Setting up a MIDI keyboard (controller) in the Cubase program on Windows OS

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 In this article, we will consider setting up a MIDI keyboard (controller) using the example of M-Audio Oxygen 25 MK V in a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) Cubase 11, this method is relevant for all earlier versions of the program. Let's pay special attention to the assignable faders and buttons.

 So, let's begin. Before starting Cubase, the keyboard must be turned on, otherwise the program will not see it. After Cubase has loaded, create a new project or launch an old one. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the keys and pads work immediately, you just need to select the MIDI Input corresponding to our device on the instrument track (if you have one device, then you don't need to do this, you can leave "All MIDI Inputs"), then activate the monitoring function.

 If your keyboard is not in the "All MIDI Inputs" list, then go to the audio and midi module settings: Studio → Studio Setup, select MIDI Port Setup, a list with all connected MIDI devices will open on the right. Select the device we need, in this case it is Oxygen 25, the input status (Windows MIDI in Oxygen 25) should be in the "Active" state, if not, then tick the box opposite in the "In All MIDI" column, click "OK" and repeat the previous steps.

Do not forget to disable the monitoring function on the track so that when playing on the keyboard you do not hear several instruments sounding at the same time.

All of the above related only to the settings of the keys and pads.

 Now, we will configure the faders and buttons using the "Generic Remote", since this method is universal for all MIDI controllers. Open the "Studio Setup" window and add "Generic Remote", then select MIDI Input, in this case it's Oxygen 25.

 You see two windows, the upper one is responsible for binding the fader or button, the second window is responsible for the action that the linked fader or button will perform. Select the first line "Fader 1" in the upper window, then turn on the "Learn" position (check the box) and turn the fader on the MIDI keyboard or press the button that we need the program to remember it. I will press the "Play" button (C13) on my MIDI keyboard. Then you need to go to the lower window to select "Fader 1" and assign a command, for example, I want the "Play" button (C13) to perform two functions - the beginning and the end of playback, I start looking for this action: Command → Transport → StartStop. After I click "Apply", it's done, the "Play" button (C13) is tied and performs its functions.

 Now I go back to the upper window, select "Fader 2" (the "Learn" position should be active), press "Record" (C14) on my keyboard, go to the lower window: Fader 2 → Command → Transport → Record → Apply.

 You can assign different actions to any buttons and faders, it is not necessary to assign the start recording command to the "Record" button (C14), you can configure any action, for example, opening the mixer window or adding a new track, in general, as it will be convenient for you. After completing all the settings, click "OK" or you can click "Apply → OK" after setting up each fader to check whether the functions are working correctly. All other faders and buttons are configured in the same way.

The algorithm is as follows: Studio → Studio Setup → Generic Remote → top window (highlight the fader) → activate the "Learn" function (check the box) → turn the fader on the MIDI keyboard or press the button to which we want to assign the action → go to the lower window, select the fader under the same number as in the upper window → assign the action → Apply → OK.

 For convenience, you can assign your names to the faders in the upper window and in the lower one they will automatically be renamed according to the upper one. You can also export your settings by saving them to a file in a place convenient for you.

Hope this post finds its readers. Good luck to everyone, good mood and creative success!

Regards, Dmitry.(@demiro)



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