I have a project in Cubase 10.5 where MIDI tracks are playing back with no sound. The MIDI instruments and sampler tracks for each track are where they should be. Audio tracks are fine. MIDI thru is activated in Preferences. In MIDI Port Setup, my audio interface output port is showing as Inactive. I’m unable to find a solution in the manual or online. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Hi,
What exactly do you mean by the statement, the ports are Inactive, please?
Could you attach a screenshot, please?
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I believe the OP talks about the state column.
Anyway, active/inactive means that the port is connected (or not) to a track (or remote device). That’s it.
That’s correct. In the State column, the output port of my audio interface reads ‘Inactive’. Would that explain why there’s no sound coming from MIDI tracks even though there is data in the project window ? Also, there is activity in the individual track meters?
Nope.
Are you asking or giving additional info about the problem?
Hi,
What is the output of the MIDI Track(s), please? Where are they connected to?
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The attached screenshots show that there is activity in the MIDI track meters during playback and that the output port of the audio interface is Inactive. I hope that enables you to consider further. Thanks for posting.
Hi,
This is an Instrument Track, no MIDI Track. Is this the affected one? I can see an audio output on the tracks’ meters. But I don’t see the meters on the output. So, how is the routing? Where is the output of this track routed to?
Could you attach a screenshot from the MixConsole, where the Routing tab is open, please?
Hi, I’m sorry for the confusion. I should have explained that no instrument tracks, MIDI tracks or tracks made from sampletrack will play back with any sound, even though their individual track meters show activity. I should explain further: The project is a tutorial project created by a Steinberg certified trainer. I imported the project into Cubase 10.5. Only the sound from audio tracks can be heard during playback. I’m now unable to attach further screenshots to my posts for some reason, unfortunately.
Hi, you were correct. The problem was created by an unseen routing issue which I have now identified. Many thanks for your help.
Hey!
I am having the same problem, how did you fix it??
How did you fix it!!! We are watching because we have the same problem.
Share please…
Yes, you should share we are all having this problem with all Cubase Versions, since YEARS !
How to activate an inactive port. No matter the context… Just say HOW or stay in silence !
For my part, I’ve been trying this :
Before starting Cubase…
I copy the two files contained in this directory : C:\Program Files\Steinberg\Cubase 7.5\midi port enabler ( “enableemulated” and “ignoreportfilter” )
Then I paste them to this directory : C:\Program Files\Steinberg\Cubase 7.5
Tadam ! When I start Cubase, I see a long list of midi ports. Some of them are emulated.
I try all of them. And what I realize is that even if its displayed as inactive, it works ! 
That means that your problem is not in the “State” column. This state is insignificant actualy.
I had exactly the same propblem with my NI Komplete Kontrol S61 keyboard and a midi device ( Roland MC-505) physicaly plugged on it. There was no way to send anything from Cubase.
I have uninstalled the keyboard drivers (Revo-Uninstaller,set to complete scan). Then re-installed them. I used this app, recomended by NI them selves : “Midiox”
Its not the solution but a MIDI testing and rerouting app. That worked, the MIDI signal passed thru and my MC-505 was playing from the Kontrol S61 keyboard, in a stand alone mode…
So I started Cubase again and the MIDI ports still appears “inactive”. Don’t care, just set the correct device to the correct tracks, check the thru is on and filters are Off, in the Cubase preferences…
And thats all folks, it works ! Even if it appears as “inactive”…
I’ve spend 6 Hours on that, so I share, cause I’m not selfish and I understand how you suffer my friend. 
Hope It will help you.
Now I got the same problem with my Novation LaunchKey 25, on witch I’ve plugged my ASR-10. (Novation MIDI Out to ASR-10 In). No problem to play directly from the keyboard to the sampler. No problem to record from Novation to Cubase. But there is no way to play ASR-10 from Cubase thru Novation… ;(
I’m working on it…
Take care !
Hi,
Because as you described your connection here:
this is wrong. You have to use MIDI Thru. It’s purpose is to pass on (or through) an exact copy of the data present at the MIDI In of the device. So the routing is Novation MIDI Thru > ASR-10 and make sure the USB-MIDI Port of Novation works as common MIDI In and it passes data to the Thru output.
Thanx.
But there is only one MIDI Out on the Novation LaunchKey 25. 
Only one way is Novation LaunchKey 25 MIDI Out to ASR-10 IN (Its a Rack version),
and then praying for Midi data sended by Cubase to pass through Novation LaunchKey 25
to his MIDI Out and then to the ASR-10… 
The most bizarre is that when I monitor MIDI ports with MIDIOX(very revelant tool !), I see data coming out this Fu…ing Novation LaunchKey 25 MIDI Out… I don’t understand why the ASR-10
don’t react… 
I’m in stand alone mode, no Cubase started.
Playing on Novation LaunchKey 25 is ok. Playing on NI Komplete Kontrol S61 (routed via MIDIOX),
I can see well formed MIDI packets passing thru (Note on/off, right device, right channel), but
no sound… It does not work !
I can play MC-505 (plugged on NI Keyboard) from both NI or Novation.
I can play ASR-10 from Novation LaunchKey 25.
But I Can’t play ASR-10 from NI Keyboard.
Novation LaunchKey 25 MIDI Out is supposed to act as a thru port.
I don’t get it. 
Hi,
Isn’t it possible to set Novation’s Output behave as Thru? Sometimes you can do so in the Settings.
Do you mean MIDI data, which you send to Novatoin via USB? Or data from its own keyboard/encoders/sliders…?
OK, so you even don’t know, if ASR-10 receives the MIDI data? So maybe it receives MIDI data, but it doesn’t make a sound?
No Midi Output settings in Novation Launchkey 25…
Via USB, of course ! I said that everything is ok when play directly from keyboard… 
I think its ghost Midi events ! Cause It neither don’t work with MC-505…
Anyway, I’ve sent I mail to Novation Support…
…Wait and see.
Hi,
Of course, because then it’s common MIDI Out, not Thru.