This article explains how to insert Native Instruments plug-ins in Cubase, including:

  • Inserting instrument plug-ins (e.g. Massive, Kontakt, etc.) in an Instrument Track.
  • Inserting effect plug-ins (e.g. Guitar Rig 5, Supercharger, etc.) as Audio Inserts.
    • Some NI products can be inserted both as instrument or effect plug-in (e.g. Absynth 5 / Absynth 5 FX, etc.).

Inserting an NI Instrument Plug-in

  1. Right-click on the Tracklist in Cubase and choose Add Instrument Track... from the context menu.

  2. In the Add Instrument Track window, open the Instrument drop-down menu and select the NI plug-in you wish to use. In our example, we select Massive.

  3. Click Add Track to create a new Instrument Track for Massive.

  4. Massive is now loaded in an Instrument Track automatically named Massive 01 where you can record or draw MIDI events that will control Massive. In order to play the plug-in via your MIDI keyboard, make sure the Record Enable button is active.

  5. To show or hide the instrument plug-in's GUI, click on the Edit VST Instrument button in the Inspector.


Inserting a NI Plug-in as Insert Effect

  1. In the Inspector, under the Instrument Name box (in this example, Massive), click Audio Insertsto open the Audio Inserts rack.
    • If you cannot see the Audio Inserts under the Instrument Name, click the Instrument Name once.


  2. Click on an empty Audio Insert slot and select the effect plug-in you wish to load from the drop-down menu. In our example, we select Guitar Rig 5.


  3. Guitar Rig 5 now shows up under the Instrument Name as Audio Insert effect. To show or hide the effect plug-in's GUI, click on its name in the Audio Inserts rack once.


Please note there are several different ways to insert instrument and effect plug-ins in Cubase. We have only presented here the most effective and simple one.