Inside Cubase SX3 I'm using some VSTi as arpeggiators (eg Korg Monopoly/Wavestation and Embracer): Currently I can set the tempo/bpm of such VSTi arpeggiators, only from the transport bar of Cubase: so I have to manually set the tempo/bpm. Now I need to set the bpm/tempo of such VSTi from an external source, in my case from my external midi keyboard/synth.
My main keyboard/synth is a Korg X50: from such keyboard I can set the tempo/BPM (using a knob placed on the X50) of my drum machine (Yamaha RX21): I connected the MIDI OUT of Korg X50 to the MIDI IN of Yamaha RX21: with the tempo knob of X50 i can change the tempo on RX21.
In such case, the drum machine rx21, also acts as bridge for the midi signal: the MIDI OUT of yamaha rx21 is connected to the MIDI IN of my soundcard (a terrasoniq phase x64): in facts inside cubase, from the midi signal of Korg X50 (which came from RX21), I can also drive and play VSTi instruments.
Well: so keep in mind that my Korg X50 is able to send the midi signal inside Cubase.
What I attempt to achieve: set the Cubase's tempo/bpm (which is currently set from the transport bar) from my Korg X50: I tried everything, inside the sync option of Cubase, but seems that I am unable to set Cubase as slave/set the tempo from my Korg X50.
As I've said for me would be enough set the tempo/bpm only of VSTi, from the Korg X50.
Any suggestions?
Kind regards.
Cubase SX3 and VSTi: set the tempo/bpm from an external source (Korg X50)
-
- KVRist
- 37 posts since 21 Jan, 2013
-
- KVRist
- 113 posts since 3 Dec, 2005
I can't answer your specific question, but from the best of my recollection of my experience with Cubase, or specifically regarding changing the tempo of Cubase from another source, this is what I've done to achieve something at least similar, which may give food for thought, and maybe this can be applied to your situation somehow ... 
When using two different Cubase DAW PC's in a VST System Link set up - which consists of two computers running a version of Cubase & their own audio interfaces that have a digital audio I/O - I set them each in System Link sync mode, and using coaxial s/pdif digital audio between them (but can be any digital audio type, ADAT, AES/EBU etc). With System Link, you have to set one PC's audio interface control panel as the 'master clock', and the other PC's audio interface control panel as 'slave'. Without setting up master & slaves, System Link will still operate, but without clock, the timing of both PC's can drift from each other.
You also are supposed to set the tempo in Cubase on the transport bar in Cubase. With System Link between PC's going, if you then later change the tempo setting on one Cubase DAW PC, the other Cubase DAW PC will change to that tempo automatically.
So Cubase can be communicated with regarding tempo changes. In my scenario, I wasn't specifically looking to control Cubase's tempo from another PC, it was more of an accidental discovery. My only connections was via a digital audio cable connection, and System Link was the option/protocol I was using. There are other options/protocols other than System Link control, so maybe one of those can work in your own scenario.
I have to think that in order to give & receive commands, you should set whichever device as the master clock, and which devices are to be the slaves 1st through whatever protocol you're using. A digital audio connection, can carry not just audio, but also midi, transport commands, and clock. Midi can carry transport commands, as well as your typical midi, and other messages. Whatever you're doing, it doesn't seem to be giving the commands you want. I'm n that knowledgeable on midi messages. Of course if you're trying to do this via midi, you may want to explore Cubase's midi filters & mid transformer, and see if this helps.
When using two different Cubase DAW PC's in a VST System Link set up - which consists of two computers running a version of Cubase & their own audio interfaces that have a digital audio I/O - I set them each in System Link sync mode, and using coaxial s/pdif digital audio between them (but can be any digital audio type, ADAT, AES/EBU etc). With System Link, you have to set one PC's audio interface control panel as the 'master clock', and the other PC's audio interface control panel as 'slave'. Without setting up master & slaves, System Link will still operate, but without clock, the timing of both PC's can drift from each other.
You also are supposed to set the tempo in Cubase on the transport bar in Cubase. With System Link between PC's going, if you then later change the tempo setting on one Cubase DAW PC, the other Cubase DAW PC will change to that tempo automatically.
So Cubase can be communicated with regarding tempo changes. In my scenario, I wasn't specifically looking to control Cubase's tempo from another PC, it was more of an accidental discovery. My only connections was via a digital audio cable connection, and System Link was the option/protocol I was using. There are other options/protocols other than System Link control, so maybe one of those can work in your own scenario.
I have to think that in order to give & receive commands, you should set whichever device as the master clock, and which devices are to be the slaves 1st through whatever protocol you're using. A digital audio connection, can carry not just audio, but also midi, transport commands, and clock. Midi can carry transport commands, as well as your typical midi, and other messages. Whatever you're doing, it doesn't seem to be giving the commands you want. I'm n that knowledgeable on midi messages. Of course if you're trying to do this via midi, you may want to explore Cubase's midi filters & mid transformer, and see if this helps.