Timing Solutions

Drifting Apart

If your MIDI and audio is drifting out of time, close VST, start the ASIO Multimedia Setup program, and hit Detect Buffer Size

If this doesn't work, try lowering the buffer value.

You can get to your ASIO Multimedia Setup program by going to:
Start / Programs / Cubase VST / ASIO Multimedia Setup

Stabilize your MIDI

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If your having MIDI timing problems even when no audio is playing you should try increasing your Pre-Roll.

Suggested values:

At least 250 (preferably more)
Preferably the same as your audio System Latency, +100

The default system Pre-Roll setting is 250ms, which should ensure tight MIDI playback on most computer systems. However, if you find that the MIDI timing is unstable, raise this value. This gives your computer system some extra startup time to stabilize the timing.

You can get to your pre-roll by selecting Synchronization from the Options menu in VST.

You can view your audio System Latency by selecting System from the Audio menu.

Delay

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Check your audio in reference to a MIDI track, preferably something of the same rhythm. Listen Carefully! If the audio is late, increase your MIDI to Audio delay. If it's early you can use a minus symbol before the number.

You can get to the MIDI to audio delay by selecting System from the Audio menu.

I/O Offset

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You may need to change the delay of your input & output separately. To do so, close VST and start the ASIO Multimedia Setup program.

Use the Offset [Samples] option to change your soundcards input and output delay, or pre-delay. You can use the minus symbol if needed here as well.

You can get to your ASIO Multimedia Setup program by going to:
Start / Programs / Cubase VST / ASIO Multimedia Setup

MIDI Priority

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By default, your audio priority is set to normal. Though by reducing this to Low you can give your MIDI timing top priority.

Other

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I've often been asked why MIDI timing seems less stable at the very beginning of a song. Sometimes Cubase needs time to stabilize. It's not a very good idea to start your song on the first bar... try the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th instead.

One of the most common reasons for MIDI timing instability is a access of MIDI controller commands. If you are experiencing MIDI timing instability in a particular section of a song, check and make sure you don't have a over abundance of MIDI commands in that section.

When recording a audio track it's best to have one playing first. This helps force your soundcard to sync with your cards output instead of it's unreliable input. Record a silent audio track (about 30sec. or more) and paste it on a track anywhere before you start recording. Make sure the silent track starts playing before you start recording audio (and continues playing at least past the first 10 seconds of your recording).

You can use this same silent file repeatedly in different songs. But remember not to mute it, or it wont work.

If you notice timing instability while resizing windows, or while other on screen visuals take effect, try turning down your Hardware Acceleration 1 or 2 notches.
Control Panel / System / Performance / Graphics

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MIDI stability solutions revealed !
by Peter Buick