Setting Up Your MIDI Controller with Cubase
Once you’ve determined which type(s) of MIDI controller(s) you’re going to need with Cubase, the next step is interfacing the controller to work with your computer and Cubase.
MIDI controllers normally interface thru a MIDI cable, a USB cable, or a FireWire cable. I wouldn’t be surprised to see wireless MIDI devices in the near future (wireless MIDI has been around for quite some time but hasn’t really become popular for DAW systems).
For the most part, you’ll need to follow the instructions that came with your MIDI device to ensure proper installation on your system. In the following example, I demonstrate how to use your MIDI controller in Cubase once it has been properly installed. I use a simple M-Audio Keystation 49e MIDI keyboard in this example. The Keystation 49e interfaces with a standard USB cable directly to a USB port on the computer.
Note
When you use a USB interface, most of the time the device will receive its power through the USB cable (meaning that you won’t need to plug the device into an outlet; it receives its power through your computer’s power supply). This can be very handy, although it does place a slightly greater load on your computer system.