Using Rack Filters

[IRBY]

I have seen some independently made tutorial videos on some of the features in Tracktion. I found them on the web somewhere. Has anyone else seen these? I can't remember where to find them. My problem is Rack Filters. I need a video demonstration of them because I am completely confounded by them. For instance, why are they all set up for L/R ins/outs. How do I use these rack filters that are all connected up in a stereo fashion (L/R) for use on a mono track, like a lead vocal? And what's up with the little nodes for midi? Am I missing something else entirely here?

[djsubject]

this is a tiny vid tutorail on using racks on a multi out vsti

its short & sweet, but may have a few of the ancers you are looking for

http://www.skirize.adbe.org/T2MultiOutVST.mov

Subz

[freeztar]

I have seen some independently made tutorial videos on some of the features in Tracktion. I found them on the web somewhere. Has anyone else seen these?

Only one I have seen is Djsubject's (in his sig).

My problem is Rack Filters. I need a video demonstration of them because I am completely confounded by them. For instance, why are they all set up for L/R ins/outs.

It just gives you more flexibility when routing. For instance, you might have two racks (say one for kick and toms and one for cymbals) and you could route them individually to L or R.

How do I use these rack filters that are all connected up in a stereo fashion (L/R) for use on a mono track, like a lead vocal?

I typically just connect the L output to L&R and the R output to L&R. That way you get mono, but you will have to turn down the track a bit as it boosts the signals to each channel.

And what's up with the little nodes for midi? Am I missing something else entirely here?

The node for midi is if the rack is on a midi track. That way you can route one midi track to several different synths at once to create a nice layered sound.

I LOVE racks and would encourage you to experiment with them. I was just about to go play with Tracktion, so I'll get some screen shots for you that might help you understand better.

[freeztar]

this is a tiny vid tutorail on using racks on a multi out vsti

its short & sweet, but may have a few of the ancers you are looking for

http://www.skirize.adbe.org/T2MultiOutVST.mov

Subz

hehe...you beat me to it...and I stand corrected...it's not in your sig...

maybe it was at one time??

[IRBY]

So Freeztar. I am correct in assuming that I want the FX filters connected in a mono fashion for use on a mono track? Does it ever depend on the effect? Are some FX inteded to be stereo?
What confuses me is that even on my mono tracks, the level meter filter still has left and right meter read out bars. Shouldn't it only have ONE meter? Sorry for all the stupid questions guys. But thanks for the assistance. The people on this forum are much nicer than that bunch over at "Future Producers".

[freeztar]

So Freeztar. I am correct in assuming that I want the FX filters connected in a mono fashion for use on a mono track? Does it ever depend on the effect? Are some FX inteded to be stereo?

It depends on your use. You can take a mono track and use it's separate channels (mono is really only equal L and R) to feed different effects. Imagine this...you record a vocal part and then feed it to a rack. In that rack you have the left input going into a reverb and the right input going into a delay. You could then feed those both into a beat sequencer and have a very different vocal track...to say the least...

What confuses me is that even on my mono tracks, the level meter filter still has left and right meter read out bars. Shouldn't it only have ONE meter?

Well, as stated above, mono is simply L and R the same. Think of those bars as representing your speakers. You see them both jump and dive in unison because equal signal is being sent to both speakers...hence mono. My soundcard records my mic and instruments mono if I treat the input as a stereo pair (ie my mic and guitar are plugged into inputs 1 and 2). So when I play back I get the guitar in the right speaker and the voice in the left speaker. This can easily be stereo-ized by placing a Tracktion "Patch Bay Filter" on your track and routing the input to both outputs...of course, I prefer racks for the task.

Sorry for all the stupid questions guys. But thanks for the assistance. The people on this forum are much nicer than that bunch over at "Future Producers".

We try to be nice here...

most of the time it works out

[freeztar]

IRBY,

Check out my thread here...
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic ... 16#1656516

[DaveL60]

Much appreciate all discussions of racks, because I'm trying to figure them out too, mostly in the context of using Proteus X as a multi-channel VSTi. Between the PatchMix software of my new 0404 card and Proteus X, I've got lots to puzzle over these days.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch:

Imagine this...you record a vocal part and then feed it to a rack. In that rack you have the left input going into a reverb and the right input going into a delay. You could then feed those both into a beat sequencer and have a very different vocal track...to say the least...

At the risk of appearing really ignorant: what's a beat sequencer and why/how would you use it this way? I did a little web searching and looked at the pages for DoggieBox and HammerHead but didn't find enlightenment.

Thanks,

DaveL

[djsubject]

Much appreciate all discussions of racks, because I'm trying to figure them out too, mostly in the context of using Proteus X as a multi-channel VSTi. Between the PatchMix software of my new 0404 card and Proteus X, I've got lots to puzzle over these days.

this should show you enuff to be able to use Proteus X as a multi out vsti

http://www.skirize.adbe.org/T2MultiOutVST.mov

Subz

[DaveL60]

this should show you enuff to be able to use Proteus X as a multi out vsti

Thanks; that's a nice little demo. Between that and some info I saw over on the Unofficial E-Mu forums at www.productionforums.com, I think I'll be work it out. Mostly I think I need to really focus on it, as opposed to just tinkering for a few minutes. I've set myself a goal of producing a track in Tracktion using Proteus X as my only sound source. That will force me to work through all of the configuration and rendering issues and develop a more-or-less complete understanding of how to use this toy.

DaveL

[freeztar]

At the risk of appearing really ignorant: what's a beat sequencer and why/how would you use it this way? I did a little web searching and looked at the pages for DoggieBox and HammerHead but didn't find enlightenment.

Sorry for the confusion Dave.
What I really meant was a step sequencer.
Something like scuzzphut.

[DaveL60]

Sorry for the confusion Dave.
What I really meant was a step sequencer.
Something like scuzzphut.

That really clear things up!

I'm still puzzled as to how/why you'd use it this way. And what the result would sound like.

DaveL
(trying hard not to look like a newbie and failing!)

[freeztar]

I'm still puzzled as to how/why you'd use it this way. And what the result would sound like.

Here is a T archive that demonstrates it:

http://freeztar.us/vocalstep.trkarch

[DaveL60]

Here is a T archive that demonstrates it:

Interesting. I look at things like this and think: man, I'm not nearly creative enough in imagining how to plug this stuff together to produce interesting results. All a learning experience, I guess. Thanks for taking the time to share that -- Sooner or later I'll want to do something like that, and I'll remember this and be able to recreate it faster for having seen the idea implemented once before.

DaveL

[freeztar]

Glad I could help.