Steinberg Cubase Le 8 Manual

							VST Instruments
Adding VST Instruments
371
Add Track Instrument
Opens the Add Instrument Track dialog that allows you to select an 
instrument and add an instrument track that is associated to this instrument.
Add Rack Instrument
Opens a selector that allows you to add a VST instrument.
Instruments Context Menu
The following functions are available in the instruments context menu:
Copy/Paste instrument Setting
Allows you to copy the instrument settings and paste them to another 
instrument.
Load/Save Preset
Allows you to load/save an instrument preset.
Default Preset
Allows you to define and save a default preset.
Switch to B Setting
Activates the setting B.
Copy A to B
Copies the effect parameters of effect setting A to effect setting B.
Activate Outputs
Allows you to activate one or more outputs for the instrument.
Remote Control Editor
Opens the Remote Control Editor.
Adding VST Instruments
PROCEDURE
1. On the Devices menu, select VST Instruments.
2. Right-click on an empty area of the VST Instruments window.
3. From the context menu, select one of the following:
•Add Track Instrument
•Add Rack Instrument
4. From the instrument selector, select an instrument.
•Click Add Track, if you chose to add a track instrument.
•Click Create, if you chose to add a rack instrument. 
						

							VST Instruments
Presets for Instruments
372
RESULT 
If you chose Add Track Instrument, the instrument control panel opens, and an 
instrument track with the name of the instrument is added to your project.
If you chose Add Rack Instrument, the instrument control panel opens, and the 
following tracks are added to the track list:
• A MIDI track with the name of the instrument. The output of the MIDI track is 
routed to the instrument.
NOTE
In the Preferences dialog (VST–Plug-ins page), you can specify what 
happens when you load a VST instrument.
• A folder with the name of the instrument that is added within a VST 
Instruments folder. The instrument folder contains two automation tracks: one 
for the plug-in parameters, and one for the synth channel in the MixConsole.
Presets for Instruments
You can load and save presets for instruments. These contain all the settings that 
are required for the sound that you want.
The following presets for instruments are available:
•VST presets include the parameter settings of a VST instrument.
These are available from the VST instruments window, from the instrument 
control panels, and from the Programs field in the Inspector.
•Track presets include the instrument track settings and the settings for the 
corresponding VST instrument.
These are available from the Inspector or the track list context menu.
Loading VST Presets
You can load VST presets from the VST instruments window, from the instrument 
panel, or from the Inspector.
PROCEDURE
1. Do one of the following:
• Select the track that contains the VST instrument and in the Inspector, click 
the Programs field.
• In the VST Instruments window, click the Preset Browser button for the 
instrument, and select Load Preset.
• In the control panel for the VST instrument, click the Preset Browser button, 
and select Load Preset. 
						

							VST Instruments
Presets for Instruments
373
2. In the preset browser, select a preset from the list and double-click it to load it.
RESULT 
The preset is applied. To return to the previously loaded preset, open the preset 
browser again and click Revert to Last Setting
Saving VST Presets
You can save your settings on VST instruments as VST presets for further use.
PROCEDURE
1. Do one of the following:
• In the VST Instruments window, click the Preset Browser button for the 
instrument, and select Save Preset.
• In the control panel for the VST instrument, click the Preset Browser button, 
and select Save Preset.
2. In the Save  Preset dialog, enter a name for the 
preset.
3. Optional: Click Show Attribute Inspector and define attributes for the 
preset.
4. Click OK to save the preset and close the dialog.
Loading Track Presets
You can load track presets for instrument tracks from the Inspector.
PROCEDURE
1. Do one of the following:
• Select the instrument track and in the Inspector, click the Load Track Preset 
field.
• Right-click the instrument track and from the context menu, select Load Track 
Preset.
2. In the preset browser, select a preset from the list and double-click it to load it.
RESULT 
The track preset is applied. To return to the previously loaded preset, open the 
preset browser again and click Revert to Last Setting. 
						

							VST Instruments
VST Quick Controls
374
Saving Track Presets
You can save your settings on instrument tracks as Track presets for further use.
PROCEDURE
1. Do one of the following:
• Select the instrument track and in the Inspector, click the Save Track Preset 
button.
• Right-click the instrument track and from the context menu, select Save Track 
Preset.
2. In the Save Track Preset dialog, enter a name for the preset.
3. Optional: Click Show Attribute Inspector and define attributes for the 
preset.
4. Click OK to save the preset and close the dialog.
VST Quick Controls
VST Quick Controls allow you to remote-control a VST instrument from within the 
VST Instruments window.
To show the VST Quick Controls on the VST Instruments window, activate the 
Show/Hide all VST Quick Controls button.
Connecting Quick Controls with Remote Controllers
Quick Controls become powerful when used in combination with a remote 
controller.
PREREQUISITE 
Your remote device is connected to Cubase via MIDI.
PROCEDURE
1. Select Devices > Device Setup.
2. In the Devices list, select Track Quick Controls or VST Quick Controls.
This opens the respective section on the right.
3. From the MIDI Input pop-up menu, select the MIDI port on your computer.
If your remote controller has its own MIDI input and supports MIDI feedback, you can 
connect your computer to the device input. Select the corresponding MIDI port in the 
MIDI Output pop-up menu.
Alternatively, you can select All MIDI Inputs.
4. Click Apply.
5. Activate Learn. 
						

							VST Instruments
VST Quick Controls
375
6. In the Control Name column, select QuickControl 1.
7. On your remote control device, move the control that you want to use for the 
first quick control.
8. Select the next slot in the Control Name column and repeat the previous 
steps.
9. Click OK.
NOTE
In addition to using the Learn function to set up the table in the Quick Controls 
section, you can modify the values manually. The available options are identical to the 
ones available for the Generic Remote device.
RESULT 
The quick controls are now associated with control elements on your external 
remote controller. If you move a control element, the value of the parameter that is 
assigned to the corresponding Quick Control changes accordingly.
The remote controller setup for Quick Controls is saved globally, that is, it is 
independent of any projects. If you have various remote controllers, you can save 
and load several Quick Control setups using the Export and Import buttons.
RELATED LINKS
The Generic Remote device on page 392
Activating Pick-up Mode for Hardware Controls
Pick-up Mode allows you to change configured Quick Control parameters without 
accidentally modifying their previous values.
Often, the parameter settings of your Quick Controls are initially different from the 
settings of your hardware controls, for example, when the hardware controls control, 
different Quick Controls on different tracks. In this case, you will notice that moving 
a hardware control changes the previous value of a parameter in a way that it is 
initially set to the zero position, before it is changed. Thus, you always lose your 
previous setting of the parameter.
To avoid this, you can activate Pick-up Mode. This has the effect that when you 
move your hardware control, you can only change the parameter once the control 
reaches the parameter’s previous value. The control “picks up” the parameter at the 
value to which it was last set.
NOTE
This only applies to hardware controllers whose controls use specific ranges.
PROCEDURE
1. Select Devices > Device Setup.
2. In the Devices list, select Track Quick Controls or VST Quick Controls. 
						

							VST Instruments
Playing Back VST Instruments
376
3. Activate Pick-up Mode.
4. Click OK.
Playing Back VST Instruments
After you have added a VST instrument and selected a sound, you can play back 
the VST instrument using the instrument or MIDI track in your project.
PROCEDURE
1. In the track list, activate the Monitor button for the track that has the VST 
instrument loaded.
2. Press one or more keys on your MIDI keyboard or use the virtual keyboard.
The corresponding sounds are triggered on your VST instrument.
3. Select Devices > MixConsole to open the MixConsole and adjust the 
sound, add EQ or effects, assign another output routing, etc.
VST Instruments and Processor Load
VST instruments can consume a lot of CPU power. The more instruments you add, 
the more likely you will run out of processor power during playback.
If the CPU overload indicator in the VST Performance window lights up or you get 
crackling sounds, you have the following options:
• Activate Freeze for instruments. 
This renders the instrument into an audio file and unloads it.
• Activate Suspend VST3 plug-in processing when no audio signals are 
received for VST 3 instruments. 
This ensures that your instruments do not consume CPU power on silent 
passages.
RELATED LINKS
Freezing Instruments on page 377
Suspend VST3 plug-in processing when no audio signals are received 
on page 674 
						

							VST Instruments
Playing Back VST Instruments
377
Freezing Instruments
If you are using a moderately powerful computer or a large number of VST 
instruments, your computer may not be able to play back all instruments in realtime. 
At this point, you can freeze instruments.
PROCEDURE
1. Do one of the following:
• Select Devices > VST Instruments.
• Select the instrument track and open the top Inspector tab.
2. Click the Freeze button.
3. In the Freeze Instrument Options dialog, make your settings.
4. Click OK.
RESULT 
• The instrument is rendered to an audio file and on playback you hear the same 
sound as before freezing.
• Less CPU load is used.
• The Freeze button lights up.
• The MIDI/instrument track controls are grayed out.
• The MIDI parts are locked.
NOTE
To edit the tracks, parameters, or synth channels again, and to delete the rendered 
file, unfreeze the instrument by clicking the Freeze button again.
Freeze Instrument Options
The Freeze Instrument Options dialog opens when you click the Freeze button. 
It allows you to specify exactly what should happen, if you freeze an instrument.
The following controls can be found in the Freeze Instrument Options dialog:
Freeze Instrument Only
Activate this option if you still want to be able to edit insert effects on the synth 
channel after freezing the instrument.
Freeze Instrument and Channels
Activate this option if you do not need to edit the insert effects on your synth 
channels.
NOTE
You can still adjust level, pan, sends, and EQ. 
						

							VST Instruments
About Latency
378
Tail Size
Allows you to set a Tail Size time to let sounds complete their normal release 
cycle.
Unload Instrument when Frozen
Activate to unload the instrument after freezing. This makes the RAM available 
again.
About Latency
The term latency stands for the time it takes for the instrument to produce a sound 
when you press a key on your MIDI controller. It can be an issue when using VST 
instruments in realtime. Latency depends on your audio hardware and its ASIO 
driver.
In the Device Setup dialog (VST Audio System page), the input and output latency 
values should ideally be a few milliseconds.
If the latency is too high to allow comfortable realtime VST instrument playback from 
a keyboard, you can use another MIDI sound source for live playback and recording, 
and switch to the VST instrument for playback.
RELATED LINKS
Selecting a Driver on page 9
Delay Compensation
During playback Cubase automatically compensates any delay inherent in the VST 
plug-ins you use.
You can specify a Delay Compensation Threshold in the Preferences dialog 
(VST page) so that only plug-ins with a delay higher than this threshold setting are 
affected.
Constrain Delay Compensation
To avoid Cubase to add latency when you play a VST instrument in realtime or 
record live audio, you can activate Constrain Delay Compensation. This minimizes 
the latency effects of the delay compensation, while maintaining the sound of the 
mix as far as possible.
The Constrain Delay Compensation function is available on the toolbar and in the 
MixConsole on the Functions menu. 
						

							VST Instruments
Import and Export Options
379
Activating Constrain Delay Compensation turns off VST plug-ins which are activated 
for VST instrument channels, audio track channels that are record enabled, group 
channels, and output channels. VST plug-ins which are activated for FX channels are 
disregarded. After recording or using a VST instrument Constrain Delay 
Compensation should be deactivated again in order to restore full delay compensation.
Import and Export Options
Importing MIDI Loops
You can import MIDI loops (file extension .midiloop) in Cubase. These files contain 
MIDI part information (MIDI notes, controllers, etc.) and all the settings that are 
saved in instrument track presets. This way, you can reuse instrument patterns in 
other projects or applications, for example.
PROCEDURE
1. Select Media > MediaBay.
2. Optional: In the Results section, open the Select Media Types menu, and 
activate MIDI Loops and Plug-in Presets.
3. In the results list, select a MIDI loop and drag it to an empty section in the 
Project window.
RESULT 
An instrument track is created and the instrument part is inserted at the position 
where you dragged the file. The Inspector reflects all settings that are saved in the 
MIDI loop, for example, the VST instrument that was used, applied insert effects, 
track parameters, etc.
NOTE
You can also drag MIDI loops onto existing instrument or MIDI tracks. However, this 
only imports the part information. This means this part only contains the MIDI data 
(notes, controllers) that is saved in the MIDI loop, but no inspector settings or 
instrument parameters. 
						

							VST Instruments
Import and Export Options
380
RELATED LINKS
Presets for Instruments on page 372
Filtering According to Media Type on page 342
Exporting MIDI Loops
You can export MIDI loops to save a MIDI part together with its instrument and 
effect settings. This allows you to reproduce patterns that you created without 
having to search for the correct sound, style, or effect.
PROCEDURE
1. Select an instrument part.
2. Select File > Export > MIDI Loop.
A file dialog opens.
3. In the New MIDI Loop section, enter a name for the MIDI loop.
4. Optional: To save attributes for the MIDI loop, click the button below the New 
MIDI Loop section at the bottom left.
The Attribute Inspector section opens, allowing you to define attributes for your MIDI 
loop.
5. Click OK to close the dialog and save the MIDI loop.
RESULT 
MIDI Loop files are saved in the following folder:
Windows: \Users\\AppData\Roaming\Steinberg\MIDI 
Loops
Mac: /Users//Library/Application Support/ 
Steinberg/MIDI Loops/
The default folder cannot be changed. However, you can create subfolders within 
this folder to organize your MIDI loops. To create a subfolder, click the New Folder 
button in the Save MIDI Loop dialog.