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  • Network w/ Mac master & PC slaves?

    Hello,

    Please note that I've posted a similar thread on a non-manufacturer's forum.

    I have a G5 with Logic, Pro Tools HD and VSL VI. I am considering adding several PC’s for a networked setup.

    I want my workflow to allow me to create MIDI in Logic and then mix in Pro Tools. VSL VI is my main library so I would want to spread the strings, winds and brass over the network. There will be other libraries using Kontakt, EXS, Halion, etc.. Once the MIDI composition is created I would want to get bounced audio over to Pro Tools for adding vocals and mixing.

    My first choice would have been to go to Mac Minis but if any new library or effect is only going to work on PC for the foreseeable future I don’t want to limit myself.

    If I have a G5 with Logic as the master and multiple PC’s as slaves, how do I…
    1. Software Host my libraries on the slaves
    2. I would guess that all my individual MIDI tracks would be viewable and editable on the master G5 within Logic.
    3. How do I communicate between master & slaves (physically & software) A simple ethernet setup?
    4. I would imagine that each slave will need its own local hard drives with the proper libraries and copy protection schemes.
    5. Where does the audio output from the slaves go? I mean how do I monitor it – do I need a mixer for this? Since the slave PC’s will need an audio interface it seems that their outputs need to go to a mixer to be monitored. How do I monitor with reverb and effects that are resident on my G5 for the MIDI tracks on the slaves? Even though I mix in Pro Tools I monitor with Altiverb in Logic.
    6. Recommendations for audio interfaces for the slaves? Caveat, the slave playback will be used only for monitoring, not mixing.
    7. Right now my G5 is remoted to another room and I have dual monitors (again, remoted from the G5 in the other room). Switching with a KVM between the G5 and the PC slaves could get too complex and expensive because my monitors are the older plastic ADC Apple type – meaning more DVI/ADC conversion. Would dedicating another monitor switchable with a KVM be best for the PC slaves?
    8. What are the PC requirements for optimum use of VSL VI?
    9. What else am I leaving out?
    10. Oh yeah, do you think I’m doing the right thing? (You ‘d think that this should have been my first question…)


    I appreciate your help on this matter. Hopefully the information on this thread will help others in similar situations.

    Best regards,

    Jack

  • Run Plogue Bidule as Host for VST plugs on PCs.

    Purchase Ethernet Midi from "MusicLab" it runs smooth as silk on BOTH Mac and PC.

    Carrying the AUdio over ethernet is currently a disaster , so purchasing RME cards or similar is still a requirement.

    SvK

  • SvK

    Q:
    So I would monitor slave audio w/ a mixer, then bounce audio instruments to audio and send bounce files from Plogue Bidule from the slaves to Pro Tools on the G5 for mixing over regular networked ethernet?

    How do I get Altiverb and other effects on the slaves’ audio for monitoring purposes?

    And exactly what does MusicLabs Ethernet MIDI do?

    …and thanks for the help!