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computer as FX box
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| radiorick |
| I was wondering if anybody else has used a computer as a comprehensive FX box. I would theoretically like to run the fx loop into a desktop computer and be able to add fx to the music through some sort of sound processor. I was planning on running the fx out to the input on the computer and then just running the computers output back to the fx in. Has this been done and any sound processing programs you can recomend? |
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| Ryan0751 |
You can do this provided you have a reasonably fast computer, and have a low latency sound card (ie, not the built-in card, but something designed for audio applications).
As for SW, Ableton is perfect for this!
| quote: | Originally posted by radiorick
I was wondering if anybody else has used a computer as a comprehensive FX box. I would theoretically like to run the fx loop into a desktop computer and be able to add fx to the music through some sort of sound processor. I was planning on running the fx out to the input on the computer and then just running the computers output back to the fx in. Has this been done and any sound processing programs you can recomend? |
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| Rippey64 |
ive done that with my powerbook 1.6 768 mb ram and ableton live 5
ive tried with my p4 2.8 and sound blaster live but i got too much latency, i didnt try with asio driver. |
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| Danila |
| quote: | Originally posted by Rippey64
ive done that with my powerbook 1.6 768 mb ram and ableton live 5
ive tried with my p4 2.8 and sound blaster live but i got too much latency, i didnt try with asio driver. |
and how do you like it?
Ive been intrested in this also, computer as fx box = endless capabilities. |
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| Rippey64 |
shop lend me a nuo4 for week end, so we played a lot with friend,
that was funny but :
- you need a large controller or you will have to reassign button often
- you need a good sound card, the powerbook intern one does not have enought level. |
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| Vero |
i copied this from a post that i made in a thread EFX1000 vs. ableton about a week and a half ago. hope it helps...
| quote: | Originally posted by Vero
ok since i have worked extensively at trying to use ableton for this purpose, i am going to throw my input in here.
The beauty of ableton is that it is called "live" for a reason. Its a great tool for sequencing on the fly. Once i understood the capabilities of ableton, the thought of running my fx loop through it was very exciting.
with ableton's vst compatability, there is an endless source of plug-ins and effects that it is compatable with. not to mention that most of the effects that you would find on a DJ fx processor allready come with it.
THE ISSUE IS LATENCY!!!
and latency will kill you on this. because you have take latency into consideration on all sides: input, output, and midi (if you are using a midi controller, which is pretty much a requirement in this type of setup). in my experience i have found that anything above a total latency of 4ms is noticeable enough to render your loop useless. to achieve a total latency of under 4ms you will have to have an interface that is stable at 192khz and work your sample rate down under 64. USB interfaces are a BAD IDEA. Firewire is ok, but you should really be using a pci or pcmcia interface.
also make sure that your interface has midi I/O. you do not want to run midi through USB because usb doesnt have a stable midi clock.
i tried using my firewire 410 for this and it couldn't sustain 192 khz and by the time i got the sample size down to about 8 the sound quality was garbage. for the moment i am using the built in soundcard on my powerbook which works ok.
you might have better sucess with a setup like this on a PC vs. a Mac. I have heard that ASIO drivers have the ability to do lower latency than core audio drivers.
in comparison to a EFX1000. ableton has the ability to be more versatile and will give you the ability to add samples over your mix and do longer loops. however, by the time you buy ableton, a midi controller, and a good interface you will probably spend more than the cost of a efx1000 and then you get to spend all that time tweaking it out, mapping your midi controlls, squencing your vsts, and all of that.
so in conclusion, if you like to tweak stuff out, and have a good memory (to remember what knobs, buttons, and faders on your controller do what), and want to spend alot of intital setup time on it; buy ableton, a uc33e, and an EMU 1616. if you want something easy and dotn want to have to worry about computers crashing, processor overhead, and sound quality; buy the efx1000.
as for me, i'll have my efx1000 hopefully on my next comission check. |
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