Hello guys,
I have a strange problem with the legal Cubase 14.
Recently, it sometimes automatically transposes my MIDI tracks down by one note.
It started with the Sample Editor…
For example, when I drag a MIDI chord into the Sample Editor, it converts it into an audio file as usual, but it doesn’t play it back at the original note C3, instead it plays it at C#3.
I also just had the same problem with the legal Nexus…
Suddenly it doesn’t play the chord in the original key anymore, but transposes it down by one note.
What kind of nonsense is that?
Does anyone have an idea what could be causing this?
Thanks in advance!

 

Check if your project is set on a different key. You can do this in Cubase, so you can check projects quickly on a different key. Root Key Project. Google ai says....

In Cubase, the Project Root Key sets the primary key (e.g., C Major, A Minor) for your entire project, allowing you to transpose all MIDI or audio events that have root key information. You can activate and change it by right-clicking the toolbar or adding a Transpose Track, and it serves as a reference for automatically transposing loops and other events to match the project's new key.
How to Set and Use the Project Root Key

1. Activate the Project Root Key display: In the Cubase project window, right-click on the toolbar and select "Project Root Key" to make the feature visible.
2. Open the Project Root Key pop-up menu: Click the displayed root key on the toolbar.
3. Choose a new key: Select the desired key from the pop-up menu.
4. Automatic transposition: When you change the project's root key, any audio or MIDI loops that contain root key information will automatically transpose to align with the new project key.

 

Check also:

 

Thanks Bandit, will try this!

 

...tried the suggestion above, but didnt solve the problem unfortunately.
The only thing that helps is when I go to the Midi page and click "Set Back" (Reset), the last entry in the scroll down menu. Then it plays in the right key again. But after few minutes problem comes back...

 

do you have any midi controllers attached?

 

...my masterkeyboard only, but this is connected since about 10 years. I dont know if this has something to do with installing mastering the mix all plugins bundle from the sister site few days before....i did not like it, so i uninstalled everything with REVO uninstaller. but the installation was strange (downloading intel driver, blocking websites etc.) I also downloaded the lastest Cubase update few hours before, but problem still exists.

 

btw, i am on PC...

 

Maybe @SacyGuy meant there could be a controller interfering. Took me a while before i found out my pitchbend was defective and detuning everything.

 

I had the same issue, which started to occur when I imported a sample at a different bitrate. My project was at 44.1khz and the sample was at 48khz. My project switched to 48khz. This also affected my legal Nexus and other VSTs.

Check your projects settings and check to see if your project should be at 44.1khz or different. That should fix it. I changed mine back to 44.1khz and everything was back to normal.

 

Yes, I had a similar problem with a Keyboard that started sending ghost midi data

 

ok, i will try to disconnect the keyboard. btw, on the project page at the bottom right, there is always MIDI information (a short level meter movement) showing the MIDI data whenever Cubase changes the sound…

 

sorry, i was to fast thanks for moving.

 

thank you, will consider this.

 

@SacyGuy & @Benno de Bruin I dont know how to thank you! indeed, it was the masterkeyboard!!! i unplugged it and the problem is gone
Thank you so much! now i need to purchase a new masterkeyboard. This forum is really great! If I had asked in the Steinberg Forum, I guess they would never have been able to solve the problem.

 

I had the same problem, dont throw out your keyboard just yet. Go to settings and enable midi input filter - pitch. That disables any pitch anomalies from your possible faulty midi keyboard. Mine is a Nectar Impact lx61 oldie,pretty old but works. In cubase, s1, pro tools you can enable midi input filter-pitch in settings, in reaper and ableton you need a plugin to do that. But yeah, you lose the pitch wheel functionality, mod wheel remains functional

 

Last edited: Sep 8, 2025

Or your Masterkeyboard (Button or Keys) got a Shortcut somewhere accidantly. Check your shortcuts Settings...without knowing you binded maybe for example with The Key C# or something similar ...Buttons etc

 

You might try to repair it first. Some pitchbend wheels have a screw that adjusts the value of the midi data it's sending. This does require you to open the keyboard, and remove the whole pitchbend, but it might be worth the try. See the screw in the center in the image

 

...Sorry for my long absence, I was away because of work. Thanks again to everyone who contributed here. I had a very old M-Audio master keyboard, it didn’t even have any knobs or faders, just the pitch and mod wheel. So, I decided to replace it with a new Arturia KeyLab Essential 61.