How can I apply automation across multiple MIDI tracks simultaneously?

Cubase
1

Hello,
Could you recommend a detailed video or other reliable resource that explains how to write automation—specifically Modulation (CC1) and Expression (CC11)—across multiple MIDI tracks? In my case, the tracks are assigned to different libraries and instruments but share the same MIDI notes (orchestral setup). I have tried using AI tools, but the results were not satisfactory.

2

Hi,

You cannot draw a line across multiple MIDI CCs at once. You have to either Copy & Paste, or you can use IMDI Inserts > Transformer:

Filter Target
( Type Is | Equal | Controller | And
Subtype (MIDI Controller No.) | Equal | 1 )

Action Target
Subtype (MIDI Controller No.) | Set to Fixed Value | 11

Function
Insert
3

If we are talking about Midi CCs only and you want the same data… then simply arm all the desired tracks for recording.

4

Hi,

Sorry, I was reading your post too quickly.

You can also use the Shared Copy. So you can make just 1 MIDI Part and then create Shared Copies of it and distribute them over the other Tracks. Then, once you make a change to any of the shared copies, all other shared copies will follow.

You can also use MIDI Sends to send the MIDI data from one Track to multiple destinations.

5

Thank you guys for very valuable comments and suggestions. To be more specific, I’m looking for ability to write automation on multiple tracks at once. Is that even possible? I tried to ask ai and it guided me throgh a lot of possibilities but non of those were working.

6

You asked for CC1 and CC11 and I provided the answer already. What is not working?

7

Hi,

Enable Automation Write at multiple tracks and move the controls.

8

Hi

I’ve been away from my studio for the past two days due to travel, but I’ll be back today and plan to revisit your suggestion.

To be honest, I’m not entirely sure whether I’ve already tried that approach, as I’ve gone through many different steps recently. I’ll give it another attempt to be certain.

Previously, I tried using the IAC virtual port on my Mac and assigning my MIDI tracks to it, but without success. I also attempted to select all MIDI tracks, open the Key Editor, set it to “All Parts,” and draw the automation line—unfortunately, that didn’t work either.

It’s possible that I’ve already followed the steps you recommended, but I’ll go through them again today to confirm.

Best regards,
Wacek

9

Do you want to
(a) record the data sent by a midi keyboard/controller or
(b) draw in the data in Cubase
?

10

To be fair, I did try using the controller while recording MIDI. It works, but only for a single track.
Since I need to record each track separately—due to differences in instrument registers, even when they play notes of the same length—I eventually concluded that the best approach is to record everything “flat,” without any automation, and then draw the automation afterward.

I started doing this in the main window using the drop-down automation lanes. However, I quickly realized that drawing automation “by eye” is difficult when the individual notes aren’t visible. It requires constantly shifting tracks around, which becomes increasingly cumbersome.

It’s manageable with just a few tracks, but in my case, I’m working with around 23 tracks of strings and other instruments, and it’s becoming very problematic.
As mentioned, I also tried doing this in the Key Editor, but that didn’t work out either.
Ideally, this should be done in the Key Editor—by drawing the automation directly, for multiple tracks at once.

11

I tried again.
I armed all the desired MIDI tracks for recording, but none of the controllers triggered changes in C1/C11.
I then armed all the instruments for recording, but only the one that was actively selected responded to automation changes—the rest remained inactive.

Someone mentioned using the Transformer, and I gave that a try as well, but unfortunately, I don’t really understand how it works.

Gentlemen, I realize that what I’m asking about is not simple, and I’m truly grateful for any help you can provide. At the same time, it feels strange that such an advanced DAW as Cubase does not allow for a straightforward way to manage automation. It seems to me that many of us who work, even to a small extent, on orchestral pieces are forced to navigate through this dense forest of automation.

12

Hi,

Do all the MIDI tracks use the ‘All MIDI Input’ port and the ‘Any’ Input MIDI Channel? Could you attach a screenshot of the non-functional track > Routing tab, please?