Using VCV Rack in Ableton to send/receive signals from modular

[millsdg]

I have been using the VCV Rack standalone version to send and receive signals to and from my modular through the ES-9 interface, but when I try this in Ableton, it is not so simple. When I use in Ableton, VCV only offers the option of a DAW interface, whereas in the standalone version I can select my ES-9. This means I am having to route signals into Ableton, and then to Rack, rather than directly in the standalone version. Is there any way round this? I upgraded to Rack Pro for the purposes of using it as a VST in Ableton, but so far it seems I cannot use it as easily and effectively as I was with the standalone application. I am using Windows 11. Thanks.

[steve]

Solution in this thread I think:

Vcv in daw can’t send cv to Expert Sleepers

I used VCV standalone together with Expert Sleeper ES-8 to work with my analog gear. To expand my possibilities I switched to pro and use it in Bitwig / Ableton. Now Asio is switched to DAW and I can not send cv out of vcv to the ES-8 which completely beats the purpose of buying pro. As a way around I sent cv to audio tracks and send it to ES-8 from there. But I can’t select mono only stereo busses and it’s messy. There must be an easier way. I hope… (I work on windows 10) Any help is very welco…

[Wanterkeelt]

I don’t have Rack Pro yet, but I am at the edge of buying it. I use the Expert Sleepers ES-3 to send CV and Gate to my Eurorack. Concerning your problem, can you not add 2 audio devices and choose DAW in one, and your ES-9 in the other? Now I am a bit worried about my own situation. Unfortunately there’s no demo version to try this BEFORE buying the Pro version

[millsdg]

Thanks for your help but unfortunately this didn’t work

[millsdg]

No, I am not able to select my ES-9 at all. I am only given the option of selecting DAW. I’ve just spent a lot of money on upgrading to Rack Pro for the purposes of using in Ableton but the fact I couldn’t use my ES-9 with the VST makes this more of a downgrade!

[steve]

You can always use the DAW driver in the plugin to route audio/CV into an ableton track from the plugin, then route it from there out to your ES-9. It’s not quite as convenient as sending out directly from the plugin but it will work.

[millsdg]

Thanks yes I’ve been doing that. Just a shame as in the standalone it’s seamless

[steve]

Please see below:

@steve

It seems there is quite a significant bug in Rack Pro 2.2.0 that prevents audio drivers other than DAW being accessible to the Rack plugin.

In Rack 2.1.2 I can access my Mac’s Core Audio driver (and therefore my Expert Sleepers) directly from the audio module in the VST2 plugin. In 2.2.0 that Core Audio option is not available.

I reported this to VCV this morning but am posting it here as it seems quite a lot of people are wondering what is up and wasting their time / pulling their hair out trying to get access to their Expert Sleepers etc from the plugin - particularly PC users for whom it is not easy to get that set up even when Rack is working properly - which it is not…

I had to revert back to 2.1.2 to get access to Core Audio and Expert Sleepers again from the plugin.

[millsdg]

Thank you! Apologies but I can’t seem to find the download link for 2.1.2 Pro (Windows) - are you able to share?

[Jens.Peter.Nielsen]

Rack development blog

VCV Rack 2.1.2 preview Rack Free 2.1.2: Windows / Mac / Linux Rack Pro 2.1.2: Windows / Mac / Linux (Links only valid if purchased) Changelog Support for feature requests and bug reports

[steve]

Interested to know if you get it working with 2.1.2 so please let us know if you are successful and what your driver settings are etc so we can leave concise instructions for other PC users in the same boat.

You’ll still need to take into account the issues with ASIO and the ES-9 settings discussed earlier, but it should at least be possible with 2.1.2, whereas with 2.2.0 it’s not.

[artmineur13]

Hello, Idem for Mac, i can’t moove from core audio to DAW, im back on 2.1

[millsdg]

Thank you for this. Unfortunately limited success.

I can get inputs directly from the ES-9 through Wasapi - as you can see in the screenshot (I cannot get ASIO in Rack and I have selected both ASIO and ASIO4ALL in Ableton). However the sound isn’t perfect. I only get 2 outputs though, which I use to send to headphones, so am unable to use the 8 outputs on my ES-9 to send any CV or audio.

I am in contact with VCV Rack support over this and will post any update if there is success.

Thanks again for all your help.

[millsdg]

Update: VCV support tell me this issue has been fixed for the next issue of Rack which will be released soon.

[Wanterkeelt]

Fantastic news

[ryan]

Hey guys dont wanna be a debbie downer but i just downloaded the 2.2.2 update and the same problem still occurs… There simply is no option to use ASIO driver for ES9 within the plugin version, and again works perfectly in standalone. Takes deep breath! So frustrating!