Inputting Notes via Step Input

Cubase Elements Score Editor Help
Product
Cubase Elements
Version
14.0
ft:locale
en-US
Document type
Webhelp
ft:openMode
fluidtopics

Step Input allows you to insert notes or chords one at a time, without worrying about the exact timing. This is useful, for example, when you know the part to record but are not able to play it exactly as you want it. You can use a MIDI device or the On-Screen Keyboard.

Prerequisite

  • You have set up and connected the MIDI device that you want to use.

  • You have created a track and named it after the instrument that you want to input notes for.

    Note

    Each MIDI track that you open in the Score Editor is automatically mapped to an instrument, based on the name of the corresponding MIDI track and the range of the MIDI notes.

  • You have created an empty MIDI part and opened it in the Score Editor.

Procedure

  1. In the Score Editor toolbar, activate Step Input.
  2. On the Note Input toolbar, select a note duration to determine the length of the notes or the chords that you want to insert.
  3. Do one of the following to set the project cursor to the position where you want to input the first note or chord:

    • Select a barline or a note and press L to set the project cursor to the start position of the selected barline or note.

    • In the Transport category of the Key Commands dialog, assign a key to one of the nudge cursor commands and use it.

  4. Do one of the following:

    • On your MIDI device, press one or several keys to input a note or a chord.

    • Press Alt/Opt-K to open the On-Screen Keyboard, and click a key to input a note.

  5. Repeat the steps above to input further notes or chords.
    Note

    To enter rests, you can advance the cursor by the selected note duration by pressing Right Arrow.

  6. When you are done, click Step Input again to deactivate it.

Result

The notes are input with the selected duration. The note position and input pitches correspond to the pitches and time positions that you played on the keyboard. The pitch follows the key signature.

The score display showing quarter notes input via a MIDI device with Step Input activated