Post date: Aug 21, 2011 1:42:03 PM
I was looking for a way of digitaly monitoring my soundcard line-in input with low latency for two reasons:
- check recording conditions
- run a software crossover for my bi-amp sound system using any analog source (indeed my CDJs+Mixer)
I found a very convenient solution : use SaviHost+VSTs.
SaviHost is a very simple VST host. It aims at loading only one VST but it uses ASIO, which will ensure low latency.
First, you need to make some basic ASIO setup under :
- Menu>Device>Wave
- Menu>Engine>Configure>Assign Engine Input Channels
- Menu>Engine>Configure>Assign Engine Output Channels
Then, if you want digitally crossovered monitoring, load a crossover VST such as "Crossover 3-Ways" (free), either use Freeverb (100% dry 0% wet, also free).
Load the VST, configure it, and it should work ! Tip: You can rename SaviHost.exe as <your_vst_dll_filename>.exe so it will automatically load the VST dll on startup =)
Pay attention to the level meter in SaviHost, if it goes red, input is clipping, you need to lower the input sensitivity in your device control panel.
Here is my setup and the results I achieved :
32bit Core Duo T450 @1.66Ghz + 3Go RAM running Win Vista SP2
Creative X-Fi USB Surroung 5.1 with ASIO4ALL v2.10
96kHz/24bits monitoring with 96 samples buffer size without any ASIO error using the "Crossover 3-Ways" VST (2 ways stereo setup crossover freq 70Hz slope 48dB/oct) CPU charge: ~5%. Using Freeverb, I can run ASIO with smaller ASIO buffer: 64samples.
Links:
ASIO4ALL (if your soudcard has no native ASIO support only)
SAVIHOST (VST HOST)
http://www.commentcamarche.net/download/telecharger-34056373-savihost
CROSSOVER 3-WAY (VST)
http://download.fyxm.net/download-now-Crossover-3-Way-Multimedia-Audio-Audio-Plugins-28751.html
FREEVERB 2 (VST)