Cubase + Genos2 + Focusrite Scarlett 8i6

[Michael Trigoboff]

My Genos1 had an S/PDIF digital audio output which I was able to directly connect to the S/PDIF input of my 8i6. I was then able to set the ASIO Driver in Cubase Studio Setup to Focusrite USB ASIO and leave it that way.

My new Genos2 does not have an S/PDIF digital audio output, which has required some changes to my previous workflow.

I have my monitors/speakers connected to 8i6 outputs 1 and 2. I have the Genos2's Main analog audio outputs connected to 8i6 inputs 3 and 4. I have my microphone connected to 8i6 input 2.

For normal use, I keep Cubase ASIO connected to the 8i6 driver. I can hear what I am playing on the Genos2 via the analog audio connection from its Main outputs to the 8i6.

When I want to record digital audio from the Genos2 directly to Cubase, I switch to the Yamaha driver (by setting the ASIO Driver in Cubase Studio Setup to Yamaha Steinberg USB ASIO).

I sometimes have to do a little work with Cubase's Audio Connections settings and/or the Focusrite Control app, but it's all easy and straightforward once you understand what's going on. (Focusrite also has an iOS app that can do a lot of what Focusrite Control does, and I often use it instead of the Windows app on an iPad that is part of my music rig.)

I originally thought that not having S/PDIF output from the Genos2 was going to be a major drawback. Then I figured out some very complicated Rube Goldberg ways to accomplish various things. But now, by switching Cubase back and forth between the Yamaha and Focusrite ASIO drivers, I have come up with easy and convenient ways to do anything I need to.

Yamaha makes a great keyboard, and Focusrite makes a great audio interface.

[sh]

Yes, this would work somehow, but still is a workaround.

My current Genos 1 workflow / setup:
1. I monitor and record my Genos via SPDIF with zero latency in Studio One, connected to my professional RME Fireface UC interface
2. I mostly sing during my performace, so zero / very low latency is crucial for me
3. I also record other sources together with my Genos live, e.g. I record the mic separately through my RME interface and external synths

Especially the third point will force me to record the analog Genos output instead of SPDIF with Genos 2.

Currently I don't need to switch between audio interfaces (yes, I am on Windows; it's different for Mac users since they can use more than one ASIO interface simultaneously). So for me the missing SPDIF interface is the biggest downside of Genos 2 (besides the fact that they replaced the beautiful OLED display with an LCD display). Nevertheless, I ordered my G2 and I am really eager to try everything out. Should arrive before Christmas. :-)

[RoyB]

Currently I don't need to switch between audio interfaces (yes, I am on Windows; it's different for Mac users since they can use more than one ASIO interface simultaneously).

If you want to use multiple ASIO devices at the same time on a Windows PC, you could have a look at DS WASAPI,
link:
https://www.3delite.hu/Object%20Pascal%20Developer%20Resources/DSWASAPIASIORouterMixer.html

Regards

Roy

[sh]

Many thanks RoyB, I will give it a try as soon as I have recieved my new "baby" early next week.

The only thing which can't be solved with this driver is latency anyways. SPDIF has zero latency, I am curious what latency can be achieved with Genos 2 and the Steinberg drivers.

[sh]

The DS WASAPI driver did not work well on my system so I ended up bying a good external SPDIF converter to convert the Genos 2 main out to SPDIF. Although this may sound ridiculous to many of you I now can preserve my complete setup and free up a stereo input on my RME Fireface.

To me the lack of SPDIF out on Genos 2 is a big step backwards and makes the integration into a professional studio environment more difficult than necessary. The good thing on the other hand is that the analog audio output is of high quality.

[Michael Trigoboff]

It's really too bad that Yamaha left the S/PDIF out of the G2.

But you get very high-quality digital audio out of the G2 via the USB connection. I prefer using that to introducing yet another. A/D conversion into the path that the audio takes from the G2 to wherever else it's going, I have managed to avoid that in my setup.

[sh]

It's really too bad that Yamaha left the S/PDIF out of the G2.

But you get very high-quality digital audio out of the G2 via the USB connection. I prefer using that to introducing yet another. A/D conversion into the path that the audio takes from the G2 to wherever else it's going, I have managed to avoid that in my setup.

As I said this is not possible in my setup since I have another professional audio interface in place where the Genos USB interface can not be used simultaneously. If this would work I would also get rid of the additional conversion. But to be honest, the quality of the G2 audio output is really good. And my SPDIF converter is also of very high quality.

[GlenC]

I have been playing around trying to get the USB digital output to connect to Cubase Pro 13 for the last two days.  I have the latest Yamaha Steinberg driver installed v2.1.6, then found you have to use the 'Digital Keyboard' driver to connect the Genos2 to Cubase, couldn't find that info in any of the Genos2 manuals.

I usually use Cubase via a Steinberg UR22C USB Sound Card which I use to record my guitar.  I could of course use the analogue out ports of the Genos and go directly into the UR22C sound card but thought I would try the new (Genos2) digital audio USB option. This means I have to keep swapping drivers within Cubase which is a bit of a pain, so not sure what benefit I would get using the Genos2 USB audio output.

Glen

[Michael Trigoboff]

Swapping the Genos and the Focusrite ASIO drivers is what I do in Cubase Pro 13. Switching drivers just takes a few seconds, and the way I work never requires me to use both drivers simultaneously.

The extra D/A and A/D conversions probably don't make much of an audible difference, but it pleases my obsessive personality to keep things technically elegant. 

[JohnS (Ugawoga)]

Hi Michael
I could never tell the difference between spdf and balanced.
Like they say you may get a little noise floor with balanced over digital but it is splitting hairs.

I have found it is better to use the focusrite for doing samples from Sample Robot and converting in Yem .
With the internal sound device of the Genos 2, you do not get much volume in Yem when editing a sound. Really poor. With the Focusrite,much better and not the latency. Yem needs a makeover.
I have found that using the internal sound really good though in Cubase 13 and easy to do all functions like wave ,midi and Vst.
Like you  i have the focusrite and can go either way.
I am over the moon with the Quality of Genos 2. A world apart from Genos 1


All the Best
John
.
Ps I am not a boff so understand the way i say spdf over Balanced. i think it should be analogue.
I have pretty good ears still. I got all sorts of problems when i plugged a spdf in and went back to what i know.
Whatever, Izotope plugins and or Wavelab will get your end product up to a great level.

[BogdanH]

S/PDIF is a digital audio interface, where digital signal is transmitted over coaxial (copper) or optical (fiber) cable. In that sense it's similar to USB audio interface (no D/A and A/D conversion). Lately USB audio interface is prefferred (for home use), because there's no need for additional hardware (every computer has USB) and because it's more flexible (can also be used for MIDI, etc.).

Balanced (XLR) connection deals with classic analog audio. That is, quality of the audio is the same as with good old unbalanced (RCA) connection. The difference is, balanced connection has additional electronic, which prevents that cable would pick any external distortion along the way. That's why balanced cable has three wires inside (unbalanced only has two). Btw. we shouldn't mix balanced and stereo connection (both use three wires).

The benefit of balanced connection comes to surface on longer distances (i.e. live performers on stage), where all kind of equipment is used along the way. For home use (say, distances up to 2-3m) it mostly doesn't matter which connection (balanced or unbalanced) we use -unless we know that we have some electronic device nearby, which might interfere with signal in the cable.

Bogdan