Almost embarrassed to ask...

[ChromeBeast]

I have recording in a working studio a lot for my band. I just have not paid too much attention to some of the seemingly small details.

Background: I have an E-mu 1820 and use Cubase 4 Essentials as the host. Patchmix seems to be my current nemesis.

Question: Do I want to be able to hear my guitar playing through the PODxt using inputs 1L/1R while Cubase is not running?

I ask because I am at the point of learning to use the software were I want to turn off effects like delay and reverb in the PODxt and use VST effects instead. The reason is obviously to get better control and synced delay times, etc. BUT the kicker is I need to hear those effects (VST's) while, for example, playing a solo. All I seem to get is the signal from the PODxt while recording and then upon playback I can hear the VST's.

Here is a rough rundown:
Patchmix:
- Input for Dock 1L/1R - for PODxt with a Send to ASIO 1/2 and a peak meter.
- Output for ASIO 1/2

Cubase:
- VST Connections: Output Bus: ASIO 1/2 / Input Bus: PODxt

I create a new audio track. Set the inputs and outputs. Get a signal. (Remember I have been hearing the guitar since the PC turned on). It seems to me that I do not want to hear the guitar until I select the inputs and outputs. Kind of thinking too hard and it hurts. Remember, I am just a guitar player.

I know I got a little long winded. I suppose the main question still applies, but an further help would be awesome! Thanks in advance! In the meantime I am going to try to make sense of the Patchmix manual. Oh the terminology

[tacman7]

I use an 1820m also and I love patchmix. Took some time though.

It basically allows you to do anything you want to but you have to understand it first.

Lots of ways to do things. Just have to try them and see if it works for you.

What I was doing:

I used to use an outboard guitar modeling processor like pod. In that situation I plugged the guitar straight into the computer. But that can mean the front mix/line inputs or an external mic or guitar or tube preamp, lots of choices but get your guitar in there plain.

Setup an asio send in patchmix where the guitar comes in and a bus in Cubase to receive it. This strip in patchmix would be muted, you don't want to hear plain guitar.

Then you connect the pod, so you need an output going to where you plug a guitar in and the stereo out going to line ins on the back of the 1820m or use S/Pdif.
Once again you setup the Asio sends /VSTconnections for the I/O.

It helps if you use descriptive naming in patchmix and VSTconnections for each strip/bus to help you keep things straight. A written plan wouldn't hurt either. I make up flow charts in Visio to map my setup.

So you have a track recording the plain guitar sending it's output to the pod and your listening to the pod in patch mix where it comes in. You have a send on that strip so you can record the output of the pod later.

When you record dry, you can do a lot of takes in a loop and cut up the tracks and use parts from different takes to make a good solo. When done before modeling it's impossible to tell that it wasn't done in one take.

[ChromeBeast]

I suppose I am on the right path. To clarify, I do not use the PODxt as a USB Audio Interface. I go from the 1/4" Balanced Outputs on the PODxt to the back of the breakout box into Line 1L/1R. So it seems all I may have needed to do was mute the input strip in Patchmix.

[tacman7]

No, you can't use the usb interface unless you use that as your only interface in cubase.

Depends on what you want to do. So your going to record with FX? What I was describing is called "reamping". Record dry, add fx later, then you can change fx any time.

Sounds like your doing a 50/50 thing, record a modeled guitar and add fx in cubase.

You can hear the VST fx if you mute the patchmix and hear your guitar through cubase by pushing the monitor button on the track.

[ChromeBeast]

Thank you so much. I never thought that muting the Patchmix Strip would work. I assumed that it would mute the input.

I have it setup correctly now, or at least the way I want it. I am doing a 50/50 where I use an amp model and cabinet, but use VST's for the delay, reverb, compression, etc.

Actually, I just got done playing for once, and not learning gear!

Next action to tackle is editing the solos to piece them together. Any input would be great!

Thank you very much for your help!