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  • Slave system - new ADAT Profire Ligthpipe interface

    V
    V
    I'm finally going about setting up a slave to help ease my computertroubles with the VIs, and currently the system is looking to be this:

    HOST

    Mac G5 dual 2Ghz
    Protools HD with 2x192 interfaces (each have 16 ADAT lightpipes input)


    SLAVE

    G4 967Mhz, 4GB RAM, connected over OSX midi over network cable
    Firewire connected M-Audio ProFire Lightbridge (32 ADAT outputs)
    Firewire connected HDs with hardware RAID for the VIs

    (I know the G4 is slow, but I will upgrade to a G5 if this turns out to be a well-working solution)

    Now, my questions are:

    1. For the slave I need a VST/AU host that run on OSX Tiger and that have the possibillity to output to all 32 channels on the ProFire Lightbridge, so what should I get for this? I have used RAX a bit, but dont think there is possiillity to route the hosted plugins to serperate outputs (I could be wrong about this).

    2. What is the latency between host and slave and back again with the OSX Tiger built-in midi over network feature? I know the host application needs to be set to as low a buffer-setting as possible, but what is the feasible minimum without getting pops and clicks? The all digital ADAT connections should rule out any sample latency stemming from the converters, but I fear that the midi over network could be "the weak link". Can you play on your midikeyboard on the host and not feel it being sluggish?

    3. How stable is the midi over network thingie? Is it better to get the Midi-Over-LAN program?

    4. Anyone having experiences with a setup close to this, but maybe with another audio interface for the slave? I chose the brand new M-Audio ProFire Lightpipe because it was the cheapest solution I could find with more than 8 ADAT lightpipes outputs, and because it was an external interface that wouldn't be obsolete with any computer upgrades. If u have any experiences with the RME HDSP 9652 I'm very interested as well, even though it's PCI based.

    5. Digital sync. Is syncing over the ADAT connections enough? I will have both Digidesign 192s synced together, but I'm curious what the outcome will be with all these lightpipes coming into them from the slave. I have no wish for going totally audiopedophile( [:D] ), but if there is audible artifacts I'm ofcourse not too happy about that.

    6. Expansion. Should I want to get a second slave for my setup, how will it fare midi-over-network-wise? Should I use a switch or a hub, and what type of speed is needed (10/100/1000 mbit)? Is OSX's built in LAN options enough to split to several computers, or would I need third-party sofware to handle this

    7. What samplerate will a VI instantiated in a VST/AU host output, the VI default (24bit 44.1khz) or will it be decided by the VST/Audio host (as synced to the ADAT clock of the ProFire audio interface?) ?
    If it was all analog connections it would be easy, but this is my first venture into digital conncetions. [[;)]]


    I will be really appreciative of any input provided, also from you guys running using PCs, even if it's just one or two of the questions you have any tips or knowledge about. [H]

    Regards,
    Vagn


    Check the brand new M-Audio ProFire here:

    http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/ProFireLightbridge-main.html">http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/ProFireLightbridge-main.html

    .
  • J
    J
    1/ I suggest using Plogue Bidule. Rax will not allow you to use more than a stereo pair out.

    2/ The Midi over Network feature (see next answer) should not impact on your latency, providing you have a decent network. Clicks and Pops are not related to midi, but more to how much instances and samples you are going to load on the slave. By the way, remember that the VSL Server can only load up to about 2.5GB or samples.

    3/ I suggest using Midi Over Lan. I know many people made the Midi-Over-Network feature work, but I also know a lot (including myself) who spent a day on it without ever being able to make it stable or reliable. Midi Over Lan can be set up in less than 5 minues (really) and works like a charm after that.

    4/ I have been waiting the ProFire for a couple of monhts now. See my post on the "Mac Mini as VSL farm". You can't get that many ADAT connectors for that cheap... they're definitely a bargain.

    5/ I'm not completely sure, but I'd say it should be fine. If necessary, the Pro Fire has a separate clock in connector.

    6/ It depends on how many samples you want to load. If you wanna load a full orchestra with about 8 articulations per instruments, then the Powermac ain't gonna be enough [:)] But if you have less demanding needs, then you should be able to load a full orchestrat with a few articulations on two Powermac. Maybe even on one ? I don't know. Depends on how much samples you want to load - remember, up to 2.5GB!

    In terms of Midi, MidiOverLan will do the job without any problem. Yes, you should use a 1GB network switch. OS X's network setup will allow you to easily set this up. No need for any third party software.

    7/ VI works in 24 bits, 44.1 Khz, so if your host or your audio interface is in another sample rate / resolution, the signal will be converted at one point. I would suggest staying in 44.1 Khz in your whole setup. Avoid sample rate conversion unless absolutely necessary!

    Jerome
  • V
    V
    I really appreciate your input Jerome, thanks a lot! [:)]

    Reading over your input in the MacMini as a slave thread was most enlightning as well.

    I have a few more questions though: What is your experience with buffer settings on the slave with Ploque Bidule? How low can u go latency-wise without the infamous cracks and pops? And how much influence does the CPU and soundcard have on this?
  • J
    J
    Hey Vagn,

    you'll have to wait till monday or tuesday for me to answer that. I won't be at work till then. But to my recollection, buffer settings are very low on both the sequencer and Plogue. Since the Mac Mini only has to take care of the samples, and since the Quad is completely free of processing those, you really get a low buffer.

    I didn't notive any latency during my many hours of testing.

    Please understand that I am finishing up this system next week and I might have more info on that by then. Same on the whole "sync via optical S/PDIF" question.

    Jerome