Revisiting an old query on sync

[Jackie The Shepherd]

Hi

I have a setup with very cheap hardware and am trying to reach a decision regarding a multi-computer setup in a hybrid configuration, as to what solution would be the easiest to implement. I know this issue has been discussed earlier, but I have been so badly messed up with slipped disc issues bound to my bed, I have actually lost track. I need to clearly understand each step before going forward.

At the moment I am looking at 4 PCs, two with Win 10 and two with Win 7.

All four have their dedicated audio interfaces, and three of them have additional channel capacity by way of ADAT expansion (Behringer ADA8200s). So:

PC1: Behringer UMC1820 + ADA8200
PC2: Presonus 1824c + ADA8200
PC3: EMU 1616M + ADA8000
PC4: ESI Wami Rack 192X

Analog hardware consists of analogue mixers in a combination of main and submixers, outboard dynamics processors and a few effects units + EQ. Alongside are all the usual stuff (keyboards, control surfaces, MIDI interfaces, patchbays etc.). Aside from this, I have a very old MOTU DTP and a recently acquired ART SyncGen.

I have now to take a call as regards the DAW to invest in, looking at the setup and synchronisation needs, as I would be running analogue tracks on the mixers and recording from direct outs into the audio interfaces, using the additional 8 channels via the ADAT expansion.

If I were to go the Cubase route, I understood that the VST System Link will help in establishing sync between all connected machines, subject to VST system requirements. One of the requirements I saw was the digital audio cable routing which is required to connect out and in between computers.

How does this work in a say, 3 computer setup? Daisychaining? And will I be able to integrate the expansion ADAT I/Os into such a system?

The only other route would be to use MIDI sync but then, how would I record simultaneously on multiple computers from mixer Direct Outs, i.e. what kind of sync will work so that all computers start recording at the same time when a master computer gives the signal?

[jimjazzdad]

Wow! I'm not trying to offend, but you must have masochistic tendencies. Just thinking about that set up makes my head hurt. Why can't this be done with one high channel-count interface to one computer?

[Sam Spoons]

How many inputs and outputs do you need, how many tracks in a project, how many VSTi's and VST fx?

[The Elf]

I really, truly, wouldn't. You're in for a world of pain...

Get one computer doing everything you need. You'll thank yourself for it.

[James Perrett]

Why can't this be done with one high channel-count interface to one computer?

Given the poster's previous threads, I would guess that money is the issue. There is probably no budget to consolidate things sensibly.

[Sam Spoons]

I agree and I would not want to criticise jackieTS if that is the case, hence my question above. But it's hard to think of a 'normal' recording/mixing setup where 56 mic inputs are necessary.

And TBH for a 'normal' recording rig with, say, 24 inputs and maybe 50 or 60 tracks with a few VST instruments and fx amost any computer from the last 10-15 years would cope.

FWIW I love the process of making the stuff I have work but it's separate from the task and enjoyment of making music hence my request for clarity on the aims of the OP.

[OneWorld]

Wow! I'm not trying to offend, but you must have masochistic tendencies. Just thinking about that set up makes my head hurt. Why can't this be done with one high channel-count interface to one computer?

I think the complexity of that setup is on a par with that rocket of Musk's coming back from space and being caught by the 'Chopsticks'

[OneWorld]

Hello OP, I note you have the handle 'Jackie the Sheperd' I think this is going to be like herding cats, best of luck

[Jackie The Shepherd]

Hello and good morning.

Thank you all for your kind words and advice.

Regards

[Jackie The Shepherd]

Hello and good morning.

Thank you all for your kind words and advice.

Regards

[Jackie The Shepherd]

How many inputs and outputs do you need, how many tracks in a project, how many VSTi's and VST fx?

The only reason I’m having to do this is I have two separate boxes full of soft synths, separate ones for dynamics and separate ones for effects processing. But at the same time, I would like to use the capability of the additional computers since these are anyway available, to be able to record multiple channels at one go and then use individual PCs to serve their designated functions.

[Sam Spoons]

Forgive me for digging deeper into this but I'm intrigued as to how you utilise 56+ channels of I/O? Even if I needed the processing power of several computers to run multiple VSTi's and VST plugs my approach would still be to keep all the basic DAW functions on a single PC/Mac and use your other machines for the VST stuff.

[James Perrett]

I would like to use the capability of the additional computers since these are anyway available, to be able to record multiple channels at one go and then use individual PCs to serve their designated functions.

It would make more sense to connect the computers via Ethernet and use a remote VST host. Reaper used to have ReaMote

https://reaper.blog/2018/12/reamote_tutorial/

although I'm not sure how well it is supported nowadays.

Edit to add - Audiogridder seems to be the modern alternative

https://audiogridder.com/

[Jackie The Shepherd]

Wow! I'm not trying to offend, but you must have masochistic tendencies. Just thinking about that set up makes my head hurt. Why can't this be done with one high channel-count interface to one computer?

Easy answer: I already own these, so that question is moot.

[Jackie The Shepherd]

Forgive me for digging deeper into this but I'm intrigued as to how you utilise 56+ channels of I/O? Even if I needed the processing power of several computers to run multiple VSTi's and VST plugs my approach would still be to keep all the basic DAW functions on a single PC/Mac and use your other machines for the VST stuff.

Thanks Sam. Well, that's the main idea.

While on the subject, can anyone tell me how one can configure an old school Soundblaster AWE32PNP (with 32 GB onboard RAM) as an external MIDI sound module? I love some of the sounds that I purchased decades ago from E-MU and had loaded into the onboard RAM. There's another one like it but not so interesting, i.e. the Montego II Home Studio system which also has a decent synthesizer, but not anywhere close to the SB.

[Sam Spoons]

Forgive me for digging deeper into this but I'm intrigued as to how you utilise 56+ channels of I/O? Even if I needed the processing power of several computers to run multiple VSTi's and VST plugs my approach would still be to keep all the basic DAW functions on a single PC/Mac and use your other machines for the VST stuff.

Thanks Sam. Well, that's the main idea.

While on the subject, can anyone tell me how one can configure an old school Soundblaster AWE32PNP (with 32 GB onboard RAM) as an external MIDI sound module? I love some of the sounds that I purchased decades ago from E-MU and had loaded into the onboard RAM. There's another one like it but not so interesting, i.e. the Montego II Home Studio system which also has a decent synthesizer, but not anywhere close to the SB.

Still not sure where you could use 56 channels of I/O? How many channels do you record simultaneously? Do you then mix ITB or through one of your analogue mixers?

Sorry, it must be 25+ years since I had that Soundblaser card (my first 'proper' soundcard) so I can't help with setting that up.

[Tomás Mulcahy]

Those Soundblaster sounds are probably SF2 right? i.e. Sound Font 2. There are several free plugins that directly support that format, as does Kontakt. Of the free ones I like Sforzando, some good libraries for it too.

Emu did great libraries, still using them here from the EIIIx library.

The routing for a mix where the dynamics are on one PC and the effects on another and the VSTi on still another... is my idea of a nightmare.

You can combine multiple CPUs if you are into hacking...
https://superuser.com/questions/122506/ ... group%20or

[adrian_k]

The routing for a mix where the dynamics are on one PC and the effects on another and the VSTi on still another... is my idea of a nightmare.

To be fair from previous posts I don’t think that is what Jackie has in mind, it’s more like using one PC as a DAW and the other PCs as soft synths. Still challenging though…

[Jackie The Shepherd]

Forgive me for digging deeper into this but I'm intrigued as to how you utilise 56+ channels of I/O? Even if I needed the processing power of several computers to run multiple VSTi's and VST plugs my approach would still be to keep all the basic DAW functions on a single PC/Mac and use your other machines for the VST stuff.

Thanks Sam. Well, that's the main idea.

While on the subject, can anyone tell me how one can configure an old school Soundblaster AWE32PNP (with 32 GB onboard RAM) as an external MIDI sound module? I love some of the sounds that I purchased decades ago from E-MU and had loaded into the onboard RAM. There's another one like it but not so interesting, i.e. the Montego II Home Studio system which also has a decent synthesizer, but not anywhere close to the SB.

Still not sure where you could use 56 channels of I/O? How many channels do you record simultaneously? Do you then mix ITB or through one of your analogue mixers?

Sorry, it must be 25+ years since I had that Soundblaser card (my first 'proper' soundcard) so I can't help with setting that up.

Well, it definitely IS a weird idea but yes I have a lot of synths, modular and analogue besides lots of drum machines, live instruments including two lap steels, 6 keyboards etc.

[Sam Spoons]

That makes a little more sense then, I'm guessing you like to keep them all connected up and ready to go?