Cubase vocal presets are prebuilt chains you can load in seconds—EQ, compression, de-essing, color, and space—so your first take already sounds polished. This guide shows three reliable install routes (Track Presets, MediaBay Favorites, and Track Archives/Templates), how to tag and search them fast, and how to adapt a chain to your mic and genre. If you want a polished head start before you tweak, explore curated Cubase vocal presets and then fine-tune thresholds, attack/release, and FX sends to your voice.
I. What a Cubase “vocal preset” actually is
In Cubase, a vocal preset can be any of the following saved assets that recall your processing and (optionally) routing:
- Track Preset (.vstpreset) — recalls inserts, Channel Strip/EQ, and some routing attributes on an audio track.
- FX Chain preset — saves your insert stack so you can apply it to any track quickly.
- Channel Strip/EQ preset — saves just the built-in strip/EQ state; great for stock-only setups and low CPU.
- Track Archive (.xml) — imports fully configured tracks (lead, doubles, harmonies, returns) into any project.
- Project Template — opens a new session with your vocal lanes, sends, and monitoring already wired.
All of these are searchable inside MediaBay, which is Cubase’s library browser. Once a preset is in a scanned folder (or your user library), it’s one drag to load.
II. Pre-install checklist (do once)
- Update Cubase to the latest stable version for your OS.
- Confirm your audio driver (ASIO on Windows) and mic input are set.
- If the pack lists third-party plug-ins, install and license them first.
- Open Studio → VST Plug-in Manager and rescan so Cubase sees new plug-ins.
- Open MediaBay (F5) once; you’ll use it to index and tag your preset folder.
III. Three ways to install Cubase vocal presets
A) Track Preset (fastest, drag-and-drop)
- Unzip your download. Keep its folder names intact.
- Open your project and create an audio track named “Lead Vox.”
- Drag the .vstpreset (Track Preset) from Finder/Explorer into the Project window or MixConsole. Cubase adds the track or applies the chain, depending on the preset type.
- Save it to your user library: with the track selected, open the Inspector menu and choose Save Track Preset… Give it a clear name (e.g., “Lead — Clean Pop (CB)” ).
Use this when you want instant recall on any song without touching folder paths.
B) MediaBay Favorite (non-destructive, organized)
- Place the unzipped preset folder somewhere permanent (e.g.,
Documents/BCHILL/Cubase/Vocal Presets/
). - Open MediaBay (F5) → right-click in the Locations tree → Add Favorite and point to that folder.
- Click the Rescan button. You’ll now see all presets inside this Favorite.
- Filter by Attribute → Media Type if needed (Track Preset / FX Chain / Strip).
- Drag any preset from MediaBay onto your vocal track to load it.
Use this when you want a vendor folder to live in your browser with tags and ratings, without copying files.
C) Track Archive / Template (full setups, multi-track)
- If your pack includes a Track Archive (.xml), use File → Import → Track Archive… and select the file.
- Choose the tracks to import (Lead, Doubles L/R, Harmonies, Ad-libs, Slap/Plate returns) and click OK.
- Optionally save your current session as a Project Template so new songs open ready to record.
Use this when you want the complete vocal rig—including sends, colors, and groups—in one move.
IV. Where things live (so installs survive updates)
The easiest approach is to let MediaBay index your chosen folder (Method B). That way, you don’t have to memorize OS-specific paths. If you prefer user folders, Cubase stores Track/FX/Strip presets in standard VSTpreset locations that MediaBay already watches. Either way, always rescan after adding files, and keep a backup copy of your vendor folder.
Asset | File Type | How to Load | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Track Preset | .vstpreset | Drag from MediaBay or Load Track Preset | Recalls inserts, EQ/Strip, some routing. |
FX Chain preset | .vstpreset | Insert rack menu → Load FX Chain | Applies to the selected track’s inserts. |
Channel Strip/EQ preset | .vstpreset | Strip/EQ module menu → Load Preset | Low CPU; stock-only workflows. |
Track Archive | .xml | File → Import → Track Archive… | Multi-track rigs; great for full vocal stacks. |
Project Template | Template | File → New Project | One-click “studio ready” sessions. |
V. First-time load: route, monitor, and gain-stage
- Route the mic: set your audio track input to the correct interface channel. Enable Input Monitoring if you want to hear the chain live.
- Load the preset: add the Track/FX/Strip preset from MediaBay or the Inspector menus.
- Set input gain: sing at performance level and aim raw peaks around −12 to −8 dBFS before processing.
- Latency sanity: if tracking feels delayed, keep a “Lite” version (EQ → light comp → de-ess) for recording and re-enable polish at mix time.
- Record a 10–20 s pass and A/B the chain (bypass/enable) to confirm clarity without harshness.
VI. Make the preset yours (small moves that translate)
Great chains respond to small, predictable tweaks. Start here:
- Input/Trim: normalize level into the first compressor—consistent input beats heavy GR.
- De-Ess: target “soft-bright,” not dull. Tune by earbuds more than meters.
- Body: fill 120–200 Hz; avoid 250–350 Hz haze that fights guitars and pads.
- Presence: +0.5–1 dB broad near 3–4 kHz only if diction hides.
- Air: micro lift at 10–12 kHz after sibilance is calm.
- FX sends: mono slap 90–120 ms (filtered 150 Hz–6 kHz) and a bright short plate (0.7–1.0 s, 20–50 ms pre-delay). Keep verses drier; open the chorus.
VII. Quick Controls & macros (fast hands-on)
Map your most-touched parameters to Track Quick Controls so every preset feels like hardware:
- QC1 = Input/Trim
- QC2 = De-Ess amount
- QC3 = Body (low shelf)
- QC4 = Presence (wide bell)
- QC5 = Air (high shelf)
- QC6 = Comp threshold
- QC7 = Slap send
- QC8 = Plate send
Save as a new Track Preset so these assignments travel with the chain.
VIII. Role-based vocal lanes (Lead, Doubles, Harmonies, Ad-libs)
Presets work best as a small “family” so each lane sounds intentional.
- Lead: mono-solid center; minimal widening. Rides and diction first.
- Doubles: higher HPF, a bit more de-ess, tucked 6–9 dB under; micro-pan L/R.
- Harmonies: darker and wider; filter low-mids harder; small 5 kHz shimmer if needed.
- Ad-libs: narrower bandwidth (HPF ~200 Hz, LPF ~8–10 kHz), side-panned; short throws at transitions.
IX. A reliable stock-only chain (rebuild inside Cubase)
- Channel EQ: HPF 80–100 Hz; smooth 250–350 Hz if boxy; optional narrow dip near 1 kHz if nasal.
- Compressor A (Inserts or Strip): ratio 2:1–3:1; attack 10–30 ms; release 80–160 ms; 3–5 dB on phrases.
- De-Esser (Strip or plug-in): wide band 6–8 kHz; set by earbuds.
- Compressor B (catcher): faster, 1–2 dB on peaks for send stability.
- Saturation (Magneto II/Tube): low mix for density; output matched.
- EQ polish: +0.5–1 dB broad at ~3–4 kHz if diction hides; small air shelf only after de-ess.
- FX (sends): slap 90–110 ms; short plate 0.7–1.0 s with 20–50 ms pre-delay; filter returns.
X. Live with bright hats & heavy subs (two-track beats)
- Carve, don’t fight: on the instrumental bus, try a keyed dynamic dip at 2–4 kHz while the vocal speaks so consonants pop without thinning the music.
- Sub management: if syllables vanish under 808 tails, nudge a keyed low-shelf reduction around 120–180 Hz during vocal phrases—keep it subtle to avoid pumping.
- Top-end comfort: filter delay/plate returns; avoid big air shelves on the lead if cymbals are already bright.
XI. Organization & search (MediaBay wins)
-
Names that sort:
Lead — Clean Pop
,Rap — Punch
,Harmony — Wide Soft
,Ad-Lib — Phone
. - Tags: add “Lead”, “Rap”, “R&B”, “Airy”, or your mic model for instant filters.
- Ratings: star your top 3; too many “favorites” slow you down.
XII. Troubleshooting (problem → focused move)
- Preset loads but feels incomplete. A plug-in is missing or disabled. Install the exact version and rescan in VST Plug-in Manager, then reload.
- Don’t see new presets in MediaBay. Add the folder as a Favorite and click Rescan. Ensure the filter isn’t hiding the media type.
- Macros/Quick Controls don’t move anything. Map QCs to your key parameters, then resave the Track Preset so the assignments travel.
- Harsh S’s after brightening. Raise de-ess slightly and reduce air by ~0.5 dB; low-pass FX returns to ~6–7 kHz.
- Latency while monitoring. Track with a lite chain; enable heavy verbs/tape later. Use direct monitoring if your interface supports it.
- Levels jump between presets. Level-match when A/B’ing; use a final trim to compare fairly.
- After an update, presets seem “gone.” The location tree changed. Re-add your vendor folder as a MediaBay Favorite and rescan.
XIII. Backup & migration (future-proof your setup)
- Backup now: copy your vendor preset folder and any user presets you’ve saved to a cloud drive.
- New computer: install Cubase and required plug-ins, then add your preset folder as a MediaBay Favorite and rescan.
- Share a preset: send the Track Preset and list any third-party plug-ins; include a stock-only variant when possible.
XIV. Learn more (next skill in the chain)
Once your chain is installed, deliverables matter. If you’re collaborating or sending your song out for mixing, keep names, starts, and tails consistent. This walkthrough shows the exact steps to export stems from Cubase so files open cleanly anywhere.
XV. Copyable quick-install recap
- Unzip the pack.
- Fast: drag the Track Preset (.vstpreset) into Cubase → save as your own Track Preset.
- Organized: add the folder as a MediaBay Favorite → rescan → drag to load.
- Full rig: import the Track Archive (.xml) or start from a Project Template.
- Set input peaks around −12 to −8 dBFS, tweak de-ess/body/presence lightly, and save your “Lead — YourName” version.
With one clean install, smart tagging, and a simple template, Cubase becomes a fast, repeatable vocal workflow. You’ll spend less time hunting for chains and more time recording takes that translate on phones, earbuds, and big rooms alike.