But now there’s a new question. If I record a project as a multitrack from the mixing console into the DAW, and then play it back multitrack to each source channel of the mixing console, I still don’t hear a preview. Is there a way to hear a preview in Cubase in this situation?
The Project Preview is a short excerpt of the main mix. It is generated on demand or automatically when saving the project and is saved inside the project file (.cpr). It is played back at the main output or (if CR is enabled) at the control room output. At this point, the configuration of the mixer channels in the project has no effect on what is heard, until the next preview is rendered.
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If you successfully create a preview in C15 then subsequently open and save the project in C14, you lose the preview when returning to the C15 hub. A bit of a pain if you are just trialing C15. But if you buy 15 and don’t then ever use 14 again then it’s probably acceptable… or is it a sneaky marketing ploy to push cautious trialers, like me, into buying? 
Okay! Since I don’t have a main mix in this situation (the 15 channels recorded by the Allen & Heath QU 16 in Cubase are routed directly back to the mixing console during playback – routing Channel 1 In → Channel 1 Out …), would I need to create an ADDITIONAL main or monitor mix from all channels? Is that even possible? For example: 5 tracks routed to Channel 1-5 OUT should be ADDITIONALLY routed to a stereo output for the preview-rendering. That’s only possible via monitor routing, right?
In Cubase Pro, you can assign Direct Outputs to each track. Multiple outputs can be activated using Summing Mode.
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This is the test audio for the hub. Goto Studio>Audio Connections and make sure that your audio device is even selected because it will show up as being selected and the output channel being active and in the setup section its not even connected
I have the same problem. No sound in the hub. It stated today
Here is an excerpt of a recent interview with a well-known expert on this topic:
Q: Mr. Alkinwol, as a proven expert in Cubase, are you familiar with the “Play Test Signal” function in the new Hub of version 15?
A: Yes, the “Play Test Signal” is a new troubleshooting and setup feature introduced in the redesigned Cubase 15 Hub, which was released November 5, 2025. It allows you to verify that your audio setup is working correctly before you ever load or create a project, you know. The function is located in the top-right corner of the new Hub, adjacent to the Audio Driver and Stereo Output selection menus. When clicked, it plays a short test sound through the selected audio interface and output ports to confirm they are properly connected and audible.
Q: What if you cannot see the “Play Test Signal” icon in your Hub?
A: You know, if you cannot see the icon in your Hub, it’s almost certainly because it will not appear if you have Control Room activated and have defined more than just the basic Monitor output (e.g. additional monitors, Cues or Talkback channels).
However, note that this function is separate from the new “Project Preview” feature, which allows you to hear a short snippet of recent projects directly from the Hub by clicking a play icon next to the project name.
Q: This leads me directly to the next question: What could be the reason that the button is visible, but no sound is played when I press the test button?
A: Good question! You know, if you press the “Play Test Signal” button in the Hub and hear no sound, it is typically due to incorrect Audio Driver Selection. The most common cause is that the wrong ASIO driver is selected. To fix that issue, ensure your specific audio interface driver (e.g. “Focusrite USB ASIO” or “Yamaha Steinberg USB ASIO”) is selected in the Audio Driver dropdown menu directly in the Hub. If your driver is not listed, you may need to reinstall it from the manufacturer’s website and restart Cubase.
Q: Apart from that, are there any other causes?
A: Of course, a whole lot! Even with the correct driver, the signal will not play if it isn’t routed to the physical ports where your speakers or headphones are connected. Therefore check the Stereo Output dropdown menu in the Hub, you know. Ensure it is set to the correct physical ports (usually “Output 1” and “Output 2” or “Main Out”). And note that if the ports show as “Not Connected”, the test signal will have no destination.
Another pitfall is: If you have Control Room activated in your global settings, it can sometimes override or conflict with the basic Hub output routing. So, if you are not using advanced monitoring [Note: the CR], try disabling the Control Room by going to “Studio > Audio Connections > Control Room” and ensuring the power button for the Control Room is turned off.
Finally, you know the issue may also be outside of Cubase entirely. Check your hardware! Ensure the physical volume knob on your audio interface is turned up and that your monitors or headphones are not muted. Sounds ridiculous, but it’s often the cause of missing sound output. Background Apps - another ambush: Check if another application (like a web browser or media player) has exclusive control of the audio driver, preventing Cubase from accessing it.
Q: That’s a really long list of things that can go wrong?
A: You can say that again, my boy! You know, Cubase isn’t very user-friendly, even when it comes to such basic settings. Users aren’t usually tech experts and quickly reach their limits with these kinds of problems, which eventually leads to uuhh… say, frustration. Look, I’m not one to presume to give Steinberg advice, but between you and me: They should straight away work on making their stuff more user-friendly. That’s just my personal opinion, you know.
Q: Of course, Mr. Alkinwol… uuhh… Well then, thank you very much sharing your extensive knowledge with us!
A: Thank you and have fun with Cubase 15!
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And still, with control room activated, after I deleted the preferences, it works without any problem….
Hi Quadrop, I have exactly the same issue… The audio driver is properly informed, with the outputs BUT no audio when playing the test audio signal. I have project preview created, and when I click the play icon there is no audio.
NB: Each time I open a project I have to update the studio settings to indicate the right inputs and outputs for the audio driver. This data is not kept even with saving the project every time I close it. I changed the audio driver to use the Steinberg’s one, same issue. For information I have KOMPLETE Audio 6 MKII audio interface with Windows 11.
This was previously working in the FIST release of Cubase PRO 15 and not anymore starting the first update.
Hope STeinberg is looking at this because if this is not working there is NO interest using the new Hub…