MAutoVolume - how to use it with Cubase?

[qbaser]

Im now even more lost. Im pretty clued up on using Cubase but this instruction has me lost. Really sorry mate, just leave it, I dont want to take up more of your time.

[MeldaProduction]

Oh, I missed some discussion. Ok, so in Cubase it is actually very simple. You have 2 options:

A) Just put the plugin on the vocals. This way it will keep stable loudness in the vocals, but if the background changes, it cannot compensate for it. Though usually this is good enough, and you'll use compressors for the rest of the mix anyway.

B) To follow the "background", proceed like this:
1) Create a group channel, named "MIX" for example.
2) Route everything except for the vocals into the MIX (no sending! just set the output for each track) - so MIX will contain everything except for the vocals just before it gets to the master track.
3) Add MAutoVolume to the vocal track and activate its sidechain (both in Cubase and in the plugin itself).
4) Add "send" to the MIX track, select MAutoVolume as output.

That's all. Then you can play with settings, but the defaults are usually sufficient. If not, focus on sensitivity and background sensitivity.

[qbaser]

Thank you Vojtexk

Are you saying in point 3, add mautovolume as an insert on the vocal or to setup an fx channel, then adding the send to the vocal? And also on point 4, adding a send on the mix channel, pointing it to the plugin?

[MeldaProduction]

I think you are really trying to make it more complicated than necessary . Just imagine it is a processor similar to a side-chain compressor, that manipulates the volume and it can use the side-chain to measure some other signal. There's no need for any FX tracks (in fact, I have no idea what are you trying to accomplish with FX tracks, for me FX tracks can be used for reverbs and that's more or less all). So just insert it onto the track you want to fix and send everything else to its' sidechain. You need one additional "group track" and that's all.

[qbaser]

Thanks Vojteck, please bear with me, I haven't ever used a side chain feature so this is new to me buddy.

I have done everything in the steps you mentioned. However in step 4 you say Add 'send' to the mix track'. This is the step that has thrown me. I interpret that as adding a 'send' on the mix track bus? But there is no option to set MautoVolume as the output? You are talking to a village idiot here now, I feel worthless lol. Please help me help myself

Al

[MeldaProduction]

you have to activate side-chain in the plugin - use VST3 and click the "arrow" button in the top of the VST3 editor. Then it will be available as send.
Maybe check some Cubase tutorials, this is a pretty basic stuff you really should know.

[qbaser]

Pretty basic, although I've never needed side chaining so far. I've learned today.

Finally got it working, I was using the non VST3 version.

Now I just need to work out the best settings within the plugin itself. I note that if I reduce the mix buss containing the backing music, the volume of Matuvlume plugin doesn't reduce in line with this which is what I thought should happen, i.e. the goal track adjusts depending on the mix volume? I need to now go and dabble a bit.

Thanks so much for putting me in the right direction.
Al

[MeldaProduction]

VST3 side-chaining will definitely be easier.

Now notice the background sensitivity, which defines how much the plugin will listen to the mix. Also note that you can send it "pre-fader", in which case the fader just won't make any difference (this is about Cubase, not the plugin of course).

[qbaser]

Thanks again Vojteck. I really appreciate your assistance and everyone else's with this feature. I've learned a lot

Good weekend to you
Cheers
Al

[MeldaProduction]

My pleasure, have a nice side-chained weekend