I’m reporting a reproducible bug specific to macOS in Cubase 14.0.34, particularly noticeable when using a trackpad.
Steps to reproduce:
Open a project window in Cubase.
Use a two-finger vertical scroll gesture on the trackpad.
While scrolling, press and hold the Command (⌘) key.
Issue:
Unexpectedly, the zoom function is triggered the moment the Command key is pressed during or after scrolling.
This behavior is inconsistent and feels like a bug, especially when compared to the smooth and predictable scroll/zoom handling in Logic Pro.
I believe this is a significant UX flaw that affects macOS users, especially those using built-in trackpads on MacBooks. While many Cubase users may rely on external mice, this issue should still be addressed.
System info:
MacBook Pro 16-inch, M4 Max, 128GB RAM, 8TB SSD
Latest version of macOS installed
Note: This issue is likely reproducible on all Macs with trackpads, not just high-end models.
Please consider improving the vertical/horizontal scrolling and zooming behavior on macOS to make it smoother and more consistent.
Even if you stop scrolling vertically on the trackpad and lift your fingers, then press the Command (⌘) key a moment later, the zoom function still gets triggered.
It seems as though Cubase retains some kind of scroll state or momentum that incorrectly activates zoom behavior upon pressing the Command key, even without an active scroll gesture.
This further confirms that the issue is not tied strictly to simultaneous gestures, but rather to an unintended interaction between the scroll and modifier key input.
Additional note regarding the new Dorico-based Score Editor:
I also believe it’s essential that the zoom functionality in the newly updated Dorico-engine-based Score Editor be fully controllable via the trackpad.
While it would be ideal for different editors—such as Logic Pro or Dorico—to support unique behaviors even when using the same key commands, I completely understand the development complexity and effort involved in such implementations.
That said, I strongly hope that at the very least, these basic and fundamental interactions—such as proper zoom behavior via the trackpad—can be properly addressed and fixed.
Hi. Do you mean Cubase 14.0.32? There is no public release of 14.0.34 to my knowledge.
MacOS trackback scrolling gestures include a “velocity” parameter which will hold the “scroll mode” status in “scrolling” until the velocity gesture’s “momentum” reaches 0. Depending on your grid settings, this is easily seen by just “swiping hard” to scroll (either vertically or horizontally) - you’ll see a gradual slow-to-stop motion. A “hard scroll gesture” will continue to “scroll” until the virtual momentum of the scroll hits zero - any modifier hit during this period is indeed “during scrolling” whether you’ve taken your hands off the trackpad or not.
I’m aware that macOS utilizes the concept of physical inertia in the way it handles trackpad input, particularly for scrolling and gesture control. However, I’m wondering why Logic Pro performs so smoothly in this regard, without exhibiting the issues I’ve mentioned.
What I’m pointing out concerns the entire system and framework that governs this behavior—it’s not just a surface-level problem. Additionally, I previously mentioned an issue with the virtual keyboard as well, and I’d appreciate it if you could take a closer look at that too.
I can’t speak to that - maybe they chose to interpret the gestures differently. That said, Logic is obviously a “Mac Only” app, so they can code directly to Mac hardware and are not required to use ubiquitous functions designed for 3rd party hardware and OSs.
I’m just a user, but my presumption is they can only respond to what the OS is telling them, or at least have development model dependencies that prevent (at least realistically) them from coding for any potential hardware solution. I can’t recreate this if I wait for the scrolling to stop, so to me - this function anyway - is working as designed.
If you are seeing this when the scroll function has clearly stopped, then that’s different. I was just making sure you were aware of the fact MacOS will hold the “scrolling state” as active until the scrolling momentum (personally, I would use the term momentum, not inertia, but that’s a physics discussion ) has reached zero.
I can’t help with the virtual keyboard other than some cursory review - I don’t use it, so I don’t know what to expect in that regard
…i quitted using cubase 13 cause of this issue, and came back to logic. Full stop.
I think Steinberg don’t care about developing track pad software as already apple do it for logic, and cause many users are windows based, with kensington ball mouse.
I tryed also the kensigton mouse on mac, that is used in every studio since the ‘90.
I dont like it.
I also installed a software, Continuous, just google “ cubase track pad issue mac” and you will find it, as here the systm don’t le me post link, found on steinberg forum that should fix this bad track pad behave, bud it worked so and so… . It’a 2023 post…it’s a well known embarassing deficiency
Funny as Cubase it’ more expensive than logic, buy on mac it’s not developed and updated as it should
Nothing, i would like to use cubase, but i use logic, as the touchpad works great, and Steinberg don’t do nothing about.
) has reached zero.