Could someone point me to a post or resource explaining the use case for Rack FX in Ableton?
Use Rack on a MIDI Track to GENERATE audio.
Use Rack FX on an Audio Track to PROCESS audio.
1 Like
You can do both at the same time!
2 Likes
True.
On a MIDI Track, first generate audio with Rack and then process it with Rack FX.
Okay… I am not visualizing how this is routed. Can I get an example of what modules I would use to take audio FROM Ableton and then have it come back with whatever FX I might use?
Maybe too much information, but this video explains it quite well. Scroll to the end to learn about the FX.
1 Like
I use Reaper, but Ableton should be the same. Add an effect, choose VCV, and patch whichever effect module you want to use into the audio module. ‘From Device’ goes to the inputs, outputs go back into ‘To Device’ and the audio driver should be set to DAW. Then you just use it like any other VST effect. The real advantage of this is using all the modulation options you get with modular - randomness, sample and hold, cross-patching LFOs and using audio rate, patching in feedback to delays etc. Here’s a really simple example using Plateau reverb:
2 Likes
Ah yes, this man is a treasure. And indeed I have been through this video. I’m getting old and need repetition to remember things now a days!
1 Like
Hah! I almost had it but was silly enough to try it with 2 AUDIO modules instead of just using the one as you show. Thank you very much.
1 Like
Cheers, I make a lot of effects patches. Usually with the standalone version but obviously the use case you asked about is designing custom VCV effects, and being able to use them as insert FX in your DAW, which is very powerful. I don’t use a DAW that often, but one module I load in this way is VCV Soundstage. I haven’t seen any VST reverb does the same thing, and being able to randomly modulate it so easily is great.
1 Like
ooo! Yes I have to try that one. Thanks for planting the seed!