I’ve got a working solution … working in that I use it every day:
I’m using 2 additional pieces of software with Cubase.
- VST-XML Translator: http://vstxmltranslator.blogspot.com/
- FL Studio (as a ReWire device): http://www.flstudio.com/
Now, the way I work is I load FL Studio as a ReWire device, undock the FL Studio browser from its main window, and close its main window, so all I get is a floating browser. I can drag/drop from there to any pad in Battery, or to the timeline, or to Kontakt, etc.
To get regions from the arrange window into Battery, I have VST-XML translator running in the background, and I can drag regions from Cubase to its window. (You can set it to auto-copy to a specific folder on drag/drop.) I have that folder set up in FL Studio’s “File” settings (you can add folders or drives, as you like), and so I click refresh on the FL Studio browser, and then drag/drop directly into Battery.
This is the fastest and easiest way I’ve found. The benefit of the FL Studio browser is that it drags/drops everywhere, up/down arrow automatically auditions the next/previous sound file (.WAV, .AIF, .OGG, etc.) … and because it’s ReWired, loops play back at project tempo when auditioning while the sequencer is running. The FL Studio browser is FAAAST compared to anything else I’ve found, and it’s really intuitive to get around.
Best thing is, I don’t think you have to even purchase a license of FL Studio, as the limitation in the demo is that you can’t save. Since you’re only using it as a glorified sample browser, you can just get (and use) the demo.
I’ll be doing a video describing this workflow in better detail, as well as a custom solution I’ve devised for drum programming in Cubase using Battery as the sampler.
Hope this helps!
~Stu