Synching two PCs

AlanRatcliffe

OK. Short version: I want to synch two PCs together - How?

Bit longer: The main issue I'm trying to solve is getting time-based FX on my Guitar Rig laptop in synch with the tempo on my DAW. Setting them to the same tempo is limited as I get some drift (enough to be annoying). I have some experience with using SMPTE for synching tape and MIDI workstations (admittedly many moons ago), but none with two audio PCs. I'm also having to connect the audio of the two machines via analog as I pick up noise using digital to digital - and I'm guessing that is a clock issue too.

So what is the best way to approach this? Preferably on a budget, as if it's going to cost too much, I may as well upgrade the DAW to a Quad-core screamer and run GR as a plugin (ideal in the long run, but I'd rather not spend the money yet).

The interface on the laptop is an Edirol UA-25 and I have an ESI ESP1010 on the DAW. Both have MIDI (plus I have an extra 4-in 4-out on the DAW), if there is some way of doing it via MTC. Also networked, if there is a way to do it via distributed processing.

Neps

Alan see if this link helps..

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug05/articles/pcmusician.htm

AlanRatcliffe

Ah. That's great - I already have some of the host programs they mention (from when I was trying to run softsynths for guitarsynth on the GR laptop) - I didn't know they could be used over a network, so I'll fiddle with them when I get a chance.

Gareth

Nice link Neps,
Alan, have a look at REAPER as there is reamote bundled with it which I believe is specifically for this task ... I haven't used it myself.

From the manual :

22.1 ReaMote
ReaMote is REAPER's network FX functionality. It allows you to have any FX chain in your project processed on a
remote machine on your local network.
This is very useful if you have a lot of CPU consuming effects and want to add more CPU power to your project
without upgrading your main host's CPU.
To set up ReaMote, simply install REAPER and whatever plug-ins you need on the slave machines. Run the
ReaMote slave on the slave machines, then enable ReaMote in the REAPER Preferences on the master, and
you're ready to go!

HTH

AlanRatcliffe

Thanks Gareth! That requires using Reaper though... I know Steinberg also has their own proprietary system too.