MIDI Control....VSTs and what not

I've got a Keystation 88es MIDI'd out to the 5k, and the 5k MIDI'd out to my PC.

Basically I'm trying to control VSTs from the Keyboard, but record the performances into the MPC. The issue is....


i'm running Cubase. So let's say I've got VST1 in a midi track, and that midi track is set to MIDI channel 1. I've got another VST, lets call it VST2, and set that to MIDI Channel 2, and same goes for "VST3."

The goal is to be able to play them all out separately. The problem is whatever track is highlighted in Cubase, is what the keyboard controls. So if i want to use VST1, and set the keyboard to transmit on Channel one, and set the MPC Program MIDI tab (bottom right of main screen) to 01A....it really doesn't make a difference, because I cant seem to get separate control, and when i try to record something else (or even change the program) it turns into one big mess.


Anyone out there understand what I'm trying to accomplish? This also goes for VSTs like Sampletank, where I'd want to control different sounds in different channels. Wouldn't wanna have to open up 5-6 instances of SampleTank when I could just open one and route the channels to different tracks.


Help!

Im having the same problem but with logic

What you are trying to do is detailed in several threads in the forum. You will have to doa search if you need the exact details,

But generally, in Cubase (and perhaps Logic as well) there is an Input Tranformer (I think that is the name) where you can make settings to each MIDI track. You can set each track to only respond to a single MIDI channel.


Update: Found it. You can check out this thread or do a search using Input Transformer: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=59680&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=Input+transformer&start=15

Askia comes through once again. Trust me, i always do searches before asking certain questions but....that thread just didn't show up for me.

You've taken me one step closer to my goal....however, now I have to figure out how to get the other track to play while Im recording into a new one.

I have a feeling this has something to do with the midi settings in the MPC, as well as the fact that i have the keyboard midi'd out to the mpc, but usb'd to the computer.


I've got track one set to midi 01A. so lets say i open up a midi track in Cubase (Studio 4, for the record) and set it to Channel 1 and the Input Transformer settings as that thread prescribed (i chose LOCAL and not GLOBAL...not sure if that makes a diff). So I hit record on the MPC and key out my performance. Not a problem.


Then i open up another midi track and set it to output another VST. set that track to channel 2. When i switch the mpc to 02A, success! i've got control. However, with channel 2 highlighted, it plays that vst, but with the performance i recorded on track 1....AND track 1 doesn't play unless it's highlighted.


Im missing something here


More research (and experimentation) shall ensue.

Are you arming the tracks? I use my gear to control Logic/Reason/PT and I have to arm the tracks to hear them.

how do u arm them?

BxJaze wrote:Askia comes through once again. Trust me, i always do searches before asking certain questions but....that thread just didn't show up for me.

You've taken me one step closer to my goal....however, now I have to figure out how to get the other track to play while Im recording into a new one.

I have a feeling this has something to do with the midi settings in the MPC, as well as the fact that i have the keyboard midi'd out to the mpc, but usb'd to the computer.


I've got track one set to midi 01A. so lets say i open up a midi track in Cubase (Studio 4, for the record) and set it to Channel 1 and the Input Transformer settings as that thread prescribed (i chose LOCAL and not GLOBAL...not sure if that makes a diff). So I hit record on the MPC and key out my performance. Not a problem.


Then i open up another midi track and set it to output another VST. set that track to channel 2. When i switch the mpc to 02A, success! i've got control. However, with channel 2 highlighted, it plays that vst, but with the performance i recorded on track 1....AND track 1 doesn't play unless it's highlighted.


Im missing something here


More research (and experimentation) shall ensue.

of course im arming them, but if you arm a track and it plays as you record a new one, the mpc is just gonna do the same thing....it'll play whatever track is highlighted. so if i have a piano in track one, then arm it and try to record a guitar in track 2, it's gonna play both the piano and guitar at the same time, with the same notes, before i even start recording something new.

im trying to get it to separate the performances because when it comes time to dump...it'll be a mess.

Are you still have issues setting this up? If so, did you set the input transformer for each Cubase track? This must be done so that each track will only respond to one MIDI channel.

When properly configured, you can have 16 MIDI tracks (MIDI channels 1-16) in Cubase all with a different VSTi assigned. The MPC can have 16 tracks each with a different MIDI channel (1A to 16A). When you select MPC track 1 (MIDI channel 1A), you will be able to play the VSTi assigned to Cubase track 1. When you select MPC track 9, you will be able to play the VSTi assigned to Cubase track 9.

Unless you are recording MIDI into Cubase, DO NOT arm Cubase tracks (pressing a track's record button). If you can't hear audio on a Cubase track, there should be another track icon you will click in order to hear audio (if my memory serves me correctly).

Also, note that you have your keyboard MIDI'd twice to Cubase...once through USB and the other via the MPC. If you are using the MPC as the sequencer, I can't think of a reason why you will need the keyboards connected to your PC via USB. You will be transmitting to different sets of MIDI information at the same time.

Still having issues Askia. At least now i finally got it to finally record separate performances on different channels *or so i think*

im still having the issue of having a track play while i record another one. if i play a piano vst on midi track one, for example,
im trying to have it so i can HEAR that playing while i record onto the new track. problem is when i highlight the new track with the mouse, the other one is no longer audible so i cant even hear the pattern i'd be adding more sounds into. any clue as to a remedy? I mean, if Track 2 in Cubase has a vst assigned to it and its set for Channel 2, i shouldn't even have to click onto that track in the multitrack to hear it...i should just automatically be able to switch midi control to 02A on the mpc and gain control of it regardless of what track is selected in Cubase.....unless there's some specific midi settings i'd have to change in the Keystation and/or MPC5000......

ideas?

Download the update if your on cubase studio 4,there is some issues with program.I had same problems.I don't record my sequence into midi i make an instrumental track and works fine.Choose empty rock and try it see if helps but only if you have your cubase updated to 4.1.3 or some sht.