Automating VSTI Output Assignments

[Lawrence]

While templates are cool, and the adding of additional tracks for a multi-output VSTI isn't that big of a deal once you wrap your head around it, here's a possible idea for streamlining that process.

1. Proceed to load a VSTI as usual.
2. Just before the instrument loads the user is presented with an additional dialog that asks the user to specify the number of internal channels for that instrument track.
3. The VSTI is loaded and based on the user's input Reaper will either...

A.) If the user chooses "2" just add the VSTI to the track as normal and don't do anything else.

B.) If the user chooses "6" (3 stereo?) Reaper would automatically create 2 new tracks, and automatically add receives from ch's 3-4 / 5-6 from that main track on the new tracks panned center and at unity gain.

Note: If a "mono" option is checked it creates 5 new tracks and create 5 new mono sends/receives? Dunno.

This would let you choose, when loading a VSTI, how many outputs you want to use and they would get added automatically while still retaining the good stuff like unused outputs not showing in the mixer.

There could also be options in there for mono sends etc. I suppose but the basic ...

"..Yes, please add a new track for each additional stereo pair (or mono channel?) in this track and create serial sends to it from this instrument..."

...functionality would be a good start.

It can't be that hard to add new tracks and create sends (or receives) in code. And maybe auto name them based on the VSTI name? FL 1-2, FL 3-4, FL 5-6, etc.

Comments?

[Jae.Thomas]

i think that this is a constructive step in the right direction -- although obviously not everyone would want this and if it can, it should be optional...

this type of thinking is EXACTLY what we need to get the creators to make multiout vsti easier

this was my thinking on the subject

http://www.cockos.com/forum/showpost...08&postcount=7

the next page:

http://www.cockos.com/forum/showpost...11&postcount=8

[Lawrence]

Originally Posted by Jason Brian Merrill

i think that this is a constructive step in the right direction -- although obviously not everyone would want this and if it can, it should be optional...

Absolutely optional.

Preferences: (check) Automate output assignments on VSTI load

Or something similar where the dialog would never display unless you check that box.

Or maybe even better, after looking at the screenshots on your posts, those menus that show output assignments, how about an additional menu ...

"Create serial tracks and sends..."

...that calls up the dialog. Then just type in "8" and hit enter and the new tracks and sends from that instrument get created automatically.

That makes it 100% optional since you have to ask for it.

[Tallisman]

very nice, and handy... I'd click that option.
I still thing it would be killer if the multi-channel track, containing the multi-channel VSTi looked like this:

[sebas777]

A Big +1 for the "Tallisman multichannel track" for multichannel VSTis !

How about adding these channels only when the VSTi really outputs something on multiple outs it a given project?

[Lawrence]

Originally Posted by Tallisman

very nice, and handy... I'd click that option.
I still thing it would be killer if the multi-channel track, containing the multi-channel VSTi looked like this:

(image not repeated for cleanliness)

+1 on that Mr. Tallisman. Taking the initial feature request (automatically adding tracks with sends from the VSTI track) the natural progression would be (al-la-Steiny) to put those sub-tracks into a folder arrangement. That's the neatest and most ergonomical way to handle that I think. Great idea.

I'd go one step furthur if I might... see new FR.

[eepyikes]

+1 Tallisman. That's a really cool idea and much needed. Optional/not optional, whatever, as long as there is something available to automate the process.