Eleven Rack Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can all of the inputs (mic, line, guitar and digital)on Eleven Rack be processed with the on board DSP?
A: Yes, but only 1 Input or summed set of Inputs (such as the stereo Line or Digital inputs) can be routed through the processing at a time.
Q: How can I change which input is going through the Amp/FX processing?
A: Change the "Rig Input" setting. In Pro Tools, this setting is located in the top left corner of the Eleven Rack control window or using the Eleven Rack front panel controls, press and hold EDIT/BACK to access the User Options menu. Select "Rig Input" which is at the top of this list.
Q: Can I run more than 1 input through the Rig at the same time?
A: No. The processing can only be applied to one input source at a time. Within a Pro Tools session, you can always re-amp any recorded signal later or route multiple tracks to the Rig.
Q: When I launch Pro Tools LE, I can't hear my guitar any more. How do I fix this?
A: You should still be able to hear the guitar through your Eleven Rack Rig when Pro Tools LE is running but with no session opened. This allows you to use the Eleven Rack control window for creating or changing Rigs.
To hear your guitar through the Rig once you have a session opened, you will need the following:
- An audio track (mono or stereo) with its input set to "Eleven Rig". The output setting should be set to "Main Out L/R" and the track must be record enabled.
- In the "Track" menu, "Auto Input Monitoring" should be listed (this is the default monitoring setting for Pro Tools LE). If the "Track" menu instead shows "Input Only Monitoring", click on it to change the monitoring mode to "Auto Input Monitoring".
Another means to hear your guitar once you have a session opened is to create an Aux track with its input set to "Eleven Rig" and the output setting should be set to "Main Out L/R". However, unlike and Audio track, you will not be able to record your sound with an Aux track.
Q: Why is my sound delayed (latency) when I record in Pro Tools LE?
A: To take advantage of Eleven Rack's near-zero latency response, make sure "Low Latency Monitoring" has a check mark next to it under the "Options" menu. Regardless of your hardware buffer setting, you will always have the tightest response tracking with the Eleven Rack when "Low Latency Monitoring" is engaged.
Q: Can I jam to an external drum machine or CD Player in standalone mode (without launching Pro Tools)?
A: At this time, there is no standalone mixer functionality available in Eleven Rack. In order to monitor multiple input streams simultaneously, you'll need to use Pro Tools or another DAW with a record-enabled track assigned to each input you wish to monitor.
One workaround is to connect your external device to the FX Loop Returns and move the FX Loop to the end of the signal chain in the Rig. Adjusting the RETURN control will allow you to dial in the right level relative to you guitar sound.
Q: I'm trying to re-amp, but it's not working. What should I check first?
A: If you're using Eleven Rack with Pro Tools LE in a standard configuration where Eleven Rack is your primary audio interface make sure the following settings are configured correctly:
- Make sure you have the Rig Input setting in the Eleven Rack control window is set to "Re-Amp"
- For the track that has the "dry" or direct guitar audio, make sure the track's output is set to "Re-Amp L" or "Re-Amp R". Also make sure that the track is not muted.
- For the track you're recording the re-amped sound to, make sure the input setting is set to has "Eleven Rig". Also make sure that the track is record enabled.
Eleven Rack (as a secondary device) with HD, MP, other LE system- If re-amping via digital I/O (S/PDIF, AES/EBU), make sure you have the devices 'handshaking', with cables connected in both directions.
- The HD system should be the clock master, set to internal clock. Eleven Rack should be set to 'External' so that the two devices are sync'ed. Make sure the sample rates match or you will not be able to clock correctly.
- The Rig Input source needs to be set to "Digital"
- The Return track's input source needs to be "Digital"
- In Eleven Rack, the "Digital Output" user option needs to be set to "Rig Outputs". Set this in the Guitar Window, or in the "Digital Output" page in User Options in the HW.
The same basic formula also applies if you're using Eleven Rack as a secondary device with your 003, an M-Powered system etc.
For further details, see the "Re-Amping" video at
www.digidesign.com/elevenrack
Q: Which MIDI foot controller works best with Eleven Rack?
A: We have tested a variety of 3rd party MIDI controllers with Eleven Rack successfully. Just make sure you check the product's documentation or owner's manual before you buy. Eleven Rack uses a wide range of continuous controller numbers and you will want to make sure your controller supports all of them
Q: How do I set it up?
A: This will depend upon what type of controller you have. See your controller's documentation or owner's guide for specifics. The specific MIDI CC's required to control Eleven Rack are listed in a MIDI CC Table in the Eleven Rack User's Guide. If you're looking at the display built into Eleven Rack, you can navigate to "User Options" and select "MIDI CC Table" (Firmware v. 1.0.2 or higher required).
Q: Are there any Templates for foot controllers with Eleven Rack?
A: We don't know of any at this point but we know of at least one manufacturer who is currently working on one. We will update this FAQ as more information becomes available.
Q: Which expression pedal is recommended for use with Eleven Rack?
A: Any expression pedal with a balanced ¼" plug will work with Eleven Rack. Whatever pedal you choose, make sure you utilize the calibration function before you put it to use. This can be accessed by holding down "EDIT/BACK" button on Eleven Rack to bring up the User Options menu. Select "External Pedals" and make sure "EXPRESSION PEDAL" is highlighted by turning the "SCROLL" knob. Press the button next to the label "CALIB" (SW 2) to start the calibration process.
Q: Are there any limitations when using Eleven Rack with Pro Tools HD?
A: Eleven Rack supports sample rates up to 96k. When using Eleven Rack with Pro Tools HD sessions with a higher sample rate, you will need to either connect Eleven Rack to your HD hardware via the analog connections.
When connected via USB to the host computer running Pro Tools HD, the Eleven Rack Control Window will be available as well as features like the embedded Rig settings.
In HD, MP or other LE systems where Eleven Rack is not the primary I/O, there is no audio streaming via USB. All audio connections should be made digitally (ideal) or via analog connectors.
Q: Can I still use my own guitar pedals (stompboxes) with Eleven Rack?
A: Absolutely. You can either use the FX Loop connections or plug the output of your pedal into the True-Z guitar input. The recommended method to connect your pedals to Eleven Rack depends on the type of effect and how you want the effect to be applied in the signal chain of your Rig.
When plugging pedals into the True-Z guitar input, some pedals will react in different ways to various input impedance values which are controlled by the True-Z setting. If True-Z is set to "Auto", the input impedance will change as you bypass or move FX in the Rig. If you need a static True-Z setting, make sure your Rigs have their True-Z set to a fixed value and not the "Auto" setting.
There's no right or wrong way to do this, experiment until you feel like you have a configuration that sounds and feels right!
Q: How do I update the Eleven Rack Firmware?
A: A Firmware Updater can be downloaded from the Digidesign website (
www.digidesign.com/elevenrack in the "Download" section). The download will contain an application which will install the Firmware Updater on your Computer. Make sure your Eleven Rack is powered on, connected via USB and quit Pro Tools if it is running before launching the Updater. The update takes a few minutes to complete and will not erase or overwrite your Rigs or User Option settings.
Note: you will need to have the Eleven Rack driver software installed on your computer to perform the firmware update and Pro Tools must not be running.
Q: How do I revert my Eleven Rack to the Factory Presets?
A: A full reset to Factory condition can be accomplished from the "Factory Reset" user option in the hardware. Since all your customized Rigs will be overwritten, you may wish to save them to you computer first. This is done using the Eleven Rack control window in Pro Tools. Click on "SAVE" in the Eleven Rack control window and select "Save All to Computer".
Q: Can I use Eleven Rack with other DAW software instead of Pro Tools?
A: Yes, the Eleven Rack driver enables Eleven Rack to work with any Core Audio (Mac) and ASIO (Windows) compatible application. The more integrated features in Pro Tools like the Eleven Rack control window, embedded Rig settings and session tempo control are not available in other DAW applications like Apple Logic Studio or Ableton Live.
Q: How many amps and effects can run simultaneously in Eleven Rack?
A: Within an Eleven Rack Rig, one amp and cabinet combination along with seven effects can be running simultaneously.
Q: Does low latency recording work for all of the inputs on Eleven Rack?
A: Yes, when you have "Low Latency Monitoring" engaged in Pro Tools.
Q: How does True-Z work?
A: The input impedance among effects and amplifiers is not the same. Plugging your guitar into this gear creates a specific electronic relationship that shapes the tone and feel of your guitar sound. In order to deliver the most authentic sound and feel, we had to create a unique analog input circuit that could actually change the actual impedance of the guitar input. With True-Z, your guitar "reacts" in the same way it would when plugged into the actual gear we emulate in Eleven Rack. We realized that this is something you couldn't emulate digitally or with EQ since each guitar is somewhat unique with its electronics.
When True-Z is set to "Auto", the input impedance is determined by which active amp or effect is first in the Eleven Rig signal chain. For example, if the Shine Wah is the first effect in the chain, True-Z input will change to a value that is similar to the input impedance of a real wah pedal. If you bypass the Shine Wah, the next effect or amp that is not bypassed will determine the input impedance. True-Z functions as if you had true hardware bypass mechanical switches installed in all the devices in your signal chain.
True-Z can be manually set as well if there is a fixed setting that works best for your guitar and Eleven Rig combination.
Q: What does "Cap" represent in the True-Z settings?
A: When set to an impedance value "+ Cap", capacitance is switched into the circuit that alters the resonant peak and high end roll off of your signal. As with the input impedance, the effect to the sound and feel of the guitar signal is dependent on the electronics of the guitar (pickups). It was added originally to the 1 MΩ setting to provide an option that more closely matches the input ofan actual tube amplifier. In the end, we added it to all the impedance values simply to provide more tonal options.
Q: Does True-Z work with wireless guitar connections?
A: The impedance matching of True-Zhas essentially no effect when used witha wireless guitar connection because the wireless system adds additional stages of low impedance buffering between the guitar and Eleven Rack. However, this is no different from using a wireless system with an actual tube amp or effects pedals.
Q: Does True-Z work with active pickups or digital modeling guitars?
A: Active guitars will "react" to True-Z in the same way as when plugged into an actual tube amp or analog FX pedal. However,active systemsput alow impedance buffer between the guitar and Eleven Rack. Therefore, switching the various True-Z impedance values will have far less of a noticeable effect.
Q: Is there any difference in sound between Eleven Rack and the Eleven plug-in?
A: The amp and cab models in Eleven Rack are exactly the same DSP algorithm except for the inclusion of speaker cone breakup in the Eleven Plug-In.
Q: Do I need to adjust the Eleven Rack guitarinput level for my guitar? Is it possible to clip the Eleven Rack guitar input?
A: The guitar input on Eleven Rack is plug-and-play. It is designed so that no input gain adjustment or calibration is needed and the player can hear the most authentic response. It's nearly impossible to clip with any guitar you might throw at it, pedals too. We designed Eleven Rack to be as friendly as plugging into a regular guitar amp.
Q: Why is the level of my dry guitar very low when I record it in Pro Tools?
A: The Eleven Rack guitar input is calibrated so that it's nearly impossible to clip even when using guitars with high output pickups. Therefore, a guitar with low output pickups and played with a lighter touch will have a peak level far below full-scale. In the end, when you re-amp your direct signal back through Eleven Rack, the tone and response of your Rig will be the same as if the guitar signal came from the input jack.
Q: Why in some cases do I get a "phasey" or comb filtered sound when I engage the FX Loop?
A: In the FX Loop, the signal has to go through a stage of digital to analog and analog to digital conversion to connect to an external device. All digital to analog and analog to digital converters have some degree latency (usually less than a millisecond) so the return ("wet") signal is slightly delayed relative to the send ("dry") signal. When the signals are mixed, some comb-filtering can occur which causes that "phasey" sound.
Setting the FX Loop "MIX" control to 100% will prevent this from happening. If the device you have connected to the FX Loop has a wet/dry mix control, it's recommended to use it to control the balance between the dry and wet signal.
When using delays or reverbs in the FX Loop, the using the Eleven Rack FX Loop "MIX" control with this configuration is totally suitable for adjusting the balance between wet and dry signals. Just make sure you set the "Mix" control on the delay or reverb device to 100% or its maximum setting. For other FX (non-delay based), is it generally advisable to set the Eleven Rack "MIX" control to 100%. Feel free to experiment with the setting to depending on your specific application.
Eleven Rack F.A.Q.
Linear Mode
