• Registered: 2012-03-11
  • Posts: 25

Topic: Using the VoiceLive 2 with prerecorded songs in Cubase

I just recently bought the VoiceLive 2, and am about to connect it to my Cubase 5 DAW.
My equipment:
*TASCAM DM4800 digital mixer/controller with intergrated FW soundcard. MIDI IN and MIDI OUT is intergrated in that soundcard as well.
* CME UF7 midi-keyboard, with only MIDI OUT on it.
* Windows 7 64-bits.
* I have also installed the AISO4ALL version 2, in  addition, I also have the IF-FW/DM MKII-driver for the TASCAM-mixer.

I have set it up, so I now have ONE channel in use for the VOICELIVE 2.

How do I set it up so I can use pre-recorded vocals via USB in my VoiceLive 2 for my CUBASE?  I found this link: http://support.tc-helicon.com/entries/2 … ls-via-usb , but when I look at the video that Tom Lang made, this link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbWqgr6Ot0U , it all looked so easy to use, cuz how can I do like he does- like playing back the background song, and then record the harmony part while the song is playing?

Another thing, when I sing LEAD vocals, even though I turn down the faders, and playing back the vocals, it sounds "distorted", and not so nice quality.....Any suggestions here?

  • Registered: 2011-03-25
  • Posts: 226

Re: Using the VoiceLive 2 with prerecorded songs in Cubase

Hey Toreleiren,

It takes some getting used to in order to get good sounds out of the VL2.

I mean the harmony parts. I use it for straight vocal processing now and really like it for that alone. On some things I put very slight amount of harmony which can add to the voice.

Go over the manual and get the usb thing working first. I use S/Pdif on a loop.

So I have the VL2 setup as an external instrument in cubase and add it to a vocal sub bus as an insert.
The vocal sub bus has all the fx used for vocals. That way any track you send to that bus will get that processing.

A vocal track has a monitor button used to switch from listening to the live mic or the recorded track. With that setup I play back a track after recording it and it sounds just like it did when I recorded it.

The simplest setup I can think of which I would do to test a setup is to add a bus in VSTconnections in cubase set to your usb output and set the output of a prerecorded vocal track to that bus.

  • adargy
  • VC New Member
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  • Registered: 2012-03-12
  • Posts: 3

Re: Using the VoiceLive 2 with prerecorded songs in Cubase

hello everybody

where can email me the sys file for the voicelive2? i have upgrade with the beta test and now, my machine is out of order...
please help me
thank you
André

  • From: Victoria, BC
  • Registered: 2011-07-25
  • Posts: 2,092

Re: Using the VoiceLive 2 with prerecorded songs in Cubase

heya toreleiren,

I deleted the copy post from "In the studio". Please don't duplicate posts in multiple threads. It makes it hard for people to focus their help.

Cheers,
Craig

Craig @ TC-Helicon's Website

  • Registered: 2012-03-11
  • Posts: 25

Re: Using the VoiceLive 2 with prerecorded songs in Cubase

Tacman7 wrote:

Hey Toreleiren,

It takes some getting used to in order to get good sounds out of the VL2.

I mean the harmony parts. I use it for straight vocal processing now and really like it for that alone. On some things I put very slight amount of harmony which can add to the voice.

Go over the manual and get the usb thing working first. I use S/Pdif on a loop.

So I have the VL2 setup as an external instrument in cubase and add it to a vocal sub bus as an insert.
The vocal sub bus has all the fx used for vocals. That way any track you send to that bus will get that processing.

A vocal track has a monitor button used to switch from listening to the live mic or the recorded track. With that setup I play back a track after recording it and it sounds just like it did when I recorded it.

The simplest setup I can think of which I would do to test a setup is to add a bus in VSTconnections in cubase set to your usb output and set the output of a prerecorded vocal track to that bus.

Hi, Tacman7!Thanks for the advice. I have a few questions about this matter and some other things as well....

1) Today, I made the MIDI connections, so that I will use my keyboard for putting the harmonies LIVE into Cubase to an available stereo audio track. But what happens is that, when I am playing back my recorded fiel, and I am trying to listen to what I recorded, the sound is so wacky....It sounds like T-pain effect or Hard-tune....So, I don't know if there is something in the setup, or inside the edit-function that needs to be adjusted??

2) As I have this Tascam mixer, I have a hard time in finding out how to route my signals back to the VL2....So, I think, if I am gonna use the harmonize upon pre-recorded vocal tracks, it seems that using it as an insert is the easiest way for me, so I don't waste my precious time in finding out more about the Tascam DM4800, if noone els can help me with that...
            * When I try to make a new External FX in Cubase, and connecting the AISO4ALL-driver into the AUDIO DEVICE-field, and make the SENDBUS1 be connected with VoiceLive2 1 for the Left, VoiceLive 2 2 for the Right Device Port, and also the same for the Returns, what happens is that all the INPUTs and OUTPUTs gets disconnected....Why is that happening?

Other than that, the VoiceLive 2 is a very handy tool, and makes my backing vocals sit tight in a mix...

Hope someone will help me with this issues, cuz the Norwegian Importer, has helped me getting started with the other things, but this thing with Cubase, he got stuck, cuz he didn't know so much about Cubase....

  • Registered: 2011-03-25
  • Posts: 226

Re: Using the VoiceLive 2 with prerecorded songs in Cubase

>>use my keyboard for putting the harmonies LIVE into Cubase

Not sure what you're saying there...
I use a midi signal to control the harmonies in the VL2.

Not sure what's going on with the strange effects.

#2 would be solved if you get ext fx working and if you monitor through cubase, your live or playback could go to the VL2.

What that usually requires for me is to find the actual physical input and output that my interface is using to connect to the device.
Then delete any bus that's using those I/O in VSTconnections. Or you can leave the bus and just disconnect it from any source if you want to change it back later.

Then when you make an External FX those ports will be available. For the VL2 my setup is S/Pdif in and S/Pdif out.

Hope this helps

  • Registered: 2012-03-11
  • Posts: 25

Re: Using the VoiceLive 2 with prerecorded songs in Cubase

Tacman7 wrote:

>>use my keyboard for putting the harmonies LIVE into Cubase

Not sure what you're saying there...
I use a midi signal to control the harmonies in the VL2.

Not sure what's going on with the strange effects.

#2 would be solved if you get ext fx working and if you monitor through cubase, your live or playback could go to the VL2.

What that usually requires for me is to find the actual physical input and output that my interface is using to connect to the device.
Then delete any bus that's using those I/O in VSTconnections. Or you can leave the bus and just disconnect it from any source if you want to change it back later.

Then when you make an External FX those ports will be available. For the VL2 my setup is S/Pdif in and S/Pdif out.

Hope this helps

What I want for short is, to use the VL2 as an insert, like Tom Lang did. As I am a little newbie, I need to know how to do everything within the Cubase 5.But the question is, do you have to use the Digital Ouput on VL2 as input for the external effect? I have connected Jacks into the L and R Output, into the Input Channel nr. 5 and 6 on my Tascam DM4800 board...How do I go from here?

  • Registered: 2012-03-11
  • Posts: 25

Re: Using the VoiceLive 2 with prerecorded songs in Cubase

Tacman7 wrote:

>>use my keyboard for putting the harmonies LIVE into Cubase

Not sure what you're saying there...
I use a midi signal to control the harmonies in the VL2.

Not sure what's going on with the strange effects.

#2 would be solved if you get ext fx working and if you monitor through cubase, your live or playback could go to the VL2.

What that usually requires for me is to find the actual physical input and output that my interface is using to connect to the device.
Then delete any bus that's using those I/O in VSTconnections. Or you can leave the bus and just disconnect it from any source if you want to change it back later.

Then when you make an External FX those ports will be available. For the VL2 my setup is S/Pdif in and S/Pdif out.

Hope this helps

You write that your setup is S/Pdif in and S/Pdif out. By that, do you mean the DIGITAL IN-connectors at VL2 and then an output on the Tascam DM4800 that I use? I already tried that, but I am kind of insecure how to route the signals....For the time beiing, I am using the L/R Jack Outputs on my VL2 and then channel input nr. 5 and 6 on my TASCAM mixer...Ain't that good enough, or do you MUST use the digital ins/outs?

  • Registered: 2011-03-25
  • Posts: 226

Re: Using the VoiceLive 2 with prerecorded songs in Cubase

I use the digital I/O that's on my TC SK48 interface.

So cubase is my work center and the interface is the way it connects to everything external and VSTconnections is how cubase connects to the interface.

So you're using the DM4800 as an interface? or more of your workcenter?

Sounds like things could get complicated but it could work maybe...

The DM has a firewire connection to link to the computer.

How many audio channels can you send into and out of cubase to the DM via firewire?

The S/Pdif loop to the DM should work if you can send audio out through a pair of audio channels in cubase to the DM then route that (inside the DM) to the S/Pdif port and then the return trip back through the DM to cubase via firewire.

Just guessing, I don't know if it has that sort of routing capabilities.

I guess the DM is your workcenter and cubase would be just like a tape recorder.

If I had this setup I'd really have to understand and read up on what it can do and make a flow chart to understand the routing and how I want to work.

  • Registered: 2012-03-11
  • Posts: 25

Re: Using the VoiceLive 2 with prerecorded songs in Cubase

Tacman7 wrote:

I use the digital I/O that's on my TC SK48 interface.

So cubase is my work center and the interface is the way it connects to everything external and VSTconnections is how cubase connects to the interface.

So you're using the DM4800 as an interface? or more of your workcenter?

Sounds like things could get complicated but it could work maybe...

The DM has a firewire connection to link to the computer.

How many audio channels can you send into and out of cubase to the DM via firewire?



The S/Pdif loop to the DM should work if you can send audio out through a pair of audio channels in cubase to the DM then route that (inside the DM) to the S/Pdif port and then the return trip back through the DM to cubase via firewire.

Just guessing, I don't know if it has that sort of routing capabilities.

I guess the DM is your workcenter and cubase would be just like a tape recorder.

If I had this setup I'd really have to understand and read up on what it can do and make a flow chart to understand the routing and how I want to work.


Hi! Thanks for the response! Yes, one might say that I use the DM as my controller, and Cubase as my recorder....
I have tried reading about how to setup  External effects in Cubase, by watchin g this video:

http://www.emusician.com/keys/0779/stei … -in/139460

But, what happens is that, after I create the External Effect, and define the INs and OUTs there, something is happening to my INPUTS and OUTPUTS of my VST Connections....They get disconnected, and is NOT able to reconnect, before I delete the EXTERNAL EFFEXT created....:((


I am not sure how many Channels In and Out of Cubase to my DM, but I think 64 channels....I have 24 dedicated channel faders, and each of them has 3 banks....

Take a look here:

http://www.tascam.de/en/dm-4800.html

What's the easiest way for me to route everything?

Here's also a short instruction video....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRAD97e8hK8 ...Is this a way to make it? What OUTPUT can I use on my DM 4800?

Another thing, as I have recorded one track LIVE in Cubase, the sound is so crappy-kinda T-Pain like or Hard-tuned sound....I have NOT connected the PITCH -button.....

  • Registered: 2011-03-25
  • Posts: 226

Re: Using the VoiceLive 2 with prerecorded songs in Cubase

It says 24 channels, in each direction plus midi.

That's pretty neat. I wouldn't mind having that setup.

I need it like a hole in the head though, just me here.

So when you choose the IF-FW/DM MKII-driver in cubase you see all available channels?

That's what needs to be setup in VSTconnections before you create the external FX.

VSTconnections is pretty neat, you can name the bus's anything you want so give them descriptive names to keep from getting lost. So instead of ch17-18 it would be Triton Rack or whatever.

Just create a new bus and set it to a pair of unused channels. Set up a stereo bus for input and output.


I think what must be happening is you only have one default stereo bus setup in cubase so when you create something it takes the only ports set.

  • Registered: 2012-03-11
  • Posts: 25

Re: Using the VoiceLive 2 with prerecorded songs in Cubase

Tacman7 wrote:

It says 24 channels, in each direction plus midi.

That's pretty neat. I wouldn't mind having that setup.

I need it like a hole in the head though, just me here.

So when you choose the IF-FW/DM MKII-driver in cubase you see all available channels?

That's what needs to be setup in VSTconnections before you create the external FX.

VSTconnections is pretty neat, you can name the bus's anything you want so give them descriptive names to keep from getting lost. So instead of ch17-18 it would be Triton Rack or whatever.

Just create a new bus and set it to a pair of unused channels. Set up a stereo bus for input and output.


I think what must be happening is you only have one default stereo bus setup in cubase so when you create something it takes the only ports set.

Thanks again, Tacman7 for the response! Well, I think I actually can see 32 Inputs and Outputs when I set up the IF-FW/DM MKII driver in the Device setup. But, in order to use the VoiceLive 2, I must use the AISO4all driver, and then the amount of Ins and Outs will be limited, as far as I can see....So, as far as I can see, I cannot use the IF-FW/DM MKII driver and then the VoiceLive 2 at the same time....Am I right or am I wrong?
Concerning the last issue, about the bad quality on the recorded song, it's settled now. Cuz, it's a matter of singing the tones in tune...If my voice is not sung correctly or is out of tune, like one half semi-tone, that's all that is needed for the VoiceLive 2 to create this kinda effect...So, better concentrate on staying tuned....

  • Registered: 2011-03-25
  • Posts: 226

Re: Using the VoiceLive 2 with prerecorded songs in Cubase

I've never used ASIO4all. I'm a believer in using the drivers made by the people who made the device. Most times that's better but sometimes you have to use whatever works.

Yes cubase can only use one audio system and if it was the usb for VL2 then it would be that by itself. If ASIO4all could load the IF-FW/DM MKII-driver in it's configuration and use the usb then may be...

You could use the VL2 hooked to the analog I/O of the DM. So setup bus's to where you have the VL2 plugged into the DM may be.

Might be hard in real time but maybe not too bad. Cubase has delay compensation so you could mix with it and have no problems.

  • Registered: 2012-03-11
  • Posts: 25

Re: Using the VoiceLive 2 with prerecorded songs in Cubase

Which analog I/O could I use in the DM? The way I set it up now is, two jacks frå L/R Outputs on the VL 2, then hooked into two free channels on the DM.

  • Registered: 2011-03-25
  • Posts: 226

Re: Using the VoiceLive 2 with prerecorded songs in Cubase

I don't think it would matter.

When you setup 7 and 8 as outputs in cubase (from your 24/32 available) it translates to what you send coming out of output 7 and 8 on the DM right?

  • Registered: 2012-03-11
  • Posts: 25

Re: Using the VoiceLive 2 with prerecorded songs in Cubase

Craig @ TC-Helicon wrote:

heya toreleiren,

I deleted the copy post from "In the studio". Please don't duplicate posts in multiple threads. It makes it hard for people to focus their help.

Cheers,
Craig

Thanks, Craig, I will not do it later....