Overview
So you’re starting Ohm Studio ? Even if you’re not big on reading, follow those steps:
Step 1: Download and install UVI workstation Ohm Plug
That one is your all around multi – instrument in ohm studio (even) free version. See instructions here for Windows and here for MAC
Step 2: Setup your audio and midi preferences.
First of all, open your Ohm Studio Preferences and make sure you find yourself under the Audio tab.
1. Choose a driver type in the Audio Engine drop-down menu.
On Mac, you can leave it on Core Audio.
On Windows, it is highly recommended to choose ASIO. If there are no ASIO drivers installed on your computer, you should download and install asio4all drivers. However, it is usually recommended to install and use drivers specifically designed for your audio device.
2. Choose a device in the Input Device drop-down menu (e.g. built-in microphone) or set to <None>.
3. Choose a device in the Output Device drop-down menu (e.g. built-in output).
You might have to install drivers specifically written for your Audio Device by its manufacturer in order to see its Inputs/Ouputs in the list.
It is recommended to use the same device for both Input and Output.
4. Choose a Sample Rate that best matches your Audio Device properties.
Larger values result in lower latency at the cost of higher CPU use.
44100 is usually considered a suitable Sample Rate setting.
It is recommended that all project members use the same Sample Rate to avoid potential problems related to collaboration.
5. Choose the Buffer Size that Ohm Studio will use to buffer incoming and outcoming audio data.
Smaller values result in lower latency at the cost of higher CPU use.
512 is usually considered the maximal value for live recording. Comfort zone starts at 256 and below.
If you’re using an ASIO driver (except ASIO4ALL), it is advisable to have the same buffer setting in Ohm Studio than in you audio interface setting. If the value is given in ms in your audio driver use the conversion table provided within the troubleshooting section
6. Latency is for the advanced users who want a very accurate recording – if you’re not a very tight player with your instrument, you shall not bother. Still here ? Little know fact: in addition to buffers, your audio interface induces its own latency due to analog/digital conversion. While each manufacturer provides a reference value, it’s only an approximation. That’s why Ohm Studio offers you to finetune it. To do so, record Ohm Studio playing the metronome (mic on your speakers – desactivate monitoring first!). If you notice a difference in the sample recorded between the clics and the time reference, you need to tweek latency. Try value between 0 and 100 first – usually it’s enough. Values can be positive or negative (although most likely positive). It will be a trial and error process but once it’s done, it’s done for good (at the corresponding setting of sample rate and buffer size). In the future, the “calibrate” button will be activated and you’ll only have to click it.
Once again, it’s precision adjustment. Most of the time it’s not needed.
1. If you don’t already have one, add an Audio Input to the list by clicking on the + / – button.
2. Click on ▲ / ▼ to add/remove channels to/from that Audio Input (e.g. 1 channel for a mono input, 2 channels for a stereo input).
3. Map each channel of your Audio Input to a physical input (the number of physical inputs available depends on the audio device you are using).
4. You can add as many input configuration as you want with the +/- button
Example: if you want to have on mono and one stereo input out of your audio interface, do the following:
Input 1:
Ohmstudio input # 1 > your audio interface Ch1 ( or left ) = one channel in mono
Add an input (+ button)
Ohmstudio input # 1 / 2 > your audio interface Ch1 / CH 2 = two channels stereo
By default, Ohm Studio creates one stereo Audio Output.
Assign both the left and right channel (i.e. Chn 1 and Chn 2) of that Audio Output to an output channel of your audio device.
The stereo output of the Master Rack is automatically assigned to this Audio Output.
Step 3: Setup your VST plugin preferences
How to setup my VST folder(s)
If you want to add VST plugins you need to make sure Ohm Studio knows where to find them. Open Ohm Studio preferences (within edit menu on PC), then go for the vst tab. Here you can have up to 10 vst folders.
After adding, click apply. Note that you’ll need a restart Ohm Studio.
Ohm Studio wraps every VST plugin in a build in standard to handle its needs, especially regarding collaboration features. That’s why your first scan of a folder may be surprisingly long. Each subsequent change in the folder will make Ohm Studio rescan it but it will be faster than the first one.
Step 4: Get the basics
Several way to do that (in addition to creating a project and try to get it all with your mighty brain)(or die trying)
- do the build in tutorial within a project
- watch that tutorial video (a bit outdated but still handy)
- if you’re already experienced with other DAWs, that feature video will give you a good overview of Ohm Studio
Step 5: Collaborate!
You haven’t experienced Ohm Studio until you have created music with someone. Once logged, open the public tab, listen to projects preview and open one that inspires you. Green light means someone’s in. Also read how to collaborate to grasp the essential things implied by Ohm Studio’s collaborative features.