User manual

668
Synchronization
Activating VST System Link
Setting up a larger network
Setting up a larger network is not much more difficult than a two-computer network.
The main thing to remember is that VST System Link is a daisy chain system. In other
words, the output of computer 1 goes to the input of computer 2, the output of
computer 2 goes to the input of computer 3, and so on around the chain. The output
of the last computer in the chain must always go back into the input of computer 1, to
complete the ring.
Once you have done this, the transmission of all the transport, sync, and MIDI
information to the whole network is handled pretty much automatically. However,
where you may run into confusion in a large network is in the transmission of audio
signals back to a central mix computer.
If you have lots of hardware inputs and outputs on your ASIO cards, you do not have
to send audio via the chain at all, but can transmit it directly to the master mix
computer via one or more of its other hardware inputs. For example, if you have a
Nuendo Digiset interface or 9652 card on computer 1, you could use ADAT cable 1
for networking, ADAT cable 2 as a direct audio input from computer 2, and ADAT
cable 3 as a direct audio input from computer 3.
You can also transmit audio via the ring system if you do not have enough hardware I/Os
for direct audio transmission. For example, in a four-computer scenario you could send
audio from computer 2 into a channel in the mixer in computer 3, from there to a channel
in the mixer in computer 4, and from there back to the master mixer in computer 1. This
can certainly be tricky to set up, so for complex networks it is generally recommended to
use ASIO cards with at least three separate digital I/Os.
Application examples
Using one computer for VST instruments
In this example, one computer will be used as main record and playback machine, and
another computer as a virtual synth rack. Proceed as follows:
1. Record a MIDI track into computer 1.
2. Once you have finished recording, route the MIDI output of that track to VST
System Link MIDI port 1.
3. On computer 2, open up the VST Instruments window and assign an instrument to
the first slot in the rack.
4. Route the VST instrument channel to the desired output bus.
If you are using computer 1 as your main mixing computer, this would be one of the
VST System Link output busses, connected to computer 1.
5. Create a new MIDI track in the Project window of computer 2 and assign the MIDI
output of the track to the VST instrument you created.
6. Assign the MIDI input of the track to be VST System Link port 1.
Now, the MIDI track on computer 1 is routed to the MIDI track on computer 2,
which in turn is routed to the VST instrument.
7. Now activate monitoring for the MIDI track on computer 2, so that it will listen and
respond to any MIDI commands coming in.
In Cubase, click the Monitor button in the track list or Inspector.
8. Start playback on computer 1.
It will now send the MIDI information on the track to the VST instrument loaded on
computer 2.