I need a master volume whose level is saved with the project

Cubase
1

When I set up a project, I keep the stereo fader at 0 and mix against that, so it’s not something I want to move.

When I’m working on keyboards, I have the levels already set going into the audio interface for max gain before clipping, so I don’t want to move that, either.

I currently have a knob on the keyboard mapped to the control room level so that I can grab a knob and easily balance the level of the overall song with the keys for the typical, “more me” mix. When playing keys, my back is to the computer, so I’m trying to stay in the zone and not have to spin around back and forth to set levels.

This works out fine in terms of a convenient knob to turn the project up or down. The problem is that from song to song, the control room level I want might be different in order to balance with the keyboard part that I’m playing. However, the control room level is global to all projects, so I can’t set it to the optimal level for a given song and have it recalled when I bring the project up.

Any ideas?

2

I have a Group Channel named Final and I route all my Audio there that would normally go to Stereo Out. Then the Output from Final gets routed to Stereo Out. Normally I leave it at unity gain, but adjusting the level here would do what you want. Just remember to set it back to 0 before exporting a mix.

You might also take a look at the Monitor Mix Busses in the Control Room - although I have no expertise in using them.

3

I do it in a similiar way as Raino. A group channel that acts as what would be your master out. I then use Stereo Out for adjusting the output volume.

Do not use Control Room for adjusting the volume of your project. It is only for adjusting your speaker/headphone level, nothing else.

4

+9,999,999,999,999.852²

5

Yes. Similar here.

Multiple SUM groups. As a very quick example.

Drum & Bass
Main vocal
BVs
Orchestra
Guitars

Etc.

And even then more sums

All Vocals
Band
Rhythm
etc.

Then

Main sum

Going to

Main output

Lots of areas to make these kind of adjustments if I’ve been bad with gain staging or simply rushing. (Often the case).

6

Set up a cue mix.

7

Thanks, guys. Good suggestions all around.

Thanks, man. I make significant use of groups by section and I’m familiar with the practice of using a Final before Stereo Out. That would be one solution that would stay with my project.

Yep, that’s what I’m using Control Room for, thanks. The use case is to balance the overall volume of what comes out of Cubase with the volume of my keyboards as I’m playing. I’m just trying to be lazy and not have to reach for the knob.

Thanks. That’s another good idea, but of course brings significant overhead in that you have to essentially do your mix balance twice, once for the actual mix and once for the cue send.

8

Setting up a cue mix that matches your current mix is a one-click job. See here:
https://www.steinberg.help/r/cubase-pro/13.0/en/cubase_nuendo/topics/control_room/control_room_cue_mix_context_menu_r.html

1 Like
9

Ah, you’re right, thanks!

I used to use cue mixes for headphones but after I switched my mixer to the Yamaha TF5 I started using that instead, and clearly have lost some knowledge in the process.