How to Start/Stop playback while Cubase is NOT the App in Focus?

Cubase
1

I know there are hardware transport controls to assign start playback/stop. Problem is I don’t have room on my desk for one.

I like to use keyboard shortcuts anyway with my left hand, and I currently have the space bar set up in Cubase to start/stop playback and then return the transport cursor to the original start position via a Cubase Macro

But obviously this doesn’t work when Cubase is not the focus app. Like if I’m messing around with parameters in VE Pro interface, but want to start Cubase playback without giving up VE Pro focus.

My computer keyboard doesn’t do it’s own hardware macros, unfortunately.

Is there some way I could accomplish this with a little program or app in the background? So that my computer keyboard spacebar acts like a hardware units start/stop and will engage Cubase’s transport state when Cubase is not the focus app?

Or some other answer, maybe?

M.

By the way, here is the Cubase Macro I use:
Stop/Return stop to start position Space
Transport - Start/Stop
Transport - Return to Start Position

2

If I’m reading your description correctly, I don’t think you need a Macro for this. It behaves the same way here with the right Preference Settings. Sorry I don’t recall the exact Settings - set & forget ages ago.

I don’t think you can use the spacebar that way. If Cubase doesn’t have focus, some other program does - and it likely needs the spacebar itself.

I don’t use it, but lots of folks like Auto Hot Key for stuff like this. So give it a look.

If your hardware Keyboard has some extra buttons you could use one for this via MIDI Remote.

Also Cubase IC Pro can put the transport controls on your phone or tablet.

3

It’s not going to work with the keyboard as mentioned above. It would be bad if it could as then the program that has focus wouldn’t work. It’s same for all programs. You need a midi controller which can still communicate with Cubase or if you have an iPhone or iPad icpro. Avid do one as well which will work with Cubase on an iPad and it’s free.

1 Like
4

I find this to be the most straight forward approach, especially since

5

Thanks, guys. That’s what I figured. I’ll prolly go for something physical and just force a little room on my desk either above or below my computer keyboard.

M>