How do I route my drums to my hardware compressor ?

TeamBrooklyn

I have a Scarlett 18i20 and the Scarlett octopus pre with compressor and Im just so confused on routing the drums to the compressor. I have inputs 3 through 7 wired to the the octo pre 1 to 5 inputs and the out from the pre to the 8 input on the 18i20 now what??? did I do this right I can't find any videos and the manual is somewhat confusing to me and yes I read it twice please help me someone and if what I'm trying to do is impossible please tell me

Uwe303

Hello,

do you try to do it with maschine stand alone? I found this, maybe it helps:

https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115004592269-Using-External-Effects-Processors-as-Inserts-while-Tracking-with-Focusrite-Control

and what compressor, as far as i know the scarlett has no build in one, and for using just a compressor you don´t need the octo pre, just the 18i20 is enough

in my opinion, with maschine stand alone this makes not much sense, but it should be possible, with a daw like cubase, ableton, logic and so on you normally have an hardware insert module so this works like a charm

Uwe303

the output is really easy, i just used maschine 2/focusrite 3/4 as output cause there is my headphone amp connected i also use as an valve overdrive. Also check the output level with the focusrite (or whatever) mixer software open, and of course also have a look at the device you go into e.g. compressor input level.

this is also pretty straight forward, and again check levels on the mixer software from your interface and within maschine. I have to use input 1 and 2 of my focusrite interface here cause mine has only a gain on those two inputs but you can use any input with a gain, or at least i would recommend it. Don´t use the recording function here and DON´T enable monitoring (this was wrong in my first description - sorry). You can of course record the compressed signal on another pad with internal recording and then use this, cause you can´t of course bounce this signal. And i routed that pads signal directly to the master and you can insert fx here too if you want some fx after the compressor. If you have set it all up you can save this as a project and even use this as your start song (prefs/default/project/stand alone) so everything is set up and ready to go. Of course then only load kits without the routing enabled, in the lower sound browser area.

Uwe303

Hello,

do you try to do it with maschine stand alone? I found this, maybe it helps:

https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/articles/115004592269-Using-External-Effects-Processors-as-Inserts-while-Tracking-with-Focusrite-Control

and what compressor, as far as i know the scarlett has no build in one, and for using just a compressor you don´t need the octo pre, just the 18i20 is enough

in my opinion, with maschine stand alone this makes not much sense, but it should be possible, with a daw like cubase, ableton, logic and so on you normally have an hardware insert module so this works like a charm

TeamBrooklyn

I have the MK3 unit of Maschine that link helped a little but I'm still having problems routing in Maschine software

Uwe303

You go to the output setting of the drum group and set channel 3-4 as direct output, if the compressor is connected to out 3-4. Then you go to a pad/sound slot and set it's input to, let's say, 3-4, then you go to that pads record page and activate monitoring. Now this will work.Of I'm later back at my music PC I can make you some pictures of the settings in the focusrite mixer, and maschine prefs and so on, I don't own a 18i20 but an 8i6 MK3 and the mixer software is the same.

TeamBrooklyn

photos would help so much thank you

Tigersharc

I've been trying to figure this out for so long. I just get frustrated and route my drums in Logic to my outboard gear.

Uwe303

the output is really easy, i just used maschine 2/focusrite 3/4 as output cause there is my headphone amp connected i also use as an valve overdrive. Also check the output level with the focusrite (or whatever) mixer software open, and of course also have a look at the device you go into e.g. compressor input level.

this is also pretty straight forward, and again check levels on the mixer software from your interface and within maschine. I have to use input 1 and 2 of my focusrite interface here cause mine has only a gain on those two inputs but you can use any input with a gain, or at least i would recommend it. Don´t use the recording function here and DON´T enable monitoring (this was wrong in my first description - sorry). You can of course record the compressed signal on another pad with internal recording and then use this, cause you can´t of course bounce this signal. And i routed that pads signal directly to the master and you can insert fx here too if you want some fx after the compressor. If you have set it all up you can save this as a project and even use this as your start song (prefs/default/project/stand alone) so everything is set up and ready to go. Of course then only load kits without the routing enabled, in the lower sound browser area.