Hello all,
Currently I am configuring a new hybrid (daw-ish not dawless) I am pretty new and learning as i go and looking for some tips and or advice on how to configure it.
the setup
-Digitakt (drums and midi control)
-Hydrasynth (controlled by MIDI out digitakt maybe ableton also?)
-ableton (with an OG push) to run some soft syths
-midi controller (arturia2) maybe on the fly keys via soft or hydra not sure if both is possible
-launch control for mixing and macros
-audio interface (arturio audiofuse)
my main question at this point is
does it matter or are there benefits/downsides to connecting the syth and digi to audio-interface vs computer. I will have a total of 5 ports on my computer plus 2 (on the Interface)
im thinking 2 versions and im not sure if it matters which way and dont know
Options 1
Computer ports
audio interface
digitakt
hydrasynth
push
and then from audio interface connect launch control and midi controller
options 2
audio interface
push
midi controller
4 launch control
and then have the Digi +Hydra go into the audio interface
at the core of my question, is it better one way or another for hardware into the audio interface or computer.
also i should say I plan to run individual tracks from the digi outputs and hydra to record into ableton.
any advise is appreciated
or ifd theres a better solution please let me know
thanks in advance
Which Audiofuse from Arturia do you have? How many inputs does it have?
Regarding direct to computer or via audio interface:
There is no good or bad way, both will sound good. The difference is mainly in the workflow.
If you use Overbridge you’ll get all tracks separately into your DAW but working with the send effects becomes a bit different. Overbridge is probably the most flexible to work with but it depends on what you prefer.
Since you have enough inputs on your audio interface, I would connect both the Hydrasynth and the Digitakt outputs to the interface. Your interface has some extra outputs which I would use as sends if possible and run them to the Digitakt inputs. This way you can run the Hydrasynth through the Digitakt if needed but it still has it’s own connection.
So DT and HS output to line inputs 5, 6, 7 and 8. Aux out or half inserts from insert 1 and 2 to DT input(if routable). But watch out for feedback loops!
Connecting it this way also allows you to use the Digitakt with or without Overbridge.
MIDI & USB:
The Digitakt USB is best connected directly to the computer without a hub when in Overbridge mode. For MIDI only it doesn’t matter.
The Push is also probably best connected directly to the computer without a hub, since it’s not a regular midi controller.
The other midi controllers I would connect to the USB hub in the Audiofuse cause that seems more convenient.
If the Hydrasynth has both USB and DIN MIDI - which I assume it does - I would connect the USB to the Audiofuse hub or the computer. This way you can use the DIN ports if you want to do some standalone stuff in combination with the Digitakt.
this is very helpful thank you very much.
the send outs is a great recommendation but abit over my head at the moment I will look into that though. finally you mentioned a hub, since I have enough ports atm would you still recommend overhub? and finally i will dig into overbridge as I get this setup. thanks again very much
No, I would not advise Overhub and neither does Elektron I think. It was meant for the older devices with USB 1.1, it is not advised with the new USB 2.0 devices like Digitakt.
All Overbridge devices should preferably be connected directly to the computer.
Also...
Overhub has micro-USB 3.0, which is a crime against humanity.