My DJ software's output is NOT configurable and I would like to add VST fx like reverb, echo, delay and Flange to the music. I had tried in the past to use a cheap soundblaster mp3 external soundcard together with my integrated SC and wavelab4 to use the fx, this did NOT work out as I started getting "hisses, breaks in the music and sometimes a slight echo" and never was able to find the problem.
A few guys have told me that this most likely might have happened because I was using a cheap external SC, others speculated that it might have been caused by running too many applications at once.
I've now decided to give this another try but this time around I will use a little better external SC [Soundblaster Extigy] and also I am going to try using a VST Host that will not use up a lot of CPU, I am thinking of using "Traktion" for this purpose.
What i would like is if anyone reading this is currently using a 2 SC setup for VST fx and it works "problem-free", can you please me give the instructions on how to hook up everything the way you have it? Or I would like to know the "different" ways there are to make this work so I can try different options. Aside from using the 2 SC setup for VST I will also need to use the Headphone to preview tracks so I wll need that config too, thanks in advance.
Advice for using 2 soundcards for VST fx and Headphone
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- KVRAF
- 2565 posts since 30 Mar, 2004 from Phoenix AZ USA
If you are using ASIO driver (and you should)
Then you can only use one sound card at a time.
Then you can only use one sound card at a time.
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- KVRist
- 346 posts since 6 Sep, 2002 from Sydney, Ausralia
Using two soundcards is almost always a total PITA and not worth the effort.
You'd be far better off to spend your money on ditching the DJ software entirely and buying an application that gives you more flexibility, like Live, or Acid.
G.
You'd be far better off to spend your money on ditching the DJ software entirely and buying an application that gives you more flexibility, like Live, or Acid.
G.
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- KVRAF
- 6937 posts since 4 Jun, 2004 from Utrecht, Holland
I agree. Tracktion is probably not the host you are looking for, Live and Acid have far better papers for juggling with loops and adding effects.Gwydi wrote:You'd be far better off to spend your money on ditching the DJ software entirely and buying an application that gives you more flexibility, like Live, or Acid.
Anybody that has used something else will advice you to stay clear from SoundBlaster and EMU cards. There is much better stuff available for the same money. You will get a far better sound with a M-Audio Audiophile 2496.
If you insist on not changing the DJ software and go with 2 stereo pairs (one output of DJ, one output with effects) then I advice you to look into cards like the M-Audio Delta 44 or AudioTrak Maya44. Some will allow you to do the routing (output is input for another application) within the card itself so there is no quality loss.
Also with that setup Tracktion is not the best host for you. For only adding effects hosts like V-Stack and Chainer are much more suitable.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 393 posts since 16 Aug, 2004
I wish I had posted before now as I already bought the Extigy from Creative, will look into getting the Maya 44 in the future. Regarding the Tracktion, the reason why I wat to use it is simply becuase I was told that it is a very simple Host and does not use up a lot of CPU like the wavelab which I had used before.
I have V-Stack and will look into it but I am trying to stay clear of Steinberg products, you get NO support from those bastards, when you buy their product, you have to root your freakin hair out trying to figure out on your own how to use their products so I will try the Traction first, appreciate the info and will still welcome other inputs and will keep you guys informed of how things are going, thanks.
I have V-Stack and will look into it but I am trying to stay clear of Steinberg products, you get NO support from those bastards, when you buy their product, you have to root your freakin hair out trying to figure out on your own how to use their products so I will try the Traction first, appreciate the info and will still welcome other inputs and will keep you guys informed of how things are going, thanks.
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- KVRAF
- 6937 posts since 4 Jun, 2004 from Utrecht, Holland
Mike,
Another thought is to pre-record your effects as WAV-files. So you create a set of versions of your loops. One natural, one with flange, one with delay or reverb, etc. It will take some preparation but you might get some nice results.
Now you have the SB Extigy you might put it to good use. Although its not the very best you still might be happy with it.
Another tip: post a message in the host forum, and ask for a host with simular features as Traktor DJ but with VST effects.
Another thought is to pre-record your effects as WAV-files. So you create a set of versions of your loops. One natural, one with flange, one with delay or reverb, etc. It will take some preparation but you might get some nice results.
Now you have the SB Extigy you might put it to good use. Although its not the very best you still might be happy with it.
Another tip: post a message in the host forum, and ask for a host with simular features as Traktor DJ but with VST effects.
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- KVRist
- Topic Starter
- 393 posts since 16 Aug, 2004
You lost me with the "pre-record your effects as wave
files", I need to add effects on the fly on top of the songs being played back by my DJ software.
I will do as you and post in the Host section, thanks, will report back here.
files", I need to add effects on the fly on top of the songs being played back by my DJ software.
I will do as you and post in the Host section, thanks, will report back here.
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- KVRAF
- 6937 posts since 4 Jun, 2004 from Utrecht, Holland
Pre-recorded effects, here we go... It will not give you ultimate tweaking freedom during a performance, but it is a work-around. The idea is to have your loops, audio material, whatever prepared with the effects. So with e.g. wavelabs you create alternative versions of a piece with a deep flange, or with a reverb or whatever!
In wavelabs you load a file, apply effects to it and save that as another file. So you can choose which version to use: the vanilla version, or with flange, or with reverb, and so on.
Also please try a demo of Acid or audiomulch. I think it comes close to what you can do in Traktor DJ, but also offers what you are missing.
You don't need to buy another soundcard if you abandon Traktor DJ. Be honoust to yourself: you have outgrown it.
In wavelabs you load a file, apply effects to it and save that as another file. So you can choose which version to use: the vanilla version, or with flange, or with reverb, and so on.
Also please try a demo of Acid or audiomulch. I think it comes close to what you can do in Traktor DJ, but also offers what you are missing.
You don't need to buy another soundcard if you abandon Traktor DJ. Be honoust to yourself: you have outgrown it.