VM as a VST inside of VCV Rack 2 - receiving clock etc.

[StarFishPrime]

Hello

I have Voltage Modular in the VCV HOST Module as a VST and would like to send clock information. Anyone try this yet or any ideas how I might go about this?

Regards
Dave

[ColinP]

Try running VM in VCV Host-FX and patch the clock to either the L/MON or RIGHT socket. Hopefully it should then be available from the 1L or 1R sockets in VM's I/O panel AUDIO SOURCES section. I've not actually tried this but give it a go.

[StarFishPrime]

At first that sounded correct but then what of the pitch and gate information I'm also trying to send to VM? Is there a clock module you can purchase for this situation?

[ColinP]

I don't have the VCV Host modules so can't test any of this but there are a few possible options...

One is to use the VCV Host-XL module instead of Host-FX then you should be able to send four channels of info - so one for clock, one for pitch, one for gate and one for something else.

Alternatively you might be able to send clock via MIDI. Then inside VM use the MIDI Clock Divider module to access the clock signal.

If you can't directly send MIDI clock then maybe configure one of VCV Host's inputs to transmit the clock as a CC signal and then retrieve that inside VM by using the MIDI CC Converter module.

[Steve W]

(1) Are you asking about MIDI Clock?
(2) RE: Pitch and Gate are you talking about sending control voltages?
(3) Are you talking about this bundle https://library.vcvrack.com/VCV-Host?
(4) If so, which modules https://vcvrack.com/Host?

I have Voltage Modular in the VCV HOST Module as a VST and would like to send clock information.

(5) What do you mean by "send clock information?" For example, from where to where? Are you trying to sync VM inside of VCV Host with VCV's Tempo?

I don't know the answers, but I am interested in interoperability.

If a VST plugin in a Host, Host-FX, or Host-XL module generates MIDI output (such as a sequencer or audio-to-pitch detector), you can place one of these expanders on its right to convert the VST plugin’s MIDI output to CV and gates in Rack.

(6) Is it safe to assume that you want to take MIDI data generated by VM and have VCV convert it to CVs so you can use those CVs within VCV?

. . . what of the pitch and gate information I'm also trying to send to VM? Is there a clock module you can purchase for this situation?

(7) Wait a second. Are you are trying to get VM data/CVs into VCV AND "pitch and gate information" from VCV into VM?

VCV Host (VST instrument host)
For hosting VST instruments, synthesizers, samplers, and sound generators, use Host, which includes 1V/oct pitch CV and gate inputs. When the gate voltages rises, a MIDI note is triggered according to the current 1V/oct signal, rounded to the nearest note. This note is held until the gate falls to 0V.

I think I figured out what you want. You want to Host VM as an Instrument inside the VCV Host module.

Host also includes mappable MIDI parameters for generating certain MIDI events, such as note velocity and pitch wheel, available by right-clicking the parameter label.

You want VCV Host clock data to be mapped to (aka sent to) VM so that VM will use the clock from VCV and will thereby be in sync with the VCV clock. (We used to say "slaved to" but we can't say that any more and I don't know if "will be in sync with" conveys the same intent.)

[StarFishPrime]

Well now - I'm not sure you have actually asked me a question you didn't then go and answer

"You want VCV Host clock data to be mapped to (aka sent to) VM so that VM will use the clock from VCV and will thereby be in sync with the VCV clock. (We used to say "slaved to" but we can't say that any more and I don't know if "will be in sync with" conveys the same intent.)"

This is certainly the gist (and the start of it) - without a clock sync, all I could use VM for in this arrangement is for drones and pads or sound effects. If I want any sort of rhythmic connection I need to sync clocks. After that, there are many modules within VCV Rack that can send modulation to VM if I can get it to accept it - which looks like I should.

[StarFishPrime]

Alternatively you might be able to send clock via MIDI. Then inside VM use the MIDI Clock Divider module to access the clock signal.

If you can't directly send MIDI clock then maybe configure one of VCV Host's inputs to transmit the clock as a CC signal and then retrieve that inside VM by using the MIDI CC Converter module.

Thanks Colin - I will see if I can make something along these lines work.

[Steve W]

Well now - I'm not sure you have actually asked me a question you didn't then go and answer

True. I decided I might as well try to research the modules/bundle myself to try to infer what wasn't stated rather than wait for answers. Looks like my guesses were close!

"You want VCV Host clock data to be mapped to (aka sent to) VM so that VM will use the clock from VCV and will thereby be in sync with the VCV clock. (We used to say "slaved to" but we can't say that any more and I don't know if "will be in sync with" conveys the same intent.)"

This is certainly the gist (and the start of it) - without a clock sync, all I could use VM for in this arrangement is for drones and pads or sound effects. If I want any sort of rhythmic connection I need to sync clocks. After that, there are many modules within VCV Rack that can send modulation to VM if I can get it to accept it - which looks like I should.

Within VM using VM modules (Core) and modules from a popular third-party developer, I ran into issues with syncing VM (standalone mode) with a very reliable hardware sequencer / sound module. I have put on hold for the time being trying to decide if the issues are baked into VM or are attributable to third-party modules.

As I tried to point out by implication, while the documentation for VCV Host Bundle modules mention generating midi commands to hosted Instruments, I saw no reference to generating and sending MIDI clock data. It is possible I missed it, though.

As I mentioned, I am a big fan of interoperability between different systems, so I'd be happy to hear that you succeeded!

[StarFishPrime]

So let's experiment with, say, the Octave Peddler (OP) in VCV Host module. I have both a gate and a CV input into Host. I am getting Pitch information that changes the note sequence of OP. I have tried inputting gates from both the VCV clock and the sequencer I am using hoping to eventually control VM (Foundry), but there is no clock sync of any sort.
In CV Sources at the top of VM there is a gate and trigger output next to Pitch. Where do these get their signals from?
On the 8 STEP SEQUENCER there is an external clock input.
I downloaded a clock module (Andrew Macaulay Clock Divider) hoping that when it was in the VM rack while a vst that it would automatically sync, but it does not.

[StarFishPrime]

Well now - I'm not sure you have actually asked me a question you didn't then go and answer

As I mentioned, I am a big fan of interoperability between different systems, so I'd be happy to hear that you succeeded!

So far I've managed to get just about everything I have put into Host to work - Kontakt, Uhe Zebra, Portal, Space Craft, Modular V3, Novation V7 etc.
Haven't tried quite a few yet (like Reaktor).....

It's nice having the option to throw a full synth into Host but it seems a little against the "modular grain" to do so and therefore vsts like the Aturia Modular 3 seem more in line with the modular spirit as it were. .