Hello, lately I am tinkering with CamillaDSP on Linux Mint (latest kernel) and a Focusrite 8i6 usb interface, the software is very nice and I got it to run, but I do have problems to solve with Alsa and Pulseaudio, and the troubleshooting is very timeconsuming. So I was thinking if it would be possible to run and configure a DAW like ProTools (that I have installed) with plugins and a multichannel usb card? The entry ProTools is also free. I use ProTools for my homestudio and it works multichannel out of the box (Windows only, that is the sad part) and routing, eq, delay etc. should be no problem. Low latency, as much tracks (channels) as you want and your computer can handle. If you f.e. have a 4 channel output card you can route 4 tracks to those outputs. Inputs are also no problem, as the software is designed to actually record something and monitor the process of recording, and send audio to busses or other channels. So I do not see specific hurdles to configure a DAW as a DSP for use as a DSP crossover for an active speaker system. With a plethora of plugins available, you can create anything that is required. Any thoughts, someone already doing this? I am certainly planning to give it a try.
It certainly sounds perfectly feasible. The one problem I can think of is that you'll have to boot up your system, load the entire DAW environment and then load the project configuring your crossover every time you want to play music. Of course you could just build a dedicated system for it and leave that running 24/7, if you don't mind the power bill.
Yeah, ergonomy is the issue, otherwise it works, i'm doing it for more than ten years now on one of my prehistoric config ( run on win XP!).
That said there is much simpler configuration availlable now:
https://accuratesound.ca/hang-loose-convolver-hlc/
Paired with Hangloose host, a dedicated small pc ( i bought a dell mini pc dm800 for this) is my next move.
That said there is much simpler configuration availlable now:
https://accuratesound.ca/hang-loose-convolver-hlc/
Paired with Hangloose host, a dedicated small pc ( i bought a dell mini pc dm800 for this) is my next move.
I tried CamillaDSP on Mint and got it to work with PulseAudio, but some of the soundcard config was only available via Alsa. It took some work and it was not a clean user model for me.
What about Equalizer APO ? other than needing Windows.
What about Equalizer APO ? other than needing Windows.
No ASIO support which as Camilla dsp is a severe limitation.
Carla seems to have taken inspiration from Bidule. Could had been worst. Do you use it Flo1K? It's stable?
Carla seems to have taken inspiration from Bidule. Could had been worst. Do you use it Flo1K? It's stable?
For me it's stable. For headless operation you can start pre-saved signal flows from cli and remote control the parameters via a network connection.
I did some experimenting with ProTools (a free version like Intro will do fine) and with a simple four mono track config I was able to create a two way crossover via the four output channels and time delay that could be set per sample resolution. I did not succeed in using the loopback channels of the Focusrite interface though, so the music has to come from another input instead from a virtual input f.e. a browser on the same computer.
You vould use VB Cable to route all audio to the DAW via a virtual cable. Some interfaces can do this internally as well.
https://vb-audio.com/Cable/
I have had crossover via DAW, stand alone VST host and Equalizer APO. It works, but it will never be as userfriendly as a standalone solution
https://vb-audio.com/Cable/
I have had crossover via DAW, stand alone VST host and Equalizer APO. It works, but it will never be as userfriendly as a standalone solution
ASIO is nice to use.
Fot this. I used the free version of Toptens Cantabile 4.0 with VST plugins some time. Works fine on Windows and ASIO. It has a nice interface and easy routing options.
For the cross-over I used the Dual Linkwitz-Riley Filters from Christian Budde, he has other filters as well.
I did the audio routing in windows with VB-Audio Hi-Fi Cable and Flexasio.
Fot this. I used the free version of Toptens Cantabile 4.0 with VST plugins some time. Works fine on Windows and ASIO. It has a nice interface and easy routing options.
For the cross-over I used the Dual Linkwitz-Riley Filters from Christian Budde, he has other filters as well.
I did the audio routing in windows with VB-Audio Hi-Fi Cable and Flexasio.
I am aware of that, but if you can put the PC in suspend mode after listening and resume with a press on the power button, that should be fine with me. My real power hungry devices in my system are the tube amps 🙄
It's more that freeware get obsolete. Then you need to find other options. Windows updates might screw things up. For at stable set-up I will recommend paid solutions
That is the reason i suggested Mitchba Hangloose convolver/host: you can have a script for it to load preconfiguration at startup, and you'll never be limited by anything as it's thougt to be used with FIR filter ( crossover but you can add as many eq you could wish even 'room correction' if you want to).
And Mitch is easily accessible ( he is member here (Mitchba) and he answer emails) and his plug sees upgrade and such.
That said if you want to test DAW and plugs are easy to setup if you are used to your DAW. Reaper is a nice zero cost solution too.
And Mitch is easily accessible ( he is member here (Mitchba) and he answer emails) and his plug sees upgrade and such.
That said if you want to test DAW and plugs are easy to setup if you are used to your DAW. Reaper is a nice zero cost solution too.
Thanks krivium, yes Hangloose is a complete solution for applications like this, especially with a multichannel DAC. I have checked it, however I think it is overkill for my application. What I want is to augment my present miniDSP with some extra channels to be able to experiment with various bass management solutions. The minidsp provides a spdif output which can function as an input for the PC to the Focusrite 4 channel output for bass. I am also checking out the other solutions that have been provided, very nice to know about Carla etc. Maybe a DAW is a simple but not permanent solution, we'll see. Busy tinkering 🙂
To update and to conclude this topic: I tinkered around with my DAW and it is entirely possible to use a DAW as crossover. But it is likely also not very convenient. I managed to get camilladsp working on Mint with the Focusrite 8i6 and be able to have two inputs and four outputs with lowpass filtering and delay. ALSA only, but that is no problem in my application. This is what I need and I think camilladsp is a great piece of software once you get it to run, so very likely I will stick to it. Thanks for all the tips above, I'll keep them in my toolbox 🙂