Using Scope Live.many noob questions!

[jimaneejeebus]

Hi
I'm a live sound engineer and I'm thinking about using one of the scope platforms (either 3-dsp OR 1-d) for a band I'm working with who will be doing tv gigs/festivals.
Obviously for these gigs I'll need something that's stable, sounds good, and has total recall for those 15 minute changeovers!

A Number of questions.

Can the 1-d be used standalone?
If so, can I use a midi controller to change presets ?
If so, how well does this work in practice? ie are there delays, clicks/pops? Can the whole mixer setup be changed or just certain elements of the mixer?


Would the 3-dsp be able to run 16 decent quality eq's, 16 decent quality comps, 2 reverbs and 2 delays?
How stable is it?


Many thanks.

Jamie


edit..oh yeah what does xtc mode mean!?

[next to nothing]

Others will jump in here, only thing i can say is stay away from the 3-dsp card! I have no clue why they still sell it, it's VERY underpowered compared to what you expect (those 3 dsps are of the older type...).

It is stable though

And XTC is sort of a VST integration (the sonic core plugins runs as VST/VSTi in a sequencer) that usually demands some work to set up properly. As I understand what you are trying to do you will be better of working in traditional mode.

The xite/xite-d needs to be connected to a PC to be operated, you can not just hook it up to MIDI and control presets from there.

[ChrisWerner]

Hi, can't tell you something about the 1-d but other will do.

I believe that a 3-DSP card won't be able to load all the gear because it also depends on the computer that holds the 3 DSP.
PCI bandwidth etc...

As for the XTC mode, it can make your work easier when you use a Sequencer host, Cubase, or whatever.
It enables you to load the scope and only the scope devices into your sequencer host like you would do with any other VST plugin.
Some use and like the XTC mode, some not.
(Norway was faster,damn )

[katano]

None of the scope cards or newer xite products can be used standalone, you always need a host, a keyboard an a monitor, i.e. a small desktop or in case of the xite-1 or xite d also a notebook via express card interface.

[jimaneejeebus]

Thanks guys.... So if I am hooked up to a computer, will I be able to change mixer scenes without clicks/pops/ dropouts?
How easily can I do this with midi?

[the19thbear]

You Can load an entire new setup in a matter of seconds, or just load a preset of a specific channel or preset for an entire mixer if you want.
When you start up the soniccore platform, you will get a "pop" on the outpus, but thats only the first time, not when you chain presets/load new settle etc(actually they might have fixed the "pop" on the xite1d... Anybody knows?

All buttons/swithces etc on scope Can be midi controlled easily - but I'm unsure about loading presets via midi..

You can also get some 3rd party plugins.
If you do live sound, I'm sure you know the dbx160. There is a company that does an emulation of the comp for scope, and they have some very goodsounding reverbs as well..ams and lexicon emulations.
They are called digital audio soft or DAS.
Scope is very stable and you get only a few milliseconds latency (whatever latency the plugins have).

[dawman]

The best way to use Scope live is use the Project Preset list and that gives you 127 scenes.
Using this is the most effective way to be an FOH as each snapshot is a seperate mix where all synths, effects and mixing can be recalled w/o any clicks noises or pops like you'd get using Native stuff.

I use an XITE-1 live and have used the cards for years.
When I am a sideman, it is simply all synths, effects and mixing for me.
But I also can run an entire band with 6 x sets of IEM's live and then have all of my Native Kontakt VSTi stuff, external Analog hardware effects and synths, and Scopes' deadly Modular stacked everywhere.
An XITE-1 w/ an A16U can eliminate the need for MicPre's and most hardware.
But I do still use Analog Synths, a hardware compressor and hardware reverb for the main effect.

The XITE-d is probably perfect for this, but I find the mic pres and along w/ an A16U can mix all acoustic drums with their triggers, all vocals and even mic the stage monitors for complete control over the entire stage...

In a world of French Poodles and Chihuahuas', thie dog will hunt.

[jimaneejeebus]

Thanks to everyone who replied to me here. You've all been so helpful. Thanks

Jamie

[jimaneejeebus]

Oh yes just one more question

If the laptop happened to freeze or crash, does the scope still pass audio or will it freeze also? Bear in mind, I won't be passing audio to the actual computer.

[the19thbear]

As long as the pc doesn't show the blue screen of death or turns off you should be fine.
I have had times when my computer stopped responding and scope still worked. I couldn't acces the interface but the sound was still there.
But I wot guarantee that this is the case every time though..

[dawman]

That's exactly why I never have used a soft sequencer live.
My Yamaha QX-1 has kept performing even when Casino generators
switched over during major storms. I re booted my FDD Samplers but
it kept playing the Oberheim DMX and TX816's w/o a hiccup.
I then starting using soft samplers and Scope and never had a freeze.
When I went to VST I started getting freezes where I couldn't send
program changes to my Instrument Banks in Kontakt, but Scope still
had all MIDI and audio 100%.
If you need a good VST host and happen to work with musicians that
actually play their instruments, Bidule is incredibly stable.
It's the overbloated, yearly updated OS and DAW's that gag under pressure.
Here's what I use live to do just my keyboard rig.
But I also control exteranl hardware effects and analog synths, as well
as Kontakt and PianoTeq, all in a simple Scope Project.
The Snapshots are crucial for a smooth change of scenes.

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[jimaneejeebus]

Wow thanks guys. I probably won't be using a vst host. I'm sure I'll have all I'll ever need in the scope environment.

Thanks again for such in depth answers.

[jimaneejeebus]

And as ever one more question...
Is mac OSX supported yet?
If not
How well does the scope environment work under bootcamp? Anyone tried it?

I'll be using an i5 based macbook pro.

[dawman]

You should email Soniccore and tell them you want an XITE-1 but need to know how well it works with Mac OSX...
I guarenfuckintee they will answer quickly, with better advice than speculators here can give.
I can only tell you how since I started using Scope I have had nothing but fun gigging.
Its so nice to play and have things not only sound great, but just work.
Check your pm...

[garyb]

no OSX at the moment, but if your mac has an expresscard interface, it SHOULD work, IF you can disable the cpu power stepping in the bios. a newer mac IS a pc when running windows. there is no difference between the hardware of a new mac and a pc, except for the chip on the motherboard that works as a dongle to keep pc owners from running OSX.

the thing is, a laptop that will do everything you need and that is win7 64bit readfy can be had for next to nothing. i bought a Vostro for $250. it works perfectly and with the XITE-1, it will NEVER be cpu starved since the XITE-1 has better processing than i could use natively and is truly REALTIME. any sequencer/vst/vstis i might need to run can easily be handled by the moderate core2 duo. get off the computer merry go round. the XITE will be useful for the next 10-20 years regardless of what cpus do.

of course, i work for the company, so i'm biased. pm me if you want more info or need help.

[w_ellis]

The only recent MBPs with ExpressCard are the top-end 17-inch models...

[dawman]

GaryB sums it up really well.
I recently purchased a floor demo Lenovo i5 from CES and am waiting for the Express card adapter.
Unless you are streaming serious sampled content, such luxurious items aren't necessary.
I bought mine just to use for 38 I/O realtime mixing, synths and effects.
It will barely get warm as the XITE-1 does all of the work.