Getting 2 hardware synths into Cubase 5 – confused plea for help.

[UltimateOutsider]

Originally Posted by escmode

So… I want to be able to get both in stereo (4 inputs needed) and continue to have them appear as VST’s in Cubase. I’m not sure if getting a small mixer with its outputs fed into the FastTrack is the fix… or if I should get another interface with more inputs and feed both synths into that?

If I get an analogue mixer and the synths bypass the interface (for audio), can they still be connected as VST’s in Cubase? Or do I need a USB mixer (rather avoid another USB port – I already have 8 in use at the moment).

Your easiest option would be to replace your FastTrack with a different USB interface and do all the mixing in Cubase. The NI Komplete Audio 6 is less than $250 and will give you just enough analog inputs (the front inputs double for Mics or instruments). The MOTU UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid is double the price, but gives you double the inputs and has a bunch of other features. You'll also theoretically get the best recordings this way since you'll have the shortest signal path and fewer opportunities for interference. And you wouldn't need any additional USB ports because Cubase only lets you select a single interface at a time anyway.

A lot of people seem to use line mixers or traditional analog mixers on interfaces with limited inputs. This works fine, but the drawback, obviously, is if you want to record stereo instruments simultaneously, they will be mixed together on the same track. Your results will vary depending on the quality of the analog mixer and the degree to which it colors the sound.

Another option, which requires a workflow change, is a patch bay. Wire the patch bay outs to your interface ins, and normal your primary synth to the patch bay outs. When you want to record a track with your secondary synth just patch it into the outs instead. I used to have more synths than interface inputs, and this was the solution I used. My primary synths were normalled to their own interface inputs, and I'd just patch in the extra synths as needed and record them as audio. I've since switched to an interface with 24 ins, which has given me some room to grow.

EDIT: You asked specifically if you could continue using Cubase's "external instrument" designations if you switched to running the synths' audio through a mixer. I'm almost certain this is possible (you'd just assign the two instrument objects to the same input bus), but don't have Cubase here to test. It's easy enough to experiment with; just set up two external instruments that way and assign them to separate MIDI tracks. Pretty sure this will work... but remember the caveat about the audio signals being mixed.

[escmode]

Excellent reply... thanks.

Originally Posted by UltimateOutsider

The NI Komplete Audio 6 is less than $250 and will give you just enough analog inputs (the front inputs double for Mics or instruments).

doh. I almost bought that a couple of months ago.. but decided to budget down and got a 2nd hand FastTrack Pro instead. it's working ok now (besides lack of inputs), but was a bitch to configure, especially considering the dodgy window's 7 drivers.

Originally Posted by UltimateOutsider

EDIT: You asked specifically if you could continue using Cubase's "external instrument" designations if you switched to running the synths' audio through a mixer. I'm almost certain this is possible (you'd just assign the two instrument objects to the same input bus), but don't have Cubase here to test.

That's good to know. I find the routing options in Cubase bewildering.. so I'll stress about that when it becomes necessary. it's a small miracle I've got everything working as it is. I also have Maschine... and getting Cubase set-up to record audio ( as I'm jamming) on separate tracks was a defining moment of my year. ha!

Overall though... I'm wondering if one of the new mixer/audio interfaces wouldn't offer an elegant solution... I see the Alesis MultiMix 8 USB 2.0 offers 24–bit/44.1–96kHz recording... also the Allen & Heath ZED -10fx offers 24–bit/48kHz. These look sexy and does the job of 2 boxes in one. I'm not fussed about the quality of the pre-amps - they won't get used much, if at all.

What do you think... would that work?

[UltimateOutsider]

Originally Posted by escmode

Overall though... I'm wondering if one of the new mixer/audio interfaces wouldn't offer an elegant solution... I see the Alesis MultiMix 8 USB 2.0 offers 24–bit/44.1–96kHz recording... also the Allen & Heath ZED -10fx offers 24–bit/48kHz. These look sexy and does the job of 2 boxes in one. I'm not fussed about the quality of the pre-amps - they won't get used much, if at all.

What do you think... would that work?

I'm not personally familiar with either unit. Based on the specs, seems like they would work out fine. If I were going to go that route, though, I'd personally prefer faders over pots. But they would likely get the job done.

Also, funny you should mention the Maschine/Cubase thing. I was just trying to help someone work out recording MIDI from Maschine last night and I simply could not get it working. I followed the Maschine manual and some tutorial videos and Maschine simply would not transmit any MIDI from my projects. Really bizarre, that thing.

[escmode]

Originally Posted by UltimateOutsider

Also, funny you should mention the Maschine/Cubase thing. I was just trying to help someone work out recording MIDI from Maschine last night and I simply could not get it working. I followed the Maschine manual and some tutorial videos and Maschine simply would not transmit any MIDI from my projects. Really bizarre, that thing.

Did you sort this? did you want to 'track out' the midi of all parts contained in Machine, into cubase?