How to create (enough) separate outputs for SD3 in Logic Pro X

[John]

OK, the output(s) question pops up now and then and recently more frequently it seems, so this is an attempt to answer it and provide a working example/template.
Hopefully some Logic wiz will add to this or point out any errors I may have missed.

In most (I think) DAW’s, it is fairly straight-forward to split the SD3 plug-in’s stereo outputs into mono when desired but not as much in Logic Pro X.
It is however doable, even by someone like me who does not run Logic as their main DAW and you can save what you come up with as a Template.

Normally when you create a Multi-Out Instrument track, you just click the ‘+’ sign at the bottom of the fader and Logic adds Stereo outputs pre-assigned to the next logical output available for each. In principal this is the same as just creating Aux tracks and assigning the Inputs of those tracks to the desired output of your plug-in.
The SD3 plug-in has 16 Stereo Outputs and this is what is broadcasted to Logic, so any new Aux Track added with its Input set to one of the SD3 plug-in outputs will automatically be Stereo. There is no way to change this in the Logic Mixer BUT…. there is the Logic Environment! (Cmd+0)

Mainly for tinkering with MIDI stuff like Inputs, Outputs, Splits and whatnot it also lets you modify the Aux Tracks for your SD3 outputs.
In the attached Logic Project, I have 20 Outputs from SD3 going to separate Logic Mixer channels; 20, not 16, because I have split a couple of the Stereo Outputs into Mono.

I have the Kick, HH, the 5 Toms and the Center as Mono channels and the Snare (yes, it is actually Stereo in the SD3 Core SDX), the OHs, the AMBs and the Surround channels as Stereo. I even have room for an SD3 Reverb Return on the last output pair.

I created a Track Stack, which means I record MIDI to it. Logic wizards may correct me but I’m pretty certain this Track Stack can easily be saved and recalled for new Projects.

Cool, what’s the catch?

Well, for starters, this Template works with the Core SDX. Loading other Presets from the Core SDX with ‘Keep Output Routing on Preset Change’ ticked will keep the routing intact but as soon as you load another SDX Library, the microphone layout will be different, so then you will have to go into the environment to edit and rename the channels in the Mixer.

I hope this helps,
John

John Rammelt - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

Topic

[Bear-Faced Cow]

One other way to do this as well is by using track stacking. Recent logic updates allow you to nest track stacks, so that you can hide SD3’s outputs, and use the mono outputs in the track stack by routing SD3’s aux outs to their own bus and use the upper aux track to select the left or right channel. You can then save your entire track stack as a patch within logic. This will also save SD3’s output routing. This way, not only do you have mono outputs, but you also have a stem to work with at the end. You can also hide the nested SD3 outputs

jord

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Jordan L. Chilcott

Web Site: https://jordanchilcottmusic.com/

2

Thanked by: John and strumpystrudel

[strumpystrudel]

Bear-Faced Cow wrote:

One other way to do this as well is by using track stacking. Recent logic updates allow you to nest track stacks, so that you can hide SD3’s outputs, and use the mono outputs in the track stack by routing SD3’s aux outs to their own bus and use the upper aux track to select the left or right channel. You can then save your entire track stack as a patch within logic. This will also save SD3’s output routing. This way, not only do you have mono outputs, but you also have a stem to work with at the end. You can also hide the nested SD3 outputs

jord

Do you have a screenshot, sample project, or resource you could point me to visualize and figure this out? Been messing with it for a few hours and can’t seem to implement it as described. Doesn’t help I’m just learning Logic after taking like 20 years off from writing music. I’ll keep messing with it and post pics of where my road blocks are.

For example, how I’m visualizing it is that you have:

Summing Track 1
- Aux 1 L
- Aux 2 R
- Aux 3/4 Stereo
- ...
- Summing Track 2
-- Sup 1/2
-- Sup 3/4
-- Sup 4/5
-- Sup 6/7
-- ...

I guess the issue I’m running into is getting Sup 1/2 -> Aux 1  L & Aux 2 R… rereading your post, it sounds like under Summing Track 2 there would be a stereo bus that can then be routed to Aux 1 L and Aux 2 R…. Sup 1/2 -> Bus 1/2 -> Aux 1 L & Aux 2 R.

• The post has been modified 2 times, last modified 2 years, 4 months ago by strumpystrudel.

[Bear-Faced Cow]

The enclosed screenshot would mainly show how nested track stacking works in this case. You will notice SD3 is sitting inside the nested stack. The last four aux channels are grabbing either the left or right channel of the stereo bus.

jord

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Jordan L. Chilcott

Web Site: https://jordanchilcottmusic.com/

1

Thanked by: strumpystrudel

[strumpystrudel]

Bear-Faced Cow wrote:

The enclosed screenshot would mainly show how nested track stacking works in this case. You will notice SD3 is sitting inside the nested stack. The last four aux channels are grabbing either the left or right channel of the stereo bus.

jord

Thanks! I think that got me straightened out.

I setup like the following and it seems like it works as expected, well at least panning works, but maybe I’m overlooking something.

• This post was modified 2 years, 4 months ago by strumpystrudel.

[strumpystrudel]

Just curious, in your example, is there a way to set it up so that when you collapse Sum 5, Aux 7-15 are collapsed into it as well?

[Bear-Faced Cow]

Create tracks for them and you can rearrange them any way you wish on the Arrange Window.

The mixer will then reflect your changes.

jord

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Jordan L. Chilcott

Web Site: https://jordanchilcottmusic.com/

1

Thanked by: strumpystrudel

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