Freesound Forums

As implied above I have an Edirol UA-101 usb interface that I use for audio capture. However in addition to the 10 inputs it also has 10 1/4" outputs and it seems that most I can do is use them to run stereo audio to a mixing console, leaving 8 more open outputs that never get used.

My idea that I'd like to explore is using this audio interface as an audio system processor (much like the Shure P4800 also if anyone has any recommendations as to a similar piece of hardware to a P4800 I'd be much obliged) Then for running live sound I would need my soundboard, my usb interface, my macbook pro, a rack of power amps and the speakers. I wouldn't need an EQ, Crossover, Effects racks, compressors, etc. because it'd all be taken care of by my mac.

The problem is I can't find any software (Free or otherwise) that can accomplish this.

So my request to all of you lovely people is this:

1. Do you have any recommendations as to software that fits the description above (preferably for mac, but I'd take suggestions for any platform.)

2. Any suggestions for a P4800 alternative that's a bit more up to date.

3. Any other suggestions of cool stuff I could do with my UA-101.

4. Any suggested alternatives for a UA-101.

Thank you all in advance.

Hi baefild,

I suspect what you probably could do with is a DAW of some kind which supports VST plugins. Most DAWs also come with their own built in effects.

I can only talk about the ones I know, but really any DAW should work in more or less the same way.
Reaper is free for a limited period, then you pay £30 for a full license, but I am not sure if it is also available for Mac.
Ableton Live is a paid for software and is quite expensive, but the demo version (save disabled) might serve your purpose, if all you are looking for is a "multi effects box".
Look them up on the internet and download them.

Provided you got all the right drivers for your sound card, you can then assign audio input and output to individual channels.
Both Reaper and Live allow you to add effects to the signal chain between input and output and also to use send effects. More complex signal chains, for example submixing various channels into one, splitting one input to various outputs and even signal chains with feedback loops (be carefull!!!) can be setup.

Both Reaper and Live have built in effects (EQa, filters, cmpressors, echo, reverb, etc), and both will take VST, AU lpugins. Reaper also takes DX plugins. But the only ones I have experience with are VST plugs. These are also available in larger numbers and tend to be more stable.
For more VST plugins than you could ever need (many of them free!) visit:
http://www.kvraudio.com/

Just as an example of a setup that you could create with Ableton Live or Reaper would be:
Bass player into input 1 -> through VST effects for EQ, bass amp + speaker simulator -> out 1 to amp and speakers (or to mixing desk)
guitar player into input 2 -> through VST effects for EQ, chorus, amp + speaker simulator -> out 2 to amp and speakers (or to mixing desk)
vocalist into input 3 -> VST effects for EQ and reverb -> out 3 to amp + sepakers (or to mixing desk)

If you can plug in a midi keyboard (or even using the computer keyboard) you can play smoe synth riffs on a VST synth maybe through some VST effects -> out 4 to amp + speakers (or to mixing desk)

If you don't have a drummer you could play rhythmic loops from either DAW, or use VST "drum machines" -> out 5 to amp + speakers (or to mixing desk)

If you have the full version of either DAW, you can, of course record your performances for later processing / mastering, etc.
The REaper Demo will eventually stop allowing you to record and the Ableton Live demo is save disabled - but they can still be used to add effects and processing to your instruments or vocals.
Of course, exactly how many effects yu can run in realtime accross several channels will depend on your computing power. Also try several different effects, some are heavier on CPU than others.

Hope this helps

I think I'll look into a few of those! Ableton sounds like it may be what I'm looking for.