How do you get instruments playing simultaneously in Cubase 5

[grimtraveller]

On Cubase 5, how do you get different VTSi instruments into the different MIDI channels and how do you get them to play live all at the same time ?
I'm technically redundant, please explain this really simply, the way you would to a kid/idiot.
I won't take offence {au contraire, I'll bless you ! }.

 

[TetraFish]

The best way is to add the VST instruments (not a vsti track) and then use regular MIDI tracks and route the output to the VSTi. That was kind of a wide open questions so I hope this points you in the right direction.

 

[grimtraveller]

That was kind of a wide open questions so I hope this points you in the right direction.

Let me paint the scenario I have as that may be a little clearer; I guess it was a rather wide question.
I use Cubase 5 to house my virtual instruments. Now, say I'm trying to create a brass section. I have three VSTis that have horns, Sampletank, First call horns and Miroslav Philharmonik. Say I want to use a tenor sax from Sampletank, the trombone from First call horns and the trumpet from Miroslav and I want to play them all simultaneously. How do I get them into the MIDI channels and get them all to respond together ? I can get one into a MIDI channel. I can get two or more into separate channels. But I can't get them to play at the same time. The funny thing is that I managed this with Cubase SE years back. But it was so trial and error that I could never remember how I did it. I just struck while the iron was hot. But I'm determined to get to grips with these things now, before techno~folly completely swallows me up. This old dog learns new tricks........eventually !

 

[TimOBrien]

this is why it really helps to go out and buy a cubase book that explains midi and channels.

midi can be challenging and you're going to need more than a few posts on the boards.
having a real book in your hand to walk through HELPS.

do yourself a huge favor and get a manual.....

 

[Guitargodgt]

Really surprised that Stienberg stopped including manuals at some point. My copy of Cubase 5 came with a full print manual and quick start guides.

 

[grimtraveller]

I do have the manual. I've looked at the manual and there are times when the way something can be written in manuals is kind of confusing. I believe wholeheartedly in manuals, I often advise people that assume a manual is shit to go through it. But this time I'm stumped. I just thought someone with some Cubase experience might be able to show me how, you know, in a few quick simple steps.
The irony is that when I used SE, I managed to do it. But it was through hit and miss poking about and when it worked that I had 3 channels filled and playing simultaneously, I hadn't studied how I'd done it. Maybe a little more jiggery pokery is called for, here.

 

[grimtraveller]

midi can be challenging and you're going to need more than a few posts on the board

MIDI can be challenging, especially at first. For me and the way I work, it really only has two applications. I use a standalone DAW so the VSTIs that I use utilise the MIDI channels. I play whatever I'm using in real time so if I'm overdubbing, I'll be coming out of the computer {via the Echo indigo soundcard} and into the DAW. So in that regard, it'll be useful to get to grips with multiple channel usage.
I use a controller keyboard {49 keys} so I need to know how to switch octaves and activate the pitchbend for those VSTis that for some reason won't respond to the bends.
Beyond that, MIDI doesn't yet play a huge part in my recording world.

 

[TetraFish]

I still don't think I'm getting what you're asking. If you have three different horn VSTi's create three different VST instruments (not VSTi tracks) then any midi track you have can be routed to the various instruments by selecting it as the output in the MIDI track. They will be in separate channels but they'll all play at the same time. In this scenario you'd have three MIDI tracks and three VSTi's.