MIDI Keyboard not sending data to Cubase - but configured correctly in Studio/Audio Set Up

Cubase
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MIDI Keyboard not sending data to Cubase Instrument Tracks

Cubase 15 pro - On a MacBook - registers my MIDI Keyboard, and the bar in the bottom right flickers when I play a key. In the Studio Set up all seems configured correctly, as well as Audio Setup. However, the only time I can hear my VST instrument track is in Chord Pads in the lower panel in Cubase: otherwise, I hear nothing, and when recording on a track no data appears. I would appreciate some advice on this.

Thanks,

Lewis

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Hi, @Lewis_Durkin

Few questions…

  1. What sound source are you attempting to use with your MIDI keyboard (VSTi - which one ?, external instrument..) ?
  2. What kind of track are you using in Cubase, as a MIDI messages receiver ? In any case, check again the Input routing parameter in its inspector (it should be set to the MIDI port used with your MIDI keyboard) and that the MIDI channel used matches the one used in the sound source (you can also used ‘Any’, as MIDI channel input, in doubt).
  3. Is the Monitor button of the track used activated ?

Beside this, be sure that, in the Edit > Preferences > MIDI panel, the MIDI Thru Active option is ticked.

3

Hi and welcome to the forum,

Audio Setup has nothing to do with MIDI.

Please attach a screenshot of the Studio > Studio Setup > MIDI Ports Setup.

Another important part is Preferences > MIDI > MIDI Filter. By default, only SysEx messages filter is enabled for both Thru and Record. Please, attach a screenshot.

4

Hey,

1 - I am using Kontakt 8, and loaded a VST instrument.. piano.

2 - I will attach some screenshots of my inspector and studio set up.

3- Yes, when the monitor button is activated, still no sound comes out.

I restarted the software by doing the safe mode activation and deleting all preferences I have changed - this has not made any difference.

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Screenshot 2026-01-26 at 07.48.46
Screenshot 2026-01-26 at 07.48.461920×1200 246 KB

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Screenshot 2026-01-26 at 07.49.08
Screenshot 2026-01-26 at 07.49.082354×1222 168 KB

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Screenshot 2026-01-26 at 07.49.35
Screenshot 2026-01-26 at 07.49.351708×1642 183 KB

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OK. Seems like things are correctly set (check again the MIDI Thru Active otion, though), excepting one thing that makes me wonder (excerpt from your first screenshot) :

LDurkin_ClippingMeters

Seems that an audio clipping has occured at some point. Is this indicator still dispayed ? If so, I would suggest to use the Reset button in the Studio > Studio Setup > Audio System panel as obviosly, Kontakt has misbehaved one way or another.

Beside this :

  • I guess that, in the Kontakt UI, there is a MIDI indicator that lits when messages are received. How does it behave when using your MIDI keyboard ?
  • AFAIK, Kontakt is multitimbral. Are you sure that your piano sound is loaded on a slot that receives MIDI messages on the channel 1, as shown in youir screenshot ?
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10

Thank you I,

MIDI Thru is activated. When in Kontakt alone, the MIDI responds and I hear feedback from a loaded instrument whilst playing the keyboard. So I think - I may be wrong - it is definitely a Cubase problem.

I just tried it and it works now! I have not changed any settings so far so I am not sure what has happened for it to work.

I appreciate the help.

Lewis

1 Like