Workflow Bussing Question - Probably a simple Solution.

Hello

This may be a bit noobish and it's my first post here. I'm new at the helm as the recording person in my band's projects and wasn't sure where to post this as it falls in both categories of techniques 'and' X1. We use Sonar X1 Producer. 

Can I ask what kind of workflow you use with particular reference to busses? I want to send our stereo mix out to an FMR RNC and then bring it back into X1.

Would you folks generally create an additional Buss immediately prior to the Master Buss, kinda like a pre-master buss, patching out of this to your outboard Buss comp then back ITB to print to your Master Buss? It's just that I'm aware that my Busses in X1 do not having Input the selection option for selecting Inputs to route from.

In summary, I can output from a Buss to my Fireface 400's Outputs, patch into my RNC but can't select my Fireface 400's Inputs on Busses to come back into - because Busses lack the Input selection option. 

How would you folks do this? Would you merely print to a regular stereo track (not a Buss) when patching back ITB after a final patch out?


Thanks

Barry

Chappel


I've never used it but wouldn't this be a good situation to use the External Insert Plug-in?

Ahhhh Thanks Chappel.

Never thought about that. I'm still finding my way around X1. I can't believe I missed this.

How would one go about printing drum tracks to a drum Buss with the external insert? Would this be a 'Bounce to Tracks' in relation to sending to the drum Buss? It's just that I notice that Busses don't have The Record option.

Sorry if this sounds noobish. It's just routing stuff that I can't get my head around.


Barry

oh my! 

There is so much you will need to learn.... and while we can tell you how we do it, that really won't help you create magic.

My first question is why not do it all "in the box" instead of routing in and out of the software?

My recommendation: here's some advice. Busses are used to group similar instruments together, such as harmony vocals or guitars, and treat them all with the same reverb or to control all the levels as ONE. There are other purposes for busses, but that's what I use them for.

My projects are normally 3 layers.... tracks...busses and master.

I would recommend also that you attempt to mix the songs for the band as best you can. Get it sounding as good as possible. POST it in the SONGS FORUM and let us hear it. We can give advice from there and make further recommendations, based on what you are able to do with the mix initially.


I hope this helps you in some way or another

Thank you Chappel, AT and Guitarhacker

I think I kinda get it now.

If I was wanting to send all my drums to a buss and then patch out to a hardware comp, I can use the External Insert with its "delay compensation". This buss could then be routed to the master buss which could also be patched out to a different comp also using the external insert plug - meaning I'd be patching out simutaneously using two separate comps?

If the above is possible and just for info's sake hypothetically if I had 5 outboard stereo comps, would I be likely to run into latency difficulties if using the external insert plugin on say 4 busses and then also on my master buss at mixdown (5 comps simultaneously)? Or would it be advisable to print the 4 intermediate busses to stereo tracks (compressing them) before mix down, thus patching out only once to the master buss's outboard comp?

@AT. I get it, I think. If I have only one outboard comp and wish to use this comp for all busses, then my only option would be to print the busses individually to new stereo tracks once happy with my sound. Isn't this basically just bouncing with an external pass through an outboard comp? As opposed to the exclusively internal bounce option you mentioned?

@Guitarhacker. We're aiming to do a "hybrid" thing (as much as possible) with plans to buy more outboard comps eventually, hence why we want to limit our use of ITB processing - we're not against ITB processing though. I used to dabble in recording years ago with a fostex 4 track. I know a bit about general recording but am very confused by all the routing of this new digital domain and latency etc. I'll try and get a clip up at some point.

@Chappel. Ah...I know what you mean by the parallel compresion thing. All the options you mentioned provide lots of scope for tweaking. Thanks.


Barry



 

Blue_Mountain


@AT. I get it, I think. If I have only one outboard comp and wish to use this comp for all busses, then my only option would be to print the busses individually to new stereo tracks once happy with my sound. Isn't this basically just bouncing with an external pass through an outboard comp? As opposed to the exclusively internal bounce option you mentioned?

Barry

Barry,
 
the only way to get external hardware into your already recorded sound is print it after running the signal out and in.  Technically, bouncing is w/in the computer itself, either with a soft effect or mixing.  Anyway, you are right.  A patchbay is nice to have for this, since it solves rewiring your system, not just to run the signals around, but also to hear the effected track.
 
@


 

Most people love the UAD stuff.  Next best thing to having the hardware.  Have fun and let us know how everything works out.

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