Recording VST output in Cubase 10

[ChamomileShark]

Sometimes I want to record the audio from a VST directly to an audio track - for example when I'm using Reaktor and I'm tweaking something that can't be automated.

I used to do this in 9.5, I've just tried again and I can't get it to work. The two methods I had were


Method one. Add Group Channel track and call it “X”. Go to Instrument track – change routing from “Stereo output” or “Master Bus” to “X”.
Add an audio channel. Change the input from “Stereo in” to “X”.

Did that - no audio seems to go to that audio track.

Method two. Go to top menu – “Studio” then “audio connections”. Add output Buss. You don’t have to connect it to anything. This creates a phantom output. Create audio track and change the input from “Stereo in” to that phantom output.

Again no audio appears for the audio track.

Just tried it again with 9.5 doesn't work there either - I switched my audio interface from a Focusrite Scarlett to the simple USB connection to the mixing desk - other than that I don't think I've changed anything.

Any ideas?

[jancivil]

Instantiate a group bus; redirect the output of the Instrument Channel to this bus (instead of Stereo Out). Let's call it 'Record Station'; now create an audio channel which takes Record Station as input, set it to record and it will record what it 'hears'.

You appear to have done exactly that. Are you sure you armed the audio track to record?

[ChamomileShark]

You appear to have done exactly that. Are you sure you armed the audio track to record?

I think that must be it. I thought once I armed the audio track I'd see audio appearing but it seems not. So if I'd just hit record I'd see that audio was recording.

thanks!

[jancivil]

I do this occasionally for the same reason, like that Reaktor Space Drone or whatever it's called, a generative patch that doesn't use MIDI input, but just runs. Not frequently enough to where I didn't have to think about it. I didn't see signal but audio started printing.

[antic604]

Instantiate a group bus; redirect the output of the Instrument Channel to this bus (instead of Stereo Out). Let's call it 'Record Station'; now create an audio channel which takes Record Station as input, set it to record and it will record what it 'hears'.

Why the need for Group Bus? Can't you just set the new audio channel's input to the output of the channel where you have the VST?

(I've not tried this in Cubase yet, but this is how it works in Live or Bitwig or Reason)

[WasteLand]

render in place (with correct settings)
or
mixdown (and choose the correct settings, only one track, the track, and insert into project).

(i have cubase 10 pro, so i do not know if render in place in all version, the second mixdown option is only pro)

or

bounce track (but not recommended, it is different than render in place, render in place has more options. long time ago that i bounced a track, forgotten. render in place is what i do.)

[vurt]

render in place (with correct settings)
or
mixdown (and choose the correct settings, only one track, the track, and insert into project).

(i have cubase 10 pro, so i do not know if render in place in all version, the second mixdown option is only pro)

not the same thing.

[WasteLand]

render in place (with correct settings)
or
mixdown (and choose the correct settings, only one track, the track, and insert into project).

(i have cubase 10 pro, so i do not know if render in place in all version, the second mixdown option is only pro)

not the same thing.

it creates audio from a vst track, ow when you want to tweak while recording... aha, i am with stupid..

[vurt]

so it renders live? cool.

[WasteLand]

i am trying now in cubase, strange it works for me.... you must also arm the audio track that you are recording to...
you must arm both tracks...


this is a free plugin that can record:

https://www.meldaproduction.com/MRecorder

[WasteLand]

so it renders live? cool.

no it does not renders live, sorry for the confusion.

but it did try the setup, only select for a vst instrument does not play the instrument... so it must be armed, but also the audio track must me armed, i.e. record ready..

so both tracks must be armed, the source and destination, the group is only a gateway.

it works for me, never thought of it, perhaps i nice extension for some things i want to do.

edit: i see now that the solution is already given.... ow well, for others perhaps and i learned something, again...

[ChamomileShark]

yeah render doesn't work.

My specific case was trying to record the output of Reaktor's Drox while messing with the Xy pad.

Sorted now with jancivil's help.

[jancivil]

I had the same expectation of seeing signal but didn't, and then I noticed it had printed audio. It's been a while.

[vurt]

yeah render doesn't work.

My specific case was trying to record the output of Reaktor's Drox while messing with the Xy pad.

Sorted now with jancivil's help.

not that it matters now, but don't you use a focusrite scarlett?
that has internal loop back, so you could for example record standalone reaktor to a track in cubase. or even out from cubase, back in on a seprate track (or any host)

[ChamomileShark]

yeah render doesn't work.

My specific case was trying to record the output of Reaktor's Drox while messing with the Xy pad.

Sorted now with jancivil's help.

not that it matters now, but don't you use a focusrite scarlett?
that has internal loop back, so you could for example record standalone reaktor to a track in cubase. or even out from cubase, back in on a seprate track (or any host)

well remembered. Right now I'm using the Soundcraft Signature 12 USB for audio. The Scarlett is now relagated to a DIN to USB midi converter (most of my MIDI stuff is DIN)