Virtual instruments with multiple outputs

[Paul]

I forget... is it or isn't it possbile within Metro to use the individual outputs of a plugin (e.g. Kontakt 2) or is only the main output available?

If it is possible... how is it done?

[Jerm]

I do not think that Kontakt 2 is compatible with Metro.

Yes. You can do multiple outputs, up to 16, by assigning the plug to an aux buss and then routing the aux buss outputs to other aux busses in the effects window.

[Paul]

I have been able to get Kontakt 2 to work with Metro, no problems so far.

Could you give me a step by step instruction on how to do that thing with the aux buses and the individual outputs? How do I assign, let's say, outputs 3 and 4 of Kontakt to an aux bus?

You see, when I want to use a virtual synth, I never assign it to an aux bus, I just select it in the tracks window...

[Jerm]

Paul,

As far as I know the problem with Kontakt 2 is that once you uninstantiate it, it will not load again.

The easiest way to get what you want is to right-click (or ctrl-click) on the plug-in in the plug-ins window and select 'multi-timbral'. Now when you select Kontakt in the tracks or graphic editor windows it will automatically load on an aux buss and will also create 16 MIDI outputs for Kontakt, freely assignable to new tracks.

To get multuple, say 8, outputs working, go to 'modify busses' from the special menu and create 4 (This will give you 8 outputs). Then in the synth/effects window click on the output popups and assign each stereo out to a unqiue (higher numbered) aux buss. You can control the return volumes with aux levels in the mixer window.

[Paul]

As far as I know the problem with Kontakt 2 is that once you uninstantiate it, it will not load again

Jerm,

are you working on this Kontakt 2 problem or is it already solved in the latest release? You move so fast, it's hard to keep up.

[Jerm]

Now that I think of it I only have Kontakt 1.5 so as far as Kontakt 2 goes, I really don't know.

[jonathanparham]

Jeremy,

Now that I think of it I only have Kontakt 1.5 so as far as Kontakt 2 goes, I really don't know.

Is this something that can be implemented? Kontakt 2 is becoming very popular -even new romplers are being made with a kotakt 2 format.

[Jerm]

As far as I know Metro supports more plug-ins than any other DAW on the Macintosh platform. I cannot debug a problem in Kontakt 2 (if it exists). The developer, whom I am told is very PC-centric, would need to do that. I was a member of the Kontakt 1.5 beta test team but the bugs that I presented to them were pretty much ignored. There is really little more I can do.

[jonathanparham]

Thanks for answering so quickly.

[Paul]

The biggest problems I found with using Kontakt 2 are that there is only one midi channel available in the outputs menu (even when multiple instruments are loaded into Kontakt 2) and outputs other than 1 & 2 are not available within Metro. These problems don't exist when using Kontakt 2 in Live or Logic Pro. Are you sure it is a Kontakt problem?

[Jerm]

Hello Paul,

That sounds like you have not right-clicked (or ctrl-clicked) on Kontakt in the plug-ins window and selected 'plug-in is multitimbral'. After you do this, selecting Kontakt from the graphic editor or tracks window will load Kontakt on an aux buss, where you can route multiple outputs, and will automatically add 16 outputs to the outputs popup.

[Scoot]

That sounds like you have not right-clicked (or ctrl-clicked) on Kontakt in the plug-ins window and selected 'plug-in is multitimbral'

Can this be done by default or is it off because it consumes resources - memory and CPU?

[Jerm]

No most plug-ins are not multi-timbral so there is no point in creating 16 outputs and placing the plug on an aux buss in that case.

[Paul]

That sounds like you have not right-clicked (or ctrl-clicked) on Kontakt in the plug-ins window and selected 'plug-in is multitimbral'

Ok... that was just plain stupid of me...

In that case, doesn't Metro support Kontakt 2? What problems do you think it might give? I haven't found them out yet...

[Scoot]

No most plug-ins are not multi-timbral so there is no point in creating 16 outputs and placing the plug on an aux buss in that case.

Well the point I was thinking of was......could metro detect a multi-timbal plugin and set it as such.

If not, how about a visible indicator in the plugins window that gives you a clue that there is a menu available instead of ctrl clicking?
These are the kind of useful features you want to be able to express to new users as easily as possible.