VCA Fader loses relative channel levels after restarting Cubase Pro 15

Cubase
1

Hello everyone,

I have encountered a reproducible issue in Cubase Pro 15 and I’m wondering whether this is expected behavior or if I’m overlooking a setting.

I am using a VCA fader to control multiple audio tracks. I have also reproduced the same behavior with Multi-Out channels from a VST instrument (Superior Drummer 3).

While Cubase is running, everything works exactly as expected:

  • The VCA automation follows the automation curve correctly.

  • The linked channel faders move together while maintaining their individual relative levels.

  • I can fine-tune the individual channel faders during playback, and those relative levels are respected by the VCA.

The problem only occurs after I close Cubase completely and restart it.

After reopening the project:

  • The VCA automation is still present and works correctly.

  • The VCA fader follows the automation curve.

  • However, all linked channel faders have been reset to 0 dB, so my individual mix is lost.

I have reproduced this behavior in:

  • A completely new, empty project.

  • A project using only standard audio tracks.

  • A project using Superior Drummer 3 Multi-Out channels.

The result is always the same.

Interestingly, if I simply close the project and reopen it without exiting Cubase, everything works correctly and the relative channel levels are preserved.

Is this a known behavior, or am I missing a setting or an important step in the VCA workflow?

Thank you very much for your help!

2

Yes. At least one thread exists on the topic.

3

Hi and welcome to the forum!
Unfortunatly, this feature has been broken ever since its introduction a decade ago. You’ll find dozens of threads about it in the forum, @MattiasNYC was being sarcastic :wink:
There’s neither an official statement by Steinberg nor does the brief documentation give you any kind of warning that you are likely to lose your mix using VCAs without precautionary measures.
The most important precautionary measure is to set up initial nodes at 0dB on every track that’s associated with VCA automation. However, it’s best to read some threads and make up your mind yourself - if and how you want to use VCA faders in future projects.

4

Thank you. That’s actually reassuring because I spent several hours trying to figure out whether I was doing something wrong.

Could you please point me to the thread(s) you’re referring to? I’d like to understand the recommended workflow and the workaround with the initial automation nodes.

5

The malfunctioning of the VCA makes them useless and Steinberg’s silence absurd.

6

Hi,
there are so many threads about VCA faders - it is difficult to point you to the “one” thread which contains all information.

If you want to use VCAs in Cubase, here’s the info in a nutshell:

  • set initial nodes with 0dB on each track that is associated with VCA, it’s best to set them up right at the start of the project
  • always save and exit your project with the pleayhead on the initial node at the start of the project (you can use a macro to do this for you in order to minimize the risk of VCAs messing up your project)
  • don’t use Virgin Territory in automation
  • carefull with automation features which might override the initial node, for example Fill - To Start

What you can also do as a customer: Leave a Vote at these VCA topics (box at the top of threads to the left) to remind Steinberg to finally fix this important feature after a decade.