ReWire request, with supporting data

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There have been requests, mine included, for ReWire functionality in PG Music products. I thought there might be more support for this if more people knew exactly what ReWire is and does. The following is from the Propellerhead website.

Quote:

What is ReWire?
ReWire is a system for transferring audio data between two computer applications, in real time. Basically, you could view ReWire as an "invisible cable" that streams audio from one computer program into another.

ReWire was developed by Propellerhead Software AB in 1998 and first appeared in Propellerheads' ReBirth RB-338 and Steinberg Soft- & Hardware's Cubase VST, allowing the two programs to communicate in a way that hadn't been possible before. Since then, a version 2 of ReWire has been released, with several significant improvements and additions. Today, a number of software applications from different manufacturers support ReWire.

So, what can ReWire do?

ReWire has the following features:

-Real-time streaming of up to 256 individual audio channels (up to 64 with ReWire 1) from one application to another.
-Real-time streaming of up to 4080 individual MIDI channels from one application to another (255 MIDI buses with 16 channel per bus). This feature requires ReWire 2.
-High-precision synchronization - complete, glitch-free sync between the two applications, with no settings to make and no parameters to worry about.
-Common transport functions - if both applications have built-in sequencers of some sort, you can play, stop, rewind etc. in any of the applications and they will both locate to the same position.
-Additional querying - one application can "ask" the other about audio channel names, etc. This feature requires ReWire 2.

How do you use ReWire?

To start with, you need two programs that support ReWire. One of these programs is the "synth application" (the application generating audio) and the other is the "mixer application" (the application to which you want to stream the audio). Typically, the synth application could be a stand-alone software synthesizer such as Propellerhead Software's Reason, while the mixer application could be a hard disk recording program, audio sequencer, digital audio workstation, etc.

After you have activated ReWire in the mixer application and launched the synth application (in that order), the following happens:

All audio from the synth application will appear in the mixer application. This means you can use the mixer application to adjust levels, add EQ and effects, etc. For example, if your synth application is Reason, you can have the sound from the different Reason devices appear on separate mixer channels in the mixer application, where you can freely mix and route them.

You can route MIDI from the mixer application to the synth application (requires that both applications support ReWire 2). This means you can have any sequencer track etc. in the mixer application play a sound source in the synth application - in effect, you can control everything from the mixer application.

If both applications have built-in sequencers, transport will automatically be linked - start playback in one application and the other follows automatically and instantly, in perfect synchronization.

Sounds great! How do I get it?

You don't download or purchase ReWire - it's not a separate product. If a program supports it, ReWire is a part of that program and is automatically installed when you install the program . . .

I'm a software developer - can I include ReWire in my programs?

Yes, ReWire is a free piece of technology. Propellerhead Software will issue licenses to companies in the audio or music industry interested in creating commercial ReWire applications, free of charge.

Also, according the the Reason 3 manual, two programs linked through ReWire consume less resources than running the two programs without ReWire. For more information, go to www.propellerhead.se and click "Company".

So as far as I can see, it's all benefits, and no cost to anyone. Propellerhead even assumes responsibility for tech support once ReWire is in place. Hey, PG--why not incorporate this into your stuff?

Richard

is band in a box has this option or not?

No. However, Pro Tools, Steinberg's Cubase and Nuendo, Apple's Logic Pro, Cakewalk's SONAR, Home Studio and Project, Ableton Live, and FL Studio, do.

Melodyne has it as well

I think it would be great to be able to work with BIAB and PTPA simultaneously using ReWire.

Endorsed

I inappropriately listed several ReWire Hosts above. From the Propellerhead website, here is a list of ReWire Clients. All are classed as Synths.

Incorporating ReWire into PTPA would allow the 'virtual bus' capability, with up to 256 channels of audio and 4080 MIDI streams remaining in the digital domain.

I have not included Hosts, which mainly consist of competing products; however, there are a few borderline apps, such as Sony ACID 5.0 and above and Ableton Live which have unique abilities and which it might be useful to be able to link with through ReWire.

ReWire Clients: Arkaos VJ, Arturia Storm, Cakewalk Project 5, Celemony Melodyne, M-Audio Torq, Madtracker, Plogue Art et Technologie Bidule, Propellerhead Reason and ReBirth RB-338, Speedsoft VSampler 3, Steinberg Groove Agent and Halion 3, Tascam GigaStudio 3, Toontrack Music dfh SUPERIOR and EZ Drummer, Waves Tune and Yamaha Vocaloid.

To all at PG: If this is undoable, please tell us. Otherwise, I hope you will give it strong consideration. The only reason you aren't getting more requests for ReWire is that few people understand its full capabilities.

Richard

Yes, Rewire, PLEASE!!!!

Yes indeedy.

I'll buy BIAB as soon as it has ReWire capability. (Ableton Live & Arturia Storm user)

Definate agree on the need for Rewire. BIAB and Realband both are somewhat crippled without it.

Bumping : because I would really like to hear from someone official that this is possible. The usefullness cant be overstated.

I fully ageree with all of you, it is without exception the most wanted
addition to BIAB. I have enjoyed BIAB for 10 years, but I can't create
my music as I don't sing. Vocaloid is the answer! Maxbear.

Definitely need rewire. It would expand the possibilities alot.

This is not exactly a bump since this discussion is still at the top of the page. But.

I am now the proud owner of Reason 6.02, soon to be upgraded to 6.5 (for free, courtesy of the fine folks at Propellerhead). I am now more motivated than ever to see Rewire incorporated into BIAB and/or Real Band. I can't fully imagine the possibilities but I expect it would be amazing. I already port most of my BIAB creations into Reason, where I convert them from General MIDI voices into whatever I want. Imagine driving that bad-ass synth directly from BIAB/RB along with Real Tracks. ZOMG!

PG, note that despite now being a full-featured DAW as opposed to "just" a soft synth, Reason is configured to be a slave only. Maybe that will change, but right now that's how it is, so your products would have to be masters. Also note that Reason does not support VSTs/VSTi's. They've gone with a proprietary format known as Rack Extensions (REs). However, the master program can have either, so you get the best of both worlds.

I requested this a long time ago too, there have been quite a few requests over the years but not once has it been answered officially! What a shame

It's difficult to see why it hasn't been implemented already.

Certainly, it has to be the most requested feature on the forum. Maybe on 2012.5?

Here's hoping.

ROG.

Quote:

I requested this a long time ago too, there have been quite a few requests over the years but not once has it been answered officially! What a shame

Actually, there was a note from PG in another thread that they were, in fact, looking into Rewire. This was extremely unusual; the usual thing is for them to remain silent until a feature is implemented (or not). That response is why I started this discussion and continue to feed them new information as it becomes available.

R.

Good Software to see the current requirement of the industry.

Yes! I use Studio One with lots of Rewire functionality. I find it frustrating BIAB will not rewire with it also.

So is there plans to add rewire, seems crazy that it is not there at this point. It would be fine if there were features that were disabled I really more than anything need bars to line up with DAW and to send chord tracks and things individually to DAW.

Originally Posted By: skillet

Yes,

Support for Rewire has been announced. No timeline has been given.

Originally Posted By: skillet

You can use the ReWireVST in PT.
You can create a tempo map in PT using the Metronome "Write to track", save the midi track or drag out, open in the DAW, or create the tempo map in your DAW then open in PT.

http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=371691