How to Record Automation in Cubase

This article explains how to automate the parameter changes of your Native Instruments plug-ins in Cubase. 

Click to expand the sections below.

Manually Drawing Automation Curves
  1. Create a Cubase Instrument Track and load a plug-in. In this example, we choose Massive.

    Note: Please see this article for more information about inserting NI plug-ins in Cubase.

  2. Right-click (or CTRL + Click) the instrument track and choose Show Automation from the menu. This will display a sub-track containing automation parameters.
    Show_Automation_Track.png
  3. Open the Volume drop menu and choose More... In the Add Parameter window, expand your plug-in's folder and select the parameter you wish to automate. In our example, we choose Massive > Cutoff. Click OK to confirm.
    VST_Parameter_Folders.png
    On the automation track, you will now see that the drop menu contains the plug-in parameter you selected for automation.
    Automation_Drop_Menu.png
  4. Select the Draw tool from the Cubase header and draw an automation curve into the track.
    Hand_Drawn_Automation.png
  5. Activate the R (Read) button to engage playback of the automation curve.
    Activate_Automation_Read_Button.png

Now when you play the Cubase project, the plug-in parameters will follow the automation curves written on the track.

Recording Automation with a Mouse-Cursor
  1. Create a Cubase Instrument Track and load a plug-in. In this example, we choose Massive.

    Note: Please see this article for more information about inserting NI plug-ins in Cubase.

  2. Activate the W (Write) button on the Instrument track to enable the automation Write mode.

    Note: The R (Read) button will automatically become active as well since it is also required for automation playback.

    Activate_Write_and_Read.png
  3. Open the plug-in window and find some parameters you would like to automate. In this example, we will adjust the Wavetable Position (Wt-Pos) and Filter Cutoff software knobs in Massive (you can choose any adjustable parameters you like).
    Available_Parameters.png
  4. Start Cubase playback and use the mouse cursor to move the parameter knobs on the plug-in window (e.g. Massive Wt-Pos & Filter Cutoff in this example). Since the automation W (Write) button is active, the parameter movements will be recorded while Cubase is playing. Stop Cubase playback once you are finished recording automation. 
  5. Disable the W (Write) automation button so that only the R (Read) button is active, to prevent the writing of any further automation.
    Disable_W_Tab.png
  6. To view the recorded automation curves, right-click (or CTRL + Click) the instrument track and choose Show All Used Automation from the menu. This will show separate sub-tracks for all recorded parameter changes.
    All_Used_Automation_Mouse.png

Now when you play the Cubase project, the plug-in parameters will follow the automation curves written on the track.

Recording Automation with a MIDI Controller
  1. Create a Cubase Instrument Track and load a plug-in. In this example, we choose Massive.

    Note: Please see this article for more information about inserting NI plug-ins in Cubase.

  2. Activate the W (Write) button on the Instrument track to enable the automation Write mode.

    Note: The R (Read) button will automatically become active as well since it is also required for automation playback.

    Activate_Write_and_Read.png
  3. Open the plug-in window and assign a parameter to be "MIDI-Learned" by a knob or slider on your MIDI controller. After enabling MIDI Learn in your plug-in, move one knob or slider on your MIDI controller. The plug-in knob you've chosen should start to move as well.
    MIDI_Learn.png

    Note: In our example, right-click (or CTRL + Click) a parameter in Massive and select MIDI Learn. This process will vary depending on which plug-in is used.

  4. In the Cubase taskbar, go to: MIDI > CC Automation Setup.
    CC_Automation_Setup.png
  5. In the MIDI Controller Automation Setup window, set the Record Destination drop-menu to Automation Track. Click OK to confirm.
    MIDI_Controller_Automation_Setup.png
  6. Start Cubase playback and move the assigned ("MIDI-Learned") knobs or sliders on your MIDI controller. Since the automation W (Write) button is active, the parameter movements will be recorded while Cubase is playing. Stop Cubase playback once you are finished recording automation.
  7. Disable the W (Write) automation button so that only the R (Read) button is active to prevent the writing of any further automation.
    Disable_W_Tab.png
  8. To show the recorded automation curves, right-click (or CTRL + Click) the instrument track and choose Show All Used Automation from the menu. This will show separate sub-tracks for all recorded parameter changes.
    All_Used_Automation_MIDI_Controller.png

Now when you play the Cubase project, the plug-in parameters will follow the automation curves written on the track.