How to Use Effectrix in Cubase
Effectrix is an effect sequencer. When loaded into a digital audio workstation, DAW, application, such as Cubase, it syncs to the master sequencer's tempo and offers a second sequencer window, where the user can program the automation of effect parameters. It offers several stand-alone effects units, any number of which can be used at once. Each has it's own channel, where instructions can be added to turn the effect on and off or adjust the parameters at specific points in the track.
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Instructions
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Launch Cubase, and open a project that contains at least one audio track. Since Effectrix is an effects processing plug-in, it needs to be applied to some existing audio. A separate instance of Effectrix can be set up as an insert on each channel by clicking the slot on the mixer channel and selecting "Effectrix" from the drop-down list. As this is hard on system resources, it is preferable to set Effectrix up as an auxiliary bus to which numerous audio channels can be routed.
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Open the "Mixer" view in Cubase. Select the "Window" drop-down menu from the top toolbar, and select "Mixer." In the mixer view, click the "+" button, and select "New Aux Channel" in the pop-up dialog. Scroll to the far right of the mixer, past all the instrument channels. Before the Master output channel at the very end, the new auxiliary channel is visible. Click on an insert slot at the top of the auxiliary channel, and select "Effectrix" from the drop-down menu.
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Click on the "Input" slot on the auxiliary channel, just above the volume fader. Enter the "Bus" branch of the drop-down menu, and select a bus that currently is unassigned. Unassigned buses display as numbered, such as "Bus 42." Those that are already being used have a channel name next to them in brackets. Among the instrument channels, locate the audio track to which you want to apply Effectrix.
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Click on the "Send" slot in the audio track's mixer channel. From the drop-down menu, select the same bus selected as the auxiliary channel input. A small knob appears next to the bus slot. Turning this knob sends more of the audio signal to the auxiliary channel for processing by Effectrix. It's a lot like the "Wet/Dry" mix control found on a lot of audio effects.
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Click on the "e" button in the auxiliary channel strip. The Effectrix window opens and allows the effects to be edited. Pressing "Play" in Cubase causes Effectrix's own 32-step sequencer to run in tandem. You are able to see a highlighted square moving from left to right across the grid and a list of effect types down the right side. Painting a horizontal line next to one of those effects causes that effect to be switched on as the play head passes over the line. Highlighting an effect name on the left causes the additional settings and controls for that effect to be displayed at the bottom of the Effectrix window.
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Tips & Warnings
Using the pattern sequencer in Effectrix, it is possible to create evolving melody lines and changing patterns, just as you would notes on a MIDI sequencer.
References
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