Not working on X32 (4.01)

[JP]

Hi
I have installed the test version of X32RaperAutomate to be used on a X32.
Program finds the X32 and ini file is adjusted to the PC IP address.
Reaper adjusted accordingly. New OSC file installed in the given directory and activated as in your video.
But, no reaction on faders. Some track names are transferred and Reaper starts to play and not possible to stop.

BR Jan

[Patrick]

Haven’t checked the unlicensed version for some time but there’s no reason from 3.11 to 4.0… 4.01 that the app would behave differently.

You say the app and REAPER connected; Good.

How do you get REAPER to start playing?
Are you expecting X32 faders to move when you move faders in REAPER tracks? Because this is not what this app is about.

-Patrick

[Patrick]

Hello,

I took the time to test tonight the unlicensed version with 4.02 FW, and all works as expected including REAPER controls from the X32 Transport buttons managed by the application. Please double check your settings, and do not hesitate to chime in if you still experience issues.

-Patrick

[JP]

Hi Patrick

Many thanks for looking into this.
I have rebooted PC, X32 in zero state, reaper 1 test track.
No it works and I can use the jogs, icon transfer from Reaper as described in you instructions.

I have a general questions.
I have played the drums for 45 years. Many years ago, I had my own recording studio. 24 track tape recorder with the price of a house.

Today I have build a studio again. I hoped that X32 could be the centre, but I fail to find instructions how to do that. (configure X32 / reaper)

I have had trouble with Reaper rendering was not equal to monitor. (Due to (my) wrong setting/routing through X32)
So I am stuck with reaper as the master and the x32 as an expensive A/D IO, with down mix setting from Reaper faders to track 1+2 on x32 and to monitor. All effects from reaper. This makes no sense.

I noted that in your videos Reaper has no track faders.
Meaning X32 is the centre.

I would like to use the X32 as master with „rack“ effects, Reaper as recording machine. Like in the OLD days. Meaning the X32 effects are not in the recording on the DAW (only in monitor), but added when rendering.
(Of course with the Reaper effects that can be switched on/off)

Do you know Where can I find block diagrams + descriptions to get that right? (how to set Reaper / X32 routing making the the audio flow right)
Eventually instructions to do the first recording / mix down in the right way.

BR Jan

[MJ Klein]

You may find my new articles useful:

http://phoenixmediaforge.com/x-dante-setup-part-1/

[Patrick]

Hello,

The X32 is more a “Live” console than a “Studio” one and I (and others) have tried to enable additional features or extend its capabilities through the use of external systems (applications or small HW add-ons).

X32ReaperAutoMate does what you’re after if I understand you correctly. REAPER and its audio tracks are “just” a tape recorder as seen by the X32 and X32ReaperAutoMate. when X32ReaperAutoMate runs, the audio is taken from REAPER through the X-USB or X-Live interface cards, and passed on to the X32 audio engine. All audio processing (to perform a Mix) is done in real-time on/with/in the X32. what X32ReaperAutoMate also provides is a full recording of X32 events, and this provides Mix automation on all parameters of the desk, with the capability to record automation, payback, save, restore, etc…

The setup is quite “simple” from a connection standpoint: Your PC is connected to the X32 using USB and provides audio from REAPER to the card inputs of the X32. Your X32 Routing must take the card inputs as input. Your PC is also connected to the X32 via Ethernet (wire or WIFI); This is for the control part, i.e. all the events the X32 will send as changes take place. Most of these events will be recorded by the program, while some of them will manage transport and synchronization of REAPER audio with X32 events.

What you get out of this setup is audio (a Mix) from the X32. Either you play/listen to it through monitors, or you record the result as a .wav file on USB stick.

Where this setup is not fully in line with your dream is that you cannot play and record audio from and to REAPER (your tape drive) simultaneously. This is a limitation of the X-USB or X-LIVE cards. As mentioned above, the recording of your Mix can be routed to the USB stick as a .wav file, which you can ‘manually’ re-import into REAPER and only then, use as new input.

As to getting REAPER audio to play in the X32, this is a Routing setup, so go in setup->routing and within the input tab, select the card as input, and ensure you have the bottom right tab set to “play”. If you’re using an X-Live, also ensure that the source is USB and not SD. This is similar to getting REAPER audio to play through your X32; No need to have X32ReaperAutoMate running for this.

Hope this helps,
-Patrick

[MJ Klein]

Today I have build a studio again. I hoped that X32 could be the centre, but I fail to find instructions how to do that. (configure X32 / reaper)

http://phoenixmediaforge.com/about-me-and-pfm-studio/

I have updated my studio and have installed a Dante audio network.  Some of what I wrote below no longer applies. But, please see the above linked article that explains how I use the X32 with Reaper in my studio.

---

I use my X32 as the centerpiece of my studio, and I do not use Reaper faders, pans, or plug-ins.

My card is set for 8/32 (misleading, but it means 32 channels OUT from Reaper, and 8 channels IN to Reaper).

The first 8 Mixbusses are configured as linked Subgroups, routed to Card outputs as 1 though 8. Anything placed on those Mixbusses will go to Reaper tracks that are assigned to those outputs (but called Inputs in Reaper). They act as stereo pairs 1+2, 3+4, 5+6, and 7+8, corresponding to how the Mixbusses are set up, they being links as pairs.

I arm tracks and select the input in the Reaper track I wish to use: 1 through 8. You must enable Monitor on the tracks to hear the audio. These must be mono inputs as each channel in the X32 is mono. If you need to record a stereo pair, you must use 2 tracks in Reaper. You can pan things within the mix to the Subgroup, like toms or guitars, and they will record properly as a stereo field on the 2 tracks in Reaper. Note: to facilitate mixdown, use an odd number track for Left, so you can Link them together (unless you move the audio item to other tracks later).

I’m using the smallest sample size I can get to achieve latency of around 5 to 6 ms (128). If your computer has a lot of processing power you may be able to use 64 as your sample size. If you hear any distortion or strange sounds, go up higher. At some point I’m going to a Dante network and then I can get 4ms latency.

I take my inputs and busses off the Stereo Bus, and I monitor the tracks being recorded, on the Stereo Bus. Panning in the Subgroups works and you can do some cool stuff like sub-mixes of tracks, with FX added if you like (you can put the FX returns into those Mixbusses to achieve that).

In order for this to work properly, you must enable “Preserve PCD delayed monitoring in recorded items.”

I can see at some point that I’m going to have to do some videos on how to use the X32 as a real recording console. Also, I am not opposed to providing my own standard Record and Mixdown scenes, which will set the X32 up properly for use.

[Patrick]

Hello MJ,

I sure look forward to these videos! 🙂
-Patrick

[Author]

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