Cubase Introduction Course

Course materials:

Weekly webchat with an experienced pro producer

Personalised project feedback via video

Over 20 Quicktime video tutorials

300 pages of notes

Song files and audio samples

24/7 access to student / tutor discussion forums

Course Breakdown:

MIDI Sequencing

• What is MIDI?
• How to use virtual instruments (VST's) in Cubase
• Basic structure: beats, bars, tempo & time signature
• How to record MIDI

Introduction to Drum Programming

• Differentiating the sounds (snare, kick, hats etc.)
• Programming drum machines
• Making your first beat
• Editing MIDI: velocity, note length and quantize

Drum Programming - 2: Groove and Live Feel

• How to use the step sequencer
• Understanding the key editor
• What is ‘groove’ and 'live' feel?
• Adding a groove to your beats

Percussion & Other Beat-Making Techniques

• The role of percussion instruments
• How to edit your drums in Cubase
• Key drum programming techniques
• Adding "swing" and "shuffle" to your beats

Introduction to Chords & MIDI Plug-ins

• Basic theory: Notes, octaves, tones and semi tones
• What is a scale? Constructing Scales
• Chord construction and inversion
• MIDI plug-ins: how to use Cubase’s Chorder

Making the Bassline

• Understanding the role of the bassline
• Key basslines tecniques to bear in mind
• Creating chord following basslines
• How to record and editing a bassline

Introduction to Analog Synthesis

• How do synthesizers work?
• Cubase synths: A1, VB1 and Monologue
• Getting to grips with the oscillator: envelopes, filter and volume
• Creating 'classic' synth sounds

Analog Synthesis - 2

• Modulation: giving expression to a sound
• How to modulate the filter using various parameters
• Glide with bass and synth sounds / Portamento
• What is LFO and how does it work?

The Step Designer, Arpeggiator and MIDI Plug-ins

• The Arpeggiator in modern music
• How to use Cubase’s Arpeggiator
• Creating sequences and phrases with the Step Designer
• Creating synth riffs with the Step Designer

Structure & Arrangement

• Instrumentation and arrangement
• How to create a basic structure for your tracks
• Add interest: Understanding breaks, cuts and fills
• How to structure a killer club track

Mixing Basics

• Which studio monitor for you?
• Mixing your track in Cubase
• EQ, Levels, and panning
• FX channels: adding reverb & delay

Final Project

• Final mix down
• How to save as MP3 and burn to audio CD
• Final project submission
• Final exam

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Tutor profile

JC Concato
JC's previous projects include production, engineering and remix work for the likes of Bjork, Portishead, The Cure, Erasure, Allister Whitehead, Galliano, Pressure Drop, Raggatwins and Renegade Soundwave.

Created on this course