Help needed: ASIO/Steinberg/soft synth

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jarruby

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Hi there,
This is my first post and any help is GREATLY appreciated. Forgive me if I give too much information. I’ve been trying to figure this out since Christmas.

I am using Steinberg Sequel 2 with a MicroKorg XL. I record the MicroKorg in Sequel and I also use it as a MIDI controller to play the Sequel VSTi instruments.

I usually run the MicroKorg XL into my MBox 2 (via MIDI in/out and instrument cable). In Sequel, I can then select the ASIO Digidesign Driver (the MBox’s ASIO driver) and Sequel will recognize the MicroKorg.
I can also connect the MicroKorg to my computer via USB and use ASIO4ALL (v 2.10) to use the MicroKorg and Sequel together.
With all this listed above, there are no problems.

THE PROBLEM:
I recently purchased a soft synth (the “Minimonsta” by GForce). I cannot operate it within Sequel as Sequel will not recognize it. I believe that this is an ASIO problem as both Sequel and Minimonsta require ASIO. Minimonsta lists MME and DirectSound options but I have neither and both appear to be antiquated.

I can play the soft synth with the MicroKorg XL. To do this I can either use ASIO4ALL or the ASIO Digidesign driver (if I am using the MBox). If I am using ASIO4ALL, I will select ASIO4ALL as the Audio Connection within Minimonsta, and then select the MicroKorg as both the input and output devices. If I am using the ASIO Digidesign driver/Mbox, I will select the ASIO Digidesign driver within the Minimonsta and select the Mbox as the input and output devices. With either configuration, I am able to play the Minimonsta with the MicroKorg.

With the MicroKorg – Minimonsta connection working, I go to Sequel (or vice versa: I will try to start the process with Sequel). I know I cannot use the ASIO Digidesign Driver in both Minimonsta and Sequel, so I will only use it in one and then use ASIO4ALL in the other. I’ve also tried to use ASIO4ALL with both but it will only work with one at a time (two separate ASIO4ALL windows will appear…one showing working connections and one with the red Xs). In short, no matter what configuration I use (ASIO4ALL in one, ASIO Digidesign in the other, all the while fooling with inputs, outputs, starting one program first, then the next…), nothing will enable me to get the Minimonsta signal through the MicroKorg and into Sequel.

THE QUESTION:

Is there anything that I can do to have two ASIO signals work at the same time?
Note: I also have an ASIO Direct Full Duplex driver that appears not to help at all.
Also, I have disabled the ‘exclusive’ settings for the soundcard (playback and recording).

EQUIPMENT: Gateway MX8739 / Processor: Intel 1.73 / Soundcard: SigmaTel Audio high definition audio CODEC / 2 GB RAM / 500 GB hard drive

Thank you in advance!
 
A quick read-through of the minimonsta specs, it seems that it can run both as a VST and a standalone. From reading your post, I'm wondering if you're trying to run it as a standalone then getting it to work within Sequel. Have you tried running it as a VSTi inside Sequel? Ensure you have the .dll file in the vst folder that Sequel uses.

ASIO4All is usefull as a generic ASIO driver for your computer soundcard. I recommend forgetting about that and just use your MBox, its outputs/headphones and its ASIO driver.
 
Thanks

Chili, I'll try that as soon as I get home from work. It makes a lot of sense.
Cheers!
 
Good luck and let me know what happens. I'm no expert with midi, that's for sure. But I've had siimilar problems with another vsti in the past.
 
Didn't work

Further research shows that in Sequel...
Q. Can I use additional VST instruments in Sequel?
A. No, you can only use the integrated VST instruments.

It might be time to switch to Reaper.

Thanks for your help though.
 
Further research shows that in Sequel...
Q. Can I use additional VST instruments in Sequel?
A. No, you can only use the integrated VST instruments.

It might be time to switch to Reaper.

Thanks for your help though.

Well, that's too bad. You can try to upgrade to Cubase or Reaper, like you said.

Also check out Mixcraft. I heard good things about it.

http://www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/
 
I will check out Mixcraft

thanks for the tip. I'll likely do a trial of that and Reaper and see what I like better.

I really love Sequel but seem to be outgrowing it. I've been a drummer for ages and wanted a piece of software that would allow me to write/record music without having to learn a new instrument for 2-3 years. Sequel is definitely that and more. I love the program, but after a few years it's set me on the path of synths/soft synths and it's limitations are becoming apparent.

But, to anyone considering Sequel, I highly recommend it for what it does. The instrument sounds alone are fantastic.
 
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