I regularly go between a few DAWs and across different OS’s and have done for years. I actually embrace the change, and never feel like i’m trapped within a certain feature set.
I would never want to be tied to one DAW with a comfortable environment where i’m reaching for the same preset templates and settings each time, as it would feel like walking to the same well each time I want water.
However, i’m no more getting paid through music, so don’t have to consider things like cost of time or working within timescales. I can just enjoy the freedom and different perspectives available, and it’s much more refreshing for me nowadays.
Thats not going to close Cubase windows such as the History Window. As said, there are several windows throughout that can only be mouse-closed or if that window has focus, ctr+w. But Windows ctr+tab and ctr+w is not a very good substitute for various reasons.
This topic has been mentioned many times over the years. I’m confident if there was a way to assign a KC to close a certain window, it would have been added. It’s all about code through the years, and of course…resources.
You can assign a random shortcut and use keyboard or stream deck macro if you have that option.
I have several workspaces setup in this way, mixer pages, media bay, I can open and close editors, zoom in and out to clip or selected events range.
I don’t have history window on such shortcut but I am sure I could set up one with macro steps.
You can use external utilities for this (AHK is an example): Set it to find a window with its title starting with “Edit History”, set focus, then Alt+F4 (or Ctrl+W).
Now, if you need the button to behave as toggle, in the find step, if nothing is found, we can execute the command for showing History.
Too much effort for a toggle that I think was just a miss in the implementation
In Cubase I made a KC for history Shift + F4
I assigned this KC on my mouse button macro. I already had a separate mouse button macro to close window with Alt + F4.
Its not a perfect solution but it works without clicking on x for history.
I’m confused. Are you referring to a type or brand of mouse that has certain additional buttons on it for programmable commands? If so, you will need a lot of buttons on that mouse because there are numerous Cubase windows that open with a KC, but no KC to close, excluding those KCs that act as a on/off KC switch. But as most know, on/offs may not work well in a macro.
However if I’m completely misunderstanding you, then please explain what you mean by “mouse button macro” and how to specifically close the History window (again this is just one of many windows) without it being focused, and using Windows commands. Would you be willing to please list this macro?
Fwiw, I use Metagrid (legacy), and that is similar to Stream Deck, however Metagrid allows unlimited pages, configurable buttons, and is much more flexible. Integrating it with the 4 mix consoles, 4 video displays, configurations, workspaces, plus LE and PLE presets included in macros certainly enhances workflow and speed. But closing numerous windows through out Cubase, no…I still don’t see how it can be done excluding AHK which I suggested to @Martin.Jirsak above and @m.c also did.
For emphasis IMO this is no reason to look for an alternative DAW. It’s a bump…a distraction that at this point in the Cubase evolutionary scheme of progress I think is very involved for developers to remedy. Therefore I learn to live with it until such time there is a resolution, or use AHK.
I’m not sure I made myself clear using the History Window as an example.
Open the History window. That is available through a Key Command as well.
By default, when you open it, it will be focused.
Click on some other Cubase window. Project Page, Mix Console etc. History Window becomes unfocused.
Click on the History Window again so it has focus.
Use the Windows ctr+w to close it.
Macro to close the History Window when not in focus:
KC for History (should put it in focus)
(windows) ctr+W (should close it)
That works.
But unlike some Cubase windows that do have a KC close function, or KC switch on/off function there is no KC to close the History window, as well as several other windows.
I think we would all are all in agreement here. It is not a reason. But it seems to be a symptom to much larger problems. I’m not blaming the Developers and Staff at all , they probably understand the frustration of users better then anyone.
I understand that maintaining and changing a DAW as complex as Cubase’s “legacy” code must be a monumental task that keeps getting harder. But we are Users/customers we need to make our complaints known or vote with our wallet.
You could just list the things you’d like changed. The exit stuff is peripheral and not helpful for anyone. Whatever DAW you end up on - you’re still part of the music community. In a way, we’ve all been supporting you up til now. Anyway, good luck.
Open Studio Setup. Or open Project Setup. ctr+w do not close those because those windows require a user response. The assumption is that the user is going to change something in those windows. However there are times the user just wants to verify or look at those windows without making any change.
In addition some windows, for example the Key Commands, Statistics, or History window do not show any indication of it even being in focus. The top window bar never changes color like others do when using ctr+tab. However if it happens to be in focus, you can use ctr+w to close those windows.
And the main problem is that the Windows ctr+w, and ctr+tab (necessary to navigate and focus) doesn’t work well with multiple video displays and multiple Cubase windows open at the same time. Just to focus a particular window with ctr+w, you will have to cycle through all the open windows on your displays. If you have Mix Console 1, Key Edit, Project Page, and History window all open, they will cycle with ctr+tab, but not the History window.
IMO, and especially for creating macros, you need a KC for window open and a KC for window close. Currently some have both open and close while others work like a toggle switch, press once to open, press again to close, making macros difficult. And as said prior, some have open, but no close.
These aren’t eye-candy functions and therefore are not often manifested until creating macros or a desire to increase workflow speed. The generic Windows functions simply don’t cut it. However considering Cubase is the most feature-rich DAW, it wouldn’t be a reason for me to leave. Instead, a reason to present focus problems and find solutions.
Hit the enter key. You can use that for any window with a highlighted button.
On mac those seem to be permanently “always on top” yet not permanently “in focus”. But the Red, Green buttons do go grey when not “in focus”. Not sure why anyone would care. These are not things that would ever decrease my “workflow speed”.
Hit the enter key if you don’t like using your mouse to close windows.
Cubase has been the act to follow for over 3 decades. If you want to give up everything this program has to offer over petty complaints that’s your business. But I bet you won’t.
Thanks! I did forget about the enter key for those windows that require a user response and “shake” to remind the user.
Where/what are these red, green buttons you are mentioning about in History, Statistics, or KC window?
My “normal” template has a small area for History to be left permanently open. If it’s not open, and I open it, it has focus however there is no indication of that as you say. If History window is open, and I press a KC to open it again, then focus indication appears. The color is set in Preferences>User Interlace>color schemes>custom color scheme>focus color.
Maybe not yours.
Having a dedicated “close xxx window” enhances my workflow. No fiddling or cycling around with a Windows ctr+tab, ctr+w that wasn’t even designated for Cubase. A dedicated “close” button fits nicely next to the open button in Metagrid, and a dedicated close button can be a very useful button assigned to a macro. As a matter of fact, not having a dedicated close button prohibits creating certain macros.
See above please. I think that applies only to Cubase windows that require a user response in order to close. There are lots of Cubase windows that don’t require a user response.
Absolutely!
Maybe you did not read my posts above? I’ll quote myself.
and…
I’m not the OP. But there are some issues I agree with the OP, and focus issues happens to be one of them.
I’m on Mac. It’s actually Red, Yellow, Green buttons. Yellow allowing something to be shrunk into the dock (also mac) but some windows in Cubase omit the yellow, docking capability.
In Focus
