Kyleguntharp provides a solution (which I haven't tried yet) and as far as I can tell it would work. He is also correct to point out that it would be better to EQ separately before the amp (Sigh, I need to buy a good EQ unit for this). Of course the Studio One internal FX allow one to access much more than just an EQ. He's also correct that there IS the potential for a latency problem. I only record one track at a time and my computer seems to handle that okay but his/her point is well taken.
In the meantime I worked out a signal path using a Sub out channel rather than a bus. I go into some detail so it is rather lengthly. Sorry. I will add that to my post tomorrow after I have reviewed it a couple times for accuracy.
Truthfully, I am in complete agreement with kyleguntharp in that it is much preferable to put a stand alone EQ before the amp rather than using Studio One as an external FX on one track while recording on another. Yet for those like myself who lack the resources to buy yet more equipment, the Studio One internal FX can, in a pinch, be used effectively for this purpose. Just my opinion.
Thanks for taking the time to help me out kyleguntharp. I appreciate your effort very much.
Here is my solution to this problem:
Here are my directions for 1. setting up a Sub Out Channel and 2. how to route the input signal so you can use Studio One internal effects on that channel, send the signal back out to an external processor (an amp or guitar FX etc.), and then route the signal back in to a second Track on which you will record. These directions go into much more detail than a seasoned user of Studio One 3 Professional would need. On the other hand, in depth directions might help a novice user of Studio One.
My recording system is an iMac which hosts Studio One 3 Professional. For my DI I use 3 daisy chained Firestudio Projects. I have a very small assortment of old rack FX and an old Mesa Boogie amp with a newer Cab Clone speaker emulator.
The basic signal path for using an internal Studio One 3 FX before my amp is as follows (this routing can also be adapted to insert a Studio One FX in the FX Loop of the amplifier): Guitar -- Firestudio Project DI -- the first Studio One track input (not the track to be recorded on but the one for inserting an effect) – Firestudio Project General Purpose Output located on the back panel – the guitar amplifier – amp cabinet/speaker emulator – Firestudio Project DI (obviously not the same channel as the first input) – a second Studio One track which will host the recorded track.
To set up the Sub Out Channel(s):
1. Open a song
2. Open Audio Setup (shortcut keys are Command/comma)
3. Select “Song Setup”
4. Select “Outputs”
5. At the bottom of this window select “add a sub” This can be either mono or stereo. Doing this will create a signal path from your “Sub Out” to the “General Purpose Outputs” on the back of the Firestudio Project. Decide which output(s) you want your Sub Out Channel to feed and then select one in the Song Setup/Outputs displayed in the Song Set Up/Outputs window (in my case I have 24 to select from because I have 3 Firestudio Projects). For example; if you want your Sub Out Channel on the Firestudio Project to be General Purpose Output #7 and #8 (for stereo out) simply select the line listing the Sub 1 Output line list in this window to create that signal path.
How to set up a track as a way of inserting an effect(FX) to an external signal source such as an amp simulator or the FX loop in an amplifier without recording it on that same track:
Basically I was looking for a way to put one of the Studio One internal FX in series with my instrument/guitar signal path before the signal went into my amp (or another guitar FX system). With this setup, after exiting the amp the signal would re-enter Studio One via the DI and be recorded on a different track which is completely separate from the first track used to insert the FX.
1. Create a song and open the Mix window. You should see the Outputs on the right side of the Mix window. There will be an output with a fader for the main output (labeled “To Output”) as well as an output for each Sub Out channel you created in the Song Setup preferences. If you don’t see all the Sub Out channels, (with your mouse) click and hold your cursor over the vertical separation line between Track faders section and Output faders section, then pull the separation line left to expand that portion of the Mix window which displays the output faders.
2. Add a track using your preferred method (enter “T”, pull down menu, use the + sign in the upper left tool list). In the track options window select the Input channel you want to use on the Firestudio Project (on the Firestudio Project you should choose channel 1 or 2 because they have the proper preamps for an instrument Input) as well as the Output. Output should be the Sub Out Channel you created earlier (Sub 1 or Sub 2 etc.….). Once the track you created is in place be sure to select the “Monitor” icon in the Track header so you can route (and hear) the signal going into that channel.
3. To add the FX: In the Mix window I usually keep both the Inputs and Outputs selected (selected in the lower left) so I can see the Input level as well as adjust the Track level after the Input. As you know, if you want to put an FX on the Input to the Track rather than on top of the recorded Track (so the input signal w/FX is recorded as you play it rather than simply played back with the recording and then Rendered later) the FX must go in the “Inserts” space over the appropriate Input channel level meter. So simply click and drag the chosen FX to the Insert window over the level meter for that channel. Make any adjustments to the FX before recording because you won’t be able to adjust it after the recording has been done.
4. Now you need to wire the output of this channel from your DI to your amplifier Input. The Sub Out faders will (based on your Setup in the Song Preferences for the Firestudio Outputs) list which Output is being used for your Track. The default output for a new track is “To Output” however, as selected in #2 above, when you set up this track you would have selected the appropriate Sub channel, Sub 1, Sub 2, etc. as the Output. On the back of your Firestudio Project run a patch cable from the General Purpose Output you chose to the input on your external device, your amp, an external FX system, amp emulator, whatever!
Check your signal. When you play your instrument you should see a signal on the Firestudio Project input (be sure to properly adjust the level on the Firestudio Project preamp). From there you will see a signal level on the Track Input meter, the Track level meter, the Sub 1 Out level meter, and the the input level meter/light on the device you are feeding, your amp, an external FX system, amp emulator, etc.
5. Make all the appropriate adjustments to your amp (or whatever) and then take the output from your amp, usually a microphone(s), an amplifier or cabinet speaker simulator, or an amplifier DI output (I use a Cab Clone on my Mesa Boogie amp) and run this to a second input on the Firestudio Project. Check the input level to the Firestudio Project.
6. Create a new, second Track in Studio One and use the amp input to the Firestudio Project as the input source. Leave the output set as the default, “To Output”.
7. Of course now you would make the various adjustments and settings to this second channel as just like you would any Track you want to record.
That’s it!
