Configuring a Main Mix Computer

Configuring one computer as a main mix computer that receives audio from your other computers allows you to mix internally on the computer.

In the following example, we assume that you are using 2 computers: computer 1 as your main mix computer and computer 2 for 2 additional stereo audio tracks, an FX channel track with a reverb plug-in and a VST instrument plug-in with stereo outputs.

Procedure

On computer 1, use an unused set of outputs, such as an analog stereo output, connected to your monitoring equipment, to listen to the audio playback.
On computer 2, route each of the 2 audio tracks to a separate output bus connected to the digital outputs, bus 1 and 2, for example.
Route the FX channel track to another VST System Link bus, bus 3, for example.
Route the VST instrument channel to yet another bus, bus 4, for example.
On computer 1, check the corresponding 4 VST System Link input busses.

If you start playback on computer 2, the audio should appear on the input busses on computer 1. However, to mix these audio sources, you need actual mixer channels.
Add 4 new stereo audio tracks on computer 1, and route these to the output bus you use for listening, such as the analog stereo outputs.
For each of the audio tracks, select one of the 4 input busses.

Now, each computer 2 bus is routed to a separate audio channel on computer 1.
Activate monitoring for the 4 tracks.

Result

If you now start playback, the audio on computer 2 will be sent live to the new tracks on computer 1, allowing you to hear them with any tracks you play back on computer 1.

After Completing This Task

If you notice a processing delay while you listen to signals coming from your other computers during monitoring, try the following to compensate for latency issues:

Activate ASIO Direct Monitoring on the Audio System device panel for your hardware if your audio hardware supports this.
Alternatively, open the Studio Setup dialog, and on the VST System Link page, change the Offset Samples value.