1 Topic by revi (edited by revi 2026-09-05 19:10:28)

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Topic: Use of VST host with TotalMix via loopback

Hello!

I am interested in using Steven Slate Audio VSX software with TotalMix and a FireFace UCX II:

https://stevenslateaudio.com/en/vsx

The standard use case is to insert the VSX software on an output buss in one's DAW but I'd like to use it with TotalMix.

I have multiple outputs from the  FireFace UCX II configured in TotalMix going to different destinations.

I'm going to send the optical S/PDIF output to a Topping headphone amp to which the VSX headphones will be connected.

I'd like to use a VST host like Audiostrom Live Professor in conjunction with the TotalMix loopback functionality to host the VSX VST plugin.

That way, I could audition audio through the Slate VSX software (via Slate headphones) while leaving the other outputs unaffected.

Does this make sense? If so, are there any recommended approaches? Any further suggestions or recommendations are greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance for your help!

All the best,

Iver

P.S. I have no idea why "ADAT user" is next to my username. :-)

2 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2026-09-06 02:33:19)

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Re: Use of VST host with TotalMix via loopback

I don't know VSX

For using VST plugins I recommend REAPER



revi wrote:

I have no idea why "ADAT user" is next to my username. :-)

The forum gives automatic category names to the users depending on the quantity of posts (user-activity).

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3 Reply by ramses (edited by ramses 2026-09-06 10:29:26)

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Re: Use of VST host with TotalMix via loopback

@waedi: Using a DAW for that purpose is a little "expensive" therefore such VST Plugin host solutions exist.

Hi revi.

Audioström's LiveProfessor reads audio from an input and will send the processed audio (if you loaded a VST plugin) to a playback channel.

If the audio source is a hardware
- input, then you do not need loopback
- output, then it should work using loopback.

Example - Steps (from Memory)

I experimented with it already, but this was a couple of years ago. So I hope I remember the gory details well; if there are issues, then please check the YouTube video below where RME (Joost) shows how to use LiveProfessor in combination with TotalMix FX.

If you want to use this solution for your headphone monitoring, then I would perform the following steps, assuming your headphone monitoring is using HW Output PH9/10 and ADAT 7/8 is free:

1. Copy the PH9/10 submix from HW Output Ph 9/10 to HW Output ADAT 7/8
2. Enable Loopback on HW Output ADAT 7/8
3. Add a (stereo) "Chain" in LiveProfessor using HW Input ADAT 7/8 as input (audio source).
4. For this chain (in LiveProfessor), use a free output of your choice. Note: this output is an SW Playback channel in TM FX middle row. Either take the next free or also ADAT 7/8 if this gives you a better overview.
5. Now modify your monitoring submixes to active monitors and phones to use either the raw submix or the processed submix from LiveProfessor through SW Playback ADAT 7/8 (or whatever you choosed).

Take a look at the very informative YouTube video here, where Joost shows a typical setup and also elaborates on expected latencies in such a setup: "RME Essentials: VST Plugins in TotalMix with LiveProfessor"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ95oc6zO3w&t=849s

BR Ramses - HDSPe MADI FX, M-1620 Pro D, 12Mic, UFX III, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, Nuendo 15, Win10 IoT Ent
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Re: Use of VST host with TotalMix via loopback

You can also use the delay with delaytime set to zero as send to the vst host.
The one from Hermann Seibt should be the lightest one.

5 Reply by revi (edited by revi 2026-09-07 01:12:00)

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Re: Use of VST host with TotalMix via loopback

Thank you all for your replies! I appreciate the information!

The Steven Slate VSX technology is a combination of hardware (Slate VSX headphones) and software (the VSX software).

VSX technology allows the user to apply various modeled environments -- specific studios, automobile interiors, etc. -- to an audio signal to test/approximate what a mix would sound like in these different environments.

This is typically done on a master buss in the DAW but I would like to apply it only on a output going to a particular headphone amp to which the Slate headphones are attached.

So I'm using a DAW (MOTU Digital Performer) the output from which goes to TotalMix.

@ramses: I really appreciate the detailed step-by-step instructions (and I understand these are meant to be guidelines). I'll let you know how it goes!

Again, thank you very much!

All the best,

Iver

6 Reply by waedi (edited by waedi 2026-09-07 01:41:07)

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Re: Use of VST host with TotalMix via loopback

revi wrote:

So I'm using a DAW (MOTU Digital Performer) the output from which goes to TotalMix.

It should be possible to route each track to an individual output,
you don't need to be fix on one output in the DAW.

As this VSX software comes as VST plugin, you can load it a few times in the same output and switch ON / OFF, for use the desired one, all with the same headphone.
Or use one instance and switch between presets.
No need for different headphone outputs.

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Re: Use of VST host with TotalMix via loopback

@waedi: Routing individual tracks to individual outputs isn't the point here. The reason for using a VST host like LiveProfessor is to run plugins independently from a DAW and to let TotalMix routing decide which signal path gets the processing.

A headphone submix in TotalMix usually contains more than DAW playback, e.g.: hardware inputs, audio player or system audio. All of that can pass through VSX this way. Inside the DAW, only DAW material would.

Could you kindly stay on topic, thanks.

BR Ramses - HDSPe MADI FX, M-1620 Pro D, 12Mic, UFX III, ADI-2 Pro FS R BE, Nuendo 15, Win10 IoT Ent