Recording files to a Master Track

[Stashu]

I know there was another thread about this. But, with all the extra MSNBC comments about life, the real answer got lost.
I saw one response that basically said you need to buy a plugin, and make a series of 'Auxes and sends', then turn around three times and use Holy Water and incense, do a Gregorian Chant, and cross fingers, knuckles and toes, solve a few DaVinci Code type puzzles, then hit 'enter'.

So ... Is there a way to record files to a Master Track?

If not, I'll be happy with 'Build Mix To sound file'.

(convoluted answers will not be read ... Life's too short):D

Thanks,
Stashu

[Bob L]

The output tracks (master tracks) do not accept soundfiles on them... just automation data.

You can build a mix thru an output track... with its associated patched plugins and the end result will be a finished soundfile mix placed in your designated folder choice.

You can also create multiple output master files at the same time for surround and even batch type operations by assigning input tracks to multiple output destinations... each output track can create a separate mix file at the same time.

You can also use the buildmix operation to place the finished mix file on any designated track (hot-track) and even a designated layer on any track.

So all basic required operations are already available under the buildmix operation... you can freeze, bounce, create surround mix outputs... export to other apps... etc... each of these operations are just not labeled separately. :)

Bob L

[TotalSonic]

To reiterate what I posted in a previous thread:

if someone for some reason is enamored with doing real time bounces of stems rather than having things occur in much faster than real time with SAW's "Build To Mix" - then you can set this up in SAW by:

1) send each channel you desire to be in the mix or stem to an Aux return or Output channel (either type will work)
2) load the freeware JMS Audioware Buss Extension - http://www.jms-audioware.com/jmsbuss.htm - set as a send into this Aux return or Output channel (also choose a buss # in it's setup - you can send up to 8 different streams - so you record 8 different stem mixes at once)
3) load a 2nd instance of the Buss Extension plugin set as a return (and using the same desired buss # in it's controls), and into an unused Input channel.
4) set an Input channel to record its own "Mixer Channel" in the channels' record device dialog
5) press SRP

There's other ways to rout the signal for this as well:
* you can rout back from a digital out to a digital in that gets recorded back into an Input channel
* if you have a Sydec/SSL Mixtreme or Mixpander it's own mixer console software allows for tons of virtual routing options that can be saved to recallable templates
* there are a number of VST plugins such as Silverspike TapeIt - http://www.silverspike.com/?Products:TapeIt - that allow for "real time wav grabbing" as well.
* Virtual Audio Cable is another option for this too - http://software.muzychenko.net/eng/vac.html
* and of course all of the options that Bob detailed

Personally when mastering I use one DAW for playing sound files out to my analog process chain at whatever sample rate I've received, and have a second DAW recording back at the target delivery sample rate, and then use one of the "Build Mix" functions (either to new file, or using the "Build Mix to FX" to use the JMS CSG or BFG) to produce the final file containing all post capture digital processing (such as limiting, dithering down to 16bit, etc.). This way you never have to do any sample rate conversion.

I used to do this with a single DAW containing two different sound cards not clocked to each other and then loaded with two different instances of SAW, (one to playback to the analog process chain at one sample rate, the other to capture back at another) - but found I could use more plugins at either playback or capture side and also get much more stable performance by seperating the tasks across two computers.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[Carl G.]

You can also create multiple output master files at the same time for surround and even batch type operations by assigning input tracks to multiple output destinations... each output track can create a separate mix file at the same time.

Bob L
Creative! I like this option.

[Naturally Digital]

* there are a number of VST plugins such as Silverspike TapeIt - http://www.silverspike.com/?Products:TapeIt - that allow for "real time wav grabbing" as well.
* Virtual Audio Cable is another option for this too - http://software.muzychenko.net/eng/vac.html
* and of course all of the options that Bob detailed
Also worth mentioning Voxengo's free Recorder plugin.

[TotalSonic]

Also worth mentioning Voxengo's free Recorder plugin.

David -
Thanks for mentioning this - I knew I was forgetting at least one other VST solution.
It's available here - http://www.voxengo.com/product/recorder/

Best regards,
Steve Berson