Recording from two separate input devices at once?

CQ7String · 11-19-2011, 08:55 AM

I did a search, but couldn't find the answer - hopefully I'm not just missing something simple.

I have an AxeFX-II that I'm using to track with, and my interface is a MOTU 828 MKII. The nice thing about the Fractal unit is that it has multiple outputs that I can tweak/adjust independently.

I have the main "regular" set of stereo TRS outputs on the AxeFx going into my MOTU, and I can bring that up in Reaper and pick things like Analog 1, Analog1/2 stereo, etc. This is the way that I usually record.

The Fractal also has a USB output on it, which is what I'm trying to get running in tandem here so that I can route a DI track over the USB while at the same time sending my amp modeled tone to the MOTU.

I see the device as an option under Preferences, but I can't seem to find a way to activate both the MOTU and the AxeFX USB at the same time in prefs. Picking one or the other changes the input options when I bring up a track.

How would I go about activating them both, so that I can have one track receive audio from the MOTU, and a second track that runs off the USB device?

Thanks!

skmando · 11-19-2011, 09:43 AM

are you mac or pc?

if you're using a mac, you can create an aggregate device in Audio/MIDI setup

CQ7String · 11-19-2011, 09:49 AM

Hi, I'm a Mac.

Here's my A/M setup:

(If anyone needs me, I'll be googling what an aggregate device is...

Thank you btw!)

CQ7String · 11-19-2011, 09:58 AM

Got it working - thank you!

(Not enough coffee... I just noticed that it actually indeed says "Drink more coffee, and then go create an aggregate device" right in the Reaper preferences panel..)

Cheers man.

skmando · 11-19-2011, 10:00 AM

ok, well you see that little + symbol at the bottom left of your screenshot? click on that, and it will create an aggregate device. This is a "virtual" soundcard, made up from inputs and outputs of other audio interfaces connected. (Make sure you have your 2 audio interfaces connected when you do this!)

Then just select which inputs and outputs you want to use with your new aggregate device. You can have multiple instances created on your system, and if you want to rename an instance, just double click on the name of the device on the right hand side.

CQ7String · 11-19-2011, 10:08 AM

While I'm in the process of looking silly..

Is there a way to name the actual inputs, or is this an OS-level thing? I have both devices working, but this is a tad confusing:

Thanks again for the patience.

skmando · 11-19-2011, 10:32 AM

yup, goto reaper preferences, Audio, at the bottom is a box for channel naming/mapping. You can change to names to ones more relevant/easier to identify.

EpicSounds · 11-19-2011, 10:40 AM

watching this thread. I'll be experimenting with Aggregate device (2 firewire interfaces) and want to know what the potential problems are.
latency?
stability?
dropouts?
synching?

skmando · 11-19-2011, 11:25 AM

not sure regarding latency, as the only time I've tried to record using aggregate device I didn't need to monitor. No issues with syncing tho.

Haven't done any extensive testing, would be interested to hear from someone who has....

EpicSounds · 11-19-2011, 11:31 AM

you don't listen to what you're recording as it goes down?

skmando · 11-19-2011, 12:04 PM

not always....

in studio, yes. But the only occasions where I've used an aggregate device for recording have been on location, when I'm in the same room as the musicians recording. I would usually record few minutes of audio, then get musicians to stop and listen back to it while they're not playing to check everything is recording ok (mic positions, general sound, latency between tracks, etc.)

OldTimerNewComer · 11-20-2011, 01:46 PM

if you change the number channels in the track i\o dialogue(top right corner), you can route any active inputs that way also.

hope this helps.

blmjr · 03-10-2012, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skmando

are you mac or pc?

if you're using a mac, you can create an aggregate device in Audio/MIDI setup

Hi, I'd like to do the same thing but on a PC. I have a Focusrite 2 input USB interface and want to record w a friend who also has two channels.

Does one device feed into the second then through the USB bus to Reaper or can you use two USB inputs?

I'd love to know how to do this -- thanks!

Quest The Wordsmith · 03-10-2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blmjr

Hi, I'd like to do the same thing but on a PC. I have a Focusrite 2 input USB interface and want to record w a friend who also has two channels.

Does one device feed into the second then through the USB bus to Reaper or can you use two USB inputs?

I'd love to know how to do this -- thanks!

PC's can't do this yet. We need this option for PC!

blmjr · 03-10-2012, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quest The Wordsmith

PC's can't do this yet. We need this option for PC!

I'm wondering if I could just use the mic pre's of the second device, heck I don't mind going analog out and into an effects port.

Has anyone tried this?