SAW and outboard FX?

[Göran Nordberg]

Hello folks!
I know this sounds silly, yes really silly, because Bob made SAW and SAC to do everything in the "box", I think.
I happen to have some outboards, TC electronic Delay-Repeater and 500 modules: MEEK compressor and IGS stereo compressor in lunchbox.
It would somehow be very interesting to implement them with SAW, just as an experiment, or maybe actually use it if it sounds interesting.
Nothing wrong with SAW's compressor soundwise, as I feel it.
Maybe only the TC-Electronic Delay-Repeater would add something "new" to the sound.
Has anyone experimented with outboard gear in SAW, like channel FX or AUX send?
Would be very nice to hear about it.
Maybe it would save some CPU if you use it on many channels, or am I wrong?

[Pedro V]

It's not stupid, quite the opposite it would be an interesting test and experience for you. A few cables through your interface: Output and Return on the Aux and you're good to go.


You can compare the Delay-Repeater with the Echo/Delay of SS.
With the compressors you can do parallel compression and compare.

[mr_es335]

Göran,

To answer your question, "Has anyone experimented with outboard gear in SAW, like channel FX or AUX send?"...the answer is "Yes! I have done so in the past."

To begin with, if the implementation of outboard gear is the same in SAW as it is in SAC, then you will not have any issues with the deployment of such outboard gear in SAW.

I have employed many external modules - Roland's XV5080, various keyboard controllers with built-in sounds, in the past...all with no issues whatsoever!
* I simply ceased employing such devices as the software versions worked equally as well - at least in my humble opinion.
* I mean - really consider this point for a moment...having access to a complete ARP 2600, a Moog Modular, a Synthi, a Synclavier and a Mellotron...all in software!! [Click_Me]
* And then there is Roland's "Cloud" - [Click_Me] - which provides access to the System 100, Sound Canvas [...my all time favourite...], and the SRX collection [...providing access to the JV-1080, XP-80 and the XV-5080]!

You then stated, "Maybe it would save some CPU if you use it on many channels, or am I wrong?"
* My response, "Any off-loading of 'stuff' will, as a result, save computing resources. However, and I do believe that this is an important however, with the way in which computers function today, this lack of computing resources is really-and-truly, no longer an issue anymore!'"

PS: This does not, nor should not, negate the employment of external equipment such as Behringer's ever-popular "Eurorack Synthesizers"!
* These devices are reminiscent of the popular PIAA modules way-back when. [Click_Me]
I do hope that I am "making sense", and this information is of some practicable employment?

[Göran Nordberg]

I do hope that I am "making sense", and this information is of some practicable employment?

Thank You, very useful information

[Göran Nordberg]

It's not stupid, quite the opposite it would be an interesting test and experience for you. A few cables through your interface: Output and Return on the Aux and you're good to go.


You can compare the Delay-Repeater with the Echo/Delay of SS.
With the compressors you can do parallel compression and compare.

Thank You very interesting.
I think I will do some test this evening or right now, parallel compression and on the sub busses.
The TC-Electronic Repeater has some nice settings, should be very interesting to try it.

[Todd R]

yes, not silly at all! It's called being a pro! :-D

...but isn't this where SAC low latency comes in? RTL becomes a factor, especially live

I don't know, I've never used nor do I own SAC

you need to have some outs on your audio interface

and make sure your returns aren't creating a feedback loop

[mr_es335]

Todd,

You noted, "...and make sure your returns aren't creating a feedback loop..."

The manner in which Bob has configured his return channels almost negates this anomaly.

I have had such an easy time configuring outboard gear!

Also, I have never had any issues with RTL. This is precisely what SAC was designed for!

Great points, Todd!

Update: As a result of Dave's posting, I did employ SAW without SAC when working with MIDI!! Thus, I had no issues whatsoever with "RTL".
* PS: I would really love to meet this Tom Foolery guy sometime! He must be quite the fellow!

[Dave Labrecque]

...but isn't this where SAC low latency comes in? RTL becomes a factor, especially live...

IIRC, SAW was built with latency compensation at the Aux Send/Returns for the very purpose of incorporating outboard gear into the mixing workflow--well before SAC came along. So there should be no need to use SAC for this. Though I imagine there could be advantages.

Me? I've never tried any of this tomfoolery.