Cubase 10 Tutorial - 3 Ways to Reassign Drum Pads

Introduction

In this tutorial, you will learn three effective methods for reassigning drum pads in Cubase 10. This is particularly useful for those who want to play drum samples more intuitively, similar to hardware devices like Maschine or MPC. The first two methods are applicable to all versions of Cubase, while the third method is exclusive to Artist and Pro users.

Step 1: Using Hardware Map Assignments

This method allows you to map your MIDI controller's pads directly to the desired drum sounds in Cubase.

1. Open your project in Cubase.
2. Navigate to the MIDI Device Manager.
3. Select your MIDI controller from the list.
4. Click on the “Edit” button to access the hardware map assignments.
5. Assign each pad on your controller to the corresponding drum sound:
   • Click on the pad you want to assign.
   • Select the drum sound from the list.
6. Save your settings to ensure they are retained for future sessions.

Tip: Make sure your MIDI controller is properly connected and recognized by Cubase before starting this process.

Step 2: Changing Drum Map Output

This method involves modifying the drum map output settings to ensure that the correct MIDI notes trigger the desired sounds.

1. Open the drum map you want to edit in Cubase.
2. Locate the drum sounds you wish to reassign in the drum map editor.
3. For each sound, change the MIDI note number:
   • Click on the note number field for the sound you want to change.
   • Enter the new MIDI note number that matches your drum pad assignment.
4. Save the drum map to apply your changes.

Practical advice: Familiarize yourself with the MIDI note numbers associated with your drum pads to streamline this process.

Step 3: Using the Chorder MIDI Plugin

This method is only available to Cubase Artist and Pro users and allows for more complex note assignments through the use of a MIDI plugin.

1. Open the MIDI track where you want to use the Chorder plugin.
2. Add the Chorder plugin to the track’s effects chain:
   • Go to the Inspector and find the "Inserts" section.
   • Click on an empty slot and select “Chorder” from the MIDI effects.
3. Configure the Chorder plugin:
   • Set the desired chord or note progression that you want to trigger with your drum pads.
   • Experiment with different settings to see how they affect the output.
4. Play your drum pads to test if the correct sounds are triggered.

Common Pitfall: Ensure that the Chorder plugin is properly configured and that your MIDI input settings are correct to avoid unexpected results.

Conclusion

You have now learned three methods for reassigning drum pads in Cubase 10: using hardware map assignments, changing drum map output, and utilizing the Chorder MIDI plugin. Each method offers unique advantages depending on your workflow and Cubase version. Experiment with these techniques to enhance your drum programming and achieve the sound you desire. Happy music-making!