Beepster
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Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
I'm thinking that considering noise concerns in my building and not having a properly treated room that this might be a good purchase. I've always had a hard time getting my stuff to sound good on a wide range of systems. I figure between this unit, my reference monitors, various headphones and speaker set ups I might have a better chance of achieving consistency. For those who have it how much success are you guys are having with it and how well does it interact with Sonar (ie: is it hard to set up, does it cause any weird problems, etc)? Cheers.
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vintagevibe
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 13:58:32
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It is very useful. I use it to check all of my mixes. It works well with Sonar but I get a slight high pitched noise in the background. That is probably from my USB port and would likely disappear if I got a dedicated USB card instead of using the ones on my mother board. Also the headphone output on the unit is pretty weak so I run it into my headphone amplifier. Also the driver panel mysteriously pops up when launching other audio apps. Tech support says they haven't seen this before and don't know why it is happening. Even with the small caveats I highly recommend it.
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Beepster
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 14:11:00
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Hi, vv. Hope you've been well. Thanks for the details. So I guess since you have it using USB you are switching soundcard drivers to check your mixes? The one thing that kind of weirds me out is that it only supports up to 48k as an interface and I work at higher sample rates than that. I was thinking I might want to use it to put the finishing touches on mixes so I'd have to use the SPDIF to keep things above 48k but I've also heard SPDIF is an inferior connection (not sure if this is true). Am I missing something? Could you maybe give me a little insight as to how you are going about things? Cheers.
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bandso
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 14:29:45
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I love it. You Just switch Sonars output to the vm box in the preferences.
Plug your headphones into the vm box, open the plugin, and start switching through the speaker selections.
(I don't use the spdif)
Bandlab Platinum and every other toy I can get my hands on...and yes I'm way in debt over this obsession...
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RuffRider
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 14:38:26
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vintagevibe
It works well with Sonar but I get a slight high pitched noise in the background. That is probably from my USB port and would likely disappear if I got a dedicated USB card instead of using the ones on my mother board. I also had that noise happening when using the VRM Box but I had the VRM Box plugged into a USB hub. I was using the USB hub without it's power supply connected - when I plugged in the power supply for the USB hub, the noise went away.
SONAR X3d, Win7 Pro x 64; Intel Core i7 930 2.8GHz Quad Core; 24 Gig DDR3 1600 CL8 memory. Matrox M9138 LP video card, RME Fireface UFX...
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Beepster
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 14:40:40
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Hi, bandso. That's encouraging but again I'm guessing you are mixing at 48k or lower? I wonder if maybe they'll release a new version that handles higher sample rates. Knowing my luck I'll buy the current model and they release something more powerful. It does seem to be a pretty big success for the FR guys. I found out recently that they have full fledged interfaces with the VRM stuff built in. If I had known that I probably would have picked one of those up instead of my Scarlett.
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bandso
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 14:51:53
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Yea I only record at 44.1K/24bit.
Bandlab Platinum and every other toy I can get my hands on...and yes I'm way in debt over this obsession...
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Beepster
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 14:57:55
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Thanks for clarifying. I think even with that limitation I'll still gain a lot having the thing around. I may just have to get a little creative with how I use it. Cheers.
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bandso
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 15:05:55
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The only other thing that comes to mind is that now that I have ARC2 room correction I find myself using the headphone box less. I normally only check with it when I'm doing a final tweaking of a mix mix and I want to get a rough idea for translation on other speakers. Before I "corrected" my room, my mixes came out much better if the bulk of mixing duties were done on the vrm box. (I guess my little mixing room was pretty bad)
Bandlab Platinum and every other toy I can get my hands on...and yes I'm way in debt over this obsession...
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vintagevibe
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 15:19:34
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Beepster
So I guess since you have it using USB you are switching soundcard drivers to check your mixes? No. You don't have to use the VRM drivers. I just send an out from my main interface (Echo Audiofire 8Pre) into the VRM so I don't even use the VRM as an audio interface - just an FX box. You can do it either way though.
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Beepster
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 15:23:09
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@bandso... Yeah, I'd like to have ARC but it's pretty expensive and I'd still have the problem of blasting out my neighbors. bitflipper posted a detailed method of how to do room correction using pink noise and some fancy EQing that I'm gonna try out eventually but I think it requires one of those special mics designed for correction purposes. I figure the VRM thingy is my best bet right now and if someone is REALLY interested in my stuff I'll just pay someone to master it properly.
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Beepster
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 15:27:14
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@vintagevibe... Huh. Interesting. Not sure I understand how that would work but I like the sounds of that. I think I'm gonna snag one as soon as I can swing it. Thanks.
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bandso
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 16:54:41
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vintagevibe
Beepster
So I guess since you have it using USB you are switching soundcard drivers to check your mixes? No. You don't have to use the VRM drivers. I just send an out from my main interface (Echo Audiofire 8Pre) into the VRM so I don't even use the VRM as an audio interface - just an FX box. You can do it either way though.
Actually this is a pretty good idea, that way you have the box running all of the time instead of having to change the audio preferences. You just throw on the headphones to check the audio you want and then can immediatly go back to listening to your speakers. I feed a hardware rackmount tuner the same way. I'll be setting this up tonight! As far as room measurement microphone goes, yes the ARC comes with one, but I think any decent omni mic will work fine.
Bandlab Platinum and every other toy I can get my hands on...and yes I'm way in debt over this obsession...
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Beepster
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 17:06:55
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Sorry to be a pain but how would you send out to the VRM box VIA your main interface while the VRM is only connected by USB? Does the interface/drivers/Sonar somehow detect it as an extra output? Because that be awesome. And seriously thanks for the input guys. I've been eyeballing this thing for a while but it's always good to get first hand accounts on stuff like this. :-)
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vintagevibe
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 18:59:05
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Beepster
Sorry to be a pain but how would you send out to the VRM box VIA your main interface while the VRM is only connected by USB? Does the interface/drivers/Sonar somehow detect it as an extra output? Because that be awesome. And seriously thanks for the input guys. I've been eyeballing this thing for a while but it's always good to get first hand accounts on stuff like this. :-)
Sorry I left out some detail. You run s/pdif out form your main i/o into the VRM s/pdif in.
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Beepster
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 19:03:08
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@vintagevibe... Ah, okay. Thanks. That was how I figured I'd go about things. Just got confused about the USB hook up. Cheers.
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Lynn
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 19:18:51
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I've been using one for about 3 months, and I've found that it's good for letting me know when I've applied too much bass in my mix. I would never trust it completely because it doesn't adjust for different headphones (I use Sony MDR 1706's), so it's all relative. But, it can get you in the ballpark and let you know if you're close or not. Switching back and forth between the VRM and my regular speakers just takes a second by switching screens in the mixer of my FF 400. To check the value of the VRM box, just play a Steely Dan CD through any of its emulations and be prepared to be amazed at how well Steely Dan albums are mixed.
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gswitz
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 19:34:29
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StudioCat > I use Windows 10 and Sonar Platinum. I have a touch screen. I make some videos. This one shows how to do a physical loopback on the RME UCX to get many more equalizer nodes.
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gswitz
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 19:41:34
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StudioCat > I use Windows 10 and Sonar Platinum. I have a touch screen. I make some videos. This one shows how to do a physical loopback on the RME UCX to get many more equalizer nodes.
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lawajava
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 21:53:01
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Beepster - don't you have the Focusrite Scarlett? Output by the SPDIF. You don't need to change audio settings in Sonar that way. You just get a pristine signal sent to the VRM box with its own headphone jack. The ability to test work in progress this way is highly helpful and does not interfere at all with any current settings. It's a tool you won't regret having. I had another post in the Hardware section on an extra trick I'm using with the VRM box http://forum.cakewalk.com/tm.aspx?m=2806814
Two internal 2TB SSDs laptop stuffed with Larry's deals and awesome tools. Studio One is the cat's meow as a DAW now that I've migrated off of Sonar. Using BandLab Cakewalk just to grab old files when migrating songs.
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vintagevibe
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/16 21:59:32
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Lynn
I've been using one for about 3 months, and I've found that it's good for letting me know when I've applied too much bass in my mix. I would never trust it completely because it doesn't adjust for different headphones (I use Sony MDR 1706's), so it's all relative. But, it can get you in the ballpark and let you know if you're close or not. Switching back and forth between the VRM and my regular speakers just takes a second by switching screens in the mixer of my FF 400. To check the value of the VRM box, just play a Steely Dan CD through any of its emulations and be prepared to be amazed at how well Steely Dan albums are mixed.
There is a list of headphones that it was designed around. From the Focuswrite site: "[font="calibri; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 1.4"]We used the Sennheiser HD 280/HD 650, Beyerdynamic DT 100, Beyerdynamic 770 and the PROline 650s to test VRM with, though during development the concept was tested on a wide variety of headphones of different designs (e.g. open and closed) and of varying cost and quality."
I still use my Blue Sky and KRK's but the VRM is a great help.
post edited by vintagevibe - 2013/05/17 10:49:10
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Beepster
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/17 10:00:42
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Hi, Lynn. I'm eventually gonna have things set up so I can route to my two stereo systems, various powered computer speakers and all my different sets of headphones/earbuds to do final checks on stuff. That's a bit of a pain while actually mixing though so I figure with the VRM and my monitors I'll have enough easily accessible listening variations without too much screwing around. Seems like the included room speaker emus would be a little more useful than all my ghetto consumer stuff too. Hope you've been well. ;-)
Hi gswitz. I'll take a look at those. I'd imagine even with the VRM having other monitor environments on hand right in the DAW could be helpful. It seems to me that most of the heavy lifting is done in the software. Makes me wonder how important the actual box is if you have precise headphone outputs already. I think the hp output on my Scarlett is pretty good. Might be an interesting thing to test. Cheers.
Howdy, lawajawa... Yeah, SPDIF does seem to be the way. IDK, like I said I had heard that it was an inferior connection from a buddy on another site but I have a feeling that he may have been referring to consumer electronics, not pro stuff like the Scarlett. It was more a discussion about monitor connections anyway (balanced 1/4" vs. SPDIF). I do like the idea of routing to multiple sources from the VRM but they do say on the Focusrite site that that might be counter intuitive because then you are introducing the room again if you are using speakers. But still something to play around with. Might pick up something in the mix that was otherwise missed. Cheers.
@vintagevibe... That is VERY good to know because I just happen to have HD280's. Hurray! ;-)
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sharke
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/17 13:28:55
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Beepster, S/PDIF is definitely the way to hook up the box. It's a way easier set up. Just make sure that you uncheck all references to the VRM box in Sonar's I/O settings, because Sonar doesn't have to know about it at all. This is something that confused me at first.
I would recommend the VRM box to anyone who doesn't have the ideal monitor/treatment setup. It's not a complete solution, but it gives you an extremely valuable extra reference which will reveal loads of problems with your mixes. It doesn't sound like listening on real monitors, but what it does is give you a way of checking your mix on a number of different speaker simulations, the idea being that if you can get it to sound decent on all of them, there's a large chance it'll translate well to all kinds of real speakers.
For people who have no option to use monitors at a decent volume (especially at night), it's a godsend, at least 1000% better than just using straight headphones.
The only thing is that you MUST have a good set of cans. It relies on you listening through headphones with a flat frequency response. So I don't think it would improve the situation with cheap headphones much.
JamesWindows 10, Sonar SPlat (64-bit), Intel i7-4930K, 32GB RAM, RME Babyface, AKAI MPK Mini, Roland A-800 Pro, Focusrite VRM Box, Komplete 10 Ultimate, 2012 American Telecaster!
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rjeynes
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/17 13:39:56
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Roger Jeynes Charborough Media Sonar Platinum - A&H Qu24 - MOTU 828MkII - i5-3570K - Windows 10
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dmbaer
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/17 18:02:52
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Beepster
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/18 08:53:30
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@dmbauer... Wow. That site is freaking awesome. I was planning on picking up Mike Senior's book but the material there alone is enough to keep me going for a while. Perfect timing too because up until a few months ago I wouldn't have been able to understand much of it. As far as the review, despite all the negative stuff he says he goes on to describe exactly what I'd be using it for anyway. The weird driver conflict he mentions is worrying though but that's first time I've seen that complaint so I won't sweat it. Thanks.
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Beepster
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/18 08:55:39
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@sharke... Hi there. I was hoping you'd stop in and post your experience so far. I'm using HD280's so that should be enough I think. Cheers.
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GIM Productions
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/18 09:38:31
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Hi i'm an ARC owner but the best HP Monitors emulation is Isone by ToneBooster. It's a really good Company!! (i use the Reelbus too,it's incredible close to tape).Best
Intel i7 3600,Asus Z170P,16 GIG Corsair ram,Focusrite Saffire Pro 26 i\o,Nektar Impact LX 49,Focusrite Liquid Mix,Monitors ADAM-K&H,Sonar Platinum Windows 10 SP1 Producer....more stuff in SStudio, Rome ,Italy.
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Beepster
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/18 10:02:50
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Hi GIM. Only $15 euros for that too (so I guess around $30). Not a bad price. Looks like it solves some of the problems with the VRM box discussed in that Mike Senior article. Might pick that one up too or maybe start with it considering it's cheaper. Thanks for the heads up.
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scook
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Re:Focusrite VRM Box and Sonar: For those that own one how are you liking it?
2013/05/18 10:05:26
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So you have overcome the third-party VST thing.
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