Midi automation of Performances in Cubase 7:
having finally resolved my own problems with automating my performances from within Cubase, I'm happy to share the procedure I followed.
Most probably there are other ways, but anyway this one works for me.
(click on pics to see whole picture)
create a new midi device or select yours if already present in the dropdown list (menu - midi device manager)
select the individual channels you're gonna use and name your device
select your midi-out port for the device
save it
select your device from the list and open it
from the command select box (enable edit) create a new bank (which I named "Performances")
select your bank and choose the command "new preset" or "multiple presets" if you want to assign all 128 programs at once.
in the screen on the right under "midi message name" choose "program change" and type in the value
(read Robrecht's info above for details on performances and the corresponding program change value)
If making preset by preset you manually have to insert each program change for each performance preset
If choosing "multiple presets" Cubase will create 128 presets (or a lesser number if you select a range) with ascending program change value (as I did)
So the first preset would be Performance 1 - Slot 1 with midi PC 0
The second would be Performance 1 - Slot 2 with midi PC 1
... and so on
Now you can save your configuration and probably it's a good idea to export the setup (xml)
Create a midi track
In the inspector these are my settings:
output = your midi out connected to your KPA
midi channel = the channel you have in your KPA system settings (maybe "omni" will do also, but I am on channel 1)
in the selection field "program" you can select a preset (a performance in this case) from your newly created midi device
Finally you can start automating the midi track by double clicking in the track space
This will open the key editor
At the bottom left you will see a selection field (dropdown) in which you can choose a parameter for the controller lane (most likely "volume" or "velocity" is active)
From the dropdown list change the parameter to "program change"
So now you should be able to draw your program changes in the midi track
Now activate read enabled for your midi track and you should be all set