Is LOGIC Sidechain ONLY mono? DCAM filtering external stereo audio> outputting mono

[Simonator]

So yeah, question is all in the title really.

Using DCAM Strobe to filter my entire stereo mix, but the output is mono only.


I'm using Logic (8), and the only way (I can tell) to set this up is to have DCAM Strobe receive input as a sidechain signal, which in Logic has to come via an aux channel.

... I got to thinking it might be an issue with Logic's sidechain rather than Strobe... and found this:

https://discussions.apple.com/thread...art=0&tstart=0

So will Logic's sidechain mean I can only use MONO signals?

[Simonator]

UPDATE...

After doing more experimentation, I'm now pretty confident that this is an ISSUE WITH DCAM... NOT WITH LOGIC.

I decided to experiment using N.I. Kore 2 (effect) to host DCAM StrobeFX... so I could insert it directly into the chain, rather than using as a midi-triggered AU effect on a dedicated instrument channel with external sidechain input.


I was surprised to find that once I had this working, it was still outputting mono from a stereo input.

After getting this unexpected result, I then tried (don't know why I didn't do this before!) to go back to my original problematic set-up... but swapping StrobeFX for Fabfilter Simplon, and later with Bluecat Stereo Triple EQ... both of which were set to receive external audio via the sidechain as before.

BOTH of these plugs gave me perfect stereo... it's seemingly ONLY DCAM that gives me this proble... I tried it with Strobe, Cypher & Amber... same thing with all 3.

So... it seems this is an FXP issue after all, not a Logic issue.

Bummer.

[Simonator]

UPDATE 2...

After relaying that info to FXP, they have just confirmed that DCAM will only accept a mono input (stereo will be summed.), even though it has stereo out.

So, not filtering of external stereo audio with DCAM.

[Simonator]

5 hrs down the tube to find that out

[evosilica]

Yeah, i had the same experience with strobe in reaper. pretty sad.

[louis.lbnc]

Run two instances of the effects on two tracks, hard pan them and mute the other side?

Shitty work-around. ®

[mayur_FX]

Yes the synths (like any analog synth) have a mono signal path until the VCA which includes a panning stage for the monophonic signal.

The FX versions of Synth Squad are synths with an audio input, they are not full-featured stereo filter plugins. They will let you do a lot of things that a filter plugin cannot, but they cannot replicate the functionality of a dedicated filter plugin. I think it's perhaps a little unreasonable to expect them to

With that said, as someone else pointed out, you can use 2 instances panned hard right/left. Something like Plogue Bidule makes it a lot easier in some hosts.

[Simonator]

Originally Posted by mayur_FX

...

Thanks for your input.

Have to say tech-support have been super-fast & helpful today.

I'm a big fan of DCAM. Nice work!

Originally Posted by mayur_FX

They will let you do a lot of things that a filter plugin cannot, but they cannot replicate the functionality of a dedicated filter plugin. I think it's perhaps a little unreasonable to expect them to

Well tbh, I didn't even realise it took external audio until someone recommended DCAM in this thread:
Favorite Analog Filter Emulator AU/VST

Given that the FXP website says

'if you are using purely the external audio input, you can make the synths behave like 'filter plugins'.'

'The DCAM synth FX versions operate in the same way as any other MIDI-controlled audio effect plugin, and have been tested to work in the latest versions of the following hosts:
Pro Tools
Logic
Ableton Live
Cubase
Digital Performer
Reaper
Sonar'

... and tech support initially told me that stereo should be possible and this mono issue was a flaw with Logic...

... Then it seemed to me for a while like it was possible to do with DCAM.

Originally Posted by mayur_FX

With that said, as someone else pointed out, you can use 2 instances panned hard right/left.

Yep, I think this should be possible. But for each instance (in Logic at least.) you'll need a dedicated instrument track for the filter + a dedicated aux per filter.

Thus, to apply the filter to a stereo mix, I figure I'd need to:




* Route all my tracks/busses to an aux channel; as though that were the master. Apply any pre-filtering master channel fx to this aux.

* Route that aux to TWO additional aux channels. Pan one hard left & the other hard right.

* Create two instrument tracks with StrobeFX opened as a midi-controlled effect. Route one of the L/R panned aux's into the sidechain input of each of these. Hard-pan the output in the same relevant direction.

* Set up both instances of StrobeFX with identical settings, and assign a single midi-knob to control the filter cut-off on both instances of Strobe (or cut & paste the same identical automation to both tracks.)

* Route both of these to the master output 1-2, apply any post-filter FX.

... So five additional channels to achieve stereo filtering of the mix.


Which is a shame, because the filter sounds absolutely incredible, and with a touch of drive, my mix sounds really excited & vibrant.
I think it's the best software filter I have.

[mayur_FX]

Apologies for the mixed signals from tech support, and if the FAQ item is misleading... it's definitely not the intention.

And yes, Logic does make routing of this kind a pain. I highly recommend Plogue Bidule for this kind of thing - it makes a lot of cool things possible with chaining/routing plugins in Logic. You can do everything you described on a single instrument channel, and save the setup inside it as a preset to use in future.

Anyway thanks for the kind words, glad you dig the synths.

[Simonator]

Originally Posted by mayur_FX

Apologies for the mixed signals from tech support, and if the FAQ item is misleading... it's definitely not the intention.

And yes, Logic does make routing of this kind a pain. I highly recommend Plogue Bidule for this kind of thing - it makes a lot of cool things possible with chaining/routing plugins in Logic. You can do everything you described on a single instrument channel, and save the setup inside it as a preset to use in future.

Anyway thanks for the kind words, glad you dig the synths.

Cheers. Keep up the great work!

[explorer]

The DSP programmer of DCAM is currently writing a filter plugin. Can't wait!

https://cytomic.com/cytomic-announce...-filter-plugin

[Simonator]

Originally Posted by explorer

The DSP programmer of DCAM is currently writing a filter plugin. Can't wait!

https://cytomic.com/cytomic-announce...-filter-plugin

Yep. This will be the dog's proverbials when it launches... but that's not 'til December! :-(