This post details how I use the Tascam DM24 as a control surface for Cubase.  I include photos documenting the DM24 and Cubase settings and a download that includes two Cubase “Generic Remote” XML files that can be used to setup your DM24 to control Cubase and two Cubase 6 projects to test with. Cubase 6 is not needed for this setup. Only my sample projects were done in Cubase 6 (which are used to test with).

Below is a video of my setup in action. The video shows my “advanced” setup (Master layer plus 32 channels), but I also include a simple 32 channel setup as well in the downloads.  If this post helps you please leave a comment, it would be nice to hear from you!

 

Conceptually there are two parts of the setup that are documented in detail below.

1. DM24 setup: this should never change and only be done once
2. Cubase setup: Cubase Mixer Maps / Generic Remote Template – these map the Dm24 midi messages into functions in Cubase

Generic Remote Template Features

I have provided two Cubase Generic Remote Templates and two Cubase 6 sample projects that correspond to those remote templates. The sample projects are not necessary, but they make testing a little bit easier. If you use an older version of Cubase, you can still use the rest of this post, you will just have to create your own project to test with.  I personally use the “Master Layer plus 32 Channel Mixer Map” but the “32 Channel Mixer Map” is easier to understand. Remember, you only have to setup the DM24 itself ONCE, and you can change “Generic Remote” templates at any point.

32 Channel Mixer Map

This is the simplest mixer map to use.  It maps the DM24’s Channel 1-16 and Channel 17-32 to Cubase’s first 32 tracks.

Functions

• Transport – Stop, Play, Record, Rewind and Fast Forward Buttons
• Bidirectional – DM24 Controls Cubase and Cubase Controls the DM24 (e.g. Cubase Automation)
• DM24 Fader Layer 1 – Controls channels 1-16 in Cubase: faders, pans, and mutes
• DM24 Fader Layer 2 – Controls channels 17-32 in Cubase: faders, pans, and mutes
• Total 32 Channels of faders, pans, and mutes

Master Layer plus 32 Channel Mixer Map

I use this setup because it gives me 32 Channels (faders, pan and mutes) plus 14 more faders (with faders and mutes).  I use the master fader layer to mix my fx and group channel tracks.  My Cubase template project (included in the downloads) always sets up the first 14 tracks as fx and group channels, and then the next 32 channels are audio & instrument tracks.

Functions

• Transport – Stop, Play, Record, Rewind and Fast Forward Buttons
• Bidirectional – DM24 Controls Cubase and Cubase Controls the DM24 (e.g. Cubase Automation)
• DM24 Master Fader Layer – Controls channels  1-14 in Cubase: faders and mutes (unfortunately, no pan – so this is the tradeoff and why I always setup my first 14 tracks as fx and group channels, which I rarely pan.  If I do pan these, I do it with a mouse in Cubase or via my AlpahaTrack)
• DM24 Fader Layer 1 – Controls channels 15-30 in Cubase: faders, pans, and mutes (I use this to mix individual instruments and pan into the group channels)
• DM24 Fader Layer 2 – Controls channels 31-46 in Cubase: faders, pans, and mutes (I also use this just like fader layer 1)
• Total 46 Channels of faders and mutes, 32 channels of which can be panned

 

DM 24 Settings

Here are the DM24 settings.  The most important ones are the CTRL. CHANGE Settings.  These dictate what midi will be sent for each fader, mute and pan on the DM24.

Mixer Midi Channels and Control No for Faders, Pans, and Mutes

Notice on the right hand side the “Select” is changing in each screen shot.  This shows you the settings under each “Mix Parm”.

DM24 Transport and Control Change Settings

This further controls Midi being sent from the DM24.

This allows the DM24 transport buttons to work.  It must be “mmc closed” and be “ID” 01.  VERY IMPORTANT: Note in the Cubase transport settings you will set the MMC Device ID to “0”, but the DM24 will be set to “1”.

Misc. DM24 Settings that should not matter all that much

These screenshots are here for reference, but should not matter to this setup.

Cubase settings

Generic Remote (This is in the Downloads)

You will use “import” under “Generic Remote” in Cubase, and import one of the XML files included in the download.

Machine Control (Transport: Stop, Play, Record)

Stop, Play, Record (hold Record and Play at the Same Time), Fast Forward and Rewind should all work.

Setup the Inputs / Outputs below to map to where you have your DM24 connected via midi to Cubase.

IMPORTANT: “MMC Device ID” should be “0” here but on the DM24 be set to “1”.  This drove me crazy until I figured it out.

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Downloads

Download the zip containing the Mixer Maps and Sample Projects here

From the Readme

Cubase Generic Remote Maps for Cubase (should work in many versions of Cubase, but I’m using Cubase 6)

• "DM 24 Mixer Map – 32 channel setup.xml" – This maps the DM24′s first 32 faders (Ch1-16 and Ch17-32) to Cubase’s first 32 tracks – it gives you volume (fader), Pan, and Mute for each Channel
• "DM 24 Mixer Map – Master Plus – 32 channel setup.xml" – This maps the the DM24′s Master layer fader to the first 14 tracks in Cubase. Then it maps the DM24 (Ch1-16 and Ch17-32) to the next 32 channels in Cubase.

Cubase 6 Sample Projects

• "32Channels" – this is just 32 audio channels so you can see that that "DM 24 Mixer Map – 32 channel setup.xml" works correctly.
• "Master-Faders-Plus32Channels" – This is for use with the "DM 24 Mixer Map – Master Plus – 32 channel setup.xml" – This is my project template so you may get a few errors on missing plugins.  I use the first 14 channels for groups and fx channels, then the next 32 channels for individual tracks.