AUDIO EGRESS

DirectConnect acts as a virtual audio cable between Pro Tools and other audio applications, such as software synths and drum machines. Other programs that support Digidesign hardware, such as MOTU Digital Performer and Emagic Logic Audio Platinum, can also use DirectConnect. As many as 32 independent audio channels are available, though in a host-based system such as Pro Tools LE, the computer's performance may be a limiting factor. In the window where you selected OMS as Gamma9000's MIDI driver, you must also select DirectConnect as Gamma9000's audio driver so its audio outputs will show up in DirectConnect.

To set up a direct audio connection between Gamma9000 and Pro Tools LE, create an aux track in Pro Tools and assign the DirectConnect plug-in to an insert on the aux track. Don't look for DirectConnect to be listed alphabetically (under D) among the other plug-ins, though; it takes the name of the compatible program, so in this case, it will appear as Tokyo. (Gamma9000 is one of five synthesizers you can select from within Koblo's Tokyo, the parent application.) In the DirectConnect plug-in window, choose “Tokyo Stereo Out 1-2” as the plug-in's output. If that seems backward, think of it as choosing the output (Gamma9000's) you're patching in.

At that point, when you start playback in Pro Tools LE, it sends MIDI Clock to Gamma9000 through the IAC bus; Gamma9000 follows Pro Tools LE's tempo to the letter and sends its audio output back to Pro Tools LE through DirectConnect. Pro Tools LE receives Gamma9000's audio like any other audio input assigned to an aux track and sends it to whichever output you have assigned.

You can now process Gamma9000's output with any audio plug-ins you have available. You can automate its volume, pan, and send levels as you would any other audio. You can even bounce the audio to disk with or without other audio tracks. In short, it now functions like any properly patched piece of outboard gear.

If you have trouble setting up DirectConnect, check to be certain that the DirectConnect plug-in and the external synth's or drum-machine's “plug-in description” file are in the Plug-Ins folder inside the DAE folder. Another file called Digidesign StreamManager must be in the Extensions folder. Those files should appear automatically during a normal installation, but they're worth knowing about if you need to do any troubleshooting. You may also run into DirectConnect-compatible soft synths that operate only in mono or only in stereo. If you have difficulty firing up a certain soft synth, you may simply be trying to use it on the wrong type of track. It's also a good idea to enable Active in Background from Pro Tools LE's Operations menu to keep the program from stopping whenever you bring Gamma9000 to the foreground.

Numerous soft synths, samplers, drum machines, and other applications support DirectConnect, including Native Instruments B4 and Reaktor, BitHeadz Unity DS-1 and Phrazer, and TC Works Spark XL. DirectConnect doesn't do Windows.

GET WIRED

So how about running a virtual synth's output into your sequencer to apply effects to it and to record it? One great solution is ReWire from Propellerhead. ReWire is a virtual audio pathway of the interconnection-standard variety. It provides up to 64 virtual pathways for real-time streaming of audio between supported applications. It also provides sample-accurate synchronization and transport integration between the programs.

With that many virtual audio cables at your fingertips, you can run the outputs of a program such as Propellerhead's ReBirth into separate audio inputs of Steinberg's Cubase VST and apply different effects along with mix automation. The setup process is essentially identical on Mac and PC. ReWire-enabled applications detect each other automatically, so all you have to do is route the audio exactly where you want it to go.

Activate one and it pops up in Cubase VST's Mixer window. Any output can be enabled independently of the rest, though little is gained in system resources by leaving them disabled.

ReWire is supported by other host programs such as Steinberg Nuendo, Emagic Logic Audio, MOTU Digital Performer, and Propellerhead's own Reason. Other ReWire-compatible synth applications include BitHeadz Unity DS-1 and Retro AS-1, Cycling '74 Max/MSP, as well as Koblo Vibra9000, Gamma9000, and Stella9000. In addition, because ReWire supports multiple outputs, it could, for example, handle Reason and ReBirth simultaneously. Check at www.propellerheads.se/products/rewire/products.html for the latest information regarding ReWire support.