Posted
I had some problems a while ago when recording using transient drones. The timing was out making it impossible to use. The issue was not resolved so unfortunately I had to abandon the use of transient drones.
I'm now working on a project using the Engine, and at the moment it has some basic GM 'guide' drums. I now want to use EZ Drummer 2 to compose the proper drum track, but obviously I can't do that within Synfire if I want to take full advantage of EZ's capabilities.
Therefore, the plan was to compose the drums in Cubase and sync the Synfire project with it. That should work well, or so I thought.
Now, the timing is ever-so-slightly out; Synfire is playing slightly ahead of Cubase. It doesn't get progressively worse which means they're running at the same tempo, but obviously it sounds a complete mess with the drums playing back late.
Is it a sound card issue? I don't think so. I'm using a Saffire Pro 14 interface, and varying the buffer size does not fix it. I've also tried using ASIO4All at both ends together, plus a mixture of the two. Still doesn't fix it.
Is it an issue with my setup? Possibly, but I don't have a clue where to start. I've never had any issues like this before, but I've not seem anybody else complaining. I wonder how many people sync successfully?
Is it a Synfire issue? Again, possibly but I've no idea at all.
The point is, I'm stuck again. I will have to re-think my workflow again.
Mo., 24.11.2014 - 11:57 Permalink
Synfire is playing slightly ahead of Cubase.
This would be impossible, as Synfire isn't playing anything at all. It feeds the MIDI stream to the drones ahead of time. Then Cubase plays all of it in perfect sync with anything else also hosted in Cubase.
Avoid running Cubase and Synfire's Audio Engine in parallel: Make sure all your arrangement's instruments are hosted in Cubase in a drone.
Mo., 24.11.2014 - 12:28 Permalink
This would be impossible, as Synfire isn't playing anything at all.
I don't understand that statement. I already said I'm using the engine, not drones, so Synfire is playing through the engine.
I previously had problems using drones (transient) for recording so decided to revert back to using the engine. I realise that at some point, I will have to start using standard drones when the project is almost finished. But I'm not at that point yet, and I just wanted to compose the drums in EZ Drummer 2.
Avoid running Cubase and Synfire's Audio Engine in parallel
Sorry, I didn't realise that was a limitation. I was also planning to do some audio recording in Cubase while still using the engine. But it seems that's not possible either?
Mo., 24.11.2014 - 15:45 Permalink
I didn't realise that was a limitation.
Two separate programs will run at the same tempo, but never exactly start at the same time. Perfect timing is ensured only if all instruments are hosted in the same program (Engine or DAW).
I was also planning to do some audio recording in Cubase while still using the engine. But it seems that's not possible either?
Not with perfect sync.
What is keeping you from loading EZ Drummer in Synfire?
Mo., 24.11.2014 - 16:33 Permalink
What is keeping you from loading EZ Drummer in Synfire?
EZ Drummer 2 has its own 'song track' where you build the midi patterns, and you can dynamically alter them, all within the VST itself. This includes adding or subtracting hits, adding percussion, etc. There are many other things you can do in it without ever leaving the VST, and it's all very intuitive.
You would lose these capablities within Synfire and would be stuck with the standard patterns that would require manual amendment.
I suppose the ideal solution would be to allow a VST (such as this one) to be used in Synfire without it being tied to a specific track. But I'm guessing that's not possible.
Mo., 24.11.2014 - 16:55 Permalink
I suppose the ideal solution would be to allow a VST (such as this one) to be used in Synfire without it being tied to a specific track. But I'm guessing that's not possible.
Well I take that back! I didn't even think of trying it in Synfire but it works perfectly!
All I needed to do was add it in a rack, use the 'song track' in the VST and it automatically syncs with Synfire! Absolutely wonderful!
At least I learnt today that you can't run the engine and the DAW at the same time :)
Thanks for you help again Andre, now back to my arrangement!