Cubase 5 Errors - Impossible to record audio because the audio input is not active

[chrisbagnall]

We are currently having a few issues in our Music department where we are getting an error message as soon as Cubase loads saying the following error message.

"Impossible to record audio because the audio input is not active. Open the Asio full duplex driver setup dialogue, Make sure that a device is selected in the input section and that its check box is activated.
I work as an ICT Technician and am not at all familiar with this software. Our music department are somewhat technophobes, and their knoweledge again is very limited.

We havn't got any fancy soundcards on these machines, we are currently using the onboard sound, and our system is RM CC4
This error message seems to be displayed on quite a few machines, and then once the keys on the midi keyboard are pressed, no sound can be heard.
We are using M-Audio Keystation 49e midi keyboards.

Any help in rectifying this error would be greatly appreciated.

[jinnantonnixx]

It's been a long time since I did any audio on Windows, but I remember Asio4All being useful.

ASIO4ALL - Universal ASIO Driver

[Marci]

Cubase uses ASIO drivers to access the soundcard rather than the straight windows drivers. On modern machines with auto jack sensing, it doesn't detect a valid input device unless something is plugged into an input socket. Thus you need to install asio4all, then head into cubase and select the asio4all driver within vst connections. The asio4all driver can force enable inputs. Grab a Cubase disc, open the demo file contained, and use that to play with so that you have a working sound source to play to confirm you have the ASIO driver selected etc. Google is your friend: cubase asio4all howto - Google Search

As for the keyboards, you won't hear anything from pressing the keys on the keyboard unless you've got a midi track created, assigned to an active vst instrument, and selected. For this bit it's RTM. But you'll get nowhere with that til the first issue is corrected.