Metro LX, Software Instruments & Aux Busses...

[sseaton]

I have a problem with using multiple instances of software synths in Metro LX. To use the DLS Music Device or SampleTank, I always put them on an aux bus. LX lets me use 2 aux buses, and I can use up to 3 software synths. Here's the problem... Obviously I can't put 3 instances of software synths on 3 aux busses, becuase I can only use 2 aux buses. But when I put 3 instances on 1 aux bus, I can only select the first one when setting up the port in the mixer. Am I doing something wrong? I have always been under the understanding that I have to put a software synth on an aux bus.

Thanks to all replies in advance!

[Jerm]

Sean,

LX was originally going to support only 2 synth plug-ins but since a synth plug-in counts as 4 non-synth plug-ins and Metro LX checks before it knows whether the plug-in is a synth it was simply easier to just allow 3 synth plugs (3*4 = 12). So in other words if you have 2 synth plugs you can still add 2 audio plugs (2*4 = 8 + 2 = 10) and in LX 10 is the magic number.

It is possible to place synth plug-ins on a track. There are just limitations in doing so especially if the plug-in is multimbral.

Perhaps the next version of LX will allow 3 aux busses. Synth plug-ins do not usually have audio inputs so placing them anywhere except at the beginning of a chain makes no sense. They must be placed on separate aux busses.

[sseaton]

Jerm,

So shouldn't the information about LX simply say that you can only use 2 synth plugins... since they have to be placed on the aux busses?

Also... do I have this right? I can use two synth plugins, each on a seperate aux bus... and also use two effects. Now where would I place the two effects? Would they also go on one of the aux busses, or can they be placed on a track? If they go on a track, how do I route my audio through the track?

Thanks,
Sean

[Jerm]

so shouldn't the information about LX simply say that you can only use 2 synth plugins... since they have to be placed on the aux busses?

No, synth plug-ins can be placed on a track. The important thing here is that it is best to use only the MIDI port for the soft-synth (although it is possible to use multiple tracks) on the track that the soft-synth is on because of certain issues such as muting. Also, the scope of a synth on a track would be limited to the current section. It will not be accessible from other sections.

I can use two synth plugins, each on a seperate aux bus... and also use two effects. Now where would I place the two effects? Would they also go on one of the aux busses, or can they be placed on a track?

This depends on what you want to do. Effects placed on audio tracks will only receive audio from the track it is placed on. If you want an effect after a synth plug-in, you can simply drag it to the effects/synths window after selecting the correct aux buss and it will appear in series after the softsynth. If you have an extra aux buss (I know you don't) you can place the effect there and then route other aux busses with multi-out soft-synths (such as Sampletank 2) to that aux buss. Note that it must be a higher numbered aux buss. For example you can route ST2 to send outputs 1-2 straight out of aux 1 and outputs 3-4 out to aux 2 but only if ST2 is installed on aux 1. Aux 1 can send to any other aux buss but Aux 2 cannot send to aux 1.

If they go on a track, how do I route my audio through the track?

You can't unless the audio is already contained on the track.

I hope that answers your questions. If not re-phrase and I will try again.