Dear All, with Cubase 14/15, the step input utilises a Caret position where you step input notes from that caret position. However, is there a way to click on any position in the score to place the caret position on that point for step inputting notes? It seems the only way I know is to use the arrow keys to move slowly from the last position to the next position, which can be really clumsy and time consuming (especially when the next point is far away). Resetting Project Cursor (Shift+Alt left-click) to that new point doesn’t work either, as the step input’s caret is still stuck in the previous old position. Likewise, using the pencil tool to draw new notes in the new position doesn’t move the old caret for step input as well. This seems like a really basic navigation requirement but I can’t seem to work out, so I must have missed something? Any pointer is appreciated.
Hi, this is one of some really serious malfunctions in the new score editor, which send me always back to write in version 13, or in Dorico. The only way I can “use” the new score editor is on touchscreens working with pencil input, tested with ms surface, but should work also with iPad pro
Oh no! Thanks for responding. One would think such basic navigation need or discrepancies would surface early and sorted out at beta testing. Bummer, I was getting back into the new score editor. This is a deal breaker. Why can’t it be click anywhere (or click with some modifier key) and the caret just go there? What else could it be?
@Credole A workaround is to use Shift + Alt + Left Click like you said above (or Shift + Option + Left Click on Mac for me) to set the project cursor in the score editor. Then if you turn step editing on and off quickly you can start input from the new point. I have Toggle Step Input assigned to a keystroke and tap it twice.
The project cursor and the score caret are closely related so if you’re in the score window you can move the caret by:
- select a note in the score
- klick “L” (the cursor will be placet at the selection) , and
- activate step input (the caret will be at the selection start)
If you are openig the score in the lower pane, you can set the cursor in the project window instaed of klicking “L”.
Thanks @Buer for responding. Click “L” will only set the Project Cursor to the target, but not the Score Editor’s caret unfortunately. Could use Shift+Alt+Left Click as well to move the Cursor, but no effect on the caret.
Hi @philmac , your solution is the closest and will be perfect if there’s only one stave or instrument (and probably assign a macro to L + double click step input). However, if you have more than instruments, the caret will travel to the same timeline but remain stuck in the last instrument, you then need to use the up or down arrow key to move to the target instrument. This is fundamental error that render the Score Editor’s step input unusable. Hope Steinberg fix this. I happen to also use Fender Studio Pro, you just click anywhere in the score and the Step Input go there immediate, no fussing around.
I think I am close to a solution for navigating multi instruments parts. As suggested you can build a macro with L+ Midi Toggle Step Input x2. Basically, you can then select the note on the target location, running the macro brings the caret to the same timeline location of the selected note (but not the same stave/instrument). To go your target instrument track/stave, you need to click on the same note another time. If anybody knows any built-in command to simulate clicking the selected note again - we can add that to the macro and we have a solution.
Oh yes It does here at my place, if I activcate step input (I’m at Cubase 15, tho)
if it’s allready activated I have to double click step input.
NB:
If you have a Loop activated the caret will start at the Loop-start point!
Thanks @Bauer , think we are talking about the same thing that works i.e. L + double click step input. Works for single stave, but need to click on the same note again to bring it to the same stave if it’s on multi staves. Just need to find if there’s a command to simulate selecting /clicking the same note again, and create a macro. Thamk again.
Haven’t found any solution thius this , no.
In a multi staff score I have to select the active staff in the visibillity tab to move the caret between staffs. Can be done with arrow keys!
I agree that the caret-movement an activcation etc could benefit from a “simplification” ; better workflow that would.,
I can’t think of an easy way to select the track - although there is probably something funky you could do with the Project Logical Editor as it has a Select operation.
I use Sync Layout to edit individual parts to get around this kind of track selection problem, and to be honest these days I’ve mostly switched to entering notes in the Key Editor. There are still quite a few bugs/missing functionality in the score editor that make entering/editing slower than it should be, e.g. no acoustic feedback on nudging notes, and the two click problem (you have to click once to select a note head and then click again to drag a note up and down).
Just to mention that there are some limitations in using L. Shared midi parts are a huge timer saver when making scores if your music has any kind of repeated sections (in particular with lyrics) - but L does not work correctly for those parts. See here for the discussion/workaround:
Thanks @philmac , after trying various combinations of key commands, I arrive at the same conclusion that key editor step entry is the way to go. In the score editor, clicking on empty staff and trying to get the caret to there involves too many steps, I m still used to Fender Studio Pro’s direct mthod, it basically involves clicking any staff (empty or not) and it’s there to step input directly. The pencil input tool in Cubase score editor is very good though.
My solution is to have double screens, one with key editor and one with Score Editor. Key editor does the note entry and score editor for reading and context, as I understand notation much better than squares on key editor. Alternatively voul just use the pencil tool in the key editor,.
Thanks for the inputs and pointers everyone.