Cubase SX/SL 2 Power!

Chapter 4. Navigating the Project Window

Now that you have Cubase installed and running correctly, it's time to delve into using it. The heart of Cubase is the project window, which is the main window that appears when you create a new file or launch Cubase, depending on the start-up preferences. Understanding how the project window works and what you can do in it is crucial to your work in Cubasethat's why we are going to spend an entire chapter making sure you understand all the nuances associated with it. Anything you do outside this window (but inside Cubase) will always be reflected in some way in the project window. These changes might not appear at first glance, but they will certainly affect the project's behavior. For example, if you delete a clip in another window, such as the media pool, it will show up in the project window if the audio clip you deleted in the pool is used in the project. If you change a MIDI channel, that change will be reflected in the project window. It is your main working area.

Here's a summary of what you will learn in this chapter:

• How to use the toolbar buttons .

• The different areas in the project window and how to use them.

• What markers are and how to use them.

• How to use the Transport panel.

• What the Tempo track is.

• Troubleshooting tips when you have problems with MIDI.

• An overview of the project window's context menus .