Software with external effects loop for hardware?

[MidiToGuitar]

Hi:
Does any company make guitar software that allows external hardware to be inserted in the effects signal?

In other words guitar software with support for a external effects loop to mix hardware with virtual effects.

[Burillo]

if we stick you your strict formulation - no, it doesn't exist.

if we expand the definition a bit, I believe you can use ReaInsert in REAPER to achieve what you're looking for. I don't know if it works in realtime but I see no reasons for why it wouldn't, so presumably should be no issue with it.

so, in order to make this work, you'd have to break up your FX chain in such a way as to be able to insert your hardware somewhere inbetween, similar to how you would've used a separate plugin (e.g. amp plugin => reainsert => cabsim for a typical FX loop-type setup).

however, I should caution you that you might not particularly enjoy the results because of added latency - you'd be essentially doing AD/DA twice, so you'd get twice the latency from what you'd normally get.

[MidiToGuitar]

Thanks for the info.

[The Noodlist]

A traditional FX loop goes between preamp and power amp. Most DAWs have external effect routing options. I use Pipeline in Presonus Studio One to use outboard gear.

You might need a reamp box/DI box/buffered pedal and a HiZ input/DI box for non line level gear.

https://youtu.be/hCxrtC3KcAo

[MidiToGuitar]

Cool feature.
I own Studio One and was not aware of this feature.
Thanks for the info.

[thecontrolcentre]

Ableton Live External FX

[The Noodlist]

Cool feature.
I own Studio One and was not aware of this feature.
Thanks for the info.

Might only be available in the Professional version (prior to Studio One V7).

[Burillo]

Yes, I should've probably clarified that a bunch of other daws have this, I just don't know what it's called in those, so I used reaper as an example as that's what I'm familiar with.

And yes, typical fx loop is before power amp, but not many guitar plug-ins allow splitting preamp and poweramp so the usual workaround is it put effects below cabsim.

[Uncle E]

I made separate Tonex captures of the preamp and power amp of a Mesa/Boogie Mark III, specifically for inserting effects in between. BHS also made captures of many famous preamps and included a power amp IR to go with them.

[metalifuxx]

If you didn’t know already or maybe you do, unless your interface has a reamp signal output or you do not have a reamp box, to get the best non distorted signal (if your hardware pedal etc does not have a line/instrument level switch) into the pedal is a reamp box between the send out from your interface and then into the pedal. You don’t need one but your signal will always be somewhat distorted due to the hot line level output, depending on what the pedal’s input can take. I’ve tried it in Ableton Live with a Boss DM-3 delay but realized i need a reamp box (or interface with a reamp output) for it to sound clean.

[tapper mike]

If you have an external mixer that allows for 1/2 and 3/4 outs (Gigcaster 8, Zoom L series etc) You should be able to route the signal chain out via 3/4 to your hardware effects.

Then you should be able to take the out of your external effects and sent them to a line in.

I don't advise that you do
Mostly because you will increase the latency going from digital out and converting to analog out so you external effects can process it. Then you have to take that same now analog signal from your hardware effects and convert it back to digital to process, The entire process will be very very laggy

[lfm]

Cubase Pro and Samplitude ProX8 has a plugin device that can be used like insert effect.
- I think StudioOne too, not sure

It's in the list of plugins, and you fill in what audio input and outputs to use, and which latency to use.
- so you need extra audio ins and outs for this purpose.
- so it's transparent to use like an internal effect and latency calculations in daw are used

Don't remember if both for mono stuff or only stereo.

But if to use as realtime effect with guitar while monitoring through daw will cause noticable delay.
- asio in and out buffers are biggest delays
- but with a good interface like RME or something you can go down to 32 samples most likely

I think I would choose to use minimum of that realtime, and just while mixing, since delay is taken care of by daw then.