I’m using Cubase 15 Pro and VST Live 3 Pro with external hardware and would like to raise some concerns about core MIDI and hardware-related functionality.
1) No simple iteration of Program Changes
There is no straightforward way to step through Program Changes (next / previous) for external hardware using a key or button. Instead, sound selection requires manual browsing and mouse interaction.
2) Missing MSB in the Inspector (Bank Select)
The Inspector provides Program Change and LSB, but MSB (CC 0) is missing. Many hardware devices rely on MSB, and some ignore LSB entirely. Other DAWs handle this correctly, and earlier versions of Cubase did as well.
These are not edge cases, but standard MIDI workflows that have been part of professional use for decades. Cubase previously supported all of this reliably.
3) Device Manager: outdated and partially broken
The current Device Manager feels outdated and unreliable. In earlier Cubase versions it worked more predictably, while now it often causes additional problems instead of solving them. This directly affects external hardware workflows.
Beyond the individual issues, it is increasingly frustrating that these core requests have been raised by many users for years, across multiple Cubase versions, without visible improvement. It gives the impression that the needs of customers working with external hardware are no longer a priority, and that the focus is shifting almost entirely toward internal instruments and preset-based workflows.
At this point, I honestly wonder:
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Is it just me, or are other users experiencing the same issues?
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Will Steinberg ever address these long-standing problems or communicate a clear direction?
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Is there any realistic chance these core MIDI and hardware features will be restored or improved in future versions?
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Or is it simply time to consider switching to another DAW if external hardware remains a secondary concern?
Thanks for reading. I’d be very interested in hearing how other users see this.