Seeking a way to trigger Cubase MIDI Remote commands using Stream Deck Plus Dials
[The Goal]
I am trying to use the Stream Deck Plus Dials to trigger high-precision, macro-level commands within Cubase MIDI Remote. My objective is to use the dials for complex tasks, including:
- Micro-timing Note Position Shifting (e.g., shifting MIDI event positions by -10ms via Logical Presets)
- Note Velocity Control (using MLE Presets to shift velocity by ±3)
- MIDI CC Value Control in Key Editor (to shift CC Val ±3 using MLE Presets)
- Track Navigation
[The Problem]
There is a fundamental mismatch between my intended workflow and the operational logic of Cubase MIDI Remote.
To maximize efficiency, I have designed a “Dial Stack” configuration. For instance, one dial is set to output CC #126 (Ch 16), where a CCW rotation triggers Val 126 and a CW rotation triggers Val 127. By pressing a Stream Deck Dial button, I can instantly switch the dial’s function to another CC range (e.g., CC #126**(Ch 16)**, with Val 124 for CCW and Val 125 for CW). This allows me to map up to 128 distinct commands per dial using the MIDI CC value spectrum—an extremely versatile setup.
However, while tools like Keyboard Maestro or Spitfire UACC can trigger actions based on specific MIDI CC values, Cubase MIDI Remote appears to function strictly as an “Event-based” system. It requires a discrete MIDI Note event to trigger a command. Since the Stream Deck Plus Dials (utilizing the Trevligaspel MIDI plugin) are designed to output CC signals for continuous parameter control rather than MIDI Note events, I cannot directly trigger these essential functions in Cubase.
(Note: While the Stream Deck software has a “MIDI Button” plugin, it does not support assignment to the Dials.)
[The Current Dilemma & Urgency]
I am currently in a transitional phase. I have been using a Razer Stream Controller with Loupedeck software, which uniquely allowed me to map Dials directly to MIDI Notes. While this setup currently works on macOS Mojave, it is a “dead end”—the latest firmware is incompatible with newer macOS versions, and I cannot downgrade. I must migrate to the Stream Deck soon to remain compatible with upcoming macOS updates.
As I move to the Stream Deck, I am concerned about the technical limitations of my proposed workaround:
Stream Deck Plus (MIDI CC) → Keyboard Maestro (CC to Note Conversion) → Cubase MIDI Remote (Trigger)
My primary concerns are:
- Latency: Will the software-based conversion in Keyboard Maestro introduce perceptible delay in a high-precision musical environment?
- Reliability (Bottlenecks): When rotating the dial rapidly, will the high density of CC messages lead to “dropped commands” or timing jitter due to software processing overhead?
[My Questions]
- Is there any way within Cubase MIDI Remote to trigger functions or commands directly using MIDI CC values (e.g., using the CW/CCW-based CC values I have configured)?
- If not, what is the most professional/direct way to map a Dial to a MIDI Note event without a heavy software layer? Is the “CC → Note conversion” via a tool like Keyboard Maestro (as Bome MIDI Translator Pro is outside my budget) considered the industry standard for ensuring minimal latency and maximum reliability?