VSTi Multichannel outputs - VU meters (NO BUG)

[DarkStar]

When you generate the multichannel outputs for a multi-output VSTi the audio output on the first channel pair triggers the VU meters on the original track and its own track.

The audio output on the other channel pairs trigger the VU meter on their own tracks only.

If you drop the fader on the first generated track and play the VSTi outputting to the first channel pair the VU meter on the original track is triggered (but there is no sound).

I did notice that the Master/Parent Send for the VSTi track was unticked.

Here's some screenshots (SampleTank is on Track 1):
a) playing the Instrument on channels 1+2 (Track 2)
b) playing the Instrument on channels 3+4 (Track 3)
c) playing the Instrument on channels 1+2, with the Track 2 fader down

[IMG]http://img361.**************/img361/7107/dsr24multi03wv5.th.png[/IMG]

Big pic:
http://img361.**************/img361/7...multi03wv5.png

[DarkStar]

OK, I wonder if this is only me.

Can anyone confirm that it happens?

If not where have I gone wrong with my routing?

[dazzathedrummer]

I know this - Im at work at the moment so I cant specifically tell you how to fix it.

As far as I can remember, you have to un-tick 'Master/Parent send' in the top left of the routing window for the VST track.

[DarkStar]

Bump, for comments.

[dazzathedrummer]

just checked, my last post was correct, un-ticking the box stops sound coming from the original VST track.

[DarkStar]

Yep the "Master/Parent Send" in unticked here too (done automatically when the output audio tracks are generated).

But, if audio is routed to the first output channel pair (and thence to the first generated output track) it also triggers the VU meter on the VSTi track.

And the Mute button on the VSTi track mutes all the generated audio tracks.

Tried this with 2 different samplers - for both the VSTI VU meters show the same odd reaction.

[I still reserve the right to have done something stupid.]

[gofer]

The meters of any track in Reaper will always show the content of their first two channels and only this as far as I know. It would indeed be nice to be able to change that.
I'd like to check the volumes on the other track channels with the meters too as well as the complete mix of all channels.

In the meantime I drag the volume fader of this track down to not be that confused. And I put the whole bunch of tracks into a folder working like a drumbus channelstrip.

The mute you speak of does mute the track containing the vsti, so I find it's ok that all audio coming out of the vsti is muted.

[dazzathedrummer]

mine works fine - not sure if i had to do anything elsewhere but unticking the 'master/parent send' does it for me using Proteus X.

[gofer]

I am normally not distrustful, but in your pic there is no signal on the first channel (would be the 'drums' track in your example). So it doesn't show that the issue doesn't occur for you.

[dazzathedrummer]

Originally Posted by gofer

I am normally not distrustful, but in your pic there is no signal on the first channel (would be the 'drums' track in your example). So it doesn't show that the issue doesn't occur for you.

just to clarify that, probably not a good example - there was nothing playing on the drum track at that point in time.

The VST is sending audio from midi ch1 to track 2 and midi ch2 to track 3 - I was just trying to show that there is no audio coming from the VST track even with monitor on and the fader up

[DarkStar]

@dazz,

that's the point
tracks >1 are Ok

- play your track 1 (Drums) and you will see the VU meters on that track and the VST track move
- as in the first part of my screenshot,
- but there is no audio coming from the VST track itself.

HTH

[dazzathedrummer]

ah, well there is the difference!

If I did play something on midi 1 -> Track 2, nothing shows in the VST VU.

Sounds like your VST is playing the 1/2 -> 1/2 send on the host track.

Have you tried deleting your track 2 and recreating it manually?

[DarkStar]

Deleting and recreating the first generated track give the same result.

Well, then I deleted the Send from the VSTi to the first generated track:

Here's what happens when I play MIDI on channel 1:
- MIDI played on channel 1, received on track 6 and Sent to the VSTi on track 1
- audio generated by the VSTI, outpu on its main output (-- in the GUI)
- this output would have been Sent to the track labelled "Main", but that Send is the one I deleted.

[IMG]http://img170.**************/img170/9632/dsr242vstivu01dz4.th.png[/IMG]

Big pic:
http://img170.**************/img170/9...stivu01dz4.png

- you can see VU meter action on the VSTi track both in the TCP and in the Mixer (this is the issue),
- but (correctly) no audio is output to my monitors (no action in the Master Mixer).

So, as gofer said:

The meters of any track in Reaper will always show the content of their first two channels and only this as far as I know. It would indeed be nice to be able to change that.

[dazzathedrummer]

The only difference that I can think of is that I have my midi notes on the VST track (I then create a folder and have separate midi on different tracks, where the VST is at the top of the folder) - perhaps my VU on the VST track isnt showing because of the midi on that track?

[labyrinth]

Maybe I am looking at this wrong, but in the last pic are the VSTi outputs routed correctly? (From the VSTi the outputs each look mono)

[dazzathedrummer]

that looks like it could be it - the 'SingBells' sample is not routed, is that the one that come out through the VST track?

[DarkStar]

Sorry, I should have explained it better.

'fraid not, in this version of Samplelord the 4 stereo Outputs are labelled:
-- which goes to the track's channels 1/2
1 which goes to the track's channels 3/4
2 which goes to the track's channels 5/6
3 which goes to the track's channels 7/8

[img]http://img518.**************/img518/3706/dsr242slioqn4.png[/img]

'Singbells' was the Send that i deleted.

[labyrinth]

You're playing the synth, it's not already recorded?

[DarkStar]

Either:
- played from my keyboard controller
- using MIDI Clips

[labyrinth]

Have no clue...maybe Schwa or Justin can chime in, if not coding.

[fuzzy]

yes i noticed this a couple of months ago and posted it here:
http://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=22484