Real time effects

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A small pie will soon be eaten
Member Since: Aug 26, 2004

i have tried to look around the forums for this one but so many results come up for 'effects'.

I'm sure this is a simple one.

How do i record or even just use real time effects? For example, i have no problem plugging my guitar into the mixer and cubase recording what i play. (Delta 1010). But i only seem to be able to add effects on the recorded track.

How can i have effects as i play. This will be especially important with reverb when i sing.

Cheers





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Prince CZAR-ming
Member
Since: Apr 08, 2004


Sep 13, 2004 09:51 am

N-track has a 'live' button that pops two empty tracks into the workspace, then you can add effects to them and then it gets pumped back out the outputs. I've not tried it much, but fear the latency would be quite annoying.

I suppose on a pretty quick PC the latency would be quite small, depending on how much effects you put on the signal. I've heard that some of the better reverbs take quite a CPU hit, so YMMV.

I would think you'd want a mixer with built in effects (most of the berhringer, some of the yamaha and mackie, etc) that you could add effects to the monitor chain, but leave the recording signal chain un-changed. Then you could change around the recorded bits later.

Or, you could use a processor on the channel inserts if you're not using them to get signal to the recorder. I would think you could use a processor on the aux send and return, then apply the processor effect only on the channel you want. I would think that would work as well.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Sep 13, 2004 10:32 am

You need to fire the effects into the insert tab...just click in the space for the insert and choose the effect from the list.

When you mix down, it'll mix down with all active effects...

Coco.

Member
Since: Jan 18, 2003


Sep 13, 2004 01:57 pm

to monitor your incoming sugnal plus the insert effects, i think you have to hit that little 'monitor' button. it's a speaker symbol, in the inspector. the button lights up yellow. that pipes your signal through the insert audibly while youre recording, instead of showing up processed only on playback.

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Sep 13, 2004 03:00 pm

Aye, good point Forty - mind an enable the effects.

If you dont do that, even if they are inserted - yi have nae effects.

However, im sure they are enabled as default when you insert em on Cubase.

Top app.

Coco.

A small pie will soon be eaten
Member
Since: Aug 26, 2004


Sep 13, 2004 10:04 pm

Thanks for all that. I'm going to buy a v-amp 2 so i can just record the effects live (so to speak). The effects sound better than what cubase has as far as i can tell.

As far as the singing goes though, is it better to use external effects or add them in after?

This will be mainly reverb and compression. infact only those two ATM.


Member
Since: Jul 02, 2003


Sep 14, 2004 01:05 am

For vocals I think except for maybe a little compression it's better to record them dry and add the effects later.

Dan

Hello!
Member
Since: Jan 12, 2004


Sep 14, 2004 06:33 am

Hey Bleak

The issues you describe are common and I had them when I started recording guitar and wanted effects.

I also use a VAMP2 and recommend it for the price - its a great unit. However, if you can, try directly recording (clean) into cubase for a wee trial as follows.

Record you geetar into Cubase clean. Then apply some effects (into the Insert section). You can get hundreds of great, high quality (many free) VST effects from www.kvr-vst.com - you can get amp modellers, tube modellers all free as well as yer chours, delay and every other effect you can think of.

When you have these effects on your guitar, the clean tone is shaped via this. The great thing abotu this is, if you dont like the effect, take it off and try another one. If you use the vamp, you are stuck with the effects and you need to re-record the whole track if you want to use another one.

Here's a link for some brilliant free plugs:

Its: www.kjaerhusaudio.com/

By all means nab a VAMP2. They are good and as I say, I have one. I am working on "ALl The Young Dudes" just now. I am doing the guitars using the VAMP just for the amp. Then, I am using all the effects in Cubase as I can honestly say the plugs I got at the above address sound better for this song than the onboard FX on the VAMP.

Good luck

Coco.

A small pie will soon be eaten
Member
Since: Aug 26, 2004


Sep 14, 2004 11:06 am

I really apprecite alll that feed back.

Coco - I've gone and bought the V-amp pro but i will endevour to learn adding effects on to the dry recording as i can see your point about changing my mind about them later.

Some effects, though, i think you need while recording as they have a certain feel when your playing - pinch harmonics using overdrive for example.

And thanks to everyone for your help.

All this gear and no idea :) i'm a poet and didnt even ........ realise!



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