Cubase 13 Pro, no sound in Media Bay (browsing samples)

[Aleque]

Hi

I suddenly had a weird problem where my VST instruments could be heard but not when I browsed through the samples in the Media Bay. So after watching this YouTube tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li43lxV9frM I did as he instructed. But I still remain confused, whether my settings are correct right now? I provided some screenshots that explain things better.

Regarding the Media Bay (default key: F5) question, as shown in the last screenshot: The Media tab in the Right Zone - is it the “same” as the regular Media Bay (default key: F5). I’m trying to understand the difference here.

[Martin.Jirsak]

Hi,

Right-click on the Audio Connections > Outputs > Stereo Out and enable the Main Mix options, please.

[Aleque]

Hi

If you mean this, then it was already enabled:

[ASM]

@Aleque

As far as the Control Room is concerned, there’s no assignment of the Monitor Bus to the Audio Device. Assign your Audio Device and its Device Ports to the Monitor Bus if you want to use Control Room. If your audio interface has just one stereo out, disable the ports for Stereo Out in the Outputs tab then.

[Aleque]

If you mean setting up Monitor 1 like this:

Then the Output Stereo bus (I’m assuming it’s called) will lose the audio device assignments, like this:

[ASM]

That should work.

[Aleque]

@ASM

Assign your Audio Device and its Device Ports to the Monitor Bus if you want to use Control Room. If your audio interface has just one stereo out, disable the ports for Stereo Out in the Outputs tab then.

I’m not sure what you mean by that.

@ASM

That should work.

If I leave it like the above setting, now I get the sound when browsing the samples but not when playing the VSTs. So, reverse.

[ASM]

@Aleque

I’m not sure what you mean by that.

If you have an Audio Interface with just one Stereo Out, you can assign them to Main Mix or Control Room, not both. With multi-channel interfaces you can assign both.

@Aleque

If I leave it like the above setting, now I get the sound when browsing the samples but not when playing the VSTs. So, reverse.

Check the output routing of your Instrument Track, it should point to the Main Mix (“Stereo”) bus.

@Aleque

The Media tab in the right zone is a variant of the MediaBay and accesses the same database.

[Aleque]

@ASM

If you have an Audio Interface with just one Stereo Out, you can assign them to Main Mix or Control Room, not both. With multi-channel interfaces you can assign both.

I just use my PC for now. I don’t have any fancy equipment yet. Can you please explain why I would want a multi-channel interface and assign them both?

@ASM

Check the output routing of your Instrument Track, it should point to the Main Mix (“Stereo”) bus.

It looks like this. I’m assuming it’s normal:

@ASM

The Media tab in the right zone is a variant of the MediaBay and accesses the same database.

Makes sense. Speaking of, I’m not sure what those those items on the list are and why I can’t hear a preview. I’m guessing those are some MIDI presets? But how do I define which VST they are connected to, so I can hear a preview?

[ASM]

@Aleque

Can you please explain why I would want a multi-channel interface and assign them both?

There’s nothing wrong with an interface with only one output, generally this is sufficient. However, if there are several outputs, you have several signal paths, e.g. for listening on different monitor types or for different cue (headphone) mixes for musicians in a recording session.

@Aleque

I’m assuming it’s normal

That’s what it is.

[ASM]

@Aleque

I’m guessing those are some MIDI presets? But how do I define which VST they are connected to, so I can hear a preview?

These are MIDI files in the Cubase Content. In the lower area is a Not Connected button where you can assign a previously defined instrument (track or rack) or MIDI output to play the file.

[Aleque]

Awesome, thanks so much! You answered a lot of things in just one topic. Makes me happy to learn new stuff.