Black Lion Audio Revolution EXP: Using Hardware FX as Plugins
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ส.ค. 2024
- The Revolution EXP is the perfect companion to your hardware effects processors. Here's a guide on how to marry the sonic bliss of analog hardware with the convenience of software.
With the Revolution EXP you get 16 analog TRS connections (8-in, 8-out), as well as 16 channels of ADAT I/O.
Learn more about the Revolution EXP-
www.blacklionaudio.com/store/...
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:20 - The Revolution EXP
01:11 - Using Hardware as Insert FX
02:07 - Connecting the EXP to Audio Interface
03:49 - Connecting the Compressor to the EXP
04:22 - Software Setup
05:31 - Audio Demonstration
06:05 - Outro
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/ @blacklionaudio5271 . - เพลง
I'm kinda surprised to see that Pipeline didn't require any kind of Ping for latency compensation. Great video!
I didn't cover it in this video but Pipeline XT does have an automatic delay compensation function that you can use to offset any delay you might be getting from this process.
I just purchased an EXP and now will purchase another. Thanks for putting out a great product!
Awesome!
I love these types of videos. Clear to the point. I have my entire studio set up this way. All my hardware is set up as plugins. Using Studio One of course. It’s a beautiful thing. No patchbay required.
Glad you dig the videos! Awesome!
black lion is soooooo good !!!
Just placed an order for one of these today. 😁
Right on! Thanks so much, let us know if you have questions!
For Pro Tools users working with the Focusrite Clarett+ 8Pre and Revo.Exp:
**F.Control Setup:**
- ADAT 1 to Input 11
- ADAT 2 to Input 12
- ADAT 3 to Input 13
- ADAT 4 to Input 14
- And so on.
Pro Tools inserts will correspond to the same inputs.
very dope
Indeed!
dope
i am using b80 mothership i only like the connectiong more gear part..can i use this is some shape or form
🙂👍
Can you sum digitally though this?
Love it. I have the Cranborne Adat 500. I’ll grab this for my rack gear
Love to hear it!
Same
Just picked up mine and I love the A/D so far! When I utilize the DAC, how should I control the output? I have no control anymore. I’m using this same set up with the Apollo. I have a central station I was using. Should I still use it or will it bypass that DAC from the EXP?! Help!
You'll definitely want to continue to use the Central Station - the conversion happens in the Revolution EXP. As the Central Station is a 100% analog device, you won't be losing the conversion!
Hi Black Lion Audio I have in my hands the 8x8. Could you please show the following set ups pretty please with sugar on top.
1. ABLETON PUSH 3 W 8X8 BLA REVOLUTION
2. SOLID STATE LOGIC SSL12 W 8X8 BLA REVOLUTION
3. ARTURIA 16RIG W 8PRE AND 8X8 BLA REVOLUTION.
4. HOW TO OBTAIN 8 CHANNELS OF 192KHZ WITH 4 ADATs connected Alesis AI3, BLA 8x8, Arturia 16rig and Arturia 8pre. Thank you in advance
Im not understanding how its processing a stereo drum bus.. are you still getting the same seperation?
Studio One is sending both the L/R channels down a mono send in this example as the compressor is mono but to your point I wouldn't be using a mono compressor for a stereo drum bus in a real life mixing context so I'll be sure to clarify next time!
Best practice for a stereo drum bus would be to use a stereo compressor that utilizes both L/R channels.
ReaInsert (REAPER)
Awww...Is there a way to do this with my BLA Revolution 6x6 or a 2x2?
If your outboard gear has S/PDIF I/O, you could use the S/PDIF connection on a 6x6 or 2x2 to send and receive a signal to and from an external processor, yes. But generally speaking you're going to need an interface with more 1/4" inputs and outputs as there aren't many hardware processors with S/PDIF connections.
Really wanna support you guys and am super close to getting this but needing 16 over 2 sets of adat so I’m leaning towards pulse 16. Is there any plan for a 16 later?
Hey Nino! I understand. Can't comment on future plans specifically, but I can say that we've got several more interface products we're working on.
Does the EXP have latency on it?
There will always be some latency introduced when audio is sent in and out of your interface and goes through another stage of conversion but most of that latency will be coming from the device that is communicating with the computer (the interface). The EXP converters are very quick.
I didn't cover it in the video but Pipeline XT has a button you can engage that automatically compensates for any latency introduced by this process.
I’m currently running my x8p with an audient evo sp8 for hardware inserts but there’s a -9 db volume difference between the x8p and the audient. Will there be a volume difference when running the exp 8x8 with 8xp through adat for hardware inserts?
Hey Bobo - Assuming I am understanding your routing correctly, yes.
Technically, the Revolution will introduce a level change when compared to the Apollo. The Apollo's max in/output level is 24 dBu, we assume this to mean that when the DAW's meter reads 0, the related analog in/output will be at 24 dBu.
Our Revolution EXP maximum in/output level is 16 dBu, that means when the DAW's meter reads 0, the EXP's analog in/outputs will be at 16dBu (an 8dBu difference). This doesn't only apply to maximum in/output level; the difference will be there in the same ratio for all levels.
@@blacklionaudio5271 what is the reason for the lower input and output levels?
Max input and output are defined by rail voltage. Max input is the maximum level the input can recieve before the analog input stage or ADC start clipping; max output is the maximum volume the unit can put out.
The reason different interfaces have different input and output levels is because there is no established standard.
Electrical design is a game of compromises; our circuits are designed to sound as good as we can possibly make them. In this case those compromises lead us to exactly the max input and output levels that this unit has; providing enough level to be usable without imparting additional noise.
@@blacklionaudio5271 Alright cool! Is there a way to level match the volume between the two?
Would like to know can i use my midiman flying cow ad/da converter with my black lion revolution 2x2 trough spdif plz let me know i have that old converter which is delta sigma laying around quite a while now plz let me know that converter sound soooo good even better than rme and prism
You would need to have the 2x2 connected to a computer in order to set up your routing in a DAW to send audio out of the S/PDIF output into the input of the flying cow.
@@blacklionaudio5271 thank you i use my black lion for studio purposes so i always have it connected to my pc
I want to add this to my setup. I have high end pres from BAE and Chandler but I'm running into other pres on my Focusrite 18i20. Question is 18i20 only has word clock out would this do anything to improve clocking since there's no clock input to accept from the EXP??
That's OK, you can clock over the ADAT connection!
More info about that here: www.blacklionaudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Black-Lion-Audio-Revolution-EXP-Manual-10-04-23.pdf
@@blacklionaudio5271 excellent. Thank you
Hi, I recently purchased the Revo.Exp and have it connected via ADAT at b48kHz to my Clarett 8Pre. Everything is connected correctly, but my issue is that when I insert more than one hardware insert, only the first insert is audible.
Hmm, that seems odd. Are the input channels assigned in your DAW?
Check that, and if it doesn't help, please contact us at info@blacklionaudio.com and we'll help you out.
@@blacklionaudio5271 It’s a Protools issue for some reason it’s not routing correctly. I tried another DAW and I got not one problem.
Aha! Glad you got it sorted out. :)
@@blacklionaudio5271 lol it’s not sorted out, I just know it’s not a hardware issue I hope not anyway.
@@blacklionaudio5271 I got it to work, but slightly confused on when I connect 1-6 mono insert and the last two for stereo I don’t get a signal out of 7-8 on the BL.
So what is the advantage of this box versus using a ADAT box e.g.Focusrite Clarett OctoPre or other similar products? The real “magic” is Studio One Pipeline. If this box was designed like the Tegler Konnektor or the Flock Audio boxes where you can seamlessly connect the outboard gear and drag and drop the connection sequence then this may be of value as an alternative (especially if it used IP addressing like the Konnektor) but the market is saturated with ADAT expansion alternatives at probably a cheaper price point. I’m not hating, I just expected more.
Exactly the question that I was about to ask. Also, not hating - just trying to understand what makes REXP "the perfect companion to my hardware effect processors"?
I use HW inserts with several DAWs and a UAD Apollo x8, and could add via ADAT, say a MOTU UltraLite-mk5 18x22 for more, decoupled IOs, and less money (MSRP $650 vs $800 for REXP).
While there are other ADAT boxes on the market we believe the boutique component selection, high quality converters, and patented Macro MMC technology used in our Word Clock do more than enough to differentiate the EXP from the competition.
I get your point however as recording operators we have gone to the extreme of putting too much emphasis on the tools (I’m guilty of it). Our consumers are listening to music on EarPods and other lower quality devices and can’t distinguish the frequency that produces the chest sound from the nice bass sound so we need to be realistic. There are tools in our toolbox that adds more value to the “real” sound than a new clocking “technology.” Like I stated it would have been more value add if the box was capable to manage the routing internally via a software plugin like Flock Audio or the Konnektor and at a reasonable price point.
Please don’t take this as a knock on your product because I know you will get sales but maybe your product development team may consider upgrading the hardware to be more than an ADAT expansion box.
@@Da1Prophessor faulty logic.
The better your recording and mixes, the better they should sound regardless of what any individual listener is using to listen.
@@lb2696 you missed my point. Did the clocking technology impact the recording of any of Bob Marley’s, MJ’s, Marvin Gaye’s, etc. recordings???? Last I check a hammer is a hammer however it is wield differently in a novice’s hand versus a master builder. I clock doesn’t necessarily make a good song and we have numerous great clocks in the recording chain, as we do have crap clock; my point is that have a box with more utility would be a better differentiator than just a clocking box. I get your point.
Can I use this with Luna Daw
The Revolution EXP can absolutely be used with Luna and whatever interface you're using as long as it has ADAT I/O.
However from a quick search is looks like Luna doesn't have support for hardware insert effects yet. You can still use hardware effects in Luna, it will just work a bit differently than what's shown here and will require you setting up a return track in your session.
@@blacklionaudio5271 hi I have an Apollo Quad four ins plus 8 in to 8 8 trs piggybacked to Apollo 16 , I could use The Appolo Quad as my hardware adat ins and outs , is this a good way , I have Tegeler la crème , AudioScape Bus compressor on the main inserts plus quite a few other compressorseqs, also black lion quad four pre amps and Black lion word clock all ready
The other thing I think I will get the 1176 to LA2A clone for my lead vocal chain
Great, i can use this to feed my track to an external analog summing mixer, right?
Absolutely!
Can it be used at 96khz?
The EXP supports sample rates all the way up to 192kHz, so yes it will work great at 96kHz.
Interesting. Does it work with Logic Pro X?
It would work with any DAW. It's your interface you need to asses for ADAT I/O suitability.
You sure can!
Here is a good video describing how to use the "I/O Plugin" in Logic Pro X
th-cam.com/video/eL1joHN-7z4/w-d-xo.html
So, these are converters.
The native I/O plugin in logic does the same thing but better and with less fuss and a ping feature and wet/dry mix all there. Though I guess if some DAW don't have it this is cool but I think most major ones do, I know cubase and logic do for sure and I think PT as well. But it's basically an $800 8x8 AD/DA converter for 1/4" TRS.
It would be better to have DB25 connector for easier compatibility with patchbays and also the fact that a lot of pro audio gear uses XLR
Also would be better to have some or all channels have ability to function as reamp boxes in order to send to effects pedals as well and DI on the way back
Be nice if price was listed, but tedious having to go looking.
I would not call it revolution is a converter with ADat and analog a i/0
"It will also improve the sound and performance of any of the gear that you clock to this word clock". This misconception never seems to go away.
How isn't this true? Can you explain or provide resources?
Sound on sound did a test years ago and found that external clocking actually makes it worse. Look up the article “Does Your Studio Need A Digital Master Clock” from 2010. In all cases the device performed worse when synced to an external master clock even if the internal master clock is of lower quality
Hi, thanks for your input. I didn't mean to over generalize but we have tested our clocks as the master device with a great number of interfaces throughout the years with fantastic results. In general, the stereo image opens up, allowing for an enhanced sense of realism. Our customers emphatically agree. We encourage you to give it a try for yourself and report the results!
Just picked one up BL audio evolution exp--I have a 10m and pure 2. External clocking matters. Excited about this piece Black Lion
It does look worse with the testing in SOS that @millerlightmoose referenced. Do you have another source you can point to that shows improvement from the use of masterclock, or a critique of the methods used in the SOS article?@@blacklionaudio5271
No disrespect but theres this wonderful cheap solution called a patch bay… and most DAWs have a utility plugin to patch hardware in…
Right on. This solution is there for you when you need more I/O than what your audio interface can handle on its own.
Kind of useless to be honest.
You could have done all of this without the exp just by routing the compressor to the Apollo 🤦🏾♂️
There are situations when we need more I/O than what the interface can handle on its own. This video shows a solution for that scenario.