Choosing ST4 output mode question

Damir

hi Peter, just wondering if I go multitrack way , I believe I have two options , I can go multitrack on the interface but stereo only on output , this gives me good control of all tracks yet I’m still outputting in stereo , but then I can have some songs in multitrack and output each track separately using multiple groups to an external mixer for full external control.
This I hope is correct in my understanding.
Now my question is, if I have all my songs in the last example multitrack to multitrack out is there a global setting that I can choose to simply go to stereo out on all multitrack songs , so if I am only using stereo out on one gig I can just output to group 1, and if I am needing to run full multitrack on another gig I can simply choose all my multitracks to output to individual groups.
Meaning I only need I multitrack song but can output it to either stereo or multitrack outs.
Or this is not possible and I need to create duplicate songs and create different routing for each.

peter

If you want to switch between a single stereo and multiple outputs you need to make sure that your tracks are routed to multiple buses (as many buses as you want outputs). The assignments which bus will go to which output are remembered per audio interface. Connect your interface and select the outputs you want for each bus. When you connect another interface it will automatically use the outputs you have setup for that interface.

Damir

peter If you want to switch between a single stereo and multiple outputs you need to make sure that your tracks are routed to multiple buses (as many buses as you want outputs). The assignments which bus will go to which output are remembered per audio interface. Connect your interface and select the outputs you want for each bus. When you connect another interface it will automatically use the outputs you have setup for that interface.

Thanks Peter, this means if you have a stereo out connection to PA and accidentally use a multitrack song that is assigned to multiple groups you will only hear group 1 audio only.
The way I see it, if you bounce between running in stereo/ Multitrack outs depending on requirement, you have to duplicate all multi out songs and assign them to group 1 only and make sure you clearly identify them as stereo out songs by using colour perhaps , this way if you perform in stereo out you simply use the appropriate versions of songs.
I was thinking perhaps there was a global setting where you choose which output mode you need and all songs are forced to output to stereo only no matter what multi output grouping you have chosen.
This then eliminates duplicating songs and creates safety of not accidentally playing a multi group song through a stereo out connection and only getting group 1 audio.
I won’t have this problem because I will use multitrack songs in to 1 group out only but for those that use a different combination at different gigs they need to be aware of potential of only hearing one track audio if they change to stereo out.
A global setting would simplify this by forcing all groups to group 1 or releasing this to allow multi group selection to operate as normal.
This is just talk to make everyone aware of potential problem and a work around solution if needed.

peter

Damir Thanks Peter, this means if you have a stereo out connection to PA and accidentally use a multitrack song that is assigned to multiple groups you will only hear group 1 audio only.

No, that‘s not what I wrote. When you connect via stereo out, all buses are routed to the stereo out.

AnthonyB

I had previous suggested the idea of 'audio interface profiles' that could be configured and recalled because I was also worried about track (in ST4 now Bus) routing changing depending on what I was connected to. It was also going to make things a little clearer for me when prepping my iPad at home and not having my mixer to plug into to expose the interface to ST - in effect, it could still show me my mixer's interface inputs.

So far I haven't run into any issues with the way ST3/ST4 is working with regards to the way it just automatically remembers and recalls interface routing. That said, there are still times when I'm working on some song config in ST at home, without my mixer, and wished I could setup some specific track/bus routing, and can't. I have to remember to do it the next time I'm connected to my mixer. Small inconvenience at best, but still...