Does anyone know if it’s possible to create the following macro/key commands:
Add a specific VST rack/track instrument.
Add a specific plugin as an insert on a track in the next free insert slot.
Any ideas?
not possible natively.
If not natively, is there another way?
i do something similar by simulating keystrokes using the autohotkey software, but it’s quite fiddly to program.
Strange - such a basic and common function with no macro support, compared to the hundreds of more arcane features available 
Not sure what DAW you use…
But on Cubase you can assign an action of inserting an audio track and an instrument.In my case, I have signed key, “A” for Audio track.
You can also save a bundle of plug-ins on a track and insert the bundle of plug ins instantly by loading them.
Tonight, I will check if I can assign a particular VST instrument to a key.
Also Cubase does have macro capabilities. I just have not used the function.
I hope this helps.
This being the steinberg Cubase forum, I think it’s (fairly) safe to assume I’m using…. cubase….
I know you can create an audio track or an instrument track with a shortcut - but then you still have to load the instrument.
I was talking about a macro where you can create a vst Rack instrument with a specific instrument already loaded.
Or even being able to do the same with an instrument track.
Or a macro to insert a specific plugin into a track. Even assigning a macro / key command to a specific track preset would be a workaround, but this doesn’t seem possible either.
I’m totally aware that cubase has macro funtions, hence my question regarding whether any of the functions I’m interested in are macro assignable… 
Hi,
I think it is NOT possible, because Cubase Macros do not allow to add Parameters (only “commands”).
Am I right?
Cheers, Ernst
you’re right, neither is this possible.
the closest you could get to this is assign a keycommand to load a preset (which in fact opens up the list of all the presets), and prior to that name your favourite presets starting with a special character that would automatically place them 1st in the list (eg. “!!!_eq_comp_1” etc.). not a 1-click solution but at least it shows you the more often used ones quicker.
it’s not possible but the explanation isn’t quite right.
Ok, so … how would we include the Name of a vst or whatever in a macro?
Cheers, Ernst
you can’t (unless for offline processing of course); what i outlined above related to track presets only. 
Hi There
Why don’t you save the various instruments as Track Presets, or even export them as Track Templates then it’s a pretty simple job to bring them back in when you need them
Best Regards
Dave
this is what i was suggesting, it’s close but doesn’t allow for a common scenario when you want to have a shortcut to add, say, your favourite compressor in the first free insert slot on a selected channel. track preset will override your existing channel inserts and settings. you can of course load a new channel and drag from it whatever inserts you wanted but that’s quite a few extra steps hence the question raised by the OP i am guessing.
Track presets also won’t work for rack instruments…
I’m aware of most of the workarounds but would love those functions to be assignable to a shortcut for ultimate convenience! Maybe in Cubase X 
Yes, this would be really handy. I would love to have the ability to assign a key that would insert and open a defined vsti plugin with the parameters set.