Master Volum of ST2 and SS2

[zai]

When upon opening ST2 and SS2, the master volum is always at 64...is there a way to change this? I had to go and change the volum everytime I use ST2 and SS2 to say...100. If not, then don't mind me! :p

Zai

[Kim Lajoie]

If you prefer the volumes at 100, simply set them once and save the plugin setup as a combi preset, or as the default startup project in your sequencer.

-Kim.

[The Beatsmith]

Hi

Out of interest, why is it set to 64? Is it because it's multi timbral and so thinks there will be many patches being played, and so the volume will clip if set too high? Also, is there anything 'wrong' with setting it to 127?

What is the optimal setting?

Thanks

[Mr. Tunes]

I think the plugins default to 64 out of some sort of programming etiquette(and because of the multi-timbrality issue you bring up Beatsmith).

i agree it is quite a low volume, but it is a safe one cause it lets you hear the sound without blowing your moniters apart. if you want to crank it to 127 that's your decision but not something that the coders at IK want to throw on you right away. just a guess

[telebunke]

IIRC Hypersonic default is 64, too. i find that "normal" to start for a mix...

tele

[Kim Lajoie]

Personally, I prefer 64. As I work and I add more instruments, 64 becomes the bassline. Sounds that need to be quieter can come down, and sounds that need to go louder still have a lot of headroom.

I remember several years ago I used to use a MIDI module that would always default to 100 on all channel. I found that very annoying because I'd start building a piece with 100 as my reference point, but when I needed an instrument to be much louder (like a lead solo over the top, or a thick bassline, or punchy drums, etc etc etc) there wasn't much room for volume increases.

Beatsmith, you're also right about the multitimbral issue with master volume. If you've only got one or two instruments then a volume of 127 is nice and loud. The problem is when you have ten or sixteen instruments all together - you can't have them all near 127 or else you'll have major gain issues further down the mix. It means you have to compensate for it further "downstream", and it makes it more difficult to mix other instruments in.

-Kim.

[The Beatsmith]

but shouldn't you be sending them all to different channels/faders/auxes out of SS/ST2 anyway? So you set it to max, then deal with it like a proper audio channel?

personally i cannot use ST2 multitimbrally as the implementation in logic is too clumsy for me to deal with many sounds from one instrument. you'd think you just have to create a new audio instrument channel and point it to ST2, but no, you have to essentially treat it as an external synth, and hook midi tracks to it, which kills the point/ease of a software instrument. plus, you can't freeze the damn thing when used when it's set as a multi out!

[Kim Lajoie]

but shouldn't you be sending them all to different channels/faders/auxes out of SS/ST2 anyway? So you set it to max, then deal with it like a proper audio channel?

That's another way of doing it. I usually use just one output when I'm composing, and then split the instruments to multiple outputs when I get to mixdown.


-Kim.

[Scant]

but shouldn't you be sending them all to different channels/faders/auxes out of SS/ST2 anyway? So you set it to max, then deal with it like a proper audio channel?

That's what I do. Turn all to 100 then use Cubases' Mixer to control volume. Don't pan within ST/SS either.

[telebunke]

Contolling volume and pan in the soundmudule or in the host's mixer is a matter of taste, I guess.
I wonder which quality aspects might be involved. Depending on the resolution of ST2/SS2 out put, it might be a good idea to have the MIDI volume up. But I assume that the audio output of ST2 is 32Bit, so that it doesn't make a difference. If it was 16 or 24 bit and Cubases mixer did the conversion to it's internal 32 bit, then it would make a difference.

tele