WatersDeep
Inspired
When I was trying go figure out how to setup SPDIF reamping not many months ago I had to get information from multiple places to figure it out. Some solutions were either too vague or described more complex than they needed to be and there were never pictures. Now I find myself answering these questions for others now that I know how to do it most effectively.
So I decided why not just create a quick tutorial with pictures (we all love pictures) to better illustrate at least how I do it. Works really well without noticeable latency, at least I can't tell if there is any.
How to ReAMP using SPDIF, Sonar X2 and Presonus Firestudio Project/Mobile. This should translate to any DAW or interface.
1. Be sure your cables are setup correctly. SPDIF cables must absolutely be rated at 75 Ohm. I use these
Guitar --> Axe front instrument Input
Connect both SPDIF cables in/out to from Audio Interface and Axe FX II
2. Set preferences in DAW
This requires two setups. One to record dry/wet and the other to reamp.
Step 1: Recording DRY/WET while hearing WET
1. Audio Interface setup
2. Setup two paths, one for wet, one for dry. Add a mixer on each end of your path in stereo mode not mono.
3. Set I/O in Axe FX front panel to Analog. Most likely you already have it at this setting.
4. Setup tracks in DAW
Once all the settings are as stated click record in your DAW and start playing. You should not hear the dry track, only the wet track however both are recording.
Step 2: ReAMP the dry track
1. Save your recorded project and close the the DAW completely.
2. Audio Interface setup
3. Set I/O in Axe FX front panel to SPDIF.
4. Launch the DAW and open your project.
5. Shunt the block just before the mixer on the dry track and change the wet mixer panning to center.
6. Reconfigure tracks in DAW
7. Push play in your DAW and you should now hear your dry track playing though the AXE FX and back through to the Reamp track. Tweak your AXE FX II as it plays to make alterations to your sound. This is also great for fine tuning your tone into the mix.
If you experience latency
If you start getting static during playback, you didn't set the Audio Interface Clock settings correctly or SPDIF cables are not 75 Ohm.
8. If the play test was successful and the sound is dead on to what you want, click record.
If you are not able to make this work,
I hope this colorful tutorial helps many who are unfamiliar with reamping SPDIF. Should anyone find any errors in my layout mapping, please let me know because it took a while to piece this together.
So I decided why not just create a quick tutorial with pictures (we all love pictures) to better illustrate at least how I do it. Works really well without noticeable latency, at least I can't tell if there is any.
SPDIF ReAmp Tutorial - Sonar X2, Presonus, AXE FX II
How to ReAMP using SPDIF, Sonar X2 and Presonus Firestudio Project/Mobile. This should translate to any DAW or interface.
1. Be sure your cables are setup correctly. SPDIF cables must absolutely be rated at 75 Ohm. I use these
Guitar --> Axe front instrument Input
Connect both SPDIF cables in/out to from Audio Interface and Axe FX II
2. Set preferences in DAW
- Set DAW sampling to 48kHz (48000) and 24bit
- Set DAW buffers as low as possible. here is my setting that provide no noticeable latency.
- Record buffer at 64 ms
- Playback at 128 ms.
This requires two setups. One to record dry/wet and the other to reamp.
Step 1: Recording DRY/WET while hearing WET
1. Audio Interface setup
- Audio Interface 48kHz
- Set as SPDIF making AXE FX the master clock.
- Buffer at 128
2. Setup two paths, one for wet, one for dry. Add a mixer on each end of your path in stereo mode not mono.
- Pan wet path left.
- Pan dry path right
3. Set I/O in Axe FX front panel to Analog. Most likely you already have it at this setting.
4. Setup tracks in DAW
- Dry - Input is SPDIF right, panned hard right. Output is master or bus channel. Mute, record on, echo off.
- Wet -Input is SPDIF left, panned center (so you can hear in both speakers). Output is master or bus channel. Record on, echo on.
- Reamp - Input SPDIF Stereo (L/R), panned center. Output is master or sub channel. Mute, echo off.
Once all the settings are as stated click record in your DAW and start playing. You should not hear the dry track, only the wet track however both are recording.
Step 2: ReAMP the dry track
1. Save your recorded project and close the the DAW completely.
2. Audio Interface setup
- Audio Interface 48kHz
- Set as "Master" making AXE FX the your slave to do nothing but pleasure you.
- Buffer at 128
3. Set I/O in Axe FX front panel to SPDIF.
4. Launch the DAW and open your project.
5. Shunt the block just before the mixer on the dry track and change the wet mixer panning to center.
6. Reconfigure tracks in DAW
- Dry - Input is None. Output is SPDIF, Un-mute, record off, echo off.
- Wet -Mute, record off, echo off.
- Reamp - Input SPDIF Stereo (L/R), panned center. Output is master or sub channel. Un-mute, record on, echo on.
7. Push play in your DAW and you should now hear your dry track playing though the AXE FX and back through to the Reamp track. Tweak your AXE FX II as it plays to make alterations to your sound. This is also great for fine tuning your tone into the mix.
If you experience latency
- Turn off any unneeded plugins
- Turn off synths if your using them.
- Double check that buffers match between DAW and Audio Interface.
- Possibly you have the wrong type of SPDIF cables, see original HW config section.
- Tune your damn computer, shut off all the crap you don't need, strip it down to bare bones processes.
- Stop watching porn.
If you start getting static during playback, you didn't set the Audio Interface Clock settings correctly or SPDIF cables are not 75 Ohm.
8. If the play test was successful and the sound is dead on to what you want, click record.
If you are not able to make this work,
- You're doing it wrong
- I'm doing it wrong
- See bullet 1
I hope this colorful tutorial helps many who are unfamiliar with reamping SPDIF. Should anyone find any errors in my layout mapping, please let me know because it took a while to piece this together.