Issues with Custom Drum Maps in Cubase 15 Score Editor

[Tizian_Arold]

Hi everyone,

I’m currently facing an issue with custom drum maps in the Score Editor of Cubase 15. Specifically, I created a drum map for EZDrummer 3.

In general, the map seems to be working: when I remove the instrument type assignment from a note, it no longer appears in the Score Editor—just as described in the manual.

However, changes to the display note or note head are not reflected in the Score Editor when using my custom drum map. I haven’t been able to figure out why. Interestingly, when I switch to the GM drum map, any changes to the display note are applied immediately—just like I remember from earlier Cubase versions.

Has anyone experienced similar behavior? Are there specific settings or requirements for custom drum maps to ensure display parameters are correctly applied in the Score Editor?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

[r.u.sirius]

I reported strange drum map behavior some time ago, but did not get much attention:

Score Editor flaws/bugs/inconvenience / Cubase 14

Hi, after an afternoon of trying to understand the new score editor´s workflow better, I´d like to report the following flaws/bugs/inconvenience: Noteheads [noteheads] Wouldn´t it be easier to get just one window with all pictograms at once to chose from, instead of opening three (!) menues to finally select one? Maybe with some selectable favorites at the top. And I think noone needs a description (in sometimes very awkward German…), just show the pictograms! I´m missing the small noteh…

[Tizian_Arold]

Thanks for your reply!
If this strange behavior has been happening since Cubase 14, I really hope they haven’t abandoned the issue.

I experienced the same problem with the cut-off note heads in the notehead selection window. Interestingly, when I move that window to my second monitor (which is upright/portrait-oriented), the note heads display completely without being cut off. That’s been my workaround so far — though I’m not sure how many users actually have a second screen to try this on.

[Tizian_Arold]

I’ve figured out why the note heads don’t update in the score editor after making changes in the drum map: all notes assigned to the same instrument type must use the same note head. Only then will the score editor reflect the changes. This is tedious and, frankly, unnecessary work.

I also discovered why changes to the display note aren’t reflected in the score editor. The issue isn’t with the note actually played in EZDrummer, but with how the drum map handles identical instruments assigned to different notes. For example, if you have multiple Hi-Hat articulations mapped to different MIDI notes, and all asigned to “Hi-Hat”, you have to scroll up and change the display note on the first instance of that instrument in the drum map. Only then will the score editor show the correct display. From my point of view, this completely messes up the drum map and makes editing a nightmare.

Having to assign instruments to each note just to display their names in the score editor—especially when using alternative display styles—makes the new score editor a bit unattractive for drummers. It adds unnecessary steps that feel more like a workaround than a proper solution.

At the very least, please give us the ability to create our own instruments. That would make the workflow much more flexible and drummer-friendly. Right now, there are far too few options for a single instrument (Hi-Hat, Crashes, etc.) to reflect a realistic playstyle. We play the Hi-Hat open or closed, on the edge, or with the tip. Crashes can be played on the bell, bow, or edge. None of this is properly reflected in the current score editor—and it was much easier to manage in Cubase 13.

[r.u.sirius]

@r.u.sirius

I found a workaround by myself.
When creating my own drum maps, I have to set the instrument type to get the note displayed in the score editor, as described in the manual.
Unfortunately there´s only “Hi-Hit (pedal)” and “Hi-Hat” to chose from.
All notes with instrument type “Hi-Hat” are displayed with the same note head, no matter how many different ones I set up.
Open and closed hihat notes usually appear with different note heads in scores.

My workaround is to set up a random different instrument type for the open hihat notes and chose the appropriate note head - not very elegant, but it works.

Why is there an instrument type setting anyway? What´s the benefit?
Can´t we get simply rid of it? Or implement a “neutral instrument” type, which does not force the use of specific note heads?

Especially for percussion instruments with all their many playing techniques, which are often displayed with different note heads, problems are inevitable.
Rimclicks on toms, rimclicks on snare, sidestcik on snare, open and closed hihats…

from my ignored post back in April….

Instrument types in a drumset scenario is really a bad idea. (not just there, but at least my “instrument types and different guitar tunings” post got some acknowledgment…).The articulations are too complex for a “one size fits all” solution. And additionally drum/percussion notation is highly individual. Many scores use an explanation page for the percussion notation for a reason.