As a new user, here are a few things to remember:
- Always remember you must connect the hardware I/O of the H9000 to the FX Chain I/O in order to pass audio through. For example, if you’ll be sending signal to the H9000 via ADAT, you must connect ADAT 1-2 to FX Chain input 1-2 and then connect FX Chain output 1-2 to ADAT 1-2 again. Of course, they don’t have to be matching pairs, though it makes things easier.
- There are a few ways to approach using FX Chains.
– You can create traditional serial or parallel effect paths.
– You can put up to four effects in parallel that are going to the same set of I/O and mute or unmute them as you’re going to use them. For example, maybe you want to keep your favorite vocal effects on one chain and automate which effect get’s used.
– Don’t think that an FX Chain must always be routed to a stereo pair of I/O. If you wanted to, you could put four effects in parallel in each FX Chain but route each algorithm I/O to it’s own stereo pair, which means you can have up to eight stereo effects busses or 16 mono busses. Keep in mind the limit is determined by how you’re routing signal, so if you’re using ADAT, the most you could have is four stereo busses or 8 mono busses. - When exploring parallel effect paths, understand your splitting the signal to two or more effects, so any dry signal is getting duplicated. Be mindful of using KILL DRY where appropriate, especially when running effects on an auxiliary buss.
- Remember, you can use the H9000 as a digital patchbay. The converters are exceptional! Even though you may be routing audio to and from the H9000 via ADAT, you can connect preamps, synths, and other devices to the analog inputs (XLR and/or DB25) and route that signal anywhere using Direct I/O.
- Once you setup a Session, most likely you’ll use it for several projects, so I like to use a Master Session as a starting point that I can duplicate when I start a new project.
- As you start finding your favorite algorithms, save common FX Chains for easy recall later. In a similar manner, I use Scenes to instantly switch between my favorite vocal, guitar, drum, and synth effects. I like to use the H9000 for inspiration and scenes make it easy to switch to my go-to effects quickly.
