How to Permanently Apply SpectraLayers ARA Edits for Cubase?

SpectraLayers
1

Hey guys,

I’m using SpectraLayers 11 as an ARA extension in Cubase. I have an audio clip, let’s say a drum kick, that I’m manually cleaning with the selection/brush tool inside SpectraLayers as ARA . I like how practical and intuitive it is to work in the ARA window, and after editing the sample, it sounds exactly the way I want.

now, I’m finished with my editing inside SpectraLayers, and I want to embed the changes into the Cubase project. I want to no longer rely on the ARA extension, just keep the processed audio clip in Cubase without needing SpectraLayers.

The issue is this:

  • If I remove the event from SpectraLayers by clicking the Remove Event button (the minus sign on the clip), the audio reverts to its original state, undoing the changes I made.
  • I also tried dragging and dropping the layer from the ARA window back into the Cubase session, but it won’t let me. (This method only worked when the layers are actual stems created using the Unmix Module, but not when the edits are made directly on the original layer, like in this example)

But, if I reopen the clip in SpectraLayers after removing the event, it remembers my previous edits, like they are cached or saved somewhere.

My question is this:
How can I permanently apply my SpectraLayers edit in Cubase after finishing with ARA? Should I bounce the clip while SpectraLayers is enabled? Or is there another method I should follow to keep my edits in the audio permanently, without needing the ARA event attached?

Thanks

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2

In Cubase, Ctrl+right-click your audio clip and then you can either:
Bounce Selection
or
Render in Place

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3

Thanks, @Robin_Lobel . I’m familiar with Cubase’s bounce and render options, but my question is specific to SpectraLayers as an ARA plugin.

When I remove the event from SpectraLayers, the audio reverts to its original state. Is this normal? Do I always need to bounce or render before removing the event to embed the edits, or is there another way to keep the changes without relying on ARA?

4

Bouncing or Rendering is the way to remove an ARA plugin while keeping its modifications in Cubase.

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5

From the context menu in Cubase/Nuendo, that is typically by right clicking the actual Part, > Extensions > Make extension permanent.
I’ve created a key command for this, works fine when the Part in Cubase/Nuendo is selected.

No need to bounce or render in place.

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6

Ah right, I forgot about this way too :slight_smile:

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7

It works very neatly.
It would have been nice if we could call up SL ARA with a key command too, but that’s up to the Cubase/Nuendo team to implement I suppose.

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8

Thanks, Marshall! That’s exactly what I was looking for ;))

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