Hi everyone,
I wanted to share a highly practical routing workflow that I’ve developed after fine-tuning my hardware setup (including a Roland JX-3P). Hopefully, this will be useful for anyone looking to record external synthesizers into audio in real-time, without constantly changing the routing or running into issues with insert effects.
Here is the setup, which runs absolutely stable and click-free in my studio:
1. Crucial Latency Principle First
Whenever you adjust latency settings or buffer sizes in Cubase for an external instrument, you must restart Cubase. This is the only way to ensure that the changes are correctly applied by the system and ASIO drivers, keeping your timing perfectly in sync.
2. The Routing Trick (Record dry, monitor with effects)
The Goal: To record the live audio signal of the external synth directly onto a new audio track, bypassing any insert effects (like reverb/delay) on the primary instrument group, while still hearing the full processed sound on your monitors while tracking.
Step-by-Step Routing:
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Signal Input & Main Routing: The analog signal from your instrument comes in on a standard track (Channel 1) and is routed directly to your primary group channel (Group A). This Group A holds all your insert effects for the mix sound.
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The Post-Send Bridge: Now, set up a Post-Fader Send directly on that initial input track (Channel 1). Route this send to a second, additional group channel (Group B / Recording Group).
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The Recording Track: Create a new audio track (or instrument channel) where the actual recording will land. Select the additional Group B as its Input.
3. The Workflow Advantage During Tracking & Recording
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Flexible Monitoring: The signal is monitored directly through this new recording track. You can easily toggle whether you hear the input while tracking by using the standard Monitor button (speaker icon) on the track.
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Behavior of Insert Effects: The effects on the primary group (Group A) are completely bypassed for the recording itself. You hear them loud and clear while playing, but thanks to the post-send, you capture an absolutely dry signal. (Note: If needed, this principle works exactly the same way with insert effects placed directly inside Recording Group B, in case you actually want to print effects to the track).
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Post-Recording Workflow: Once the take is done and you turn off the Monitor button, you don’t have to re-route a single thing. Cubase plays back the freshly recorded, dry audio file, and the signal automatically flows back through the main routing, right into Group A’s effects and out to the master bus.
This workflow runs completely in the background for me and saves a massive amount of time when tracking.
I’m curious: How do you handle this in your studios? Do you use similar routing workarounds or do you stick strictly to the native External Instruments Manager?
Best regards!