Multi Fx For Synth

[Carin Mita]

Thesynths with sequencers that are up there with Elektron that come to mind are the Sub37 and the Pro 2, but though they are paraphonic, they are only mono timbral (also the Pro 2 has digital OSCs, but no one holds that against it).

I must mention that my Analog Keys is married to my Radikal Technologies Spectralis 2, which is a hybrid analog/digital beast, and via Trigger Groups, definitely multi-timbral, and a sequencer that even does more than Elektron sequencers.

Unfortunately, currently Win10 does not to provide native audio aggregate device support (still...), however this seems to be possible if the devices use the same ASIO drivers. I plan getting either an Yamaha AG series mixer or a Steinberg UR interface - since they use the same Yamaha Steinberg USB driver as MOXF - but I can't verify if the driver itself has multi-device support or not.

I would like to stay away from analog connections or ASIO4ALL, as they would dent either quality or latency performance. A unified driver seems to be a much more elegant approach, I am just not sure if it actually works. If anyone can confirm, I would very much appreciate it.

Even if you have devices that use the same Driver as in a MOXF and the Yamaha AG-series mixer (the Yamaha Steinberg USB Driver), you would still need to switch between the devices. The CONTROL PANEL will show you that you have two ASIO devices and you can "hot swap" (means without closing the program or interrupting your session with a reboot, you can select the other device, then continue your session).

Solutions for Windows 10

The MOXF has dual stereo capability (4CH) as a computer audio interface (4-in/2-out) this means you can record two separate (discreet) stereo buses simultaneously. By default USB 1/2 are used by the A/D Input of the MOXF, while the synth engine Parts are all assigned to USB 3/4. This dual stereo arrangement allows you to play and sing while recording each to its own Audio Track. It also allows you to record the synth through USB 3/4 and any Part you might want to isolate, you could assign to USB 1/2 to isolate it.

Or you can simply setup with both devices connected and hot swap between them... The device which is selected as your ASIO device will need to be connected to your monitoring system it will be responsible for routing audio from external devices and from the computer to the speakers.

Extrapolating, adding a new MOXF for say increased polyphony is also not something viable in a Cubase session, on this OS. I would probably look at Montage at that point, I was just curious if that is indeed the case.

This is a lot LE$$ expensive than purchasing a second-third or fourth MOXF... LES PAUL (the father of Multi tracking) did all his early magic with a single guitar... the idea was to be able to record then reuse the same hardware. VSTi protocol will allow you to do the same kind of thing- virtually like having multiple MOXFs.

Indeed, the freeze function is a life saver in many situations, and I use it regularly. Let me point right away that this is not a keyboard feature request and has no impact on the value of the instrument - if I had to choose again, I would pick it again. I know because I had, and I did ?

The truth is I find myself jumping often between tracks to swap variations, make adjustments, solo instruments, EQ and so on, and freezing the rack understandably locks all 16 tracks from performing any further operations. Since freezing external instruments takes the same amount of time as playing back the entire session, it can be a challenge for time sensitive projects - which are the ones I use the MOXF the most - but one that I will resolve one way or another. Regardless, in my tests, using multiple MOXF VSTs rack instances in Cubase is well implemented and a solid workflow. Thank you for suggesting, I am sure I will use it.

At the moment this is not a priority, the need for additional inputs on the other hand becomes more stringent as my studio grows. I am usually pretty good at finding solutions, and I don't mind stepping out of the box, but this mix of devices I could not test on my own. And since the synth driver, the interface and Cubase are all running on Steinberg code, you must admit the chance of a handshake was not too crazy - and I have a feeling it may naturally come to fruition.

Since freezing external instruments takes the same amount of time as playing back the entire session, it can be a challenge for time sensitive projects - which are the ones I use the MOXF the most - but one that I will resolve one way or another.

The driver CONTROL PANEL will show you all the different Yamaha Steinberg USB devices you have connected, but unfortunately Windows only lets you to select one of them to have its Outputs available at a time. Switching is easy on the computer side (just a click or two) but wiring on the other side can be a challenge, depending on your particular setup.

All things considered...

Having multiple audio devices is a requirement when you have multiple musicians playing at the same time.

Any other situation, it becomes a preference, not a requirement. If, for example, you are a one-musician studio, you may think that it might be more convenient to have all your audio interfaces setup and ready whenever you are... but reality is that, unless you have a Mac, you cannot just have everything connected and seen by the computer simultaneously (that is: all inputs and outputs available at once).

So are you looking at your setup as a requirement because you going to actually record to the computer via multiple audio devices simultaneously.

Or are you thinking multiple audio device at once would save you from having to disconnect cables and replugging? ... (when, in reality, it may not)

I know enough to know we each have a workflow, and we each feel/know that there must be a better way... I worked with enough different musicians to have run into the same requests over and over. This is what causes me so often to ask, what is it that the questioner wants to accomplish...

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I would suggest Mainstage for your first foray into this. Spend the $39. It comes with an excellent sound library and you really can dive very deep into editing. Also, the Autosampler is very good. I have sampled some of my hardware into it to use in Mainstage concerts.

I personally use both Mainstage and Gig Performer. Depends on my mood I think GP has better scripting for complex stuff, and it handles heavy duty VST's. Keyscape, Kontakt, PianoTeq etc.. all behave nicely together in Gig Performer.

However, my new Mac Min M1 machine is handling all those and more without breaking a sweat. I'm still in testing pahse with it. My main gig machine is a 2018 MacMini running the latest MacOs and latest Mainstage and Logic Pro.

You already have it. One of your DAWs. Take Logic Pro X for example... You could use Logic as a) a slave Sound Module or b) do interactive real time things with KeyStep Sequencers. If the latter, your Beatstep will synchronize to MIDI clock coming from Logic. (Project settings=>Synchronization=>MIDI=>MIDI Clock Device) You may need to adjust the jumpers on the back of your KeyStep to allow it to slave.

Or you can use Logic as a Sound Module. Each Logic track is like a Roland JV Patch. Group tracks together using Summing Stacks to create the equivalent of your Roland JV Performance. Your tracks can have individual effects. Your summing stacks can have effects also. Individual tracks will filter midi by channel, note, range velocity, etc. Summing stacks can do likewise. So you can create your split and layers as well as receive different KeyStep notes to different timbres.

Since Apple has moved to the App Store model, at least so far, updates to new versions of all their apps has always been free anyway. In fact, that's been a developer complaint about the inherent structure of the App store... it's not possible to offer paid-for updates. Only in-app purchases, entirely new versions, or bundles. Apple has basically phased out the idea of buying updates to new versions, and the app store has basically forced developers to follow their lead. So unless Apple changes the app store philosophy, or makes a new Mainstage an entirely new product, I think it's safe to buy at any time.

I have most every U-he synth and Zebra is a favorite. If I get main stage set up the way I like on the new M1 Air that will be the go to, with the Roland Cloud group and NI Komplete as backup. I'm doing this to connect a KeyStepPro and have fun sequencing. Oh boy, I can imagine a trio of Zebra, Jupiter 8 and Massive along with a drum machine. Lots of fun.

I"ve also been experimenting using my old 2013 MacBook Pro in remote mode. I have a router in my rack so I can control the Mini from the MBP. If anything, it gives me a basic backup should the Mini go tits up at a show.

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