Creating 8-channel project on stereo hardware.

[NikosT]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to create an octaphonic (8-channel) project in Usine Hollyhock 6, but my audio interface only has 2 inputs and 2 outputs.
I would like to:

1. Work inside Usine using 8 virtual outputs (for sound spatialization and routing),

2. Monitor the project in stereo with headphones,

3. Finally, export 8 mono audio files (or one 8-channel WAV) to play them later on an 8-speaker system.

Is there a recommended way to simulate an 8-channel bus or internal routing inside Usine, even when the hardware only has 2 outputs?

Any advice or example patch would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance,


Nikos

[cmodica]

You could try creating eight audio devices (OUT1 - OUT2 - OUT3 - OUT4, etc.) connected as follows:

OUT 1-> Audio 1

OUT2 -> Audio 2

OUT3 -> Audio 1

OUT4 -> Audio 2

etc.


Add meter views to each audio output in your patches to see which tracks are playing.


For the 8 track recording, I'm not sure that it will work. Probably that when you export OUT 1, you'll be recording 1-3-5-7, and the same for OUT2...

Perhaps you can record them individually by putting them on SOLO?


There are certainly simpler solutions. An 8-input, 2-output matrix? A way to create a virtual 8-output sound card?


It's worth trying.

[grego mondo]

As long as the output of the rack is 8ch it will record 8 channels

even if it's patched like that inside (so you hear everything in L & R Channel

[oli_lab]

HI !
What I suggest is to do all your patching with 8 channels then, at the end of the audio chain, you insert a patch with 8inputs and 2 outputs and use the GRM space VR so you'll have a binaural monitoring from your headphones.

when done, you can use a 8 channel output device instead of the stereo one, deactivate the patch with space VR and record your octophonic piece with the Usine recorder by dropping the octophonic device inside the recorder

Olivar

[NikosT]

Hi everyone,

Many thanks to all of you for your helpful replies and suggestions!

It turned out that I had simply missed the fact that the Recorder’s single exported file actually includes all 8 channels. So everything is working as expected now.

Really appreciate your time and help!


Nikos