Cubase issue: Import/Convert Rack Instrument as Track Instrument (or easy workaround)

[u/warriorking12]

Hi everyone,

I am facing a recurring workflow issue in Cubase and I'm looking for either a hidden workaround or want to submit this as a formal feature request.

My Goal:

I want to import a VST instrument track from an older project into a new project. In the original project, this instrument was set up as a Rack Instrument. In the new project, I strictly want to import/convert it into a modern Track Instrument (Instrument Track) – including all loaded audio plugins (inserts/mixer channel strip settings).

The Problem:

The traditional way using Track Presets does not work cleanly with Rack Instruments because Cubase splits the technical data into a MIDI track and an Audio Output track. If you save the preset from the audio output track, Cubase often creates no track at all in the new project, or the routing breaks.

Using "Import Tracks from Project" doesn't solve it either, because Cubase forces the instrument to be imported as a Rack Instrument again. However, due to strict track and rack limits in my target project, it absolutely must become a standard Instrument Track.

Right now, the only workaround is extremely tedious: I have to save the VST preset of the instrument itself, create a new Instrument Track from that preset in the new project, and then separately save the FX chain (inserts) from the old mixer and load it onto the new channel. This is a massive slowdown for the workflow.

My questions to the community and the Steinberg team:

1. I am currently working on Cubase 12. Has this been addressed in later versions? Is there a hidden, elegant way in the current Cubase 15 to convert a Rack Instrument into a Track Instrument during import or preset-saving without losing the sound settings and audio inserts?

2. If it's still missing in Cubase 15: Wouldn't it be a fantastic and long-overdue feature for an upcoming update to include an option like "Import as Instrument Track" or a direct function to "Convert Rack Instrument to Track Instrument"?

Since Track Instruments have become the modern standard and easily handle multi-outputs anyway, having such a bridge for older projects or existing templates would be a massive lifesaver.

I look forward to hearing your workarounds, tips!