Cubase SX 3

[kuniklo]

I've pretty recently gone from VST5.1->SX2.2, and I have to say that I don't find the midi side of things as good. There are some new functions, but the overall feel to midi work is that they've increased the number of clicks I need to make to edit midi fully. Just little things like the right click tool bar

There's a preference to restore the VST right-click toolbox menu behavior. Is that what you mean?

I'll give an example about how I think they've gone backwards with midi - when I edit any midi pattern note - every time I move a note, I get a double sounding of the new note.

I think there's a preference for this too. By default it sounds a note when you click on it and again when you move it.

There appears to be no more ghost editing either - if there is, then I can't find it. Used to be a simple alt click to ghost (or was it ctrl click?) and then you edit the one part to affect every ghost part. Seems like SX has farted that one out of its system

Editing ghost clips changes all the other ghosted clips by definition in SX2/3. To make a ghost copy of a clip you can just shift+alt drag instead of alt-drag. Or is that not what you mean?

But I'm not whinging, really...even at SX2.2, I am so thrilled with all of the new audio stuff. The plugins are so much better than they used to be too. But I haven't read anything that makes SX3 sound any better midiwise.

I never used VST but it does seem like a lot of VST users are frustrated with SX. At least we got dynamic events back for SX3? I think it's encouraging that a lot of the new stuff in SX3 is focused on improving workflow. Cubase/Logic/Sonar all have more features than I really need so the top selling point for me is workflow. It's good to see that Tracktion and Live have lit a bit of a fire under the asses of the big host makers.

[Sahul]

kritikon wrote:

I'll give an example about how I think they've gone backwards with midi - when I edit any midi pattern note - every time I move a note, I get a double sounding of the new note.
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I think there's a preference for this too. By default it sounds a note when you click on it and again when you move it. `

Indeed it's not a preference, you have simply to turn off the speaker icon placed on the upper left zone of the screen. This way you won't trigger midi notes when moving them.

Other little things like quick edits of start or end points or note lengths - It's become more long winded. You have to raise up the little + or - sign and do a sloooooooooooooow edit - there's no fast edit speed like the old left and right mouse button trick.

You can highlight the value an use the cursor up and down keys to increase/decrease numbers.

[cold c]

Others have already posted most of this info, but here it is again-

Just little things like the right click tool bar - too much mouse scrolling (I don't use a mouse with a wheel because I have to use a different type of handheld mouse - RSI etc ). SX seems to be designed specifically for wheel mice only.

Right-click popup menu does not work with the mouse wheel anyway (if that is what you are referring to). If you need the old small popup menu it is alt+rightclick (or change it in the preferences).

I'll give an example about how I think they've gone backwards with midi - when I edit any midi pattern note - every time I move a note, I get a double sounding of the new note.

I don't get this here, do you have the "acoustic feedback" (small speaker) in the key editor switched off?

Other little things like quick edits of start or end points or note lengths - It's become more long winded. You have to raise up the little + or - sign and do a sloooooooooooooow edit - there's no fast edit speed like the old left and right mouse button trick.

As you say you don't use a mousewheel (which would be the normal "quick" method) you should change the preferences to do what you want. Go to File >> Preferences >> Editing >> Controls >> Value Box/Time Control Mode >> Increment/Decrement on Left/Right-click

I can't access things like transpose as quickly either.

Various method for transpose, highlight the notes and use the left/right-click or drag (depending on preferences) of the pitch in the info line. Alternatively, use the nudge tools, set to the arrow keys on the keyboard.

There appears to be no more ghost editing either - if there is, then I can't find it. Used to be a simple alt click to ghost (or was it ctrl click?) and then you edit the one part to affect every ghost part.

Ghost MIDI parts are still there alt+shift+leftdrag creates a ghost part. (Normal alt+leftdrag just duplicates).

Thing is, you may need to read the entire manual as for some reason those shortcuts are not detailed in the "shortcuts" section of the manual.


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[kritikon]

Whoah...thanks for all the info. Well it's good to see I can fix those things then. You're right...you really do have to read the manual from start to finish. I read it for the big stuff, but all those little things - serves me right for not checking the manual more often really - but why did they change all of the shortcuts? Just seems perverse to me.

So the speaker tool - never even gave that one a thought - I just assumed it was some silly extra scrubbing gizmo. Nice. Why would I want accoustic feedback as default? Still...nice to know I can turn the f**ker off, thanks.

As you say you don't use a mousewheel (which would be the normal "quick" method) you should change the preferences to do what you want. Go to File >> Preferences >> Editing >> Controls >> Value Box/Time Control Mode >> Increment/Decrement on Left/Right-click

Aha!...thanks So is there still the old behaviour of L+R=quick change? I tried the Old Cubase Behaviour thingy and it didn't seem to alter anything or any shortcuts.

Alt+shift&drag....right, I must remember that. I'm sure I looked in the commands menu, but couldn't find a listing for it, so that I could change it back to simple alt&drag.

You wonderful lot have revived my faith in Steinberg...I can set it up properly now. (you've also revived my faith in letting the beta-testers go through the agony before I upgrade myself...I presume you lot all had the same headaches ages ago...you're pain is my gain, hehehehehe )

Seriously though - thanks - you just made my life that little bit easier.
F*ck me, there's a whole heap more preferences than there used to be, innit?

[kuniklo]

Alt+shift&drag....right, I must remember that. I'm sure I looked in the commands menu, but couldn't find a listing for it, so that I could change it back to simple alt&drag.

I wish I could figure out a way to always make ghost copies by default. That's almost always what I want.

Another cool feature - if you hold down alt and point the mouse at the bottom right hand corner of a clip the cursor turns into a pencil and you can drag out copies of the clip to whatever length you want.

[kritikon]

Hmmm that could be a useful shortcut. I never liked using copy and paste, and it's a bit tedious copying by dragging. I suppose that's the good thing with the big hosts - you're always finding out something new that makes things easier.

So today I learned 4 things - not bad for an old dog.

[tibenmik]

Another cool feature - if you hold down alt and point the mouse at the bottom right hand corner of a clip the cursor turns into a pencil and you can drag out copies of the clip to whatever length you want.

Similar to what was mentioned in an earlier post in this thread, use Kuniklo's method above but press [Shift] in addition to the [Alt] key just before releasing the mouse after dragging. The little pop-up info window that accompanies the drag will now display '[Shared] Repeat Count: x', and will produce multiple ghost copies after release.

_mt

[Purna]

Another way of doing the same thing is to press Ctr-D to duplicate the event or Ctr-K to repeat events a number of times as shared (ghost) copies or real copies (duplicate), depending on your preferences.

Also selecting “Fill Loop” from the Edit menu creates a number of copies starting at the left locator and ending at the right locator.

Personally I find using shortcut keys much more efficient than dragging.

[Goa Head]

I'm with ya, i don't like the drum editor either...that's why i never use it, they should think of a step editor or something, for quick programming it can be really annoying... but well i love the rest so...

SX2/3 does have a step editor in the key editor. It may not be as flexible as some, but it's there and useful at times.