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  • Synchron SE template audio buss strategy in VE Pro

    G
    G

    Hi,

    I want to build a Synchron SE bundle only template in VE Pro 7 and start composing without distractions. I will be routing the audio back into Cubase. What is a solid strategy for handling the audio. Here are some options:

    1. An audio output for every individual instrument in the bundle. This is the most demanding on resources but would then allow me to create busses in Cubase as I please.

    2. An audio output for orchestral instrument sections e.g. a) Vn1 buss being fed by the respective Vn1 patch from solo, chamber, orchestral or appassionata srings or b) Flute buss being fed by Flute 1 Plus, Flute II Plus, Alto Flute Plus, Flute-ens 3 Plus etc. This is probably a good compromise on flexibility and resources.

    3. An audio output for each orchestral group e.g. strings, brass, woodwinds, Keys/Mallets, Voices, Perc etc. This is probably the best for a single computer system where it is assumed that the balance between insruments is handled in the VE Pro mixer.

    4. An audio output for frequency / articulaion combinations e.g. strings high longs, strings high shorts, strings low longs, strings low shorts, brass shorts, brass longs etc. I've read about this strategy for creating stems for further mixing. Is it good for a composing mindset? It probably originated from ensemble libraries that provide their samples in these categories.

    5. Dedicate an instance to each orchestral group: strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion etc. and have all instruments in each instance route to a master fader (01/02). This is the easiest option which I'll probably start with.

    Also, I'm thinking of loading only PLUS patches with certain slots disabled. Can individual slots then be enabled through automation from Cubase?

    Any suggestions or comments? Ideally I would just like to download a VE Pro 7 Synchron SE bundle starter project with everything loaded but disabled. Is this on the horizon?

    Regards,
  • Z
    Z

    Hy gyprock,

    I just finished incorporating my VSL SE Synchron Bundle into my Cubase template yesterday. This was my approach:

    • Create an Instance per Orchestral Section in VEP 7 Pro ending up with total of 6 Instances - Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Harp & Plucked, Choir, Strings.
    • Create Folders in every instance to house each orchestral family instruments in e.g. Flutes, Oboes, Clarinets, Bassons, Saxes for the Woodwinds. Horns, Trumpets, Trombones, Low Brass for the Brass, and etc.
    • Load every instrument in its own Synchron Player instance sharing a port but each instrument/Synchron Player having their own MIDI channel. Example - Flutes: Piccolo on Port 1, Channel 1; Flute 1 on Port 1, Channel 2, Flute 2 on Port 1, Channel 3 etc. Moving on to the Oboes - Oboe 1 (French) on Port 2, Channel 1, Oboe 2 (Vienna) on Port 2, Channel 2 etc.
    • Move on to the next Instance housing the Brass Section and repeating the process. Horns on Port 1, Channels 1 till 4, Trumpets on Port 2, Channels 1 till 11 etc. I have also created some instruments with a Classic or Close preset from the mixer window to be on their own channel for easier access through the sequencer (Cubase).
    • Within each Instance, each Folder/Orchestral Section has its own audio output going directly out of VEP. In the Woodwinds Section: All Flutes are routed to OUT 1/ OUT 2, All Oboes to OUT 3/ OUT 4, and etc. In the next Instance, Brass, same thing. Horns going to OUT 1/ OUT 2, Trumpets to OUT 3/ OUT 4 etc.
    • In Cubase recreate all Instrument Sections in Folders - Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, Harp & Plucked, Choir, Strings. Create subfolders for each instrument family e.g. Flutes, Oboe, Clarinets, Bassoons, Saxes for the Woodwinds. Horns, Trumpets, Trombones, Low Brass for the Brass, and etc.
    • Create Rack Instruments in Cubase in order to be able to connect to each VEP Instance and relable them with corresponding names e.g. Woods, Brass, etc.
    • Enable the necessary amount of Output Channels in each Rack Instrument depending on how many outputs are used on the other side in VEP. This creates individual channels in the Mixer window e.g. (Woodwinds) Flutes, Oboes, Clarinets, etc. , (Brass) Horns, Trumpets, Trombones, Low Brass untill all Instances are now routed to Cubase's Mixer.
    • Route those mixer channels to group channels at the front of the template for easy access e.g. Woodwinds Group, Brass Group, etc. Route the group tracks to a Submaster Group track, then finally route the Submaster to the Stereo out.
    • Create individual MIDI tracks that connect to the Rack Intrument that matches their section (e.g. Woods, Brass, Percussion, etc.)

    This is the way I have designed it and seems to give me quite the flexibility without getting overboard on the resources. I disable all channels in VEP but leave Cubase's tracks active and let them all load upon startup of the template. Any time I need an instrument to work with I just enable it on the VEP side. I hope this helps!

    Cheers!

    -ZWaves 
  • G
    G

    Hey ZWaves,

    Thanks for your detailed response. I've come to almost the exact solution as you over the weekend after setting up my Strings instance. Once thing I've done is to use one of my keyboard buttons to send a CC from a Cubase midi track to enable/disable the corresponding VEP channel.

    In VEP you open up the automation window and select the midi controller tab. Add a mapping with the + button then learn (L) in the left hand column. Go to your Cubase track and press the controller button which will then automatically create the correct routing in VEP. You then go to the right hand column and press L, then press the enable/disable icon in the VEP channel. All done. I did this for all my strings solo, chamber, orchestral and appassionata channels. It didn't take that long once you get in the click and repeat mode.

    Note that the CC button does not act like a true toggle because VEP only gives you the ability to map CCs. You have to press it so that sending 00 will enable and 127 will disable (or maybe it was the other way round). One thing that would be great is to have some sort of indication within Cubase as to which VEP channel is currently enabled. I don't think this is possible so you have to monitor what is going on through the VEP interface. I'll keep this thread updated as I discover more issues or solutions. Once again, thanks for the time to respond.

    Gyprock.