Cubase Studio 5
Motif XS 6
Macbook Pro
VST :Real Guitar, Kontakt

While playing back a song via Cubase I have to fill in different instruments during live-performance.
Example 2 bars French Horns then 4 bars Strings and next 4 bars Guitar.

Today I activate the instrument-track via MacBook Pro (mouse/cursor), which is a very tricky thing.
Not handy at all.
Looking into the manuals I found some possible solutions via Remote Control and/or Automation, but I am a real beginner in this area.

Is this the best method to dig in ?

Is there any chance that this switching can be recorded ?
It is always at the same place and time where the instruments are to be switched.
How can I tell this to the sequencer ?

Thanks

No answer yet, I’m afraid it is not possible.
There are so many automation facilities, but change the instrument on the fly ??
Of course I can use the Master-function for XS, but how to switch the VST-instruments ?
Thanks

No reaction yet…
The only solution I found is to make a practical order in the tracks and using the cursor up/down to the next instrument.
So the tracks are to be arranged for that reason : next to each other….

Again, not very practical for switching instruments.

Unbelievable if I consider the possibilities of this modern world with all the facilities they offer.

I can imagine that there are more customers with this problem : switching instruments while playing ????

Hallo polke,

You will have to create a VST-Rack (I think it’s called VST-Instrument in older cubase versions), with which you can use multitimbral instruments, like the Halion Sonic (up to 16 outputs).
Create as many midi tracks as you need, choose the voices you need inside the VST-Instrument, route the tracks to different channels (Piano-1.Channnel, Strings-2.Channel etc.) and there you go…
You now can flip between midi tracks and toggle in that way between the different voices.

Click thumbnail to see full-size image

Thanks Odysseas,

I know the facilities to use VST’s (Halion or others have the same principle I suppose).

The switching/toggle is the problem. Mouse or cursors are not directly at hand for such a fast move.

The only method I found is to re-arrange the tracks in a way that I use the cursor up or down for the next instrument needed.

Master-function on Motif can not do this either I think….
Thanks for your reply

I wrote the same problem in the Cubase forum and contacted my local Cubase dealer-specialist.

The last one confirmed that there is no automation possible to change the instrument/channel.
His conclusion was the same as I am using today : switch manually on the computer-keyboard with mouse/cursor, or use a footswitch to scroll step by step through the instruments.

Please, let me know if someone has a better solution.

I will open a new topic to investigate if there are possibilities via the Motif Master function (without Cubase ?)

Thanks

Of course there are better solutions. Simply explore some of the hardware controller-unit options that, for example, Steinberg offers. Heck you might even be able to find a solid CC121 on Ebay, or you could check out the inexpensive nanoKontrol 2 from Korg. Then there are apps like Cubase IC Pro (for an iPad) that costs $19 and can make Cubase dance! :) Workstations can’t be all things to all people, so MANY people who use them have also looked beyond for other solutions when the need arises. Anything is better than a footswitch.............frank

Thanks Frank,
You opened my eyes…
I was a few years out of the music area and did not know about these last apps.

Years ago I bought a PadKontrol (Korg) and if I remember well I can assign the pads/buttons. I am looking in the documentation now. A bit afraid about the drivers and compatibilities…

The Cubase IC Pro is a fantastic idea and is an answer on my question. Today I will read the documentation and download the app.

Thanks again for helping me with this step in the today’s world !

In the meanwhile I use the Remote Function on the Motif XS to steer Cubase and switch the instruments.
The drawback is here that the original function of buttons/knobs/faders is disabled…

Hello,

I have somewhat similar problem, which is discussed here:

http://www.motifator.com/index.php/forum/viewthread/473348/

and found an elegant decision: Bome’s MIDI translator