Comp lookahead with midi tracks

[nognow]

If I have a prerecorded midi track with a Kontakt inst in the FX tab, is there a point in using the lookahead feature on a compressor?
Since it's not saved as an audio wave, can the comp "see it ahead"...
Thanks!

 

[Mincer]

Re: Comp lookahead with midi tracks

I don't think they do that with midi tracks.

 

[ginormous]

Re: Comp lookahead with midi tracks

Moving to Tips and Clips.

 

[ginormous]

Re: Comp lookahead with midi tracks

Compressors work with actual audio signal, either pre-recorded stems (WAV, AIFF, etc) or incoming signal (from your instrument).

Since MIDI is information that "plays" your synth, the compressor isn't acting on it.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Comp lookahead with midi tracks

It depends on how you have the track set up. If you have it as a software instrument track, then for all intents and purposes your DAW will see Kontakt just like any other instrument. So placing an audio effect after it, like reverb, delay, or compression, will be audibly heard and effected. Alternatively, you can print the output of Kontakt to an audio track to save CPU and add effects to that as well, and then freeze the track to allow more CPU headroom. When I am using a lot of MIDI tracks, this is what I do; just make sure to save your project with an iterative name so that you can go back to before the bounce down just in case you need access to the original MIDI tracks.