid on this, no problem!
Hi Chris,
I have been watching your videos for an year or so and I don´t miss any.
I would like to see a video showing how to solve this situation in Cubase.
I do a lot of recording exchanging files (I am in Brazil and my partner in California). A common situation is the necessity to put to “identical” files aligned … what happens is that sometimes one of us inserts a silence at the beginning for an intro or something like this and when sending the file back everything has to be moved accordingly to the “new” main file. “Identical” files with two different starting points, have to be aligned in order to keep the other files in the right place.
I am sure there is an easy way to do it and you already know how.
If you’re using the same DAW, you could just share the DAW Project file to do your work.
If not using the same DAW there’s also AAF and OMF format that you can export your project on and open in another DAW. AAF is newer and has more information than OMF but still limited compare to a DAW project file. Exchanging files using the same starting point is imo a very good option if not using the same DAW
Hello Chris, thanks for this website and all your youtube videos, they certainly help out a lot and solve lots of problems.
I am using Cubase Artist 10 and it does not come with the “Control Room” feature as in Cubase pro.
The problem is this…..I want to set up a headphone mix for the vocalist, but I can’t figure out how to do that in Cubase Artist.
All the youtube videos all instruct how to use the “control Room” and even Cubase online help says cue mixes are only avaibale in Cubase pro with the Control room.
Is there a way to do headphone mixes or Cue Mixes in Cubase Artist?
It depends on which sound interface you have. It will be more simple to make a video on this but basically, you need to use a second stereo output and route an FX channel or Group channel into that output which will be used to send out a headphone mix from your interface. Send Pre-Fader the signal of each channel you want to feed the headphone mix to the FX or Group channel and that will be your headphone mix… I will do a video on this.
Hi Chris,
You’re video’s are a little addictive. I keep watching several video’s.
Especially about Cubase 10 Pro which i also own.
I’ve learned the basics how to work with Macro’s, Project Logical Editor and Generic remote.
Wonderful things you could do with it.
For now i want to make two Macro’s (to use with Generic remote)
1. Change a specific Midi Channel of an active Instrument Track (f.i. Midi Channel 3 to Midi Channel 4) in the Inspector.
2. Change a specific Input Routing device of an active Instrument Track (f.i. MOTU Midi Express 128: Port 2 to Port 3) in the Inspector.
Could you tell me how to do this ?
Thanks for your great help.
Jan.
Happy you like my videos 🙂
To answer your question, it requires some research since I don’t have a quick answer for you.
I won’t be able to look into it at the time being with my crazy schedule. To point you in the right direction, you will have to search in the list of Commands to build up your macro.
Macros will only work if the steps you want to do are available as Commands.
Hey Chris,
I am a very longtime user of Cubase and yet I have learned so many interesting technics and cool tricks from your Youtube videos!
There’s a topic I would love to see you broach in a future video! “RE-AMPING”
How do you approach it? and what are your best practices about it? Do I need a re-amping box or will one of my preamp do just fine?
There are a few videos about it on Youtube but somehow they just aren’t as informative as your video!
Thank you!
I love that idea!
I will this to my list
Thanks for the suggestion 🙂
Hey Chris,
Was all through the main course pages and general site for some kind of contact info for you. I could find anything except this blog page. Is this the only place to ask questions, give feedback etc.?
Thanks,
Mark
Send me an email info@mixdownonline.com
Hello! How do i split the MixConsole in CUBASE 10.5?
MyBest/Peter from Stockholm/Sweden
Hey Peter, check this one out https://youtu.be/z4-SyjKCX28
Hi Chris…..please help…I have a large number of Cubase 4 projects on an XP computer which is showing it’s age so I purchased a Windows 10 computer and Cubase 10 Pro.
When I transfer either a project folder or just an audio clip from cubase 4 to Cubase 10 the new clip seems to have masses of reverb which I can’t get rid of. If I transfer a dry audio clip and play it using Windows (ie not within Cubase) the clip sounds dry, perfect but transfer it into Cubase and presto REVERB REVERB REVERB or what sounds like reverb.
Hello Jim,
That is a weird problem. Make sure the output of the audio track is not Routed in an FX channel, make sure it goes directly to the Stereo Out.
It’s a Reverb plugin in your Session that does that. Also, you can try to import those audio files in an Empty Cubase project
Can you do a video receive a Cubase plugin called rotary.
Hello,
Thank you for the great template and video. It is helping me to get up to speed very quickly on a great DAW. (Coming from Sonar), So there does seem to be a small problem I can’t solve with the template. After loading, I decided to load my midi drum kit, Absolute Drums 2 (as an instrument track). The tempo seems to be sped up. This is true when I Cue/sample the beats, as well as when I import midi into the new track. The tempo is way off, too fast. I tried the same thing with a new template and Groove Agent. Same thing, fast tempo, like 200bpm, etc. even though the tempo setting is 120 or 90bpm. When I create a new project and load the drum, no issues, all normal. Only with your template. Is there some setting I’m not seeing that is in your template? I love the template and work flow so hoping you may know what’s up or I’ll have to build it manually from scratch. Any thoughts?
Hello David, happy you like the template.
Your problem is a bit odd. On my side, it works fine when I load a VSTi in my template. I have to say that this template is more a MIX template than a recording/production template but still works ok.
My suggestion is to create yourself a Empty Cubase Project and use the “Import from Project” feature if you have the Pro version to import all the tracks from my Cubase Template CPR project. Then, save this project as your new template. Hope that helps!
Greetings,
I just wanted to post the solution, as it always helps. So your idea to “Import from Project” is the correct way. I’m happy to have great gear and mix at 96K, so importing after creating a new empty project was the way to go.
Hi Chris,
I’m taking your Cubase beginners course and although is very informative it falls short in a sense it is not provided on a context of a real example. It would be great if you could prepare a song or a couple of songs in which you use almost all the most important functionalities of the software. To be honest, I am a bit frustrated since I really cant link what you are explaining with a real life example. Without that, I feel Im not getting enough bang for my buck. Many thanks.
Hello Joe, I assume you’re referring to The Ultimate Guide to Cubase? This is a course on Cubase itself as a software, explaining all the features, and not on recording, editing or mixing techniques. But I did use a song to explain some Cubase features though.
I’m working on a Mixing in Cubase course that will focus on Mixing techniques using Cubase plugins, maybe that new course will meet your needs better. If you’re not satisfied with the course and you think this course doesn’t help you out managing Cubase, send me an email and I will issue a refund no problem my friend 🙂 At the same time, let me know what kind of course you would like to see. info@mixdownacademy.com
Hello,
I have one question about Cubase, is it possible to export signature track. I’m using last updated version of Cubase.
Thanks in advance.
greetings
Dalibor
Not that I know of!
Hey Chris.
Thanks for all your fantastic Cubase advice.
Have you ever used Cubase to connect to other musicians, live via Jamulus?
All the very best
James
Hey James,
No, I don’t even knew about Jamulus. Thanks for sharing!
No I didn’t, never heard of Jamulus before so thanks for sharing!
Hey Chris, I also have been learning som much from your videos. I purchased your first Cubase tutorial as well. I have been trying to get your mix template and color scheme as well. I’ve filled out the info and subscribed many times but never receive the email link.
Hello John,
Glad you’re learning from my videos 🙂
Weird, maybe that’s because you’re already on my mailing list. I just sent out an email with the link to access the Workshop.
Have a nice weekend!
Greetings Chris,
I’ve noticed in your videos that you are using a Kensington Trackball. It would be great if you would create a video tutorial on how you use it with Cubase
Yes, I recently put my hands on one and LOVE IT so far. Maybe I can do a quick video on this 🙂
Chris,
I truly appreciate all of the help you have given me so far both from the YouTube videos and your responses to my YouTube posts.
In their quest to make it possible for us (brickwall) limited budget types to do more and more with stock plugins, Steinberg has given us more stuff to figure out in V12. Catch 22.
I’m wondering if you would consider any of the following topics: (1) side-to-side comparison of Raiser and Maximizer (2) side-to-side comparison of MB Compressor chained with MB Expander vs. Squasher (3) side-to-side comparison of Brickwall Limiter+Maximizer+Lin Dither vs. Waves L2.
Thanks.
Looking forward to the Mixing course. The thumbnail is hilarious, BTW.
Great Article! Thank you for sharing this is a very informative post, and looking forward to the latest one