Let’s say I have a track that starts on -5db, and I automated it’s volume of the to go up and down throughout the song.
Now, I simply wanted to change the starting volume of this track - to be -3db, for example, and maintain all of the automation that I wrote - I want the same changes in db to done along the track.
Can it be done? I can’t find a solution.
Many thanks
Two ways that come to mind:
If you want to just edit the nodes you’ve created, select them all, then make the dB reduction or addition to whatever shows up in the value field – all nodes are adjusted accordingly, not just the one whose value is showing.
Add a VCA to the track in question, then raise or lower the VCA fader by the amount you want to add or subtract.
If I’m sure of what I want to do, and that the changes will be permanent, I usually go with the first approach, but, if I’m not sure and want to experiment, or if I might want to make different changes in different parts of the track (e.g. lowering the fader curve in the first part of a song then raising it later, but still keeping the same relative moves within each part, I’ll go with the second.
A third option would be to put a simple volume controll plugin as aninsert (post fader slot ) on your track. I would use the free G sonalksis plugin. I has a very precise metering as well.
In addition to the above suggestions, which are great, I’d also suggest really looking at how the entire signal flow works in Cubase so you understand where the volume automation really fits in with everything else.
You have several ways to deal with gain staging, basic clip gain, and automation, etc., and how that all relates (or doesn’t relate) to what is fed into your fx chain, etc. For example, it might be better in some cases to use pre-gain so it hits your compressors the way you want, and so forth. Pre-gain and clip gain are independent of volume automation.
Anyway, it’s a big topic, but do searches for tutorials on the above different ways of dealing with gain and fader automation, and you’ll become a master of the signal flow in Cubase, and your mixes will improve.
BTW on top of all that, you can use other tricks in Cubase, like DOP (Direct Offline Processing), which may (or may not) be appropriate in some situations too!
So Cubase lets you deal with this in many ways, just learn the full signal flow and you’ll thank yourself for spending the time.
Good luck!
EDIT: BTW, here’s a basic overview that covers the main signal flow points you should know… it actually doesn’t directly cover using an FX to adjust volume (which is one of the useful suggestions above), but you’ll see where that would fit in the signal flow, and it doesn’t cover VCA tracks (another suggestion above), and it doesn’t cover other tricks like DOP… but it does touch on group channels…
Anyway, so check this one out for starters:
Then, to understand VCA vs groups, check out this:
There are more nuances, but that should give you a good birds eye view.
Search the Cubase manual for “Automation Event Editor”. You should be able to just draw a range selection and pull down all automation values an equal amount within that range.
another tool for this is the “Trim” mode in automation panel
here is a video demonstrating it
