Hello,
So I'm interested in purchasing a few pieces of hardware to go with my midi keyboard for use with Ableton.
But I'm curious about the setup, you see these studios with these huge racks but how to they choose which one the midi keyboard is applied to without manually changing the lead in the back each time, also how do they record the audio into a computer. I assume you record it in as a wav file so so it can't changed later in terms of the recording, it would have to be re-recorded from the synth?
Interested in :
Roland JP 8080
Nord Rack 2x
Moog Slim Phatty
Virus TI2
Also, in all cases, does having the rack version mean you get the exact same sound as the full version with keyboard&synth built in together?
I would assume you get an advantage using a midi keyboard as you have a higher octave range without having to shift?
setting up hardware synth racks with a computer
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Tall-Timber
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 9:21 pm
Re: setting up hardware synth racks with a computer
Hi pitt, I'll try to offer some help..
Controlling multiple hardware units is pretty easy to do with Live. You'll need a midi interface to allow you to physically connect your computer to your hardware. You can set up midi tracks in Live with the 'external instrument' device corresponding to the midi channel specified on each of your hardware devices. As far as switching between what you want to control, no physical patching is required if all your hardware is daisy chained off the midi out of an interface. Check out some common midi configurations.
I use several hardware samplers, synths, etc in my setup. My audio interface is an Akai EIE which also offers midi in/out, thats how I send note messages to my hardware. I send audio from hardware into the EIE and record it in Live.
The advantage of rack gear is really to save space, the downside of that is you don't always get as much hands on control of the parameters that you would a full size unit.
Hope this helps a little bit, didn't really know how detailed to get. I'm down to try to answer more questions if you got em.
TT
Controlling multiple hardware units is pretty easy to do with Live. You'll need a midi interface to allow you to physically connect your computer to your hardware. You can set up midi tracks in Live with the 'external instrument' device corresponding to the midi channel specified on each of your hardware devices. As far as switching between what you want to control, no physical patching is required if all your hardware is daisy chained off the midi out of an interface. Check out some common midi configurations.
I use several hardware samplers, synths, etc in my setup. My audio interface is an Akai EIE which also offers midi in/out, thats how I send note messages to my hardware. I send audio from hardware into the EIE and record it in Live.
The advantage of rack gear is really to save space, the downside of that is you don't always get as much hands on control of the parameters that you would a full size unit.
Hope this helps a little bit, didn't really know how detailed to get. I'm down to try to answer more questions if you got em.
TT
Re: setting up hardware synth racks with a computer
+1Tall-Timber wrote:Hi pitt, I'll try to offer some help..
Controlling multiple hardware units is pretty easy to do with Live. You'll need a midi interface to allow you to physically connect your computer to your hardware. You can set up midi tracks in Live with the 'external instrument' device corresponding to the midi channel specified on each of your hardware devices. As far as switching between what you want to control, no physical patching is required if all your hardware is daisy chained off the midi out of an interface. Check out some common midi configurations.
I use several hardware samplers, synths, etc in my setup. My audio interface is an Akai EIE which also offers midi in/out, thats how I send note messages to my hardware. I send audio from hardware into the EIE and record it in Live.
The advantage of rack gear is really to save space, the downside of that is you don't always get as much hands on control of the parameters that you would a full size unit.
Hope this helps a little bit, didn't really know how detailed to get. I'm down to try to answer more questions if you got em.
TT
Re: setting up hardware synth racks with a computer
i spent the last year going from a predominantly "plug in" rig to mostly hardware.
my set up is, 2 rackmount synths (a slim phatty and a MS2000)played by an AKAI MPK 49 and an elektron machinedrum. along with some mics, guitar and bass and a sampler
i use a MOTU ultralite mk3 for all of the audio...and a MOTU micro lite for all of the MIDI
my set up is exactly as TALL-TIMBER says
i have a pre set up ableton live set. each hardware synth/drum machine has its own midi channel with an "external instrument" on it.
when i want to record something, i add an audio track and route the audio from the midi track and record to WAV.
you can also control your hardware using a clip in the specified midi track.
i connect the "midi out" of the akai to a "midi in" channel of the midi interface and the "midi out" channels to the "midi in" of each synth. each synth has its own midi channel.
you can route midi through other synths, but it can get a little frustrating. i found, it was easier to spend the extra 100 some bucks for the midi interface than to try to make all of my synths talk to each other (or not talk to each other)
i connect all of my synths audio outs to the audio ins of the Ultralite.
my set up now, is pretty efficient (for me) i never have to unplug anything. i play everything with one keyboard. when i want to change synths, i just turn on the track for that synth and record to audio.
the down side is, its expensive....500ish for the audio interface, 100 ish for the midi interface.(and those are just above entry level interfaces, not even including synths yet) but if you only get one synth, you won't need an interface with a bunch of ins/outs, you wont need to do a bunch of craziness with your midi.
as far as some of your other concerns. in most cases, the rack version is pretty much, exactly the keyboard version just sans keyboard.
the slim phatty is pretty much exactly the little phatty without the keys. an advantage: i am used to playing the MPK. i love the feel of the keys, when i went to buy the moog, i hated the feel of the little phatty's keys, but i loved the sound. i bought the slim and saved my self a few hundred bucks and i don't have to get used to a new keyboard.
as far as the synths you are interested in, i can vouch for the slim phatty. it's pretty awesome, however moog is discontinuing it, so get one soon if you dig it. a couple things to note about the S.P. it is analog, so if you don't let it warm up, it will sometimes be out of tune (you will find out about this while doing research(its actually not an issue(if you let it warm up and set it up right), people just don't know how to use their stuff) also it's mono not stereo. you can only play one note at a time...so its really good for leads and bass and percussive sounds, but if you are looking to space out on some chords, you will have to get another synth (to go with it) or layer up on the phatty or start with a more versatile synth.
i use my MS2000 for chords and pads, and use the slim phatty for everything else.
anyhow, good luck. hardware is expensive and tricky to deal with...but in my opinion, its more fun and rewarding and it sounds better. well, maybe not better, but it has more character (in my opinion)
my set up is, 2 rackmount synths (a slim phatty and a MS2000)played by an AKAI MPK 49 and an elektron machinedrum. along with some mics, guitar and bass and a sampler
i use a MOTU ultralite mk3 for all of the audio...and a MOTU micro lite for all of the MIDI
my set up is exactly as TALL-TIMBER says
i have a pre set up ableton live set. each hardware synth/drum machine has its own midi channel with an "external instrument" on it.
when i want to record something, i add an audio track and route the audio from the midi track and record to WAV.
you can also control your hardware using a clip in the specified midi track.
i connect the "midi out" of the akai to a "midi in" channel of the midi interface and the "midi out" channels to the "midi in" of each synth. each synth has its own midi channel.
you can route midi through other synths, but it can get a little frustrating. i found, it was easier to spend the extra 100 some bucks for the midi interface than to try to make all of my synths talk to each other (or not talk to each other)
i connect all of my synths audio outs to the audio ins of the Ultralite.
my set up now, is pretty efficient (for me) i never have to unplug anything. i play everything with one keyboard. when i want to change synths, i just turn on the track for that synth and record to audio.
the down side is, its expensive....500ish for the audio interface, 100 ish for the midi interface.(and those are just above entry level interfaces, not even including synths yet) but if you only get one synth, you won't need an interface with a bunch of ins/outs, you wont need to do a bunch of craziness with your midi.
as far as some of your other concerns. in most cases, the rack version is pretty much, exactly the keyboard version just sans keyboard.
the slim phatty is pretty much exactly the little phatty without the keys. an advantage: i am used to playing the MPK. i love the feel of the keys, when i went to buy the moog, i hated the feel of the little phatty's keys, but i loved the sound. i bought the slim and saved my self a few hundred bucks and i don't have to get used to a new keyboard.
as far as the synths you are interested in, i can vouch for the slim phatty. it's pretty awesome, however moog is discontinuing it, so get one soon if you dig it. a couple things to note about the S.P. it is analog, so if you don't let it warm up, it will sometimes be out of tune (you will find out about this while doing research(its actually not an issue(if you let it warm up and set it up right), people just don't know how to use their stuff) also it's mono not stereo. you can only play one note at a time...so its really good for leads and bass and percussive sounds, but if you are looking to space out on some chords, you will have to get another synth (to go with it) or layer up on the phatty or start with a more versatile synth.
i use my MS2000 for chords and pads, and use the slim phatty for everything else.
anyhow, good luck. hardware is expensive and tricky to deal with...but in my opinion, its more fun and rewarding and it sounds better. well, maybe not better, but it has more character (in my opinion)
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Richie Witch
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Re: setting up hardware synth racks with a computer
I would agree with everything that has been stated above.
My setup includes a Focusrite 18i6 audio interface and a MOTU MIDI Express XT. The 18i6 gives me three pairs of stereo line inputs for the synths and the MOTU gives me 8 ports of MIDI. Because both the Focusrite and the MOTU pass MIDI over USB, I don't need to run a MIDI cable between my computer and either of those boxes. That leaves all 8 ports for synths.
But what do you do with a "rack full of synthesizers"? One way is to buy larger and larger audio interfaces to get more I/O. However, you might find it more cost effective to pick up a rack mount stereo line mixer. I use the Tascam LM8-ST, which gives me 8 pairs of stereo inputs (coincidentally the same as the number of MIDI ports on the MOTU) and three pairs of stereo outputs (same as the inputs on the 18i6). Since the Tascam has two buses plus the master bus, I can record any two synths at once (like a drum machine and a lead synth), or I can route one synth to the 18i6 as a clean signal and run the other synth through my FX chain. Or I can run one synth to the sidechain of my hardware compressor while running the other one through the compressor.
All of this without moving patch cords around.
Like the others have describe, I use the "external instrument" plugin in Ableton to assign MIDI channels and audio inputs for each synth. Each synth is saved as an External Instrument preset, which causes it to appear in my browser, so I can just drag and drop any synth to a MIDI track in my current project.
While I have a Novation Impulse25 as my keyboard, I'm not that great of a keyboardist, so I'll stumble through my initial concept on the keyboard to a MIDI clip, modify the MIDI clip until I get what I really want, then route to an audio track and record the final version.
Hope that helps!
My setup includes a Focusrite 18i6 audio interface and a MOTU MIDI Express XT. The 18i6 gives me three pairs of stereo line inputs for the synths and the MOTU gives me 8 ports of MIDI. Because both the Focusrite and the MOTU pass MIDI over USB, I don't need to run a MIDI cable between my computer and either of those boxes. That leaves all 8 ports for synths.
But what do you do with a "rack full of synthesizers"? One way is to buy larger and larger audio interfaces to get more I/O. However, you might find it more cost effective to pick up a rack mount stereo line mixer. I use the Tascam LM8-ST, which gives me 8 pairs of stereo inputs (coincidentally the same as the number of MIDI ports on the MOTU) and three pairs of stereo outputs (same as the inputs on the 18i6). Since the Tascam has two buses plus the master bus, I can record any two synths at once (like a drum machine and a lead synth), or I can route one synth to the 18i6 as a clean signal and run the other synth through my FX chain. Or I can run one synth to the sidechain of my hardware compressor while running the other one through the compressor.
All of this without moving patch cords around.
Like the others have describe, I use the "external instrument" plugin in Ableton to assign MIDI channels and audio inputs for each synth. Each synth is saved as an External Instrument preset, which causes it to appear in my browser, so I can just drag and drop any synth to a MIDI track in my current project.
While I have a Novation Impulse25 as my keyboard, I'm not that great of a keyboardist, so I'll stumble through my initial concept on the keyboard to a MIDI clip, modify the MIDI clip until I get what I really want, then route to an audio track and record the final version.
Hope that helps!
"Watching the Sky" ~ A 4-track EP of piano, strings, and Native American flute
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djbenthere
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Re: setting up hardware synth racks with a computer
Sorry to bump the thread but I see 2 users responding that might be able to help me with my current set-up...
I am using the Novation Impulse 61 (via USB) to control all my soft synths and would like to also use it to control my hardware synths.
I have a MOTU Micro Express (4in/6out) plugged into my rack of synths (Virus Rack, Proteus 2000, XV-5080, MS2000R, MPC1000 & Simmons SDS9)
So here is my question: can I control all the synths connected to my MOTU using my Impulse without physically plugging a MIDI cable from the Impulse into the MOTU?
I would like to keep using the Impulse via USB and then somehow controll all of my synths connected to the MOTU using the Impulse as the 1 master controller.
Right now all soft synths work fine but I do not understand how to use the "external instrument" feature in Live.
I have activated the MOTU in Live's preferences and I can choose it as the source on the "external instrument" track but when I hit a key on my Impulse the "external instrument" track does not respond to the MIDI data coming from the Impulse keyboard!!!
I chose (micro express USB port) in Live and MIDI is being sent to "all channels"
I know I am missing a step here...
(already did proper routing in AMS)
Do I HAVE TO use a MIDI cable from my Impulse into the MOTU? (no more inputs on MOTU left for this)
Is it possible to control all external synths using my Impulse via USB to my Mac?
Do I need to assign MIDI chanels to each synth (I thought the point of the MOTU was - each synth can use all its channels thus the dedicated MIDI cable for each synth).
Any help is appreciated , I know I'm very close to success here.
All synths worked fine when I used them without the MOTU using MIDI THRU on all the synths...
I'm using Live 1.9.1 on Mac running Mavericks, my MOTU says "M/W" on the bottom...
MOTU connections: Virus i/o 1, MS2000 i/o 2, MPC1000 i/o 3, Proteus out 4, XV-5080 out 5, SDS9 out 6 USB to iMac 2012
I am using the Novation Impulse 61 (via USB) to control all my soft synths and would like to also use it to control my hardware synths.
I have a MOTU Micro Express (4in/6out) plugged into my rack of synths (Virus Rack, Proteus 2000, XV-5080, MS2000R, MPC1000 & Simmons SDS9)
So here is my question: can I control all the synths connected to my MOTU using my Impulse without physically plugging a MIDI cable from the Impulse into the MOTU?
I would like to keep using the Impulse via USB and then somehow controll all of my synths connected to the MOTU using the Impulse as the 1 master controller.
Right now all soft synths work fine but I do not understand how to use the "external instrument" feature in Live.
I have activated the MOTU in Live's preferences and I can choose it as the source on the "external instrument" track but when I hit a key on my Impulse the "external instrument" track does not respond to the MIDI data coming from the Impulse keyboard!!!
I chose (micro express USB port) in Live and MIDI is being sent to "all channels"
I know I am missing a step here...
(already did proper routing in AMS)
Do I HAVE TO use a MIDI cable from my Impulse into the MOTU? (no more inputs on MOTU left for this)
Is it possible to control all external synths using my Impulse via USB to my Mac?
Do I need to assign MIDI chanels to each synth (I thought the point of the MOTU was - each synth can use all its channels thus the dedicated MIDI cable for each synth).
Any help is appreciated , I know I'm very close to success here.
All synths worked fine when I used them without the MOTU using MIDI THRU on all the synths...
I'm using Live 1.9.1 on Mac running Mavericks, my MOTU says "M/W" on the bottom...
MOTU connections: Virus i/o 1, MS2000 i/o 2, MPC1000 i/o 3, Proteus out 4, XV-5080 out 5, SDS9 out 6 USB to iMac 2012
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Richie Witch
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Re: setting up hardware synth racks with a computer
Yes, you can set this up with a minimum of cables. I'm set up like this.
Impulse25 <USB cable> PC <USB cable> MOTU <MIDI cables> Synths <audio cables> Audio Interface <USB cable> PC
You do not have to run a MIDI cable from your Impulse, and your MOTU will work with MIDI over USB just fine.
To use the External Instrument in Ableton, drag one onto a MIDI track and assign the MIDI out channel the hardware synth will be using. To make sure you've got that part set up right, plug your headphones directly into the synth headphone jack and make sure the synth is responding to MIDI signals from the keyboard.
If you're not getting any sound in the headphones, there is probably a mismatch between the MIDI channel Ableton is sending on and the MIDI channel the synth is receiving on.
Once you have sound on your headphones, go back to the External Instrument and select the audio channels the synth is connected to on your audio interface. Make sure you arm the record button on the MIDI track (any easy step to forget). Play a chord and toast your success.
Yes, you can have the MOTU send MIDI on all channels to all ports, but you should still give each synth its own MIDI channel, and then use the External Instrument to select the correct channel for that synth. The MOTU will continue to send all channels to all ports, but the synths will only hear the MIDI messages intended for them. Otherwise, having more than one synth powered up at a time or having any of your synth MIDI out ports connected will cause all sorts of weird conflicts.
Using separate MIDI channels for each synth will also let you do cool split keyboard tricks where different parts of the Impulse will control different synths. Think about that for a minute...
BTW, External Instruments can be saved as presets, so just create one for each of your hardware synths, and then you can drag and drop those into Abelton. Even easier!
Impulse25 <USB cable> PC <USB cable> MOTU <MIDI cables> Synths <audio cables> Audio Interface <USB cable> PC
You do not have to run a MIDI cable from your Impulse, and your MOTU will work with MIDI over USB just fine.
To use the External Instrument in Ableton, drag one onto a MIDI track and assign the MIDI out channel the hardware synth will be using. To make sure you've got that part set up right, plug your headphones directly into the synth headphone jack and make sure the synth is responding to MIDI signals from the keyboard.
If you're not getting any sound in the headphones, there is probably a mismatch between the MIDI channel Ableton is sending on and the MIDI channel the synth is receiving on.
Once you have sound on your headphones, go back to the External Instrument and select the audio channels the synth is connected to on your audio interface. Make sure you arm the record button on the MIDI track (any easy step to forget). Play a chord and toast your success.
Yes, you can have the MOTU send MIDI on all channels to all ports, but you should still give each synth its own MIDI channel, and then use the External Instrument to select the correct channel for that synth. The MOTU will continue to send all channels to all ports, but the synths will only hear the MIDI messages intended for them. Otherwise, having more than one synth powered up at a time or having any of your synth MIDI out ports connected will cause all sorts of weird conflicts.
Using separate MIDI channels for each synth will also let you do cool split keyboard tricks where different parts of the Impulse will control different synths. Think about that for a minute...
BTW, External Instruments can be saved as presets, so just create one for each of your hardware synths, and then you can drag and drop those into Abelton. Even easier!
"Watching the Sky" ~ A 4-track EP of piano, strings, and Native American flute
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djbenthere
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Re: setting up hardware synth racks with a computer
OK great & thanks a bunch for the quick response 
I will go ahead and turn each hardware synth to its own MIDI channel and try again. I do for see just 1 problem though:
When I use a soft synth - for instance ableton's sampler - I usually can see a little yellow blip on the track verifying that it is receiving MIDI notes from my controller.
For some strange reason when I load an external instrument track, the little yellow lights don't respond making me think that it is not receiving any MIDI notes from my keyboard.
Any idea why all other tracks show MIDI triggering but NOT the external instrument tracks?
I will go ahead and turn each hardware synth to its own MIDI channel and try again. I do for see just 1 problem though:
When I use a soft synth - for instance ableton's sampler - I usually can see a little yellow blip on the track verifying that it is receiving MIDI notes from my controller.
For some strange reason when I load an external instrument track, the little yellow lights don't respond making me think that it is not receiving any MIDI notes from my keyboard.
Any idea why all other tracks show MIDI triggering but NOT the external instrument tracks?
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Richie Witch
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Re: setting up hardware synth racks with a computer
[quote="djbenthere"For some strange reason when I load an external instrument track, the little yellow lights don't respond making me think that it is not receiving any MIDI notes from my keyboard.
Any idea why all other tracks show MIDI triggering but NOT the external instrument tracks?[/quote]
I'm not at home so I can't test this--but it seems to me that that little yellow blip comes on when Ableton is sending MIDI info out, but it's the little orange light next to it that flashes when MIDI is coming in. Or maybe it's the opposite. LOL In any case, if I'm remembering it correctly, it's the orange one that flashes when I'm playing an external synth with my Impulse, and the yellow one flashes when I'm triggering MIDI from the piano roll of an internal sequencer like a drum rack or Sampler.
And don't forget to click the Record button. Ableton seems to arm that button automatically for soft synths, but not so for External Instruments. You'll get no MIDI or audio without arming the track.
At least that's how I remember it...
Any idea why all other tracks show MIDI triggering but NOT the external instrument tracks?[/quote]
I'm not at home so I can't test this--but it seems to me that that little yellow blip comes on when Ableton is sending MIDI info out, but it's the little orange light next to it that flashes when MIDI is coming in. Or maybe it's the opposite. LOL In any case, if I'm remembering it correctly, it's the orange one that flashes when I'm playing an external synth with my Impulse, and the yellow one flashes when I'm triggering MIDI from the piano roll of an internal sequencer like a drum rack or Sampler.
And don't forget to click the Record button. Ableton seems to arm that button automatically for soft synths, but not so for External Instruments. You'll get no MIDI or audio without arming the track.
At least that's how I remember it...
"Watching the Sky" ~ A 4-track EP of piano, strings, and Native American flute
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djbenthere
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Re: setting up hardware synth racks with a computer
This is awesome!!!!
I got everything working (except this ancient Simmons drum machine) after assigning MIDI channels for each synth.
Now my only problem is that I get stuck MIDI notes quite a lot. Seems to be an issue with many people using the MOTU Express from what I see on the web. I'm happy with my set-up now but if you have any pointers as to why or how to avoid the stuck MIDI notes that would be cool.
Thanks a million for your help - MUSIC TIME!!!!!!
I got everything working (except this ancient Simmons drum machine) after assigning MIDI channels for each synth.
Now my only problem is that I get stuck MIDI notes quite a lot. Seems to be an issue with many people using the MOTU Express from what I see on the web. I'm happy with my set-up now but if you have any pointers as to why or how to avoid the stuck MIDI notes that would be cool.
Thanks a million for your help - MUSIC TIME!!!!!!
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Richie Witch
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Re: setting up hardware synth racks with a computer
Excellent news!! 
The only thing I could recommend regarding the stuck MIDI notes, is to upgrade your MOTU box. I use a MOTU MIDI Express XT that I picked up on Craig's List for about $100. I've never had any problems.
That would give you a few more MIDI ports too for when you buy that next hardware synth... cuz you know you'll have to eventually! LOL
The only thing I could recommend regarding the stuck MIDI notes, is to upgrade your MOTU box. I use a MOTU MIDI Express XT that I picked up on Craig's List for about $100. I've never had any problems.
That would give you a few more MIDI ports too for when you buy that next hardware synth... cuz you know you'll have to eventually! LOL
"Watching the Sky" ~ A 4-track EP of piano, strings, and Native American flute
Re: setting up hardware synth racks with a computer
Hey Richie Witch, my name is Rafael. I just stumbled across this thread and you said something that got my attention. I'm slowly moving towards a more hardware/analog set up and I'm researching the best way to connect it all to Ableton. Right now I have a simple 2x2 interface to record 1 synth and a mic I have. The 2 outs go to my monitor speakers. The synth has an USB port, which is connected to my computer so I don't need midi cables to send midi notes to it. I simply set up a external instrument midi track and use it like some soft synth. But I'm saving up to buy more synths and more signal processing rack units (Pre-amps, fx processors, tape saturators, etc). What I planned to do was this:Richie Witch wrote:I would agree with everything that has been stated above.
But what do you do with a "rack full of synthesizers"? One way is to buy larger and larger audio interfaces to get more I/O. However, you might find it more cost effective to pick up a rack mount stereo line mixer. I use the Tascam LM8-ST, which gives me 8 pairs of stereo inputs (coincidentally the same as the number of MIDI ports on the MOTU) and three pairs of stereo outputs (same as the inputs on the 18i6). Since the Tascam has two buses plus the master bus, I can record any two synths at once (like a drum machine and a lead synth), or I can route one synth to the 18i6 as a clean signal and run the other synth through my FX chain. Or I can run one synth to the sidechain of my hardware compressor while running the other one through the compressor.
All of this without moving patch cords around.
PC<USB>Interface<INs and Outs>PatchBay<INs and OUTs>Synths and Processors
But I see you work a little differently to route your synths to FX chains and stuff. How is it that you do it?
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Richie Witch
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Re: setting up hardware synth racks with a computer
Hey Rafael!
Since you're using a patchbay now, you're headed in the right direction. Really, all I did was replace my patchbay with a line mixer in order to have more simultaneous synths connected to my audio interface. Since the line mixer had more than one output buss, I was able to set up one buss as a "clean", unprocessed signal path and the other buss as an FX chain signal path.
This kind of setup would be tricky (but maybe not impossible) with a 2 in/2 out interface, but it would be easier for me to figure that out if I knew exactly which interface you are using.
Also, does the synth you have (or the ones you'll buy in the future) have mono out only? Or do they have stereo outs (with mono left)?
Give me a little more info and I'll do some research so I can give you a more specific answer.
Since you're using a patchbay now, you're headed in the right direction. Really, all I did was replace my patchbay with a line mixer in order to have more simultaneous synths connected to my audio interface. Since the line mixer had more than one output buss, I was able to set up one buss as a "clean", unprocessed signal path and the other buss as an FX chain signal path.
This kind of setup would be tricky (but maybe not impossible) with a 2 in/2 out interface, but it would be easier for me to figure that out if I knew exactly which interface you are using.
Also, does the synth you have (or the ones you'll buy in the future) have mono out only? Or do they have stereo outs (with mono left)?
Give me a little more info and I'll do some research so I can give you a more specific answer.
"Watching the Sky" ~ A 4-track EP of piano, strings, and Native American flute
Re: setting up hardware synth racks with a computer
Hey Richie thanks for the reply. I drew a diagram and got it figured out (I hope so). The Synths would get MIDI information through USB from the computer and all ins of the interface (Soon to be an apogee ensemble) would be connected to the patchbay, so I can choose what to record. All the ins from the processing units would also be connect to the patchbay so I can manipulate the fx chain in the way it works best. Then all the outs of the interface would be connected to a dangerous music d-box for summing and then back into the interface for conversion. What are your thoughts?
Your solution sounds pretty good, this way you can have more than 1 synth connected to your input and use parallel processing with the two busses.
Before I forget, 6 out of 9 synths have stereo outs.
Your solution sounds pretty good, this way you can have more than 1 synth connected to your input and use parallel processing with the two busses.
Before I forget, 6 out of 9 synths have stereo outs.
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Richie Witch
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Re: setting up hardware synth racks with a computer
Hey Rafael!
Have you seen this document?
http://50.116.63.248/media/hooking-up-d ... 8684490000
It specifically lays out how to connect a Dangerous D-Box to an Appogee Ensemble. How does your plan compare to this one?
My first thought was to tap four of the outs on the D-Sub connector and loop them back to four of the analog inputs in order to create two stereo busses. You could insert the patchbay in those two loops for a lot of FX flexibility. But after reading the directions in that link, I'm more curious about what made you decide on these two products. This is a pretty huge jump from a 2-in/2-out setup, so I figure you must have some larger grand scheme in mind.
In my own setup, I was trying to avoid paying for a lot of mic pres I knew I would never use. Most audio interfaces with eight or more inputs force you to buy eight mic pres, even if they are combi inputs (like the four on the Ensemble). This is a big cost driver for the interface since the high-end electronics in the mic pres are expensive.
I ended up shopping for an audio interface with only two mic pres, but six line inputs (like the Focusrite 18i6 and the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra). By adding a stereo line mixer with enough outputs to fill the six inputs on the interface, I had all the routing options I was looking for with very little patching.
Ultimately, I upgraded again, to a “mixer-face”—a Mackie Onyx 1620i. With inserts on eight channels and four aux busses plus an Alt buss, I was able to route the stereo line mixer from my rack full of synths, to the stereo inputs of this desk mixer, and have 16 channels directly into Ableton with all the routing options I could ever dream of. The Mackie also allows me to route Ableton back out to my hardware, so I can use my hardware FX on my soft synths. I have the Alt buss routed back to the synth rack, so I can route audio from the desk, back through the synths to take advantage of vocoder, filter, or audio inputs on the synths. And I can do all of this with no patching.
And I picked the Mackie up so cheap on eBay, I didn’t fret over all those extra mic pres.
Not sure how much any of this helps you, since the setup you’re planning has a much different look and feel than what I wanted, and it looks like you have a much larger budget than I did. I would love to hear more about how you intend to use this setup when you’re creating music.
Have you seen this document?
http://50.116.63.248/media/hooking-up-d ... 8684490000
It specifically lays out how to connect a Dangerous D-Box to an Appogee Ensemble. How does your plan compare to this one?
My first thought was to tap four of the outs on the D-Sub connector and loop them back to four of the analog inputs in order to create two stereo busses. You could insert the patchbay in those two loops for a lot of FX flexibility. But after reading the directions in that link, I'm more curious about what made you decide on these two products. This is a pretty huge jump from a 2-in/2-out setup, so I figure you must have some larger grand scheme in mind.
In my own setup, I was trying to avoid paying for a lot of mic pres I knew I would never use. Most audio interfaces with eight or more inputs force you to buy eight mic pres, even if they are combi inputs (like the four on the Ensemble). This is a big cost driver for the interface since the high-end electronics in the mic pres are expensive.
I ended up shopping for an audio interface with only two mic pres, but six line inputs (like the Focusrite 18i6 and the M-Audio Fast Track Ultra). By adding a stereo line mixer with enough outputs to fill the six inputs on the interface, I had all the routing options I was looking for with very little patching.
Ultimately, I upgraded again, to a “mixer-face”—a Mackie Onyx 1620i. With inserts on eight channels and four aux busses plus an Alt buss, I was able to route the stereo line mixer from my rack full of synths, to the stereo inputs of this desk mixer, and have 16 channels directly into Ableton with all the routing options I could ever dream of. The Mackie also allows me to route Ableton back out to my hardware, so I can use my hardware FX on my soft synths. I have the Alt buss routed back to the synth rack, so I can route audio from the desk, back through the synths to take advantage of vocoder, filter, or audio inputs on the synths. And I can do all of this with no patching.
And I picked the Mackie up so cheap on eBay, I didn’t fret over all those extra mic pres.
Not sure how much any of this helps you, since the setup you’re planning has a much different look and feel than what I wanted, and it looks like you have a much larger budget than I did. I would love to hear more about how you intend to use this setup when you’re creating music.
"Watching the Sky" ~ A 4-track EP of piano, strings, and Native American flute