Swappable mixers for mastering

[per]

Alexander, I sort of like Altiverb too and the user interface is great. BUT there is something funny going on when you e.g. try to make a downmix in computer time (not real time). There's a pop-up that pops up three times saying something like Altiverb is loading IRs... -- and then PMX crashes. So I can only do downmixing in real time with Altiverb. Maybe this is a Merging problem, but they say it's an AudioEase problem
My other convolution plug-ins don't have this problem.

I'm sorry if I took this thread in the wrong direction...
Cheers
Per

[fl]

Per and Alexander,

I can understand the crashing when using a processing and memory intensive plug-in like Altiverb. Izotope Ozone 5 also requires a lot of memory and processing power, and whenever I've crashed Pyramix by dragging a Library onto the mixer, it's been when either the old mixer state or the new one uses Ozone.

Studying the manual a little further, it appears that I was correct in my assumption that there are actually two different processes available when wishing to save and/or restore mixer states - the Preset (which uses the Library) and the Snapshot (uses the pop-up memu). According to the manual, Presets can be dragged from the open Library tab or window onto the mixer at any time and will update only those parameters common to both mixer states - if a mixer library containing 100 strips is dragged onto a project that is only using 10, only the first 10 strips will be changed and the remaining 90 will be ignored. Presets can also be accessed in the "Organize" tab of the Mixer, and Global Mixer Presets are those that are available when first creating a Project, and Pyramix asks you which mixer Preset you'd like to use. Plug-in parameters are not stored or applied by this method, so overall, it seems to be the less desirable alternative in this instance - being both less comprehensive, and requiring a disruptive mixer rebuild operation.

Snapshots appear to rely more on the Automation routines - although Automation Read/Write states need not be enabled for this to work manually. Because of this, Plug-in parameters, which are "automatable", can be changed along with all the other mixer settings. It is also, I suspect, why applying a different Mixer Snapshot requires less time than a full mixer rebuild, and is able to be applied while in playback or record - it's just the same as though an automation change were encountered at a specific point on the timeline, only in this case, it is manually applied. The snapshot method seems to be less disruptive (or crash-prone) than the Library/Preset method, although demanding plug-ins still slow the transition due to the loading time required (but still, not to the extent of a full mixer rebuild). If only there were a more elegant method of accessing the Snapshots than having to snake through the pop-up and its sub-menus - a macro, a key combination...

Just in passing, regarding IR reverb plug-ins, I have limited experience with Altiverb - finding some years ago that I was unable to incorporate IRs of my own creation/collection, even when they were in the designated file format. That, and the rather high purchase price got me looking at other alternatives, and for years I have been very happy with Christian Knufinke's SIR2 - http://www.knufinke.de/sir/sir2.php - although it is restricted to 2 channel use (but 0 latency!). For multi-channel IR Reverberation, I'd look at Voxengo's Pristine Space - http://www.voxengo.com/product/pspace/ - currently on sale for half price. For IR collection, I've been using Voxengo's Deconvolver - http://www.voxengo.com/product/deconvolver/ - which can create the necessary test/trigger signal and convert the resulting recordings to proper IRs which can be easily imported into either of the other IR Reverb plug-ins without issue. Most likely, both of you are familiar with all of these, but I mention them here for other interested readers.

[per]

Frank,

thank you. This was really useful information. I knew faintly about the drag and drop from library feature, although I haven't found it in the manual (got it from support). I have also craved the possibility to copy settings/routings from specific strips (including plug-ins) in other projects into my current project, but I don't think Merging has found that particularly useful (yet).

Talking about Altiverb, you can actually use any wav file as an IR. You can make some really interesting effects with that

Best
Per

[fl]

I have also craved the possibility to copy settings/routings from specific strips (including plug-ins) in other projects into my current project, but I don't think Merging has found that particularly useful (yet).

Yes, the methods we've been discussing seem to be "all or nothing", and if you only want to import a single mixer strip, that might require some involved contortions, such as making up a mixer with a single strip, with the required plug-ins and routing, and then saving that as a Library. Dragging that onto a larger mixer should only replace the first strip - leaving the others alone. Of course, the amount of fussing to get it positioned and associated with the proper track could mean that it's just easier to build the strip and install the plug-ins from scratch.

Talking about Altiverb, you can actually use any wav file as an IR. You can make some really interesting effects with that :)

Indeed - convolution is its own reward. One of the nicest reverbs is just pink noise as an IR (which is what I believe Lexicon used to come up with the "Ambience" program in the 480L era reverberators - a diffuse tail with no room cues). Maybe it's because I've been listening a lot to the band "Hammock", but infinite reverb has its appeal...

[Larry Elliott]

Here's a PDF of the same setup, with the I/O routing displayed. The forum does not allow PDF files to be uploaded, hence the external link.


https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1731497005/d ... 87a83e9961

gb

Hi Graemme

Can you re send this - I lost my copy

Thanks
L