MOTU UltraLite-mk3 Hybrid User Manual page 65

Effects processing and automated mixing
Reducing latency with the buffer size setting has
another benefit: it lets you route live inputs through
the real-time effects processing and mix
automation of your audio software.
CUEMIX FX HARDWARE MONITORING
The UltraLite-mk3 has a more direct method of
patching audio through the system. This method is
called CueMix FX. When enabled, CueMix
activates hardware patch-thru in the
UltraLite-mk3 itself. CueMix FX has two
important benefits:
First, it completely eliminates the patch thru
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delay (reducing it to a small number of samples —
about the same amount as one of today's digital
mixers).
Secondly, CueMix FX imposes no strain on the
■
computer.
The trade-off, however, is that CueMix FX
bypasses your host audio software. Instead, live
audio inputs are patched directly through to
outputs in the UltraLite-mk3 itself and are mixed
with disk tracks playing back from your audio
software. This means that you cannot apply
plug-ins, mix automation, or other real-time
effects that your audio software provides. But for
inputs that don't need these types of features,
CueMix DSP is the way to go.
On the other hand, if you really need to use the
mixing and processing provided by your audio
software, you should not use CueMix FX. Instead,
reduce latency with the buffer setting (as explained
earlier in this chapter).
TWO METHODS FOR CONTROLLING
CUEMIX FX
There are two ways to control CueMix FX:
With CueMix FX
■
R E D U C I N G M O N I T O R I N G L A T E N C Y
From within your host audio software (if it
■
supports direct hardware monitoring)
You can even use both methods simultaneously.
Using CueMix FX
If your host audio software does not support direct
hardware monitoring, you run CueMix FX side-
by-side with your audio software and manage your
monitor mix in CueMix FX.
CueMix FX allows you to create up to eight
separate UltraLite-mk3 monitor mixes, or any
other desired routing configurations. These
routings are independent of your host audio
software. For complete details, see chapter 11,
"CueMix FX" (page 67).
Controlling CueMix FX from your audio
software
Some audio applications allow you to control
CueMix FX monitoring from within the
application (without the need to use CueMix FX).
In most cases, this support consists of patching an
UltraLite-mk3 input directly to an output when
you record-arm a track. Exactly how this is
handled depends on the application.
The following applications are among those that
support direct control over CueMix FX:
Digital Performer
■
AudioDesk
■
CueMix FX routings that are made via host
applications are made "under the hood", which
means that you won't see them in CueMix FX.
However, CueMix FX connections made inside
your host audio software dovetail with any other
mixes you've set up in CueMix FX. For example, if
your host application routes audio to an output
pair that is already being used in CueMix FX for an
entirely separate mix bus, both audio streams will
simply be merged to the output.
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