4.0

35
VST Instruments
Introduction
VST Instruments are software synthesizers (or other
sound sources) that are contained within Cubase AI. They
are played internally via MIDI, and their audio outputs ap-
pear on separate channels in the mixer, allowing you to
add effects or EQ, just as with audio tracks.
The VST Instrument HALionOne is included with Cubase
AI, others can be purchased separately from Steinberg
and other manufacturers.
Ö This chapter describes the general procedures for
setting up and using VST Instruments.
For a description of HALionOne and its parameters, see the chapter
“HALionOne” on page 40.
Activating and using VST
Instruments
VST Instruments can be activated and used in two differ-
ent ways:
• By using the VST Instruments rack.
This creates an Instrument channel, which can be played by a (or several)
MIDI track(s) connected to it.
• By creating Instrument tracks.
Instrument tracks are a combination of a VST Instrument, an Instrument
channel and a MIDI track. You play and record MIDI note data directly for
this track.
When a VST Instrument is loaded, each audio output bus
is represented by a channel strip in the mixer. When you
are working with VST Instruments that have a lot of audio
busses, this maybe a bit confusing. Therefore, you can de-
activate unused output busses by clicking the corre-
sponding button in the VST Instruments rack.
Click this button to activate the busses for the VST Instrument.
You can activate these busses at a later time.
What should I use – VST Instrument channel
or Instrument track?
Each of these two methods have their advantages, and
should be selected according to what best suits your
needs. The following applies:
Instrument tracks
• Instrument tracks feature a single MIDI input and a sin-
gle stereo output.
• Instrument tracks provide a very convenient way of
quickly browsing for and auditioning preset sounds before
you actually create the track!
• All automation parameters are available directly in the
Instrument track.
This is different to a VST Instrument channel where you have both VST
Instrument channel automation and automation for the connected MIDI
track. E.g. if you move a MIDI part with Volume automation, any recorded
automation for the VST Instrument channel will not automatically follow
the moved part.
• Instrument tracks have most options that MIDI tracks
have (e.g. MIDI Modifiers) and are automated the same way.
• Instrument tracks have all options that VST Instrument
channels have, i.e. Inserts, Sends, EQ, etc.
There are certain limitations that apply to Instrument tracks:
• As there is only one stereo output available, you cannot
use multiple outputs for VST Instruments loaded as an In-
strument track.
Thus, you can only use the first output channel pair of a multitimbral in-
strument.
!
In this chapter, we will describe how to set up and
use both Instrument channel/MIDI tracks and Instru-
ment tracks, and also outline the main differences
between the two methods. However, for detailed de-
scriptions of Instrument tracks, please refer to the re-
spective chapter in the Operation Manual.