Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Using Kronos CX-3 with a Ventilator

The Neo Instruments Ventilator is an excellent digital simulation of the Leslie 122 rotary speaker.  Here's an easy what to integrate the Kronos and Ventilator.

In the setup example, we'll keep the Main L/R outputs of the Kronos connected to the mixer or speakers.  Note that on the Kronos there are the Main L/R outputs and then four individual outputs (1 through 4).

First, physically connect the output of the Kronos to the input of the Ventilator.  As both the PRE AMP out and the Ventilator in are both mono, you will only need one cord.  Make note of the Kronos output that you've used to make the connection.








In Program mode select EXi 1 ==> AMP/VC/ROTARY ==> AMP/VC.
In the AMP TYPE box, select PRE AMP.
At the bottom of this page in the MAIN OUTPUT section is OUTPUT LEVEL (use this parameter to control volume level going into the Vent. It is easy to overdrive the Vent using the Kronos).


Now open IFX section and go to the ROUTING page.  At the bottom, BUS SELECT, choose the output that corresponds to the output you're using on the back of the Kronos.




At this point you should be be getting signal into the Ventilator and hearing sound from its outputs.  You can always run it into a mixer or powered speakers.

Another interesting option is to run the Ventilator outputs back into the Kronos.  This allows you to add FXs like reverb, have more consistance control over levels and eliminate the requirement for an external mixer.  To do this, connect the L/R outputs from the Ventilator to the analog inputs #1 and #2 on the Kronos.  Make sure the large switches are pushed in (line level) and adjust the trims knobs closer to min than max.

Click on PLAY and then AUDIO IN/SAMPLING to get to the screen below.  Unselect USE GLOBAL SETTING as we're going to make the changes at the program level vs. globally.  The first two columns correspond to the analog inputs 1 & 2 on the Kronos.  If you don't want to add insert FXs you can select L/R.  But if you do want to add insert FXs, choose IFX1 (as shown below).  If you want to send to the MFX1/2 master FXs, you can also do that via the SEND 1 to MFX1 or SEND 2 to MFX2.  If you see the warning ADC OVERLOAD! you need to turn the physical gain controls on the back of the Kronos for both inputs.