Using spark as a drum machine with audio outs

[dddoug]

Hi everyone - I bought an Arturia Spark after watching the demo vids & did not realise it didn't have any audio outs. I don't use a DAW, I record on a hardware recorder & I was wondering - If I run it in standalone mode, can I direct the audio to something like an M-Audio fast track ultra & have eight separate outs to record into my hardware recorder? Any help would be much appreciated - many thanks - Doug.

[Koshdukai]

Hi everyone - I bought an Arturia Spark after watching the demo vids & did not realise it didn't have any audio outs. I don't use a DAW, I record on a hardware recorder & I was wondering - If I run it in standalone mode, can I direct the audio to something like an M-Audio fast track ultra & have eight separate outs to record into my hardware recorder? Any help would be much appreciated - many thanks - Doug.

Yes, you can use it as a Standalone application that will use your audio interface's ASIO drivers (or CoreAudio if you're using a Mac) to output its audio to your hardware recorder

Edit: Oh wait, you're asking specifically about being able to use multi-outs on Standalone? I need to check that as soon as I get to my usual setup (unless someone that tried it confirms here first) but I'm almost sure you can do it through Spark's Channel/Instrument Output in its own mixer, but I'll check it on Standalone.

[Terrym]

hi
you can only use a stereo pair  in standalone

[Koshdukai]

yup, just checked... the multi-outs are available on the setup but it only allows me to select 1 pair of outs, so... guess multi-out only through a VST host :/

[dddoug]

Thanks for all the quick replies - that's exactly what I wanted to know. I guess it's something that won't be addressed in the software updates as most people use
computer based sequencers/recorders. It would make a huge difference to me if it had the capability to run standalone with 8 outs... never mind

[Koshdukai]

I'm not sure if Hermann Seib's SAVIHost free VST host would solve your problem.

I need to check if it supports ASIO multi-outs. If it does, then it might be your solution

....if you're using Windows, that is.

[dijidave]

I think a small program called SaviHost available here
   http://www.hermannseib.com/english/savihost.htm
can be used to host VSTi plugins & can be configured to use all of your interfaces outputs.
           Good Luck,
                   Dave

[Koshdukai]

Yes, just tried it, it will let you do multi-out.

[JacksonP]

Spark standalone should definitely be capable of using multiple audio outs (if your sound card has them).

I am personally frustrated that those soft synths standalone apps aren't fully developed. Especially this is a case with hybrid solutions like Spark. Spark + computer + sound card should really be like independent drum machine on its own.

Standalone app cannot fully use your sound card, its sequencer cannot use its physical midi-outs, it cannot use other V-synts (which many of us probably have). Yes, I know these features would need lot of programming, but IMO it's worth it. As a performance tool, I'd really want to use it on its own.

[Kevin]

Hi Jackson,
I agree with you. I will forward your proposition to the team but as you say, it is a piece of work.

[Jackenite]

If the Spark did actually did these things (utilize built-in midi outs and multi-outs on audio interface in stand alone mode), maybe so many people wouldn't be returning and reselling their units out of disappointment. Vst mode doesn't seem as stable as stand alone mode anyways. Both modes having the same functions would only make the Spark actually functional.