Control Plugin-Automation via MIDI-CC for VST?

[Johan Wuyts]

Hi there,

Is there a way to control Plugin-Automation via MIDI-CC?

I use a lot of VST FX (Classic Reverb for example) which unfortunately do not support a Midi learn function.
I want to adjust the parameters of these plugins automatically during the playback of my song in Cubase.

The only way I know to adjust these parameters is via Automation. However since I only use MIDI tracks this is not user friendly.
Is there some sort of workaround so that I can control these FX plugins via MIDI CC?

Gr,

Johan

[Phil999]

yes, with remote control or generic remote. Or quick control. It's all described in the manual and here in the forum.
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Cubase5.5.2, Fast Track Ultra. EWI 4000s, AlphaTrack, BCF&BCR, Drehbank, R2M, 16/3 sequencer, FCB 1010, Mackie C4 Pro. CR-78, TR-808, Formant modular system, MS-20, PPG wave 2.2. SampleModeling brass, Largo, Moog Modular V, MTron, FM8.

[Johan Wuyts]

Thanks for your reply but I don't see how it works.

I think the Remote Control or Generic Control is a way to control a VST via an external Midi device. But that is not the issue. I do not have an external device to control midi.

I just want to create a midi track in Cubase to control an VST-FX on a audio Channe via simple MIDI-CC commands.

[Ron Garrison]

What you want to do is control the automation of the VST-FX. You can read/write the automation via a hardware controller OR you can edit it within Cubase (pp. 196-201, p.417). I see you already knew this, but that's how it's done.

I don't think there is a way to control it with MIDI, unless you route your MIDI out to a virtual (or physical) midi channel and then back in via generic remote or quick controls. Editing automation sounds easier.

Ron
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[Johan Wuyts]

Editting the automation is really not user friendly considering the way I work:

- Control all my VST Instruments via MIDI
- Control all my Hardware Synths via MIDI (I use a Tascam DM 4800 with firewire option / I created audio tracks for each bus / I select the Monitor function)

Working like this gives me the possibility to control everything in 'real time' via Midi CC. I do not need to record anything within Cubase.
I even record the Master Mix outside Cubase. Works perfect for everything including VST-FX if they have a Midi Learn Function.

Now I created a "Quick Control" and connected my hardware Moog Synth to contol it via Midi CC. I created a midi track for the VST-FX and assigned the Quick Control function I want to control. Now I can actually control it via my Moog. But... it only works when I turn the knob directly on the Moog. When I create a second midi track to control the Moog knob via Midi CC it does now work anymore.
Also when I select another track in Cubase it stops working.

Help is really appreciated!

[Phil999]

what do you mean exactly with 'MIDI-CC'? With 'CC' we usually mean a MIDI continuous controller (CC1=modulation wheel for example).

If you could give us a more detailed description of your workflow, we might be able to help.
_________________
Cubase5.5.2, Fast Track Ultra. EWI 4000s, AlphaTrack, BCF&BCR, Drehbank, R2M, 16/3 sequencer, FCB 1010, Mackie C4 Pro. CR-78, TR-808, Formant modular system, MS-20, PPG wave 2.2. SampleModeling brass, Largo, Moog Modular V, MTron, FM8.

[Johan Wuyts]

Here is an example:

Classic Reverb is a FX plugin with (for example) a Mix knob. Via that knob you can control the volume of reverb on a certain audio channel. Now I want to map for example MIDI CC7 to that knob. Via an extra midi channel I now want to control the Mix knob via MIDI CC7. IF I send for example CC7 with value 10 I want to hear almost no reverb, if I send value 120 I want to hear a lot of reverb. This way I can control the FX on an audio channel during playback of my Cubase song via a extra Midi channel.

If the VST contains a Midi Learn function you van do the mapping inside the Plugin. When you create a new MIDI channel you can select the FX and it works great. Unfortunately a lot of FX plugins do not have this function.

I hope Cubase provides another way of mapping without a midi learn function. Automation just does not work for me.

Johan

[Phil999]

thank you for your explanation, now I'm sure there are no misunderstandings. However, the answer remains the same. Take a bit of time and check out the manual and the threads dealing with generic remote and quick control. This is what you are looking for. As you can see in my signature, I use quite a lot of controllers, and it is worth the time to understand how to set it up. Of course I will gladly be of further assistance if you get stuck somewhere.
_________________
Cubase5.5.2, Fast Track Ultra. EWI 4000s, AlphaTrack, BCF&BCR, Drehbank, R2M, 16/3 sequencer, FCB 1010, Mackie C4 Pro. CR-78, TR-808, Formant modular system, MS-20, PPG wave 2.2. SampleModeling brass, Largo, Moog Modular V, MTron, FM8.

[Ron Garrison]

[Phil999]

ah, I see, I was assuming an external controller. Well in that case I can't help, I never use MIDI tracks to control things. Thank you Ron for clarification.
_________________
Cubase5.5.2, Fast Track Ultra. EWI 4000s, AlphaTrack, BCF&BCR, Drehbank, R2M, 16/3 sequencer, FCB 1010, Mackie C4 Pro. CR-78, TR-808, Formant modular system, MS-20, PPG wave 2.2. SampleModeling brass, Largo, Moog Modular V, MTron, FM8.

[Sir Dancelot]

Hello,

I don't understand the question at all.
Well I do understand that the OP wants to use a midi channel to controll parameters of an audio channel.
But you can automate all parameters from the channel itself so why the work around.
In other words, you have no problem you can't solve. Automate from the channel it self or from another channel with cc's gives theoretically the same result.

If you want a seperate channel to make automation lanes though, then make a dummy channel and assign the quick controls of that channel to the parameters of the VST you want to automate. Same result imo.

Greetz Dylan.
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[Johan Wuyts]

It's correct I don't want to use an external device. I just want to add a simple extra Midi channel that is routed somehow to the VST. Just like the way you can do it with a VST that does contain a midi learn function.
And as I said before automation does not work user friendly for me.

I create/control everything via midi. I do not record anything. So if I want I can change a whole mix in just a few minutes by draging and dropping midi events to other places in a project.
I give you an example:

- I have a bassline VST that is routed to an audio channgel that containes a reverb plugin
- I create a midi channel to control my bassline
- I want to create a midi channel where I can change the brightness of my reverb VST in small steps via MIDI CC.
- Later I decide I want to move both parts to another place in the song.

Then It is very easy to pick both midi channels up and drop them somewhere else in the mix.
For me this is not easy when using automation.

gr, Johan