Cubase: Convert Drum Audio to MIDI Using Hitpoints

A Useful Way to Replace Drum Sounds in Cubase

This technique is useful for replacing drum sounds in live recordings or sampled drum material.

Selected Questions and Answers from the YouTube Video

Can this audio-to-MIDI technique be used in Pro Tools or Logic Pro X? Are there plug-ins that offer a similar function?

At the time of the original reply, we had not found an equivalent feature. This answer is historical: Logic Pro now offers a drum replacement feature that creates MIDI trigger notes from a recording of a single drum or percussion instrument. Other DAWs and plug-ins may offer related workflows; capabilities and requirements vary.

Video Highlight: Analysis in the Sample Editor

Double-click the event to open the Sample Editor.
In the demonstrated version, use the Hitpoint slider to set the detection sensitivity.

Adjust it so that the intended attacks are captured without adding excessive hitpoints.　

Then choose Create MIDI Notes.

Video Highlight: Setting the Velocity Mode

Choose Dynamic Velocity to reflect the original hits' relative strength in the MIDI notes.
Choose Fixed Velocity if you want every note to use the same velocity value.

Video Highlight: Extracting Hits from a Mixed Kit

An audio event containing multiple drum sounds can also be analyzed,
but hits occurring together, such as kick and hi-hat or snare and hi-hat,
may be treated as a single MIDI trigger. Edit the resulting notes afterward to add or separate the parts as needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the main benefit of converting drum audio to MIDI in Cubase?

The detected drum pattern can be edited and used to trigger different sounds. For example, you can use a favorite loop's rhythm with different samples or replace individual drum hits after editing the MIDI notes.

Q2. How should I adjust the Hitpoint slider?

Adjust the detection sensitivity to capture the intended attacks without producing extra hitpoints. Check the kick, snare and hi-hat attacks and fine-tune the detection as needed.

Q3. Can overlapping drum sounds, such as kick and hi-hat, be converted to MIDI?

Simultaneous hits may yield a single MIDI trigger rather than separate notes for each drum. You can edit or add notes afterward and, where useful, separate them onto individual tracks for finer control.

Q4. How can I preserve the dynamics of the original audio in MIDI?

Select Dynamic Velocity when creating the MIDI notes. Their velocity values vary according to the peak levels at the corresponding hitpoints.