Editing the generic remote file in Cubase SX

Cyril · May 19, 2004, 2:43am

I’m using Cubase SX 1 (because SX 2 generic remote control seems to be really bad for the moment) and on my midibox64 I have 1 fader, 2 button and 4 pots for each tracks.

I wanted to create a generic remote .xml file to assign some functions (volume, eq, pan) to each fader, pots and buttons before any vst instruments or audio tracks were loaded.

First I have noticed that .xml files can be edited with windows wordpad. I can save the file and it is still working.

The file is divided in two part (like in the generic remote configuration window). The first part describe the controller name, status, midi channel, adress, etc.

It appear like this:

<ctrl><name>Track (01) Fader</name><stat>176</stat><chan>0</chan><addr>40</addr><max>127</max><flags>1</flags></ctrl>

In the second part, the controller assignement is described like this:

<value><device>VST Mixer</device><chan>0</chan><tag>1025</tag><flags>0</flags></value>

First you can choose the device (in this example it’s the VST Mixer) :

<value><device>VST Mixer

and then the device channel :

<value><device>VST Mixer</device><chan>0

If you choose the channel number 0, the controller is assigned to the first track in the VST Mixer. I think Cubase assign first the audio tracks, then the VST instruments tracks.

Now you can choose the controller action (tag). It consist in a number (Cubase give a number to each controller action):

<value><device>VST Mixer</device><chan>0</chan><tag>1025

In this example, the number 1025 consist in track volume. To understand which action correspond to the number I have selected them in the generic remote configuration window and then I have exported it and opened it with Windows wordpad. For example, number 1027 consist in track mute, number 1028 consist in track solo, number 1162954544 consist in Eq 1 Gain.

Finally you can choose the pot behaviour (flags) :

<value><device>VST Mixer</device><chan>0</chan><tag>1025</tag><flags>0

With number 0 no flags is defined. Number 256 consist in toggle mode.

After importing the new .xml file everything is working fine and Cubase assign every function I want everytime I create a new VST instrument or Audio track ;D

I hope this can be usefull for some other Cubase and Midiboxer users…

There are other functions that I can’t control (for example all “command” functions because of the flags). I’m still searching a way to reach it. I don’t understand why Steinberg doesn’t provide a good and complete explanation about how to configure the generic remote (I mean a more precise explanation than how to choose the midi in and out :P ) or to program your own driver…

Best Regards

Cyril

LO1 · May 19, 2004, 11:12am

Im confused… what exactly are you tring to achieve?

Cubase lets you create .xml files from within cubase and save them

Surely you just start a project with say: 16 midi track & 16 audio tracks, then set all your controls as you need them, save the .xml file and then when ever you start a new project the settings are applied to each track that is added.

Or am I missing your point?

BTW if you own SX2 I think the 2.2 patch has just been released which might fix a load of generic remote problems? (I cant afford it yet!!)

Cyril · May 19, 2004, 4:14pm

Yes you can create .xml files from within cubase and save them but in this way you can’t assign a function to a pots without choosing a device.

For example you create a new project without any Audio or VST instrument track: in the generic remote configuration windows first you choose “VST Mixer” but then you have only the choice between “device” (périphérique in french) or “selected” (selectionné).

If you choose device it appear like that in the .xml file:

<value><device>VST Mixer</device><chan> -1 </chan><tag>1025</tag><flags>0</flags></value>

And if you choose selected, it appear like that:

<value><device>VST Mixer</device><chan> -2 </chan><tag>1025</tag><flags>0</flags></value>

In this way you can’t say to Cubase not to choose “device” or “selected” but to choose the first track you create. The only way is to modify the .xml file by replacing the number -1 or -2 by number 0 , for the first track, by number 1 for the second track, and so on…

Best Regards,

Cyril