Hello all. I can't seem to figure out how to get things working properly (or at least, the way I would expect them to work), when using an external Lexicon MX400 reverb and the External Insert function in X2. When I use the External Insert, I can set send and return levels as well as what outputs to send from and return too, but I can't seem to get/find the ability to mix the pre-send signal with the post-send signal as you normally do when using a hardware mixer. I'm using an M-Audio Fast Track Pro interface with SPIF in/outs going to and from the MX400 and I see signal going into the MX400's meters, so I know the connectivity to the device is working, but I can't seem to find a way to hear (and adjust) the unaffected signal (I'm running a pre-recorded track through the reverb, fyi) and the effected signal simultaneously. I can hear one or the other when switching between the A/B switch on my interface (it just switches between the analog inputs and the SPDIF digital inputs), but not both. I'm wondering if it has to do with the Input and Output settings for the track itself, but I feel like I'm just not getting something that's probably pretty obvious (but is still frustrating!).
 
Any ideas or anyone who can more thoroughly explain the signal flow and metering in the situation would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thanks.
 
Bob O'Donnell

Hi Bob,
I can try and help out, but I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to do. Are you looking to set the wet/dry ratio? 
 
Dean

Basically yes...

Hi Bob,
Hm...it may be easiest if I describe how I use the External Insert plugin on my system to see if that helps out. I use it in basically one of two ways:
 
1. As an insert on a track. The E.I. plugin lives in the FX bin on a track, for example a lead vox track. In this case the signal on the track passes entirely through the external unit just like an insert on a mixer channel. Wet/dry is controlled solely on the unit.
 
2. As a send. Here the E.I. plug lives in the fx bin of a bus and I'd create a send on my hypothetical vox track to that bus. In this case the fx unit is usually set to 100% wet and the amount of the effect is controlled by the send level and the level of the bus.
 
 
Are you using E.I. in one of those two ways?
 
Dean

Dean,
 
Thanks for the response. Essentially, I've been trying to do method number one, but expecting to have results similar to method two, which is probably where the confusion is occurring. There is no output level or mix control on the external reverb, so I would have to mix the wet and dry signal inside Sonar (as you suggest in method 2) and I guess I was expecting all  the signals to show up on the same track.
 
So, just to clarify, I would create a separate bus in Sonar. I would select the Output of the track I want to effect to be set to this new bus. I would add the External Insert to this new bus and then control the level of the wet signal there and the dry signal would be the output level of the original track? Also, I notice on buses that there's only a single input/output choice...not one for each. What would I set it to? Also, how do the send return levels in the External Insert fit into the signal flow? I guess I originally assumed that's where I would control the wet/dry mix, but I guess not.
 
Hopefully these questions make sense....
 
Bob

Hi Bob,
That's close but not quite right. Here's what you'd do.
 
1. On your track you want to affect leave the track output set to your master bus/hardware output. This won't change. 
2. Create a bus and label it something that makes sense...reverb or whatever. The bus only has an output. That should be set to your master bus/hardware output. Inputs are assigned from tracks.
3. On the track you'd like to affect create a send (in the mixer right click the send area of the channel and choose the bus you just created in step 2 as the destination).
4. Insert the E.I. plugin on the bus and configure it (set send/return, levels and latency calc). If you insert this before routing any audio to the bus the E.I. plugin won't do the latency calculation.
 
Done. Now you can change the wet level with the send level on the track.
 
Dean

OK...got it. I'll give that a try tonight at home...thanks!

Try to check manual or the UI for fast track pro if it allows to work when using analog input and SPDIF at the same time.

Dean,
 
Thanks. This does work, but I'm kind of surprised the meters on the main audio track don't register. You can see the meters on the inserted bus and on the master, but not the original track, which seems odd.
 
Anyway, from an audio/audible perspective, this does the trick.
 
Bob O'Donnell

Any chance that you have the original track "RECORD" enabled ? Track meters won't display playback level if it is.