please help: note names not showing and piano roll refuse to zoom!

Discussion in 'Cubase / Nuendo' started by blekk, Jul 2, 2025 at 8:37 AM.

  1. blekk

    blekk Newbie

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    win 11. laptop. cubase 14 pro.
    an extra extra annoying little thing: piano roll not zooming, the notes not zooming too.
    i press ctrl + mouse wheel, already at max level zoom but still useless???

    i checked steinberg user manual, checked google, checked YT, nothing helps.

    went to preference setting > event display > chords & pitches, nothing is related to my problem.

    went to "open key editor", nothing helps neither.

    this trivia shouldn't even happen in the first place but cubase just had to screw me over huh?

    what i want to achieve is really simple:
    1, i want the zoom working for piano roll

    2, i want the slash + number to be gone after each pitch names.
    for example, i want only C1 D1 etc appearing, not C1/36 D1/38
    how does it even happen i don't even know which button did i press, suddenly it became like this!

    3, i want each note i placed to have a name too, but i think since piano roll won't zoom, notes are not zooming too, that's why they stay thin, and note names appear only when zoomed enough

    i don't know if anyone experienced same problem in this forum, at least i didn't see any related posts. so please if you have knowledge in this, help me out, this little thing frustrates me enough.... i thank you kindly in advance!
     

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  3. PulseWave

    PulseWave Rock Star

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    I understand how frustrating these issues can be, especially when they disrupt your workflow in Cubase 14 Pro on Windows 11. Let’s address each of your concerns systematically based on the information available and common troubleshooting steps for Cubase. I’ll also incorporate relevant insights from the provided search results where applicable.

    1. Piano Roll Not Zooming Properly (Ctrl + Mouse Wheel at Max Zoom but Useless)
    It sounds like the zoom functionality in the Key Editor (piano roll) isn’t behaving as expected, even when using Ctrl + Mouse Wheel, and the zoom level feels insufficient. Here’s how to troubleshoot and fix this:

    • Check Zoom Sliders in the Key Editor:
      • In the Key Editor, look at the bottom-right corner of the window. You’ll see two sliders: one horizontal (for time/position zoom) and one vertical (for note/pitch zoom).[​IMG]
      • Drag the vertical slider upward to reduce the size of the piano keys and increase the visible range of notes. This should effectively "zoom out" vertically, allowing you to see more notes.
      • Similarly, adjust the horizontal slider to zoom in/out on the timeline.
    • Alternative Zoom Methods:
      • Mouse-Based Zoom: Click and drag on the ruler at the top of the Key Editor (the timing bar) while holding the mouse button to zoom in/out horizontally. This can be faster than sliders.[​IMG]
      • Keyboard Shortcuts: Use the default zoom shortcuts:
        • G to zoom in horizontally.
        • H to zoom out horizontally.
        • Shift + G or Shift + H for vertical zooming (if configured).
        • You can also set custom zoom presets in the Key Editor toolbar or via key commands (e.g., "Zoom to Locators").[​IMG]
      • Zoom Tool: Select the zoom tool from the Key Editor toolbar (magnifying glass icon) and click/drag in the note display area to zoom in on specific regions.
    • Reset Zoom Settings:
      • If the zoom seems stuck or unresponsive, it could be due to a corrupted preference or a UI glitch. Try resetting the Key Editor view:
        • Close the Key Editor, then reopen it by double-clicking a MIDI part or selecting "Open Key Editor" from the MIDI menu.
        • Alternatively, reset the Cubase profile:
          • Go to File > Preferences > General > Reset Profile (this resets the workspace but preserves your project).
          • Or, manually delete the Cubase preferences folder:
            • Close Cubase.
            • Navigate to C:\Users\<YourUsername>\AppData\Roaming\Steinberg\Cubase 14 and rename or delete the preferences folder.
            • Restart Cubase to regenerate default settings.
    • Check for Windows 11 Display Scaling Issues:
      • Windows 11’s display scaling can sometimes interfere with DAW interfaces. Ensure your display settings are optimized:
        • Right-click on the desktop > Display Settings > Set Scale to 100% (or experiment with 125% if needed).
        • In Cubase, go to File > Preferences > General > High DPI Support and toggle it to see if it improves responsiveness.
    • Update Cubase and Drivers:
      • Ensure Cubase 14 Pro is fully updated via the Steinberg Download Assistant.
      • Update your graphics drivers, as outdated drivers can cause UI issues:
        • Right-click Start > Device Manager > Display Adapters > Update your GPU driver.
        • Alternatively, download the latest driver from your GPU manufacturer (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel).
    • Test in a New Project:
      • Create a new project and add a MIDI track to see if the zoom issue persists. If it works in a new project, the issue might be project-specific (e.g., corrupted MIDI part or track settings).[​IMG]
    If none of these resolve the issue, it’s possible there’s a bug in Cubase 14 Pro. Check the Steinberg Forums for similar reports or contact Steinberg support with details about your setup (Windows 11 version, laptop specs, etc.).

    2. Remove Slash and Number from Note Names (e.g., C1/36 to C1)
    The issue where note names display as C1/36, D1/38, etc., is likely due to the Pitch Notation settings in Cubase. The numbers represent MIDI note numbers, and this format can be changed. Here’s how to fix it:

    • Change Pitch Notation Format:
      • Go to File > Preferences > Event Display > Chords & Pitches.
      • Look for the Pitch Notation section.
      • Set the Note Name Style to Note Name (or similar, depending on Cubase 14’s options) instead of Note Name + MIDI Note Number or another variant.
      • Apply the changes and check the Key Editor.[​IMG][​IMG]
    • Check Key Editor Settings:
      • In the Key Editor, ensure the Pitch Visibility option is configured correctly:
        • On the Key Editor toolbar, click the Pitch Visibility On/Off button (a small icon that toggles pitch display). This controls whether all pitches or only those with events are shown.[​IMG][​IMG]
        • If the issue persists, toggle this setting and zoom in/out to see if it refreshes the display.
    • Accidental Trigger:
      • You mentioned this happened suddenly, possibly due to a key press. It’s likely you accidentally toggled a setting via a shortcut or toolbar button. Check the Key Commands (File > Key Commands) for any shortcuts related to "Pitch Notation" or "Note Display" to ensure you’re not inadvertently triggering it.
    • Reset to Default:
      • If the setting isn’t found in Preferences, try resetting the Key Editor’s display settings:
        • In the Key Editor, right-click in the note display area and look for context menu options related to note naming or display format.
        • Alternatively, reset preferences as described above (delete the Cubase 14 preferences folder).
    3. Note Names Not Displaying on Notes (Thin Notes Due to Zoom)
    The issue where note names don’t appear on the MIDI note boxes in the Key Editor is directly tied to the zoom level. Cubase only displays note names when the notes are zoomed in enough to show sufficient space. This is likely why the notes appear "thin" and lack names, as you’re not zoomed in enough. Here’s how to address this:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    • Fix Zoom to Display Note Names:
      • As covered in point 1, use the vertical zoom slider in the bottom-right corner of the Key Editor to zoom in vertically. This should make the note boxes larger, allowing note names to appear.[​IMG]
      • Alternatively, use Shift + G to zoom in vertically (if default key commands are intact).
      • If the zoom slider doesn’t work, try the zoom tool or drag on the ruler as described earlier.
    • Enable Note Names Explicitly:
      • In the Key Editor, check the toolbar for a Note Name Display option (it may be a checkbox or icon). Ensure it’s enabled.
      • Go to File > Preferences > Event Display > Chords & Pitches and verify that Show Note Names (or similar) is enabled.[​IMG][​IMG]
      • If you’re using a specific VST instrument (e.g., Spitfire Audio), ensure the instrument’s MIDI mapping isn’t overriding Cubase’s default note naming.[​IMG]
    • Check for UI Glitches:
      • If notes remain thin even when zoomed in, it could be a rendering issue. Try:
        • Switching between the Key Editor and another window (e.g., Project window) to force a redraw.
        • Closing and reopening the Key Editor.
        • Updating your graphics driver, as mentioned earlier.
      • If the issue is project-specific, export the MIDI track as a MIDI file and re-import it into a new project to rule out corruption.[​IMG]
    • Pitch Visibility Setting:
      • Toggle the Pitch Visibility On/Off button in the Key Editor toolbar. This can affect whether note names are shown based on the pitches present in the MIDI part.[​IMG]
    Additional Troubleshooting Tips
    • Check for Known Bugs in Cubase 14:
      • Cubase 14 is relatively new, and some users have reported issues with the Key Editor and Score Editor. Check the Steinberg Forums (forums.steinberg.net) for threads specific to Cubase 14 Pro or post your issue there with details (e.g., Windows 11 version, Cubase build number, laptop specs).[​IMG]
      • If you suspect a bug, contact Steinberg support via their website (steinberg.net/support) with a detailed description and screenshots.
    • Test with a Different MIDI Track:
      • Create a new MIDI track with a different VST instrument (e.g., HALion Sonic SE) and test the Key Editor. If the issue doesn’t occur, it could be related to the specific track or VST you’re using.
    • Verify Key Commands:
      • Go to File > Key Commands and search for "Zoom" or "Pitch". Ensure that Ctrl + Mouse Wheel is correctly assigned to zoom functions and hasn’t been overridden.
    • Community Resources:
      • Since you didn’t find relevant posts, consider posting on Reddit’s r/cubase or Steinberg Forums with screenshots of your Key Editor. Other users may have encountered this in Cubase 14.[​IMG][​IMG]
    Summary of Steps
    1. Fix Zoom:
      • Use the vertical and horizontal sliders in the Key Editor’s bottom-right corner.[​IMG]
      • Try alternative zoom methods (G/H keys, ruler drag, zoom tool).
      • Reset preferences or update graphics drivers if the UI is unresponsive.
    2. Remove Slash + Number:
      • Go to Preferences > Event Display > Chords & Pitches and set Note Name Style to Note Name only.[​IMG]
      • Toggle Pitch Visibility in the Key Editor toolbar.
    3. Show Note Names on Notes:
      • Zoom in vertically using the slider or Shift + G to make note boxes larger.[​IMG]
      • Ensure Show Note Names is enabled in Preferences and check the Key Editor toolbar for note display options.
    If these steps don’t resolve the issues, please provide more details (e.g., exact Cubase 14 build number, screenshot of the Key Editor, or any error messages), and I can refine the solution. I hope this helps get you back to making music smoothly! Let me know if you need further assistance.
    It’s not just you – Cubase 14 Pro is annoyingly convoluted here. Let’s fix each part of your issue:

    1. Piano-roll vertical zoom
    Workflow suggestion:

    1. Open the Key Editor.

    2. Click inside to ensure it has focus.

    3. Hold Ctrl + Shift and scroll your mouse to adjust vertical zoom.

    4. Or tap Shift + H/G for quick control.
    If that feels clunky, many users use AutoHotkey scripts to rebind a more intuitive shortcut on Windows answers.presonus.com+15forums.steinberg.net+15forums.steinberg.net+15reddit.comforums.steinberg.net+1reddit.com+1.

    2. Clean note names (remove “slash + number”)
    You’re seeing “C1/36” because Cubase shows both the note name and MIDI pitch number. To change this:

    • Go to Preferences → Event Display → MIDI → Note Name Style.

    • Choose an option that shows only the note name (e.g., “C#1”) without the “/##” part.

    • If note names are too cluttered, enable Show Note Expression Data in the key editor toolbar—this hides note names entirely forums.steinberg.net+4forums.steinberg.net+4scribd.com+4.
    3. Note names on each note + zoom clarity
    • Note names will show only if you’re zoomed in enough.

    • Fixes:
      • Adjust vertical zoom as above so notes are thicker.

      • Toggle note-name display via Show Note Expression Data.

      • Set Note Name Style correctly in preferences.
    ✅ Summary checklist
    Fix Instructions
    Vertical zoom
    In Key Editor, Ctrl+Shift+mouse wheel OR Shift+H/G
    Remove “/36” etc. Prefs → Event Display → MIDI → change Note Name Style
    Hide note names completely Toggle Show Note Expression Data
    Notes too thin
    Increase vertical zoom until note names appear
    Bonus tip: AutoHotkey script
    If Ctrl+Shift+wheel feels awkward, this simple AHK script can reassign vertical zoom to a simpler combo:

    ahk
    #IfWinActive ahk_class SteinbergWindowClass
    ^WheelUp::SendEvent +H ; Ctrl + Wheel becomes Shift+H (zoom in vertically)
    ^WheelDown::SendEvent +G ; Ctrl + Wheel becomes Shift+G (zoom out)
    #IfWinActive

    Save it as .ahk, run it, and your Ctrl+scroll will handle vertical zoom more cleanly reddit.com+8forums.steinberg.net+8forums.steinberg.net+8forums.steinberg.netreddit.com+1reddit.com+1.

    TL;DR:
    1. Use Ctrl+Shift+mouse wheel or Shift+H/G to zoom vertically.

    2. Change Note Name Style in Preferences to remove “/number” display.

    3. If frustrated, use AutoHotkey for streamlined shortcuts.
    Let me know if any step’s unclear or doesn’t work for you—I’m happy to help fine-tune it!
     
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