It would be extremely useful to have an option or button that automatically records a DI signal in the background on the same track, using a predefined DI input, while recording the processed signal as usual.
This would allow users to instantly switch between the processed audio and the DI for re-amping or further processing later, without needing to set up two separate tracks and manage additional routing every time.
Such a feature would significantly improve workflow efficiency, keep sessions more organised, and reduce setup time, especially for guitar and bass recording.
You’re not giving a lot of details, but it sounds like you might place an amp modeling plugin on your input channel and record the processed signal. If so, I would recommend you place that amp plugin on the audio track channel instead and leave the recording unprocessed.
I’m talking in the context of an external amp modeller where I record two separate channels, one processed and the other is DI. So for each new guitar track I have to setup two separate tracks (three when I need to reamp) and routings for each one, which is fine, but I find the approach I suggested is just more innovative and efficient.
The approach is simply to be able to set a DI track input in the audio connections settings and this will always record in the background. This way I will set it and forget it and when I need to access the DI it’s always there.
It might be innovative in the narrow sense of your personal workflow, but it’s problematic because it hides something important which uses storage space, and must, in any case show the audio files in the pool and mediabay if you have things so configured.
Rather than such a specialized function, Cubase provides for this type of customization through track presets, macros and PLE presets. Using such an approach allows users to tailor the functions very precisely to one’s workflow.
It seems like a two input busses, a track preset and a PLE preset for showing/hiding and muting/unmuting the dry track might do the trick here?
If it was implemented right it wouldn’t be problematic.
It can have an activation button just like in the control room so if users don’t want to use it they can just deactivate it. Also, a button can be added on the track to enable and disable DI recording. Then the DI can be accessed in the same way as how we access track versions, but in a different implementation. This way nothing is hidden or recorded without the user knowledge.
This approach would also make editing the processed and the DI events simultaneously more streamlined. I know I can group the tracks, but I feel that doing all the steps I mentioned for each new guitar track are time consuming and can be more efficient.
As for the track presets, I tried using them, but unfortunately they don’t preserve routing which is a big limitation for this workflow.
Again this is not a big deal but it’s just a quality of life idea.
We’re talking about a track that records two simultaneous signals one is stereo and the other is mono with different inputs. So no that’s not doable currently.
So, then go to you input selection. “F4”, add a new input of type LRC. It has three inputs, add L and R to your stereo input and C to your DI. Then create a recording channel of type LRC and use the created input configuration.
This way I would hear all three signals, including the DI. The DI shouldn’t be audible on playback (unless for creative purposes) and should only be used when reamping is needed. It would also be difficult to route only the C channel into the reamp signal chain when reamping is required.
The whole point is to have the DI saved in an integrated, streamlined way, where it lives in a dedicated place under the same track, similar to how Track Versions work. That way, I won’t hear the DI, but I’ll still have it ready whenever I need it for reamping.
In my case, I sometimes forget to set up a DI track, especially when I’m trying to capture ideas quickly. So I want a simple DI solution that is always recording and always available when I need it, without having to set it up for every new track or project. This would simplify the workflow and keep the focus on writing rather than routing and setup. I know there are workarounds, as others have mentioned, but this feature would be genuinely innovative and, as far as I know, would make Cubase the only DAW offering this one of a kind feature for guitarists.
That’s an interesting idea. That’s an increasingly common way to record guitar since modelers make it so easy.
There are ways to do it now of course, including recording a mono wet on one side of a stereo track and DI on the other side. Multi-channel tracks or multiple tracks can be used if you want stereo wet, but you’re right, there’s an opportunity here to streamline the workflow so you can record a “shadow” DI and easily switch between the wet and a re-amped DI.
The key feature is: it should be treated as a single track. It’s also important to have a way to ensure edits, especially comping, apply equally to both.
This is the kind of workflow thing PreSonus tends to lead the pack on, so it might be interesting to see if they come with anything innovative for this.
You record the LRC, go in to project->convert tracks.
Split the multi to 3 different tracks. Select the LR and do the same project->convert tracks. It says mono, but it can create stereo channels. Im sure this can be done efficiently with some macro-magics.
That adds even more steps and makes the workflow more complicated than the original method. And again, the DI would be audible in the original recording, which defeats the purpose.
You maybe try to use the mix6to2 plugin on your lrc channel. Then you get LR on your stereo output or C. In any combination you like. If you need both at the same time you need two send buses, one with mix6to2 in LR config and the other with mix6to2 in C configure.
As I mentioned above, I’ve done that in the past, but there are a number of shortcomings to that approach. For one example, you lose the LR panner that you want for the track.
The OP is asking for a workflow enhancement. He’s not saying it’s currently impossible to do. He’s saying it’s currently cumbersome, and he’s right. He’s suggesting adding a feature to the DAW to make it an easier process.
