XTC sounds great, but mixing down to silence?

heresiarch23 · Post by **heresiarch23** » Sat May 18, 2002 3:03 pm

Thanks to past advice. I too downloaded the new release and am happy with it. Except that it does the same thing the 3.0 software did (for me) -- it works fine while using the software (vst/nuendo) in terms of UI and how it's supposed to sound. But when I mix down the files, all I get is silence.

This happens in any VST host I try, except -- AudioMulch by Ross Benicia. In AudioMulch I can build a preset stack of multiple XTC and native plugins, tweak, and mixdown. Finally, just as advertised!

It's not a multitrack program, but at least I can arrive at my presets in normal mixing usage, and then use AudioMulch to render the assets by hand. Which is fine, whatever it takes.

But I shouldn't have to do this extra step. Probably I have something set wrong in VST and Nuendo. I am running Pent4 1.7 GHz, 256MB RIMMs, Win98, and a Gina 20 with latest driver. Hosts are set to use the Gina ASIO driver, not the generic multimedia one. Master audio device is the SPDIF, and the 1/2, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 pairs are Buses 1-4. I distribute my tracks across the analog outputs (no external DA converter).

In mixing down I have tried many combinations of bus settings. It doesn't seem to matter what device(s) I choose, when mixing down in VST or Nuendo I can only get silence. I know I'm missing something but just can't figure out what it is...

I've searched the boards for terms like "XTC empty tracks" etc but not much luck. I will keep searching but wanted of course to ask the nice folks at PlanetZ.

I don't think this is a 3.1 vs. 3.0 problem at all because AudioMulch works fine.

Best,

h23

valis · Post by **valis** » Mon May 20, 2002 1:59 am

You'll have to bounce all XTC tracks down to wavs and load them into the project as needed to export a mixdown properly. This has been covered quite a few times I think, I'm sure someone here can point out a few topics if the search feature is pulling up too many matches.

wayne · Post by **wayne** » Mon May 20, 2002 4:10 am

Are you doing the "merge" thing, heresiarch23?

heresiarch23 · Post by **heresiarch23** » Sat May 25, 2002 9:09 pm

Not sure what a merge is... but i was hoping to mix down individual tracks with effects/automation as I normally would with VST plugins.

Sorry to ask a repetitive question... much appreciated if anyone could post some links to past threads on this topic.

What's so funny is that there's something particularly good about how AudioMulch is programmed, in that it works as a VST host where Cubase and Nuendo seem to not... but again I know I've got to be missing some setting here..

There has to be a better way than rendering each track in AudioMulch...

Thanks !!

h23

wayne · Post by **wayne** » Sat May 25, 2002 9:53 pm

Export is not happening in XTC - You need to "merge" the tracks. Go to vst inputs, activate Merge, mute unwanted tracks, set record track to merge, mute it to avoid feedback, & go for it. I might have left something out ..... oh, here we go:-

The output selection list at the bottom of tthe Cubase Master Channel strip
contains the option L Merge for this
purpose. Select this option for now.

The merge options represent virtual outputs
that can be routed back to inputs. The VST Input dialog contains corresponding inputs labeled L Merge and R Merge. Select these inputs, then choose a free stereo track to record to. Switch this track to a free channel in the Cubase mixer and turn Merge Input on (click on the In button in the channel strip while holding the Ctrl key). This is always the last option in the list. You must also enable the Mute option for this channel so that the output does not reappear at the master inputs resulting in feedback.
Begin recording as usual. When recording is complete, switch the master channel output back to the I/O extension output you use for monitoring. (from SFP manual)

heresiarch23 · Post by **heresiarch23** » Fri May 31, 2002 2:42 am

Aha! thank you so much, i'm off to try this now.

h23

heresiarch23 · Post by **heresiarch23** » Sat Jun 01, 2002 12:00 pm

OK, well, I tried to find the Merge L/R anywhere in Cubase and Nuendo. It does not appear in my VST inputs, preferences, or in the MME setup. The help files don't seem to mention merging either, except in the context of MIDI tracks. Your explanation, however, makes perfect sense. I fully expected the merge options to be there.

Which I suppose makes this a VST question as much as it is a Pulsar question.

With the quirks of my system, the best option may be telling VST to release ASIO in the background, and keep audiomulch open for one-at-a-time rendering. Which is true to my style of however long it takes for maximum quality.

Vive le studio virtuel!