VEP7 / Mir 3d / 7.1.2 into Cubase - how to get it all together?

[JayDeeM]

Hi Peeps,

Hope you can help me. I run Nuendo (currently C14 until Nuendo updates:) on my ageing iMac Pro, and use my M1 Ultra laptop as a VEP7 host which is working treat. Mir 3D is an extension on VEP7 on the MacBook too.

I've been fascinated with the videos about getting some 'virtual' surround sound by running MIR 3D in 7.1.2 mode, and using DearVR Monitor to collapse it to binaural stereo.

However, I'm wondering how to achieve it with my setup. I'm using the MacBook for offloading to VEP as my iMac Pro only has 32gb (the MacBook has 64gb and severely kicks the iMac's *ss in terms of CPU performance), so I'm trying to use it as much as possible for offloading Kontakts etc.

The ideal would be to run Mir 3D in 7.1.2 with VEP, have multiple channels from VEP to place instruments in it, and pipe back multiple surround channels into VEP, which then lan back into Cubase on the iMac where I can apply DearVR Monitor to collapse it to binaural stereo.

The other alternative is to apply multiple DearVR Monitor instances in VEP for each channel coming back from MIR.

Despite being a long time VEP user, I'm struggling with creating any kind of surround channels in VEP; they all seem to default to stereo?

Either way, the only thing I can see on demonstration videos is that MIR3D connects directly to Cubase, which in my current setup is not possible as the iMac won't be able to handle it (and everything else I need to throw at it in my Cubase sessions).

Thanks!

Joe

ps: can Waves NX also be used for monitoring/collapsing from 5.1 to binaural stereo?

[Dietz]

Once you know it, the setup is pretty straight-forward, actually.

First of all, make sure that you instantiate the surround version of VE Pro in Cubase:

If you have already created a bus or output with the desired format, you can connect to it directly during instantiation.

Now open the Per-Instance-Preferences by means of the "cogwheel" in VE Pro's plug-in GUI. Here you can select the desired output format for VE Pro now (... unavailable in the stereo version!):

Now create a new Project in VE Pro with the same channel configuration (... don't mind the truncated channel names on the right, that's just an old visual bug):

Now you can connect VE Pro to Cubase with the proper output format.

If you now create new channels in VE Pro and add new MIR 3D instances, they will already be created in the proper format, too:

Hint: You can safely remove the Surround Balancer from VE Pro's output bus, it's of little need in this context.

For binaural monitoring it's most certainly the best way to instantiate one single instance of Dear VR Monitor in Cubase's Control Room, unless you plan to actually print the binauralized output of your mix: In that case, you have to put it in the last insert of your mix bus (.... and take care to bypass it when you're done to avoid confusion at a later point):

Of course, any other binauralization tool of your choice will do, too. However, Waves' NX is only available in planar 5.1, not in 3D, so this is no real alternative.

HTH!

PS: If you have the choice, aim for 7.1.4 (or even 5.1.4) rather than 7.1.2. The two additional upper layer channels make all the difference, if you ask me. 8-)

[badibeat]

Good question @JayDeeM and a nice write-up, @Dietz. I have all the stuff but never got around properly setting it up. This is very helpful.

PS: Over a couple of years VEPro was my favourite DAW. I would appreciate A slight refresh and support of iLok Network Licenses.