How to set up TC Finalizer in project window?

[John Jones]

I do not know how to set up my TC Finalizer Express in Pulsar's project window. I have connected the spdif's of the Finalizer to and from the Pulsar soundcard spdif's, but I do not know what Pulsar modules I must connect them to in the project window. I have tried connecting them between the Big Mixer and the analogue out, but that doesn't seem to work. The only thing that works is if I connect the TC Finalizer direct to the external mixer, but then I cannot record the sound in Pulsar/Cubase. Sould I cannect the spdifs to a cubase wave source or something? Help.

[garyb]

Big Mixer???

v3 or earlier?

if it's a Pulsar1, it will not do an sp/dif loop. if it's a Pulsar2, use the sp/dif source and destination modules. the sp/dif source will be from the TC and the dest will go to the TC. if it's a Pulsar1, you will have to connect via audio, unless you only go out to the TC, in which case, the TC must be digital slave and the Pulsar master. for a Pulsar2, choose whether the TC will be slave or master and set the Pulsar to be the opposite.

[djmicron]

pulsar s/pdif source into cubase asio destination, so that cubase will be able to record the finalizer output, or you can also use a mixer between the s/pdif and the asio(the big mixer has phase issues).

Then if the finalizer is receiving audio from cubase:

asio source into pulsar s/pdif destination

inside cubase you have to assign the right inputs and outputs to match the asio inputs and outputs.

remember the samplerate as gary said.

[John Jones]

Big Mixer???

v3 or earlier?

if it's a Pulsar1, it will not do an sp/dif loop. if it's a Pulsar2, use the sp/dif source and destination modules. the sp/dif source will be from the TC and the dest will go to the TC. if it's a Pulsar1, you will have to connect via audio, unless you only go out to the TC, in which case, the TC must be digital slave and the Pulsar master. for a Pulsar2, choose whether the TC will be slave or master and set the Pulsar to be the opposite.

So will I have to record the TC Finalizer output externally? I was hoping to do it in Cubase, but I only have pulsar 1. That means I will have to buy a recorder of some sort and connect it to my little external mixer. I have a P111 running on win98 btw.

I think I can't send the analogue output from my TC/mixer back into pulsar for recording...it wouldn't know whether to record the original analogue signal or the TC modified signal, if you see what I mean.

[John Jones]

pulsar s/pdif source into cubase asio destination, so that cubase will be able to record the finalizer output, or you can also use a mixer between the s/pdif and the asio(the big mixer has phase issues).

Then if the finalizer is receiving audio from cubase:

asio source into pulsar s/pdif destination

inside cubase you have to assign the right inputs and outputs to match the asio inputs and outputs.

remember the samplerate as gary said.

So I connect spdif in and out to cubase ASIO destination and source? THat looks interesting. I have to get to bed now and will certainly get back to this. I don't know why this stuff is so bloody complicated. I've got qualifications but this music lark has plagued me for years. Will definitely try out all the suggestions. Ta.

[garyb]

the Pulsar1 cannot do an sp/dif loop, so you can't go out sp/dif and then back in sp/dif.

you can use the analog ins on the Pulsar and record that signal. why not?

it's not complicated at all. you just have to follow the signal flow, just like when hooking up real gear.

[John Jones]

the Pulsar1 cannot do an sp/dif loop, so you can't go out sp/dif and then back in sp/dif.

you can use the analog ins on the Pulsar and record that signal. why not?

it's not complicated at all. you just have to follow the signal flow, just like when hooking up real gear.

Yes, I can use the analog ins of the pulsar to record the output of the TC. But I cannot record the new pulsar output on the pulsar analogue outs because the pulsar analogue outs are already sending out the original, untreated signal. That is why I think I need to connect the TC ins to cubase asio, as advised. But do I do that in the mixer - I don't think I can. I will have to do it outside the mixer environment. It's all a little confusing. Can't try it out yet though, need to set up some other things first.

[garyb]

use the sp/dif outs, no?

make the TC the slave.

[John Jones]

I need some more precise info please. I do not understand how to "assign the right inputs and outputs to match the asio inputs and outputs". I can only see Pulsar, not the TC. I have cubase 3.6 and pulsar 1 (ah, the good old days). I also put TC as slave and connected the TC spdifs to the asio in/outs as advised. There was no change - the TC isn't showing any signal at all, though I can get a signal if I jiggle about in pulsar AND connect the TC direct to an external mixer.

[garyb]

your problem seems to be following the signal.

the routing window is not arcane. you can make any connection just by following the signal. it travels from outputs to inputs. there's no way to directly connect the TC, the TC is connected to the Scope card somehow and only you know where. signal has to go from the cubase mix to the TC's input and back to be recorded out of the TC's outs. the audio can only travel in one direction.

if you are not comfortable setting up hardware, sound sources, and the cables needed to connect things, then you need to work on that aspect of the studio.

[djmicron]

it depends on what you do inside cubase and on the finalizer input settings.

Option number 1:

i guess you have the un-finalized audio track inside cubase, you will send the audio to the finalizer then will record the finalizer output inside cubase to a new track.

First, connect the pulsar s\pdif out to finalizer s\pdif input and set the finalizer to external clock and to receive the audio from s\pdif input.

Second, connect the finalizer s\pdif output to pulsar s\pdif input (then will need a proper routing to avoid feedback).

Now you need to do some routing inside the pulsar project window.

Add asio source and asio destination to the project

add pulsar s\pdif source and destination to the project

now i'm assuming you don't have an external mixer, so will do all routing between pulsar and finalizer.

you will use the finalizer's analog output as monitor output connected to your speakers in combination with the bypass button to listen back and forth from dry to processed audio signal.

Now inside pulsar project window, connect s\pdif source L R to asio destination 1L 1R and connect asio source 1L 1R to s\pdif destination L R.

Go inside cubase, Set asio scope(or whatever it's called in your pulsar version) as audio driver.

Create one stereo audio track to record from the finalizer(call it finalizer and keep this track muted) and another track(or even multiple tracks) to be sent to the finalizer.

Arm the finalizer track and set the audio input to asio 1|2 (to match the asio module inside the pulsar project window)

Set the output of the other(s) track(s) to asio 1|2(to match the asio module inside pulsar project window).

Now you should be ready to listen to the finalizer output.

I used the finalizer some years ago, i remember it can only use one stereo input at the same time, so in your case it will be s\pdif, but it can use both digital and analog outputs together, so you will use the analog output as monitor output.

Now press play inside cubase and you will listen over the finalizer, use the analog level to regulate the volume(it will not affect the digital output) and use the bypass to listen unprocessed audio.

When you are done with the finalizer settings, press record inside cubase and you will get the finalized audio.

Then to listen to the finalized track, un-arm and un-mute the finalizer track inside cubase and mute all the rest, press the bypass button on the finalizer and you wil llisten to the final job.

If you have an external mixer, take this as a starting point.

[John Jones]

Thanks very much for that. It looks good. I will try it out in a few days when I get back home.

[garyb]

by the way, the Optimaster and a good mastering eq like the folks at DAS make for Scope is as good or better than the Finalizer...

[John Jones]

I tried out your advice below. I can do everything without any problem except for the last step.
How do I arm the finalizer track in cubase and set the audio input to asio 1|2 (to match the asio module inside the pulsar project window), and how do I set the output of the other(s) track(s) to asio 1|2(to match the asio module inside pulsar project window?

I think I did it (I'm not sure) but when I look at the audio inputs in cubase all it shows is one green light that says VST and pulsar, not finalizer. The finalizer is also still not registering any signal.

I can get the finalizer to register a signal if, in the project window, I disconnect the pulsar spdif destination from the asio source and connect it to the pulsar analogue destination. I can't hear any change in sound however, unless I monitor the finalizer through my little mixer.
But I'm almost there - just need that tricky final steps sorted. Could you give further advice please?

Oops...perhaps I also need to fiddle with the pulsar spdif settings as suggested. Anyway, nearly bedtime now.

it depends on what you do inside cubase and on the finalizer input settings.

Option number 1:

i guess you have the un-finalized audio track inside cubase, you will send the audio to the finalizer then will record the finalizer output inside cubase to a new track.

First, connect the pulsar s\pdif out to finalizer s\pdif input and set the finalizer to external clock and to receive the audio from s\pdif input.

Second, connect the finalizer s\pdif output to pulsar s\pdif input (then will need a proper routing to avoid feedback).

Now you need to do some routing inside the pulsar project window.

Add asio source and asio destination to the project

add pulsar s\pdif source and destination to the project

now i'm assuming you don't have an external mixer, so will do all routing between pulsar and finalizer.

you will use the finalizer's analog output as monitor output connected to your speakers in combination with the bypass button to listen back and forth from dry to processed audio signal.

Now inside pulsar project window, connect s\pdif source L R to asio destination 1L 1R and connect asio source 1L 1R to s\pdif destination L R.

Go inside cubase, Set asio scope(or whatever it's called in your pulsar version) as audio driver.

Create one stereo audio track to record from the finalizer(call it finalizer and keep this track muted) and another track(or even multiple tracks) to be sent to the finalizer.

Arm the finalizer track and set the audio input to asio 1|2 (to match the asio module inside the pulsar project window)

Set the output of the other(s) track(s) to asio 1|2(to match the asio module inside pulsar project window).

Now you should be ready to listen to the finalizer output.

I used the finalizer some years ago, i remember it can only use one stereo input at the same time, so in your case it will be s\pdif, but it can use both digital and analog outputs together, so you will use the analog output as monitor output.

Now press play inside cubase and you will listen over the finalizer, use the analog level to regulate the volume(it will not affect the digital output) and use the bypass to listen unprocessed audio.

When you are done with the finalizer settings, press record inside cubase and you will get the finalized audio.

Then to listen to the finalized track, un-arm and un-mute the finalizer track inside cubase and mute all the rest, press the bypass button on the finalizer and you wil llisten to the final job.

If you have an external mixer, take this as a starting point.

[dante]

Follow this :

http://www.hitfoundry.com/issue_01/cubase.htm

But insert the Finaliser between the STM output and the ASIO Dest 2L and 2R inputs - which send the fully processed mix back to Cubase.

Then make sure you set up a second input in Cubse ( Ive called it 'MixIN').

Make sure that when you create a track in cubse to record MixIN input that it has no output - otherwise you could make a feedback loop.

Ive been doing this for years with SPDIF sending to a hardware TC TripleC multiband compressor. Then recording the output from that in a stereo Cubase track.

I will get round to including that in the diagram soon as an explanation for this very problem.

[John Jones]

Follow this :

http://www.hitfoundry.com/issue_01/cubase.htm

But insert the Finaliser between the STM output and the ASIO Dest 2L and 2R inputs - which send the fully processed mix back to Cubase.

Then make sure you set up a second input in Cubse ( Ive called it 'MixIN').

Make sure that when you create a track in cubse to record MixIN input that it has no output - otherwise you could make a feedback loop.

Ive been doing this for years with SPDIF sending to a hardware TC TripleC multiband compressor. Then recording the output from that in a stereo Cubase track.

I will get round to including that in the diagram soon as an explanation for this very problem.

I don't know what you mean by insert the finalizer between the stm output and the asio dest 2L2R inputs, unless you mean connect the finalizer spdifs to the pulsar analogue output and the asio module. I have cubase 3.6 and I don't follow thw advice I've had about the cubase side of things. All I can see in cubase is one vst input from pulsar, nothing from the finaliser.

[fra77x]

Connect
finaliser input -> your source
finaliser output-> pulsar spdif in

routing window
spdif in -> asio in
asio out -> mixer

cubase
activate input 1 for rec

[dante]

I don't know what you mean by insert the finalizer between the stm output and the asio dest 2L2R inputs, unless you mean connect the finalizer spdifs to the pulsar analogue output and the asio module. I have cubase 3.6 and I don't follow thw advice I've had about the cubase side of things. All I can see in cubase is one vst input from pulsar, nothing from the finaliser.

What I mean is add an 'Analog Dest' to the project and physically connect your Scope to the Finaliser input, the add an 'Analog Dest' to your project and physically connect it to the output of your Finalzer.

Then connect the Scope mixer output to the 'Analog Dest' and connect the 'Analog Source' to the ASIO Dest 2L 2R inputs.

[JoPo]

by the way, the Optimaster and a good mastering eq like the folks at DAS make for Scope is as good or better than the Finalizer...

Or with the 'Psy Q' ... Psy -> ms eq like Brainworx BX or Master it eq (Peter's free 'Red eq 10Bands MS' + 'Multiesser' have to be tested and seem to promise really good results) -> optimaster and you'll get a very nice mastering result...