Cubase & midi keyboard not working :(

cathypurc

Hi there, Im using Cubase Sx3 and a Focuright Saffire USB Audio Interface. Everything is working fine but for some reason Cubase isnt recignising any input from my keyboard? For example when I load up a VST like EWQL Symphonic Orchestra, if I click on the kryboard input on the VST with my mouse I can see the notes being played on the keyboard input but no sound comes out?

I really need to get this working for college and Im stumped, can anyone advise me how to set up my keyboard for it to work correctly with my current set up?

Thanks C

TroutMask

Try this:
Go to the audio preferences pane and see if your Saffire is selected as the interface. If not, change it to your audio interface

musicformedia

Hi, I'm actually trying to get her setup but can't figure it out myself. By audio preferences, do you mean "device manager" and VST audio System?

I set the saffire as the ASIO driver in VST audio system on device setup, and on VST connections (f4) I added a stereo bus with two inputs and two outputs. Whenever we load up any software, and click on the virrtual keyboard, the sound comes out, so it looks like the audio interface is setup correctly.

We just can't get Cubase to recognise the input from the keyboard (ie. when you play notes on the keyboard, no sound is generated in Cubase)

TroutMask

That's what I meant - couldn't remember the names of the panels in Cubase/Nuendo and was too lazy to find my iLok & fire it up

a) Anyway, check the transport for MIDI IN messages - there's a light that registers when messages are coming in. If good, skip to step c

b) go back to devices and make sure your MIDI keyboard is set as the MIDI input.

c) make sure either the track is record enabled OR the 'monitor' button is enabled ( a little yellow button with a speaker).

The default on most DAW mixer channels & VST channels is to have no sound until the channel's Record button is armed, or the monitor button is switched on. This can be changed in the preferences, but you'll need to understand the various monitoring topologies. AFAIK the Cubase manual explains this well.

musicformedia

Good stuff thats sorted it thanks - all working now cheers!

TroutMask

Word

musicformedia

TroutMask wrote: »

Word

Actually sorry one last problem! Now we're recording - have a midi track loaded up, Kontakt loaded up - all sounds are heard fine. When you start recording though, you can hear the notes, but no notes are being recorded in Cubase - record a midi track and no notes are captured? Any ideas?

TroutMask

Just checking a couple of things
Is the track highlighted and armed to record? Have you pressed the Record button on the transport?

musicformedia

TroutMask wrote: »

Just checking a couple of things
Is the track highlighted and armed to record? Have you pressed the Record button on the transport?

The track is highlighted, armed to record, pressed the record button and it records a track, but theres just nothing in the midi track. Its blank Kinda weird, can't figure it out - we can hear everything perfect.

Here's two images of what it looks like.

TroutMask

Hmm I've seen Cubase behaviour like this before - though it's been so long I can't remember the solution. Firstly, try disconnecting the MIDI output, as you will only need the input, and this can help eliminate any MIDI loops.

Next, check the MIDI filter page, sometimes Cubase decides to switch all of the filters on by default! If a MIDI filter box is checked, then that type of MIDI message will not be recorded: e.g., MIDI note is checked - then no MIDI notes will be recorded (but other messages will)

TroutMask

Read your post again - definitely looks like MIDI filters

musicformedia

TroutMask wrote: »

Read your post again - definitely looks like MIDI filters

OK cool thanks. I've had a look but can't figure out what is set incorrectly.

Screenshots attached.

The level meter moves when we play notes on the keyboard when its not recording. When it is recording, the level meter doesnt move at all. Sounds like a midi loop or something, but can't figure out what setting is incorrect?

Thanks again for your help so far by the way

TroutMask

Hi, you're welcome

1.jpg holds the answer: you're filtering out all of your MIDI messages when in Record mode. Filter (in MIDI speak) means you're not letting
through: Note, Poly pressure, Controller, Program/Patch, Aftertouch and Pitch Bend. That's why it's not recording

Uncheck all of these filters and your note events will get through

musicformedia

TroutMask wrote: »

Hi, you're welcome

1.jpg holds the answer: you're filtering out all of your MIDI messages when in Record mode. Filter (in MIDI speak) means you're not letting
through: Note, Poly pressure, Controller, Program/Patch, Aftertouch and Pitch Bend. That's why it's not recording

Uncheck all of these filters and your note events will get through

Hey thanks for your advice. Unfortunately thats hasn't worked. They're all unticked now, but still no notes being recorded as midi? Any other ideas?

I attached another screenshot showing them all unticked.

TroutMask

Hmm..... strange! This is one of those weird Cubase MIDI things - I had a similar problem with Cubase 4, the MIDI events would record, but when the transport was stopped, all of the notes would fly back to the head of the MIDI region and end up in a pile - like it recorded events but not their temporal location.

Anyway, that was with a Roland USB MIDI guitar and my way out of that one was to stop using the USB MIDI and use the 5-pin MIDI instead. I also updated Cubase 4 to the latest version.

It's hard to do further diagnostics without the machine in front of me:
So.......

First try the system with another MIDI in, a 5-pin old-school MIDI IN if you have one. Your problem could be related to the USB MIDI. Don't complete the circle, i.e., leave the MIDI OUT of Cubase disconnected.

Also.....
Mac or PC?
what OS are you on?
What version of SX 3? (should be the latest - can be found on the Steinberg site)
Have you tried Steinberg tech support or their forum at Steinberg.net? ( you can log in to Steinberg with the email used at registration with your Steinberg/Syncrosoft license)

Failing all that, you might want to try a different DAW - SX 3 is OK but the later versions are better. Or try a different brand: Logic is very good, for a low cost one Reaper is the de facto these days and has plenty of support (even a column in Sound On Sound), and Nuendo is awesome if you like the Cubase feel but want a more hi-end DAW.