Cubase and 5.1
 

This has to do with computers and music making...so I am putting it here and if ot;'s in a wrong thread, please move it.

Does anyone here know how to use Cubase effectively. I have been struggling with it now for a few weeks and I am having a horrible time with a few things.

1. Syncing it up with my MC-303

2. Getting the 5.1 panning to work

3. getting the midi score to work properly.

I use Cubase 5.1 myself. Never really tried using the midi score and I don't understand what you are talking about with syncing your MC-303.

A few more details would help. :)

From my past "working" with Cubase. I found that it was the most aggravating piece of software i've ever used before. I couldn't figure many of the things out. I suggest you go with something like CoolEdit. Far more easier to work, better results.

Angeltek: I worked with cubase a long time ago but I can probably help. Now you were not very specific about what problems you were having syncing it with the 303. So I guess I gotta ask: do you have a midi connector, with at least an out and in, connected to your soundcard or usb? Are you familiar with the 303's midi menu and how to set it to sync with an external clock? Does cubase recognize your midi connector? I have worked with cubase and I own a 505 so I can probably help but I might be a tad slow in responding cause I am kinda busy today.

okay, So Basically what I am trying to do is use cubase as a controller for the 303, but what I can't seem to do is get it so that when I hit play in cubase, it triggers the 303 to play. I also need to get it so that I can have cubase control more then one sound chanel at the same time, ie: Midi 1 for the drums, midi 2 for sound 2, midi 3 for sound 3, etc.

I have a midi to joystick converter that I am using, for in and out information. I also am using an m-audio radium 61 for controlling certain other information between cubase, reason, and Rebirth.

Once I am able to do that, I need to be able to record each midi track as a audio track in cubase (if this is even possible). Once That part is acomplished I can then go in for the final mastering, which would be to do 5.1 mastering.


I know nothing of this midi clock you speak of though

Alright, first things first, you say your getting no midi info out of the computer. The first things I would look at are whether you have the midi connector selected in cubase since your using a joystick connection it would probably be "Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth." (if its not this you can try all the different options cubase offers) Then I would make sure that you have midi out enabled in cubase. Next I would check to see if the midi out from the computer was connected to the midi in of the
303 (I know you probably already did this I just want to make sure). If these are all set right it might be that your 303 isn't accepting incoming midi messages (to check this you can hook the radium (midi out) up to the 303 (midi in) play something and set the control channel to 1 and see if you hear anything). Tell me the outcome of these and I will figure out what to do next.
As far as using cubase as a sequencer and controller. You might find that it is easier to make patterns on the 303 and then record them piece by piece. What I do which is super quick is to record the drum and synth samples off my machines and then use the audio samples in the step sequencer of a program. This allows you to get the sound/feel of the machine without the limitations of system specific midi messages (patch changes, etc..) This also prevents you from running into the old 16 track problem.

Okay, I found ways to get around most of it now...but the problem still lies with me being able to have the 303 start to play when I hit play in cubase.

as long as I cna get that part done now, I'll be set to go.

and yes, it was connected properly, I follow the Hardware to Hardware, Hardware to software, user to hardware/software philosophy. I think in this case it's a user to software/hardware issue.

now, after reasing the instruction manual, which was stored away in a box, I fond out that I have to switch the 303 to slave mode.

Bless the wife and suggesting that one. Thanks anyways guys. I'll posty dsome links of some tracks soon I hope.

if you have it connected correctly and you are getting messages across the next step is to activate external sync and to set the sequencer to external (slave). I have only worked briefly with a 303 but on the 505 external sync is under system<midi and the clock settings are under system<sequencer. You should have three choices internal, remote and slave.

I seem to have some sort of issue again, occasionally a sample will magically cut out. I m not sure why but it does. any ideas?