Roland Sonic Cell - true hardware VSTi?

[mztk]

I think the Soniccell is out now, I want to go check it out (As a replacement for Roland JV-1080).

The big question for me, can you bounce to audio like soft synths - or are you still limited to having to record in real time like the existing JV-1080 hardware synth?

JCPZero

how much do you want for the jv1080, bro?!

what amazes/mystifies me is that YAMAHA haven't made a VST host
(keyboard) instrument. it's the kind of thing they'd do really well,
y'know, with onboard sequencer+fx, & loads of controllers.
is this a difficult thing to implement? - anyone? - and with things
like flash ram getting sooo cheap these days, it could be a lot of fun,
with usb ports n sh*t...

[TCGMabe]

Roland Sonic Cell ... VST and AUDIO Bouncing

I realize this is a very old forum and that this message may not be read ... however if it is ... I wanted to share some personal findings with you.

I have owned my Sonic Cell for about 8 months now ... I used it primarily as a sound engine for a keyboard controller. I used to record from the outputs of the Sonic Cell directly into my Roland VS-2000CD.

I have recently started using the Sonic Cell with my laptop in a more portable way ... I see that many people have asked about bouncing to Audio from the VST ... here is how that works ... at least in Sonar 8 and many other DAWS I assume.

In my configuration the Sonic Cell is set up as a Midi device ... each Midi track that I have in Sonar is assigned to a channel number ... ie Midi Track 1 is assigned to Midi Channel 1 ... the Output of my Midi Channel is assigned to the Roland Sonic Cell ....

Now the Sonic Cell plays whatever Patch is assigned to that particular Part number ... I repeat this process for every Midi track that I want to sequence ....

I use the Sonic Cell Editor VST on an empty Audio track and assign the Sonic Cell Editor VST as an effect ... this just allows me to control the Sonic Cell settings within the DAW (Very Handy for my setup).

I use the Sonic Cell Editor VST as a Mixer for my Midi data ... Once I get the Mix all set up the way I want it ... I add a new Audio track ... and I select its input source as the Stereo Roland SonicCell IN L ... I also set the Audio track output as the Roland SonicCell OUT L ... I then Arm the Audio track for recording ... Turn OFF the software monitoring and proceed to record all of my Midi performances down to a stereo Audio mix.

This has huge benefits in my opinion ... I have the option of working with the Midi data until I am satisfied. Once I am all set I can commit the LARGE Audio file to disk ...

Bear in mind that ALL Sonic Cell sounds that are active will be mixed into the Audio track ... so if you have a Mic plugged in for example you may get external noise ... you should unplug any external hookups ... also if you want only 1, or a smaller group of instruments ... just Mute the ones you don't want out and Bounce the rest ... repeat this process for every Sound you want seperated.

I hope this helps someone ...
here is a link to Rolands workshops for the Sonic Cell ... http://www.rolandus.com/products/produc ... ductId=897

If you get the error that the link has moved ... just search for SonicCell and go to the Support section.

I got my info from the one that deals with Sonar.

Good Luck all !

T.C. Mabe - Guitars - Songwriter
www.HighAteUs.com
myspace.com/HighAteUs

[kiksogue]

Thank man. I've been thinking about getting the Sonic cell.

[JavaJ]

Yes, this is a great write up on how to make the SC a hardware VSTi. Thanks- I meant to post something like this as well but just lost interest (haha). You can also route the SC's audio through any VST effects (like a normal VSTi).

[TCGMabe]

Yes, this is a great write up on how to make the SC a hardware VSTi. Thanks- I meant to post something like this as well but just lost interest (haha). You can also route the SC's audio through any VST effects (like a normal VSTi).

That is an excellent point ... thanks for the tip !

[electro]

A true hardware VST would be Creamware ASB with USB 3.0

[zerocrossing]

Contrary to Electro's belief, the SonicCell is a true hardware instrument with a VSTi interface.

It does have serious flaws though. The biggest flaw is the fact that it feels the need to blend it's output (USB2) with what ever audio you are feeding into it. So, for the guy who's running a guitar into it and then into an amp modeler (like me) you then end up having to run your SonicCell's sounds though an amp modeler? Retarded. So as an audio interface it's next to worthless. I was disappointed as I thought it would be a nice way to kill two birds with one box.

Other than that, it's a great box. I am having one issues though with the 64 bit version. I can non longer put the VSTi in a Live 8 track and have it send MIDI to the SonicCell. If I turn on the keyboard I can click on notes and it works. I can open another track and route the MIDI from it to the track with the SonicCell VSTi in it and it works. Odd.