User manual

438
Synchronization
Working with VST System Link
VST System Link is a network system for digital audio that
allows you to have several computers working together in
one large system. Unlike conventional networks it does not
require Ethernet cards, hubs, or CAT-5 cables; instead it
uses the kind of digital audio hardware and cables you
probably already possess in your studio.
VST System Link has been designed to be simple to set
up and operate, yet give enormous flexibility and perfor-
mance gains in use. It is capable of linking computers in a
“ring” network (the System Link signal is passed from one
machine to the next, and eventually returns to the first ma-
chine). VST System Link can send its networking signal
over any type of digital audio cable, including S/PDIF,
ADAT, TDIF, or AES, as long as each computer in the
system is equipped with a suitable ASIO compatible audio
interface.
Linking up two or more computers gives you vast possibil-
ities:
• Dedicate one computer to running VST instruments while re-
cording audio tracks on another.
• If you need lots of audio tracks, you may simply add tracks on
another computer.
• You could have one computer serve as a “virtual effect rack”,
running CPU-intensive send effect plug-ins only.
Since you can use VST System Link to connect different
VST System Link applications on different platforms, you
can take advantage of effect plug-ins and VST instru-
ments that are specific to certain programs or platforms.
Preparations
Requirements
The following equipment is required for VST System Link
operation:
• Two or more computers.
These can be of the same type or use different operating systems – it
does not matter. For example, you can link an Intel-based PC to an Apple
Macintosh without problems.
• Each computer must have audio hardware with specific
ASIO drivers, installed and working.
• The audio hardware must have digital inputs and out-
puts.
Of course, to be able to connect the computers, the digital connections
must be compatible (i.e. the same digital formats and connection types
must be available).
• At least one digital audio cable for each computer in the
network.
• A VST System Link host application installed on each
computer.
Any VST System Link applications can connect to each other.
Additionally, we recommend that you use a KVM switch-
box.
Using a KVM switchbox
If you want to set up a multi-computer network, or even a
small network in a limited space, it is a good idea to invest
in a KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) switchbox. With one
of these you can use the same keyboard, monitor, and
mouse to control each computer in the system, and switch
between computers very rapidly. KVM switchboxes are
not too expensive, and very easy to set up and operate. If
you decide not to go this route, the network will function
just the same, but you may end up doing a lot of jumping
from one machine to the other while setting up!
Making connections
Below, we assume that you are connecting two comput-
ers. Should you have more than two computers, it is still
best to start with two and add the others one by one once
the system is working – this makes troubleshooting easier
if you run into problems. For two computers, you will need
two digital audio cables, one in each direction:
1. Use the first digital audio cable to connect digital out-
put of computer 1 with the digital input of computer 2.
2. Use the other cable to connect the digital output of
computer 2 with the digital input of computer 1.
• If a card has more than one set of inputs and outputs,
choose whichever one that suits you – for simplicity usu-
ally the first set is best.