Using External FX

[bdemenil]

Let's say I want to use an external reverb. I'd like to have the dry mix routed to outputs 1 and 2 on my soundcard. I'd like to send the output of 1 of my aux channels to outputs 3 and 4 - which would be connected to my reverb. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like it's possible to route aux returns to different soundcard outputs. Anyone have any idea how to use an external FX box with ntrack?

The issue is that you'd want to be able to set output to the external FX independently from main volume for every channel. IE - your drums might be loud with just a bit of reverb while the guitar is quiet with lots of reverb. So you can't just send your main outs into the reverb.

Ben

 

[Tom Hicks]

Ben
If I want to process a track externally,I mute all others and use the main card outs to the effect in.The effect out goes back to the soundcard input recorded to a new track.
I downloaded the demo here at work and just did a few experiments.The "persian flaw" in my idea to use this same idea entirely within n-track (using plugins) has to do with live input processing.The paths are there,BUT...
There is a time lag with live input processing which would definately screw up a player tracking and trying to sync with other tracks already recorded.Theoretically,however,with a track already recorded,it could be processed live (internally)and later offset by the lag amount.So all these multiple alternate routing possibilities are really only useful during MIXING and not during TRACKING due to the delay of live input processing.

In reading through the search function of the help file, I came across the following,paraphrased (I went back to quote it to you and couldn't find it again!)If you go to preferences-wave devices and select multiple outputs,you should have the ability (somewhere,somehow...)to assign the aux sends to the various outputs,which sounds like what you are after exactly.But where to click to set the assignment?That is where my memory fails.I went back under"aux sends" in the search function and that is not it.I went through a procedure where the search function sets up a larger database of places to look and entered "auxes",which is where I read the above about assigning aux outputs.A more thorough look than I can do now would probably turn it up.
I will do more experimenting with this at home tonight.Please let me know what you come up with also.
regards

Tom

 

[bdemenil]

I wrote to Flavio about this, and he promptly sent me the following reply -


"You can currently route aux returns to specific output channels. Each output master channel has a fader for each aux return so you can for example set aux channel 2 return level to -Inf for output 1/2 and say 0 dB for output 3/4."


I think this pretty much covers the issue.

 

[Tom Hicks]

Thanks Ben
I also found that in the search function of the help file.He states there that for each pair of outputs selected in preferences-wave devices a separate aux send appears in the mixer box.
My mistake was thinking the auxes were assignable to the inputs instead of the outputs.It was your remark about using external effects that finally pointed me in the right direction.
So I can still do my old analog patching with external cords.Maybe in a future version he will code the ability to patch internally like I wanted,so extra trips through the AD-DA converters can be avoided.

Tom

 

[bdemenil]

It would be nice to be able to patch aux channels back into group or regular tracks.

Ntrack's a good piece of software. It's a shame there's not a larger team of programmers working on it. From an interface perspective, i haven't seen anything else as practical.