Using Multi-Output Plug-Ins in LUNA

Updated September 05, 2024 00:11

Multi-output plug-in instruments include the ability to route audio output from additional channels beyond the plug-in's main output. LUNA's multi-output plug-in capabilities afford you expanded mixing and music production opportunities, and give you greater flexibility and control of the audio output from your plug-ins. LUNA's multi-output mixer is integrated directly within the plug-in interface and the LUNA timeline and mixer, and provides an extremely simple and intuitive multi-out workflow.

Understanding the multi-output mixer

LUNA allows you to configure multiple outputs with a multi-out plug-in directly in the plug-in's interface. You can also configure and work with multi-out channels in the LUNA mixer or timeline.

You can add as many mixer channels as your creative needs require.

Multi-output plug-in channels in a multi-output plug-in

Multi-output plug-in channels in the LUNA timeline

Multi-output plug-in channels in the LUNA mixer

Adding multiple output channels from within a plug-in

You can very simply add multiple channels from inside a multi-output plug-in.

Add your multi-output plug-in on an instrument track. The plug-in window opens.
In the plug-in window, If MULTI-OUT MIXER is not highlighted, click it to open the multi-out mixer at the top of the plug-in window.
Click the plus symbol (+) to the left of output 1-2 to add more channels.
The Add Multi-Output floating window opens.
Select the format for the channels to add.
Some plug-ins only allow stereo channels, and some include the ability to create both mono and stereo channels. If you are creating both mono and stereo channels, you must add them separately.
Specify the number of tracks to create.
Type a name for the channel (for example, "drums" or "strings"). The names for each channel created are prepended with this name.
Click More Settings to configure more settings for the multi-out channels you create.
If desired, select a multi-track tape machine and a Console to automatically add on each channel.
In More Settings, to choose which multi-out channel to create as the first track, select the channel from the Multi-Out list.
In More Settings, to choose the MIDI output channel for created channels, choose a channel from the MIDI Out list.
In More Settings, to cascade the MIDI outputs with the created channels, click Cascade MIDI Output.
To add tracks, click ADD. To close the window without adding tracks, click DONE.

New plug-in channels appear in the MULTI-OUT MIXER area, and separate tracks are created in LUNA for each multi-out channel.

Note: By default, your plug-in internally routes audio to the plug-in's main mono or stereo output. To route audio to the LUNA multi-out mixer, you must assign audio to additional outputs within the plug-in.

Adding multiple output channels in the LUNA mixer

Add your multi-output plug-in on a LUNA instrument track.
In the LUNA mixer, right-click or Ctrl-click on the name of the channel with the multi-output plug-in.
From the menu, choose Add Multi-Output.
The Add Multi-Output floating window opens.
Select the format for the channels to add.
Some plug-ins only allow stereo channels, and some include the ability to create both mono and stereo channels. If you are creating both mono and stereo channels, you must add them separately.
Specify the number of tracks to create.
Type a name for the channel (for example, "drums" or "strings"). The names for each channel created are prepended with this name.
Click More Settings to configure more settings for the multi-out channels you create.
If desired, select a multi-track tape machine and a Console to automatically add on each channel.
In More Settings, to choose which multi-out channel to create as the first track, select the channel from the Multi-Out list.
In More Settings, to choose the MIDI output channel for created channels, choose a channel from the MIDI Out list.
In More Settings, to cascade the MIDI outputs with the created channels, click Cascade MIDI Output.
To add tracks, click ADD. To close the window without adding tracks, click DONE.

New plug-in channels appear in the MULTI-OUT MIXER area within the instrument plug-in, and separate tracks are created in LUNA for each multi-out channel.

Assigning additional audio outputs within a plug-in

In general, multi-output plug-ins include a mixer or other method to assign audio to separate plug-in outputs.

For example, in Toontrack's EZ Drummer, on the Mixer page, you click the output for a mixer channel and select an output pair.

Refer to your plug-in documentation for more information on how to assign channels to additional outputs within the plug-in.

Working with multi-output channels

Multi-output channels in the LUNA timeline and mixer work just like other instrument tracks. You can rename tracks, drag them to different positions in the LUNA mixer or timeline view, and change track colors. You can record MIDI to different tracks, one at a time, or to multiple tracks with a multi-timbral plug-in and multi-channel controller. All normal mixing operations are possible, including soloing, muting, and recording MIDI to a track. You can add or remove plug-ins and LUNA Extensions.

The main differences between multi-out channels and the main instrument channel or other instrument channels are that multi-out tracks are deleted if you delete the main instrument track, and you cannot place a multi-out track in input monitoring mode. However, you can place the main track to which the multi-out channel is linked into input monitoring mode.

In addition to working with tracks in the mixer and timeline view, you can reorder, rename, and delete tracks created in the multi-out mixer.

To rename a channel within a plug-in, double-click the channel name, or right-click / Control-click the channel name, then choose Rename. Type a new name and any comments, then press Return, or click the X to close the dialog.
To delete a channel, right-click or Control-click the channel name, then choose Delete.
To reorder within the plug-in view, click and drag a channel.

Working with multiple MIDI channels in a multi-out instrument

In the multi-out mixer, you can independently assign the MIDI input and MIDI output for each channel of an instrument. This allows you to use a multi-timbral instrument like Native Instruments' Kontakt, for example, with a single plug-in instance, while sending independent MIDI to each loaded patch, and recording MIDI for each loaded patch to independent tracks. You can configure a MIDI Input and MIDI Output for each channel,

MIDI IN – The MIDI Input determines what MIDI input channel sends MIDI to the channel. You might assign different MIDI IN channels if, for example, you are recording multi-timbral parts with different MIDI controllers or a multi-timbral controller. If you are recording each MIDI track separately, you can assign the same MIDI input for each channel, or leave the default All setting.
MIDI OUT – The MIDI Output specifies the MIDI channel in the plug-in to which MIDI from the channel (track) is routed. You can use MIDI OUT to record MIDI on multiple channels (multiple LUNA tracks) of a multi-out plug-in, then route that MIDI to the correct part in the multi-out plug-in. This is useful with multi-out, multi-timbral plug-ins, like Kontakt or other samplers or synths.

To assign MIDI inputs and outputs in the multi-out mixer within a plug-in

With the multi-out mixer displayed, display the MIDI options by clicking the icon below the plus symbol.
To select a MIDI input for a channel, click the MIDI IN button. In the MIDI IN browser, select the MIDI channel.
To select a MIDI output for a channel,In the MIDI OUT browser, select the MIDI channel. Usually, this is listed under the name of the track (e.g. INSTRUMENT). You may have to scroll down to find the MIDI Output channels for the instrument.

Tip: You can assign MIDI Output channels automatically when you create your multi-out channels. To do this, make sure CASCADE MIDI OUTPUT is highlighted when creating multiple output channels.

Multi-out mixer and multi-timbral plug-in example

In the following examples, we use the Kontakt instrument, but every multi-timbral instrument has its own configuration. Refer to your instrument's documentation for specific information.

Add a Kontakt plug-in to an instrument track in LUNA.
In Kontakt, assign the patches you want to include in your multi-out instrument.
If Outputs are not shown, from the Kontakt Workspace Management menu, select Outputs.
Next to Outputs, click Presets / Batch Configuration. From the menu, choose Batch functions, then choose Clear output section and create one individual channel for each loaded instrument.
Kontakt assigns each loaded instrument patch to a separate output pair.
Follow the instructions in Adding multiple output channels from within a plug-in to add the instrument channels in LUNA.