I’ve been using Cubase for a week now and I can’t figure out how to enter precise values for automation points.
I’m trying to automate a parameter inside a Kontakt Instrument (For instance, the pitch parameter for one of the layers inside Arkhis). I create the automation lane, click onto the line to create an automation point and would then like to set that point to a specific value. I see the value in the info line as “0 st”. I can drag that number up and down from “-12 st” to “12 st”. But entering a value manually, regardless of what value, makes the automation point jump to 0 (or “-12 st”).
What am I doing wrong?
Also, what if I want to enter a more precise value, like 5.5 semitones?
Is there a way of displaying all automation values as a percentage or even in CC value (0-127)?
Any help is appreciated
A screen recording of the issue:
Everything works as intended (I suppose) until 0:20, when I try to enter values manually.
are you talking about automation in the key editor or in the project view?
If it is in the project view the parameter name and the accepted values come from the plugin (Kontakt) and Cubase just displays them. If the plugin accepts only whole semi-tones there is nothing Cubase or you can do about it. You might need to find a pitch bend or tune parameter instead for finer changes of the pitch. Also this is courtesy of your used plugin.
You can definitely make finer adjustments to the parameter, it’s not limited to whole semitones. This really seems like a bug and the same happens, whichever parameter I’m trying to automate, regardless of which instrument I load. The behaviour is the same when opening instruments through Komplete Kontrol. Other VSTs seem to work as intended.
Just made sure every piece of software was up to date and it is.
I know because it’s a parameter I can use for smooth pitch bends in other DAWs. I’ve added a video to the original post to illustrate what is happening.
We will not get anywhere. Cubase simply displays whatever the plugin offers. why it would be different in other DAWs should possibly also asked to the developer of the plugin or library. Maybe you use the AU or CLAP version in the other DAWs?
Possibly somebody else on this forum has the same product and can check what is going on.
It’s the same behavior in Live, which is to be expected as you already identified that the DAW just provides access to the parameters dictated by the plugin. Manual automation point additions (e.g. 5.5) result in positive or negative max entries.
Well in Ableton Live if I wanted to get a pitch value of +5.5 semitones on a slider that has a range of 24 semitone (12 negative and 12 positive) you have to enter a value of 0.729, considering ableton’s automation range is 0 to 1.
Formula: 1 / 24 x 17.5 = 0.729
But that’s not the question. The issue is that entering values in Ableton (ranging from 0 to 1) works but it doesn’t in Cubase. So how do I do it?
Not when using “Add Value” in Arranger lane automation points for Arkhis pitch control mappings. It behaves the same way you show in your video. Maybe the specified Layer parameters have something to do with that.
You gotta be kidding me.
You don’t enter the semitones but the raw value. Under the hood every VST parameter has values from 0 to 1. Try entering a value above 1, does that do anything but setting the point to the maximum value?
I can enter whatever I want, 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 50, “5 st”, 50% ect. Nothing works. Everything just sets it to either maximum or minimum value. It does work with other VSTs as I said, but any parameter in Kontakt or Komplete Kontrol makes it glitch. Even tried using a comma instead of a dot in “0,5”.
If it works for you would you mind sharing a screen recording?
Sorry, but I’m having a difficult time understanding what you’re saying, or what you think may be happening. The pitch control for Arkhis is in semitones with a range of 12 +/-:
I think you’re conflating the UI automatically correcting your non-integer values as being evidence that you can actually enter those numbers and have them apply as entered.
As already stated, the values you can enter are determined by the parameters supported by the plug-in. If you want more granular control of pitch, you’ll need a different approach if your plug-in doesn’t support it.
Thanks for taking the time to pull up the manual. Since you have Arkhis, you can try pitching a note up over time and see that it does not move in steps but in a continuous motion.
But that’s not the issue, since you can do it in Cubase by simply drawing automation by hand or recording it during playback. What I want it simply being able to input a precise value for every individual automation point, which you can do for other VSTs or DAW parameters in general. It’s just Kontakt that doesn’t “receive” the input value correctly it seems.
Basically, whatever value I enter in Cubase’s info line, doesn’t register correctly.
A continuous motion in 1 semitone increments when the plugin generates sound. Since you’re used to Live, if you unfold the device parameters, click configure, and add an Arkhis Pitch X layer, you’ll see that even what “looks” like “smooth” automated parameter changes over time are simply changes in 1 semitone increments. This could of course be .01 of a parameter if the plug-in supports it, but the playback of this recording would yield 24 distinct pitches from +12 to -12 in semitone increments. It’s not creating some “infinite number of pitches over 2 octaves.” This becomes more obvious is you spread it out over a long time.
I’m not trying to belabor the point, but rather, illustrate that you can already do this in Cubase by just entering integers between 12 and -12 to do this. For the Arkhis pitch parameters, that’s all you can do.
I have to say, I feel like I’m missing something simple, so I apologize if I’m being obtuse about something obvious.
No it’s okay, I might not be expressing myself clearly. Forget about Arkhis, it’s not what I have an issue with. Thanks for taking the time though, appreciate it.
As I said, entering ANY value in the info line for an automation point, linked to ANY parameter in ANY Kontakt instrument returns, the wrong value, either a maximum value or a minimum value.
Even trying to set the automation point to dead center (0 st) doesn’t work, whether I enter" “0,5”, 0.5”, “50”, “0”, “0 st”, “50%”, etc.
That’s the whole issue, any value entered doesn’t register correctly.
