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“Printing” a Software Instrument in
Pro Tools using IK Multimedia’s SampleTank 2
One of the most common questions I am asked
is how to record software instruments onto individual audio
tracks in Pro Tools 7. But why do such a thing? Well, one
of the best reasons is that once you commit to the MIDI performance
triggering the software instrument, you can reclaim precious
CPU cycles by recording the output of the software instrument
as audio and deactivating the plug-in. In addition, if you
need to collaborate with someone who doesn’t have that
particular plug-in (or sample library) installed on their
rig, then you have to render it as audio if you want them
to be able to work with it in the mix.
This week, I will discuss just how to do this using IK Multimedia’s
SampleTank
2.
For the full scoop on SampleTank 2, check out the reviews on audioMIDI.com – there
are actually three of them.
For this example I have setup four Instrument tracks, each
containing a MIDI sequence – Cellos, Violas, Staccato
Violas and Staccato Violins.
1. On the first Instrument track (IK Cellos), click on the
first Insert and choose Multi-Channel RTAS Plug-In > Instrument > SampleTank
2.x.
2. If it is not already displayed, choose Edit > Mix
Window > Instruments. Use the MIDI Input selector on the
Instruments view of the track to choose your MIDI Controller.
The the MIDI Output selector on the Instruments view of the
track should automatically be set to SampleTank 2.x 1 > Channel
1, indicating that it is assigned to the first channel of
the first instantiation of SampleTank 2.
3. Load a sound into the first channel of SampleTank
2 by double-clicking a sound in the patch browser on the
right side of the plugin. I have chosen Strings > Cello > Slow
Cellos Section for this track.
4. Repeat the steps above for the remaining
three Instrument tracks, instantiating SampleTank 2 on each
track, and assigning the appropriate sound.
Notice that MIDI Output for each Instrument
track is automatically assigned to the new instantiation
of SampleTank 2. For example, the fourth Instrument track
(Staccato Violins) is assigned to SampleTank 2.x 4 > Channel
1, indicating that it is assigned to the first channel of
the fourth instantiation of SampleTank 2.
5. An Instrument track is not capable of recording
audio, therefore, we need to create Audio tracks to use for
recording the output of each Instrument track onto. Choose
Track > New and create 4 Stereo Audio tracks.
For this example, I have positioned an Audio
track next to each Instrument track.
6. On the first Instrument track (IK Cellos), click on the
Output selector and choose Bus 1-2.
7. On the first Audio track (Audio 1), click
on the Input selector and choose Bus 1-2.
We have routed the output of the Instrument
track to the input of the Audio track using a Bus, which
is just a pathway in the Pro Tools mixer.
8. Repeat step #6 and #7 for the remaining
three Instrument and Audio tracks, routing the output of
each Instrument track to the input of each Audio track using
a new bus for each pair of tracks (e.g. Use Bus 3-4 to route
the output of the second Instrument track (IK Vioals) to
the input of the second Audio track (Audio 2), and so on.)
9. Click the Record Enable (and Input button
for TDM systems) for each Audio track to enable the recording
and monitoring of the Instrument tracks through the Audio
tracks.
10. Start recording in Pro Tools and the output
of each Instrument track will be recorded to the assigned
Audio track in real-time.
11. Once you have recorded the Instrument tracks
onto the Audio tracks and no longer need to use SampleTank
2 for playback, you can select each Instrument track and
choose Track > Make Inactive.
Check out the difference before and after making
the Instrument tracks inactive on my system – quite
a difference, which means more processing for effects while
mixing!
Northern
California Pro Tools Users – Mark Your Calendars
Join us at Cogswell College (Sunnyvale, CA) on March 2nd
at 7:00PM for a free night of Pro Tools shenanigans with
Tony Shepard, one of the top mixers in the world. His credits
include: Whitney Houston, Back Street Boys, Lionel Richie,
Madonna, Kenny Loggins, Neil Diamond, Take 6 , Michael W.
Smith, Chicago and Elton John. Tony is working on an upcoming
DVD about mixing in Pro Tools, so this is a great opportunity
to ask questions from a real professional looking to share
his chops. Learn more about the Northern California Pro
Tools Users Group.
Pro Tools Tidbits for the Week
- Digidesign is
shipping Xpand! a
free plug-in for Pro Tools 7. (RTAS)
- Unfortunately, Digidesign
is no longer including the Pro Tools 7 update as part of
theupcoming toolkits as
previously announced. Pro Tools 7 is still required for
using the Music Production toolkit and DV Toolkit 2. (RTAS)
- Digidesign
has announced that Intel-based Mac–compatible versions
of Pro Tools LE and Pro Tools M-Powered will soon be available.
- Eventide
has extended the
Anthology II Free Upgrade Program to February 28, 2006.
(TDM)
- FXpansion has released VST
to RTAS Adapter 2.0 ,
which has been optimized for working with VST effects plug-ins
and VST Instruments in Pro Tools 7 TDM, LE and M-Powered.
(RTAS)
- Waves has included Q-Clone in the Diamond Bundle, and is a free download for
current Diamond Bundle owners with current WUP coverage.
(TDM/RTAS)
If you have a Pro Tools related question that you would
like me to take a shot at answering or have any feedback,
please send it to scott@audioMIDI.com. I will do my best
to select the questions that seem to stump the most people.
As always, stay tuned to the audioMIDI.com eNews for the latest reviews and new product info.
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