Cubase - now how to export midi to mp3

[Rojoyinc]

Is that even possible?  I suppose I could play the midi file I've toyed with creating here today and run a recorder and record the out?
But seems cubase should be able to  - I tried export  (all midi tracks) to mp3.  IT appears to - but when I play the mp3 - I don't hear anything.

Does cubase convert it to a audio/wave?  or not.

I just tucked my Traction3 aside to try Cubase again and it is pretty neat.  The script file idea made mem change and I found one for the mm6.  REALLY cool to pick the tone by the name rather than looking up the codes for it.   So trying to learn cubase again.

How might one quickly output a all midi track project to a audio/mp3?

I don't know if I have the tracks outputting to a strero output bus.

[Elantric]

I use Reaper
http://www.cockos.com/reaper/
Or record it into a Zoom H4 set on MP3

This is best answered at the Cubase Forum?

http://www.cubase.net/phpbb2/

[feloniouspunk]

Doesnt Cubase have a bounce to disk function?  In Protools there is a bounce to disk function used when your ready to mix it down to a stereo file.  And you have the option to bounce it as a  WAV, AIFF, MP3, SD II, Quicktime, etc.  Check the manual for bounce to disk function.

[Rojoyinc]

I tried it - it does - I did to mp3 - but I don't hear anything when I play it.  Strange - I'll keep at it.

[feloniouspunk]

Does it bounce in real-time- meaning, do you have to listen to the entire piece while it does its thing?  If so, can you hear the midi tracks playing while it bounces? 

[jvguitar]

Does it bounce in real-time- meaning, do you have to listen to the entire piece while it does its thing?  If so, can you hear the midi tracks playing while it bounces? 

As far as I know, Cubase can export a mix to a wave file with or without having to listen to it. That is an option. It works fine exporting audio and virtual instruments tracks. I don't think it will include hadware synths in the mix unless they are already recorded as audio tracks.

[cy2989]

Ron,

Steinberg has very good technical support.  Give them a call and they will tell you exactly how to do it.

Country Number Rate/minute Hotline opening hours Language
USA (714) 228-3301 Depending on local charges 9 am - 5 pm (Mo, Tue, Wed, Thu) 9 am - 4 pm (Fri) (Eastern Time) English


Also, they have a very good knowledge base that you can search.

www.steinberg.net

[redlock]

I tried it - it does - I did to mp3 - but I don't hear anything when I play it.  Strange - I'll keep at it.

Hi Rojoyinc,  to export midi to audio set the locators to the start and end of the midi part.
SOLO the midi track and go File/export/audio mixdown and do your file format settings etc in the dialogue.
I am using SX3. There may be a routing solution with Cubase 4 but this method works in all versions

regards
Simon

[mad mike]

i've done this, its been a few, i forget  doh!   

anyway, how about going the other way?  i always wanted go to from mp3 to midi

then i could rearrange the tune anyway i wanted to    and most of the work is already done for me, but i guess thats probably wishing for too much...

[clearlight]

To the OP:
1. make sure you have "audio" going on. ie; if you have outboard gear making the sounds, it wont be able to export those soiunds until they are recorded as AUDIO into cubase.
2. if you have plugins making the sounds, make sure your left and right locators are set to a section that has stuff going on.

[Rojoyinc]

I'm using Cubase SX3 yes

Makes sense (doh) if the midi out is playing external synth (where would it get the tones for the mp3)  dumb de dumb dumb on my part.
I think I would have to give it software synth - or more likely my best bet...   record on my other PC...  as I have all my midi stuff (mm6 and Vg99) on seperate computer and mixer, that runs to my primary mixer and UX8... so why not "play" the midi song and record via UX8.  Then at least I'll be recording the actual audio from the mm6 tones.

I'll try that next (it has to work) It's just audio input...

[feloniouspunk]

I guess Cubase and Protools are different.  Bouncing tracks and exporting tracks are totally different processes in Protools.  If I were to export a midi file to my desktop it sends all midi info EXCEPT the sounds.  Duration, velocity, mod wheel info, etc...  And it is impossible to EXPORT midi info as an mp3.  It makes no sense.  Bouncing on the other hand, happens in real-time and is a way to mix down everything including midi to a stereo track.  It wouldnt matter that a midi track was triggering a external synth, as long as the output of that synth came back in the mix. I know things may be different in Cubase but I think your making things more complicated than they need to be.     Is there a Bounce function AND a export function?

[jvguitar]

The Export Audio Mixdown function in Cubase SX 3 allows you to mix down audio from the program to a file on your hard disk, in a number of
formats. You can choose to mix down one of the following:

• An output bus.
  For example, if you have set up a stereo mix with tracks routed to a stereo output bus, mixing down that output bus would give you a mixdown file containing the whole mix. Similarly, you can mix down a complete surround bus, either to a single multi-channel file (interleaved) or to one file per surround channel (split).
  
• The channel for an audio track (Cubase SX only).
  This will mix down the channel for the track, complete with insert effects, EQ, etc. This can be useful for turning a number of events into a single file, or if you are using CPUintensive insert effects – by exporting the track and re-importing it into the project you can turn off the insert effect, saving processor power.
  
• Any kind of audio channel in the mixer (Cubase SX only).
  This includes VST Instrument channels, effect return channels (FX Channel tracks), Group channels and ReWire channels. There are many uses for this – for example, you can mix down an effect return track or turn individual ReWire channels into audio files.
  

The Export Audio Mixdown function mixes down the area between the left and right locator.

• When you mix down, you get what you hear – mutes, mixer settings and insert effects are taken into account. Note though that you will only include the sound of the bus or channel you select for mixdown.
• MIDI tracks are not included in the mixdown! To make a complete mixdown containing both MIDI and audio, you first need to record all your MIDI music to audio tracks (by connecting the outputs of your MIDI instruments to your audio inputs and recording, as with any other sound source).
  
• With Cubase SX, you can also export selected tracks – this is a different function that doesn’t create an audio mixdown.
  

Exporting MIDI Files

Cubase SX/SL can import and export Standard MIDI Files, which makes it possible to transfer MIDI material to and from virtually any MIDI application, on any platform. When you import and export MIDI files, you can also specify whether certain settings associated with the tracks should be included in the files (automation subtracks, volume and pan settings etc.).

[cy2989]

the mechanism to do this in Cubase 4, the version I have, is Real Time Export.  It acts like a bounce to track feature.  Here's from the manual....


"10. If you activate Real-Time Export, the export will happen
in real time, i.e. the process will take the same time as regular
playback.
Some VST plug-ins require this to have time to update correctly during
the mixdown – consult the plug-in manufacturers if uncertain.
• Cubase only: When Real-Time Export is activated, the
exported audio will be played back via the Control Room.
The fader below the Real-Time Export checkbox allows you to adjust the
Control Room volume. Note that if the Control Room is deactivated, the
Audition Volume slider will not be available"

This works I know.

[Rojoyinc]

yeah - I figured 1/2 way through this thread that I have to re-input the MM6 out to inputs, and record the midi as audio input - or use soft synths for output.  I'll try a re-input of midi outs.