Here is a 10-step guide to using SUBPAC with acoustic correction software!
For the purpose of this tutorial, we will be using Ableton Live 10 and Sonarworks, but you can apply these instructions to any DAW/acoustic correction software.
When using the SUBPAC + acoustic correction software, it's important that you have two separate signals outputting from your DAW. In order to accomplish this, you will need to be using an audio interface that has at least two stereo line outputs. 1/2 and 3/4 etc.
1) Output 1/2 = Uncorrected Signal for the SUBPAC
2) Output 3/4 = Corrected signal for either your headphones or studio monitors
***You only want to correct the signal in your headphones/monitors - the SUBPAC response does not need to be corrected.
STEP ONE
Connect your audio interface to your computer, and connect your studio monitors or headphones to outputs 1/2. Connect your SUBPAC to outputs 3/4. If you use studio monitors and headphones, still connect your monitors to 1/2 and connect your headphones to the headphone out on the front of the interface.
The headphone out will mirror output 1/2. You will need to switch between the headphones correction and studio monitor correction in the correction software depending on what you're using at the time.
STEP TWO
Open your audio preferences in your DAW and select your audio interface as the output device. I am using a Scarlett 6i6, but you can use any audio interface that has two stereo line outputs.
STEP THREE
After you have selected your audio interface click through to 'output config.'
STEP FOUR
Label your stereo outputs 1/2 = SUBPAC
Label your stereo outputs 3/4 = MONITORS or PHONES
Click, OK to save.
STEP FIVE
Now that you have your output configured correctly, it's time to set up your output channels to make sure the signals will be sent to the right outputs. To accomplish this, go back to your project view and make two new audio tracks (cmd + t). These two tracks will serve as your new master outs. SUBPAC Master, PHONES Master. We like to colour them RED and title them SUBPAC and PHONES.
STEP SIX
Now that you have your new master outs, we will have to make sure the routing is correct. To access the routing, please make sure I/O is enabled in the bottom right of Ableton, next to the DAW master output.
In the routing matrix, on your SUBPAC and PHONES master tracks, please make sure you have everything selected the same way as shown here:
1) Input - Master
2) Post FX
3) IN
4) Output - Ext. Out
5) For the SUBPAC master, use the 1/2 SUBPAC output you set up earlier in preferences.
6) For the PHONES master, use the 3/4 output you set up earlier in preferences.
STEP SEVEN
Now that you have created two master outputs, you will no longer need to use the output of the main master. Please pull the volume fader of the DAW master output all the way down to -inf.
STEP EIGHT
Lastly, add your acoustic correction VST to your new PHONES master channel and enable the correction.
STEP NINE
Set the output of your acoustic correction software to -2dB, and do the same to the output of the SUBPAC master. This will make sure your levels between each master are equal, and there will be headroom in the correction software. You can add more (-3dB or -4dB) if you see the correction VST clip.
STEP TEN
Now you will be fully set up to monitor your project with a corrected headphones/monitor signal and an uncorrected SUBPAC signal.
Step 10 is to test things out and to know these important notes.
1) Anything you want to do to the master bus (i.e. EQ, compression, Limiting), you can still do on the DAW master bus and it will affect the SUBPAC master and PHONES master at the same time.
2) If you want to solo a track, you will have to solo the SUBPAC master and PHONES master channel at the same time as the individual track you want to solo. (i.e. the Bassline)
3) If you want to preview samples from the Ableton file menu, please do so using a midi channel and a sampler. This setup will prevent you from using the audition path to preview samples out of your folders. You can also use a drum rack to preview many samples at once until you find the sample you want to work with.
Please send us a support ticket if you have any questions or need additional help!