Routing issues, Logic 8+Mackie Onyx 1620+Compressor rack

Question

Routing issues, Logic 8+Mackie Onyx 1620+Compressor rack

hey guys, I know the Logic apple forums may not be the most suitable place to post this, but I have tried a few more relevant websites to resolve this issue, but to no success.

With my set up, I connect my macbook straight to my mackie desk with one firewire cable, it allows me to send 16 signals and a stereo return down the one cable, then i monitor using KRK speakers attached to the desks main stereo outs at the back. So all straight forward there.

Today I received a TL Audio 5021 outboard compressor rack. For the life of me, I can't hook it up to my set up correctly for mastering. I want to master over-all mixes.

Its two channel. I have channel 1 output going into channel 9 on my desk. I have channel 2 output going in to channel 10 on my desk (line 9 and 10 share a channel strip on my desk, both using jack inputs for L and R). Then i have my desk's main out left going to the 5021's channel 1 input, and the desk's main out right going to the 5021's channel 2 input.

Obviously, with my set up, the more I turn up the main mix output, the more im feeding the channel i have the compressor inputed in to. So when i try to mute the main mix in logic to hear what im recording on 9-10, it all goes silent. Argh! That is very frustrating! I am not sure how i get around this?!

Is there some way of maybe changing the settings of the signal routing in logic to get around this?

I know this is probably all too confusing for you guys to work out without actually seeing the set up or being hands-on with it, but I am just a relative amateur in need of some guidance!

Many thanks for your time and patience in reading this and trying to help me!
Steve.

Message was edited by: skeletal_wreck

Macbook 2ghz Core 2 Duo 2gb RAM 120gb Hard Drive, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Oct 31, 2009 8:35 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 31, 2009 9:28 AM in response to skeletal_wreck

Steve:

Do you have more than one output pair option in Logic's 1-2 output? If so, using an unused I/O pair, insert the I/O plug-in in your Out 1-2 routed to (say) 3-4 for both inputs and outputs. Patch your TL into 3-4 externally, set the levels, and you're done. Bypassing (option-click) the I/O plug-in will enable you to hear the mix compressed or unprocessed.

If you only have one stereo out (I haven't used your mixer) I assume you have a spare pair somewhere either dedicated or master bus inserts? In which case, bring those back into a line in pair, and record the output back into Logic.

Hope this makes sense…

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Answer 2

Oct 31, 2009 10:09 AM in response to John Alcock

Thank you very much for your reply, and your time.

Although my desk has main stereo outs (outputs 1-2) AND main outs 3-4, my firewire set up only allows for one stereo return, so i guess because of this, in logic I am only offered the option 'Out 1-2' for each selected track.

ok, brainstorming here...

What if I connect my studio monitors directly to the compressors main outputs. Left speaker to the compressor output channel one, right speak to compressor output channel 2.

Then, run the main outs of the desk to the in's on the compressor.

Then to compare before/after effects of the compression settings, i just have to flick the bypass switch on the compressor unit ?

Then I would be left with the issue of recording the effected output. Perhaps I could do something in Logic like send the main stereo on a bus to a second logic stereo track and hit record?

I've over-thought this and im probably talking jibberish that makes no sense now - but if someone can please tell me if I'm way off track now or not? Thanks.
(and sorry about this lol).

Message was edited by: skeletal_wreck

Message was edited by: skeletal_wreck

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Answer 3

Oct 31, 2009 10:40 AM in response to skeletal_wreck

Here's another option. Route everything to an unused bus. Say Bus 1

On Bus 1, insert the I/O plug in, with the ins/outs set to 1-2. Set the bus 1 return aux output to 'no output.' Insert the TL in the Mackie master output inserts. I took a quick look at your Mackie FW options manual, and it looks as if that's doable.

Create a new stereo audio track. It's input will be set to Bus 1, output to 1-2

Arm the new audio track. For checking the TL, the I/O plug can be bypassed. Then record.

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Answer 4

Oct 31, 2009 10:59 AM in response to John Alcock

sorry i really have to ask another stupid question, what do you mean when you say insert the I/O plugin? Sorry ! I understood it all apart from that ! By the way I didn't expect you to go reading manuals for me, you are too kind! Thanks !

P.S
I tried the last set up I mentioned in my last post, although everything seems to look like its working I didn't hear any audible differences no matter how extreme the setting and the recorded version sounded identicle to the untouched version, leading me to belief its still not routed right.

I will try your set up now, once i fully understand you. Sorry!

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Answer 5

Oct 31, 2009 11:06 AM in response to skeletal_wreck

In Logic's channel strip, insert the I/O plug-in. You'll find it in the Inserts menu -> Utility -> I/O plug-in.

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Answer 6

Oct 31, 2009 11:19 AM in response to John Alcock

Ok, I have my logic session set up exactly as you recommend.

I'm not sure I have this physical connections right yet... I have my KRK Monitors connected to the 5021's outputs (left speaker to channel 1, right speaker to channel 2), and I have the Main Out jacks on the surface of my desk connected to the 5021's channel 1 + 2 inputs. This leaves the XLR main stereo out from the back of the desk untouched now since I removed to the monitors from it to connect them to the 5021.

At least the signal seems to be running threw everything correctly. However, pressing bypass on the I/O plugin still doesnt seem to have much effect apart from a slight volume difference, no matter how drastic i set the threshold and ratio on the compressor.

I guess I am too novice for this and should probably have a friend come look at the set up for me - i doubt if they will know any better than me though lol

Sorry for being irritatingly stupid about all this John !

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Answer 7

Oct 31, 2009 11:42 AM in response to skeletal_wreck

I'm not sure I have this physical connections right yet... I have my KRK Monitors connected to the 5021's outputs (left speaker to channel 1, right speaker to channel 2), and I have the Main Out jacks on the surface of my desk connected to the 5021's channel 1 + 2 inputs. This leaves the XLR main stereo out from the back of the desk untouched now since I removed to the monitors from it to connect them to the 5021.

That's where I think there may be a problem.

As you have it cabled at the moment, Logic is not getting a return from the Mackie's outputs. If you insert the TL into the master 1-2 on the Mackie I think it should work, with the master outs feeding the monitors. It also looks as if the Tape-in-out on the Mackie could be used too but I haven't found a routing diagram in the manual.

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