User manual

253
VST instruments and instrument tracks
VST instrument channels
3. You will be asked if you want to create an associated MIDI track connected to the
VST instrument. Click Create.
The instrument is loaded and activated, and its control panel opens. A MIDI track
with the name of the instrument is added to the track list. The output of this track is
routed to the instrument.
4. If you now look in the Project window track list, you will find that a dedicated folder
for the chosen instrument has been added, within a “VST Instruments” folder
(where all your VST instrument channels will be listed).
The separate folder for the added VST instrument contains two types of
automation tracks: one for automating the plug-in parameters and one for each
MixConsole channel used by the VST instrument. For example, if you add a VST
instrument with four separate outputs (four separate MixConsole channels), the
folder will contain five automation tracks. To keep the screen less cluttered, you
may want to close the folder for the VST instrument until you need to view or edit
any of the automation tracks. For details about automation, see the chapter
“Automation” on page 279.
• When you select the MIDI track routed to the VST instrument, you will see that the
Inspector contains a separate section for the instrument.
This section contains the audio channel settings for the VST instrument (inserts,
EQs, Sends, and fader settings). The tab has two buttons for opening the Channel
Settings window (for the VST instrument channel) and the Edit Instrument button
which opens the control panel for the VST instrument.
5. Depending on the selected VST instrument, you may also need to select a MIDI
channel for the track.
For example, a multitimbral VST instrument can play back different sounds on
different MIDI channels – check the documentation for the VST instrument for
MIDI implementation details.
6. Make sure that the “MIDI Thru Active” option is activated in the Preferences dialog
(MIDI page).
7. Activate the Monitor button for the MIDI track (in the track list, Inspector, or
MixConsole).
When this is activated (or when the track is record enabled), incoming MIDI is
passed on to the selected MIDI output (in this case the VST instrument), see the
chapter
“Recording” on page 110.
8. Open the MixConsole.
You will find one or more channels for the audio outputs of the VST instrument.
VST instrument channels have the same features and functionality as group
channels, with the addition of an Edit above the faders for opening the VST
instrument control panel. To open the VST instrument control panel, [Alt]/[Option]-
click the Edit button, or click the Edit button and hold the mouse button pressed
until the VST instrument control panel opens. You will also find Output Routing
pop-up menus, e.
g. for routing the VST instrument channels to output channels or
groups.
Opens the Channel Settings window.
Opens the control panel for the VST instrument.