Hi. In other DAWs, you can record-enable a MIDI track and hit record (obviously in destructive, non-overdub mod) and it will erase MIDI notes (and/or cc) passing underneath the playhead while recording. In Cubase, for some reason, this seems impossible, and it only records if you play notes. Please prove me wrong.
I tried customizing a quick-key for recording in MUTES but that also didn’t work the way I want. For example, if you use channel mute, it’s not the same behavior. Live erase with the record button erases notes, but let already-sounding notes (e.g., notes with long releases) keep playing.
Thank you.
Feature Request:
A “Destructive Record” mode or updated “Replace” functionality in which toggling on Record during playback deletes any data at the cursor position of a record-enabled MIDI track, regardless of whether new notes or controllers are received.
Offers flexibility to user of performing live “thinning” or deleting of MIDI data when the Record tranport button is toggled on. This is different than the current Replace mode which leaves MIDI parts as-is unless new notes or controllers are received. This is different than channel muting because it allows any trailing MIDI notes (e.g., sounds with long releases) to continue to sound.
With Options:
Destructive Record filter (Record deletes/replaces just Notes, just CC, etc.)
Mute Record (instead of deleting or replacing, engaging Record mutes notes)
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Don’t want the Midi track, select it and hit delete, don’t want particular notes doubleclick the track and select the parts you don’t want and hit delete, it’s as simple as that!
If I want to visit the house to my left I go left, not go right and travel around the world to get to the house on the left
Yeah so thanks @MrSoundman and @Johnny_Moneto for helping with my question. I did try these options already and they simply do not work.
If you have the time, please try what you’re suggesting. Make a MIDI pattern, use the recommended transport setting and then play it back while hitting Record on and off (easiest by tapping * on keyboard number pad if you have one). Let me know if you have any success.
For me, it sounds like it’s doing what I want and notes are muted as I engage record…but no notes actually disappear. Unless I am missing something, this is really strange behavior. Record is completely ignored.
Here is my setup:
MIDI RECORD MODE: Replace
MIDI Cycle Record Mode: Overwrite (also tried Keep Last)
One possible workaround I can think of is if you could (Ableton-style) route the MIDI output of one track to the input of another another and record that, either muting MIDI or hitting record as I am trying to do. But a huge PITA, and it doesn’t seem possible in Cubase anyway. MIDI outputs don’t offer other track inputs.
Are we back to my long since request for midi tracks to behave like audio tracks during record? It’s been YEARS, and still nothing. Others have asked too.
I did, but maybe I am not understanding it? I figured you meant locators that define with cyclic recording/playback. If it’s something else, please let me know.
I saw your thread with no replies! Feel your pain. People who don’t use this don’t know how useful it is. It amazes me more people aren’t bothered. Maybe it’s an old-school method for those of us who grew up with sequencers and DAWs where record always means erase (if not specifically in overdub mode).
EDIT: maybe it wasn’t your thread, but seems other people want it too.
Hi @steve and @raino - yes I did try it. Brilliant attempt and thank you, but it’s a little strange.
First, make sure you’re in Editor in Lower Zone, otherwise it deletes the whole part in the timeline. No big deal.
I’ve noticed when you delete a note with chosen macro key command (let’s call the command ^ for this example) , it will select the next note (in the Editor). I can’t tell if this happens 100% of the time, but it happens often, probably some leftover “selecting” from the macro but not deleting? The undesired result is when you tap ^ again, that selected note gets deleted instead of the note the cursor is playing over. So it works for the first delete, but the only way to get it to work predictably for the next delete is to click somewhere in the editor so no notes are selected. This makes it difficult to use because if you want to record “mutes” into (e.g.) a synth line, you cannot just let it play and “perform” your erases/mutes by hitting ^ each time you want a note gone. You must keep clicking in the editor to deselect any selected notes first. Have you seen this behavior in your use?
Maybe I just need to get used to it, but it feels a little “sticky” or lagged? I thought maybe it was buffer size creating latency between monitoring my audio and the key command timing, so I put it low at 64 samples, which should be pretty snappy. No discernible improvement. It just doesn’t feel as responsive as (for example) hitting “Record” in Ableton or PT or DP, or hitting “Erase” button on an MPC.
If you hold down the key command, it will delete into the future (ahead of the playhead/cursor).
I really appreciate the tip, but let’s see if we can improve it? Thanks for the help. The first response that gets me/us closer to desired behavior! I want to rant about how bewildering it is that this isn’t standard (or an option) in Cubase but I’ll keep it to this sentence.
If you are not a veteran Cubase user, the Cubase workflow might seem wrong to you.
I’ve been on this forum since 2011, and have seen many feature requests come and go.
One pattern I’ve seen though is someone starts using Cubase and attempts to do something they could do in their previous daw, and upon discovering they can’t, come here to request the feature they are used to.
Sometimes that works out well, and a feature is added (I’m thinking about the metronome and grid features that were added I think in 2016 or so). But other times it’s a matter of adapting to a new workflow.
If you describe the feature you need in one sentence, without referring to anything else, maybe the idea could gain some traction. Edit the title too.
Does that means someone already suggested being able to start writing notes for a given MIDI track without having to draw an empty MIDI event and open it first or record it?
Hey @steve thanks. I have been doing this for years and have adapted to different workflows. I respectfully disagree that “Record”–one of the five basic transport functions common to every other DAW and tape machine and hardware sequencer, not to mention Cubase’s own audio tracks–not even having the option to function as every other Record button does is not a matter of workflow adaptation. It’s just a truly bizarre choice and I cannot see any justification for it considering Steinberg’s endless customization options for every function.
I appreciate you and others helping on this thread and say the above with no disrespect intended at all. I know if Cubase becomes my DAW I will find a way to adapt.
Are you saying I should do the feature and title in a new thread? Or just edit it here?
Thanks again.
EDIT: I am aware my own particular reason for using destructive record may be a niche workflow choice (using it as “anti-record” or live erasing of notes)
I’m not entirely sure I fully understand – to the end of formulating a clear FR – is erasing the midi events in realtime the only use case, or are there other situations you would need it? would this ‘mode’ be used in additional ways?
@steve I’m not sure how to edit the subject, feel free.
Subject: Feature request: Destructive MIDI Record
Description: A “Destructive Record” mode or updated “Replace” functionality in which toggling on Record during playback deletes any data at the cursor position of a record-enabled MIDI track, regardless of whether new notes or controllers are received.
Function: Offers flexibility to user of performing live “thinning” or deleting of MIDI data when the Record tranport button is toggled on. This is different than the current Replace mode which leaves MIDI parts as-is unless new notes or controllers are received. This is different than channel muting because it allows any trailing MIDI notes (e.g., sounds with long releases) to continue to sound.
Options:
Destructive Record filter (Record deletes/replaces just Notes, just CC, etc.)
Mute Record (instead of deleting or replacing, engaging Record mutes notes)
