How to use External MIDI Synths like VST Instruments in Cubase Pro

#cubase #synths #microfreak
How to use External MIDI Synths like VST Instruments in Cubase

If you’re not using external synths, are you really even making music?
Just kidding! However, with the huge variety of affordable external synths on the market today, just about any musician has the ability to get their hands on one.

External synths are also a great way to learn the art of synthesis. There’s something satisfying about turning physical knobs to get the sound you want. But once you buy your new synth… How do you get those beautiful sounds into Cubase? That’s what today’s video is all about!

I’ll be using the Arturia MicroFreak to show you how to add an external synth to your VST workflow.

Here's the link to download the Mixrofreak Patch:
You will need to create yourself an Arturia Forum account to get the downloadable link though

Timestamps
00:00 Intro
0:34 Connecting an external synth
1:04 Importing an unlisted, external device
1:35 Connecting your external hardware to your audio interface
2:45 Using an Instrument Channel to play midi in Cubase
3:26 External Device Sound Presets
4:37 Testing the Microfreak in Cubase
5:37 Adding effects to the external instrument track
6:10 Bounding midi to audio

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Some of the gear and plugins I use in the studio:

STUDIO MONITORS:
HEADPHONES:

[earlsfield]

Thi is by far the slickest way to use external synths. However, you need to choose between two things: whether you want to play you midi notes, create all kinds of modulations you record, and then render in place - OR, you have device like Oktatrack you use more "on the fly", with tons of rea litme recordings - those devices should ve recorded in audio tracks. However, having instrument track for external synths is an awesome solution, especially as you can 1. add as many midi tracks as you want, for different modulations etc. 2.if your synth has multiple outputs you can activate these Kontakt style and record layer by layer - for instance, I use 2 instrument tracks for my REV2, since it is bi-timbral and i have 2 outputs for each layer assigned. When I render in place, i get two separate exports, which then i can process further, automate effects on separate layers etc etc.
Ultimately, you can always use midi and audio track combo for recording synth, and I use both really - depending on the actual instrument and what makes sense at that point.

[mrchumley]

Thanks so much for this! I won't tell you how many years I've been using separate midi and audio channels for my synths, this is going to speed up my workflow no end 😆

[MaynardAndEuniceShow]

Very cool stuff man! I kind of hooked up my MicroFreak to Cubase a s a midi channel and an audio channel just last week but had no idea it would be this cool YOUR way... NO better way to spend a Friday night than naming the 200+ patches - but, I also set mine as a template too so now I'm like quickDAW McGraw LOL - thanks so much!

[jazzdude]

the CUBASE NATION says: Thank YOU!
Great Tutorial, linked in our Discord!
Instant LIKE!

[Djstevemuller]

Hi Chris, thanks for this video. A question: i see you added your arturia microfreak under instruments in studio setup, do i keep also my added instruments on the inputs of studio setup, because i use my hardware synths to play and record ? Thanks

[DavidComdico]

I created midi devices for my external synths and took the time to create patch names. But I prefer monitoring through my zero latency mixer so I don't use the External Midi plugin. Have yet to explore the panels feature. This is definitely a core strength of Cubase.

[jclark]

Great vid, this really helped answer several questions I had since I use external synths not listed in the MIDI Device Manager.

[Metaxasofc]

How you have sound when you rendering in place? Do you use control room? Is it possible to have sound at rendering in place without control room?

[deldridg]

Excellent tut and thank you. I've managed to get this up with my RD800 after creating a patch script file for it, which I must say in modesty, is much better than the Roland one... I'm a data guy more than a sound engineer! 🙂 Roland's has no bank labels and the order is all over the place. Anyway - this was great and many thanks indeed! Cheers from Sydney - Dave

[KaninManeepairoj]

I finally get my YAMAHA XF to work. Any advise on set up if my keyboard is has 16 available tracks? The model is YAMAHA XF8. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[khaledabdrabo]

Why it not recording the automation fro microfreak direct to cubase !????

[steeljj]

I have a RD 8 and work with cubase 10 pro. I programmed nice patterns on the RD 8. I would like to let them trigger easy drummer in cubase. How do I do that? Please please, could you make a video how to do that? Thanks a lot!

[dzezydzerk]

Hi Chris, great video! Please tell me can you Use arturia keystep37 With all internal arpegios The same way?

[khaledabdrabo]

my friend, everything works fine when i play from axiom midi controler i see the midi notes on cubase while recording, but with microfreak midi the midi notes not showing up while recording ? any advice ?

[alex_kogan]

Top video bro! I was struggling with controlling my Deepmind12 via USB, not it's much more easier after your explanation! thanks

[Eceptes]

Nice video, but one thing all missing i cant figure out how to automate the knobs on the "microfreak" or other synths.
Br

[LumiosNoctis]

that works for my edirol sd-90. however this instrument can have up 32 midi parts at once and I can't find how to have multiple tracks routed to it

[billymack]

Hi Chris I purchased Alesis V49 MKII usb midi keyboard I can't hear any sound I'm getting input level on Transport bar but no output sound. Do know the correct way of setting this up in Cubase 12 pro 12.0.52 MacBook pro m1 It works great with my Toontrack EZ keys desktop app but not in Cubase. Thanks so much for your time.🙂

[danielvonchemnitz]

Hi, can you please give me some pointers:


I’m curious…

I’m trying to record multiple tracks and sounds.
I’m using my mellotron m4000d & cubase 12 pro.

Connection midi - roland um-one
Output - mayaa44ex (or my mixer)

I just can’t work it out.

I can make one instrument track, record midi data and I hear the mellotron.
2nd track I can’t even select mellotron, and /or all changes that I make also change in the first track.


Whát am I doing wrong?
.
(Can’t find a device script either, Markus Resch can’t provide, he says i have to check mellotron internal midi settings, I doubt that, now, I think I’m screwing up in cubase, dispite your fantastic video).

Can you give me some tips?

Thanx

[TonyWilsonJnr]

This is going to save me so much time!