Modartt user forum - Focusrite's VRM Box

Re: Focusrite's VRM Box

2011-09-10T10:33:52Z

Great review Hans!

Re: Focusrite's VRM Box

2011-09-10T09:51:44Z

Right - I have been trying some first mixes using VRM from my Saffire 24DSP.
Being able to compare between different rooms and speakers does indeed make a difference!
First thing I discovered is that I apparently put more reverb or delay in my mixes than I should.
The effects seem to 'muddify' the sound on a couple of speakers - when I take it back a notch or 3 it's a lot cleaner.
It's very good being able to switch back and forth between the different rooms and speakers and I was a lot more satisfied with the mix than I normally was. Also the bass is something I seem to exaggerate more than needed.
Overall the total sound from the Saffire also seems better than the straight sound from my Mac.
I'm pretty pleased with it so far and for mixing the VRM is deifinitely a cool addition.
The way the rooms and speakers sound in your headphones is spooky... at times I take off my headphones because I have the impression I've got my normal speakers switched on.. The rooms sound that real to me - no 'closed cans' sound but sounding out in the open, sort of.
So ya - certainly pleased with it, but the mixing itself obviously still remains a personal issue. Something can sound good to me and not to others - what I would recommend is playing a cd of which you like the sound in particular through VRM on the different speakers before you start your own mix. That way you have something to compare your own mix to.

cheers
Hans

Re: Focusrite's VRM Box

2011-08-29T15:22:20Z

Update on my part...
Back from holidays in North Yorkshire - while there I have been to 'Production Room' in Leeds - a great music store, pretty specialized in recording and synths - very cool...
The guys in there were very nice even though I told them from the beginning I was not going to buy anything there at that moment...

After coming back from holidays I bought the Saffire Pro 24 DSP that includes the VRM technology.
I've got that hooked up with an RME ADI 8 PRO, 8 in out DA/AD converter by ADAT, so I now can use 12 simultaneous channels to work with.
First impression is real good.
But I have to sit down and work on a complete composition and then try and do a final mix to hear what it can really help me do....

so more later...

cheers
Hans

Re: Focusrite's VRM Box

2011-07-20T19:44:18Z

For clarification, this technology is at present available in two products from Focusrite: the VRM box and the Saffire Pro24 DSP Firewire audio interface. (Note: it is not present in the similarly-named Saffire Pro24 interface). There is a difference in how they operate.

From Focusrite's website:

"Does the VRM box have DSP or does it use my host processor?

The VRM box uses the processing power of your host CPU to process the VRM. To see how much of your CPU the the VRM Daemon is using, you should check the 'Activity Monitor' on your computer."

Regarding VRM technology in the Saffire Pro24 DSP::

"The Method

VRM uses standard headphones to reproduce the direct sound, together with a DSP system that is used to simulate specific monitoring scenarios. VRM's room models are mathematical models which provide greater flexibility in the possible combinations of loudspeakers and listening positions. The loudspeaker simulations are created using convolutions of impulse responses measured using the original loudspeakers. The accuracy of these simulations in different environments is taken care of by the impulse responses themselves and the way they are calculated and manipulated. Saffire Pro 24 DSP takes all the processing load off your computer."

I have the Saffire Pro24 DSP. I can recommend it if you need a quality audio interface for a reasonable outlay. It has a remarkable amount of "bang for the buck". Driver support appears good. But do read what Focusrite say about compatible Firewire interfaces on their website (essentially, Firewire 400 only - not Firewire 800 or mixed 800/400, or combined Firewire and USB cards), From the sound quality point of view I do not think that a RME Babyface would improve my musical experience - your mileage may vary.

Re: Focusrite's VRM Box

2011-07-17T08:46:27Z

will do Chris!

cheers
Hans

Re: Focusrite's VRM Box

2011-07-17T08:36:55Z

Please let us know how you get on with yours Hans,

Regards,

Chris

Re: Focusrite's VRM Box

2011-07-17T08:19:52Z

Cool!!
Thanx Chris, have fun with it!!!
I will follow... :-)

cheers
Hans

Re: Focusrite's VRM Box

2011-07-17T08:14:57Z

Not sluggish in the slightest Hans! And yes, it's very cool!

Regards,

Chris

Re: Focusrite's VRM Box

2011-07-17T07:04:21Z

As a matter of fact, I forgot to write that in my email but I thought that maybe the transfer of audio thru usb could be 'sluggish' or something but for the actual modeling the box has a DSP aboard to do the conversions right?
But so anyway it gets cooler by the minute right? :-)

cheers
Hans

Re: Focusrite's VRM Box

2011-07-16T23:02:35Z

They are readily available

creart wrote:

Cool Chris - thanx, where did you get it actually? I'll be in England for holidays in a couple of weeks and the 75 pounds you mentioned is actually cheaper than here in Holland so if I'm there anyway... who knows?
cheers
Hans

I got mine in the post (mail order) from Dolphin Music in Liverpool. Google 'Focusrite VRM Box UK' and you'll find plenty of places that sell them all over the country! Just take your pick!

P.s. I was completely WRONG about the VRM Box being processor intensive AND also completely WRONG about needing another audio interface!!! I simply forgot that the VRM Box is ITSELF a TOP QUALITY AUDIO INTERFACE!!! DOOOOOOH!!!!!

I was using it in conjunction with my Saffire Pro 24 and didn't understand why it was so labour intensive!!!! That WAS daft of me!

I realised this tonight when I was testing out my E-MU 0202 with the VRM Box! I thought to myself, "Why do I need two audio interfaces???" Understandably, if was using the VRM Box to monitor a mix and wanted to use the spdif, then I'd have to rig it up that way, but just to listen to pianoteq through headphones as I play, NO PROBLEM. Very LITTLE CPU USAGE!!!

Apologies to all,

Regards,

Chris

Re: Focusrite's VRM Box

2011-07-16T16:48:09Z

Cool Chris - thanx, where did you get it actually? I'll be in England for holidays in a couple of weeks and the 75 pounds you mentioned is actually cheaper than here in Holland so if I'm there anyway... who knows?

cheers
Hans

Re: Focusrite's VRM Box

2011-07-16T13:30:03Z

creart wrote:

Does it put a heavy load on the CPU?
I just got myself an i5 quad core ... I guess it must be enough to run VRM box?
cheers
Hans

The i5 will have absolutely no problem. In facct, having tweaked and adjusted my setup, I'm getting perfect performance with an audio buffer of 4.0 showing in PianoTeq using my far less powered dual core Intel Core 2 Duo T5450 2.0 GHz laptop. 4.0 buffer isn't the fastest latency, but it's great considering what I'm running, and what I'm running it through!!! Of course, it is a good job I already had the express firewire card to run my Saffire Pro 24 through as this gives far better performance than the ffactory mini firewire port.

As I say, and as you can appreciate, you will have no problems at all with an i5 (quad core).

regards,

Chris

EDIT p.s. the VRM Box's load on the CPU isn't massive, but it is significant.

Re: Focusrite's VRM Box

2011-07-16T09:13:17Z

Does it put a heavy load on the CPU?
I just got myself an i5 quad core iMac which seems to run software like Pianoteq and Arturia MoogModular a lot easier than it did on my old G5 - I guess it must be enough to run VRM box?

cheers
Hans

Re: Focusrite's VRM Box

2011-07-16T08:47:32Z

The ONLY thing to beware! It uses CPU!!!!

I think I'm going to have to get a low latency USB RME soundcard so that I can use my Intel i5 equiped computer instead of the dual core duo I am currently using.

I think the i5 is quad core??? Looks like it anyhow from the Intel website???

Re: Focusrite's VRM Box

2011-07-14T13:12:19Z

Hey Chris

Good to hear you like it that much!! I'm very interested in it myself and hope to be able to get one in the near future.
I'm into 'modeling' anyway so the VRM concept absolutely fits me (using Pianoteq, modeling guitars, soft synths, TD20 drum modeling etc.)
Hope to get one soon!!

cheers
Hans