After many requests, here is the tried and tested version of using the RPC-1 together with Cubase VST, and using them together as a great Aux FX send and return to/from the VS-2480.

The first thing you have to do, is set up VST correctly, so start the program and once in the main recording window, do the following:

1) Go to Options/Multi-record and choose Input Split

2) Create four Mono tracks and name them AUX 1, Aux 2, Aux 3, and Aux 4. Bring up the VST Channel Mixer 1 and pan each track left (AUX 1), right (AUX 2), left (AUX 3), right (AUX 4). Then arm all tracks ready for recording.

Next, you will need to activate your Sub-Groups to allow the input signal to flow via the RPC-1 outputs to the VS-2480. Go to Panels and choose VST Master Mixer. Drag the window to the right, and activate the first three channels. In this scenario, remember that the Master is classed as BUS 1, and is automatically switched on for you.

In the first diagram, you will see that I have organized my Sub-Groups to make it easier to see where my signals are coming from and going to. To do this, bring up the sub-groups and name them accordingly:

AUX 1 is assigned to BUS 1 (Master), AUX 2 to BUS 2, AUX 3 to BUS 3, and AUX 4 to BUS 4. This merely dictates that the chosen BUSes will travel back to the VS-2480 via the RPC-1 channels. The AUX sends from the 2480 reaches VST as mono signals, but are returned in stereo. To understand this more clearly, BUS 1 returns on RPC-1 channels 1 & 2, BUS 2 on 3 & 4, BUS 3 on 5 & 6, and BUS 4 on 7 & 8. You can of course send 4 mono sends as above, or indeed 2 stereo sends,  8 mono or 4 stereo too!

The next thing you need to do is to open the System Audio Panel and arrange your setting as in the next diagram. The Number of Channels can be set to 4 or 6 or 8, depending on the amount of AUX sends you want to use from the VS-2480. Notice 3 important points: The Bit Rate is 24, MIDI Sync Reference is Time Code (MTC) and the ASIO Direct Monitoring is set to on. This will assist you in being able to sync VST to your VS-2480 while at the same time, allowing you to hear your chosen FX returning to the VS-2480 via the ASIO Direct Monitors.

Now go to Options/Synchronization and set up your system similar to mine. You will notice that I am not using the RPC-1 MTC, but a USB Midiman 2 x 2. This is purely personal preference, and has nothing to do with syncing quality. If you do not have a USB Midi unit, then just choose your RPC-1 Midi for MTC.

Hang on - we're nearly there! Choose any channel number and bringing up the Channel Insert, choose an effect. In the diagram below, I have chosen Steinbergs NaturalVerb with Hall as my setting. Cubase VST is now ready to receive any of your AUX signals and relay them back to your VS-2480.

With the above setup, we are now syncing Cubase to the VS-2480. Not essential, but it will start your audio sequencer for you every time you press play on the VS-2480.

VS-2480: EZ Routing Screen

Attach your AUX Sends 1/2 & 3/4 outputs to your R-BUS outputs 1/2 & 3/4.

Attach your R-BUS inputs (VS-2480 EZ Routing) to your Mixer Channels 1 - 8. These can be stereo returns (Channel Link for stereo).

Check that your AUX master send faders are at 0dB, as well as your Mixer Channel input faders 1 - 8. On my VS-2480, Track 14 is my snare drum, and I want to send it to Cubase for a special reverb effect. To do this, I merely open up the AUX 1 on that channel. This sends the snare drum along the AUX 1 master to the R-BUS Output (1), and into my Cubase Channel 1. It then gets processed by the Channel 1 Insert (NaturalVerb-Hall), and is then returned to my VS-2480 Input Channels 1 & 2, which are stereo paired and sent to the Master Bus!

If like me, you are also running 2 internal FX cards on the VS-2480, then merely substitute the above for AUX Sends 5 - 8, returning them on whatever channels you want: (1 - 8, 9 - 16 or 17 - 24).

That's it! If you have followed my directions carefully, you should now be running your VS-2480 AUX Sends to Cubase, and entering the realms of Digital RPC-1 FX Sends and Returns!