I understand that Macs allow what Apple calls a "virtual device." However, i am not quite sure what this will allow me to do. Will a "virtual device" allow me to combine the outputs of my Onyx soundcard which is connected via firewire, and let's say the laptop's internal soundcard? On playback, I wish to bus some of Cubase's tracks to my Onyx card, while at the same time others to my laptop's card. thanks Fred

Ahhh... it's called an "aggregate device". Yes, an aggregate device will combine your Onyx inputs & outputs with the inputs/outputs of your Mac's built-in audio interface and/or other connected compatible audio interfaces. So, for example, if I have two firewire interfaces with 4 inputs and 4 outputs both connected to my Mac, I can create an aggregate device which gives me a total of 8 inputs and 8 outputs. Hope this helps R

Ok, thanks. that is what I was hoping. The reason being is that I wish to take the output of a specific track and reamp it, meaning I wish to route it to an external hardware device with the outputs of that device going back into Cubase to create a "wet" track. Naturally if I attempt that with the output of all tracks going into the device I will get an unwarranted result. The only way I can do it now is to solo the dry track and reroute it back into the computer. The problem with that approach is I cannot listen to the mix while recording the wet track. So I am thinking that if I can assign the dry track to an output that is not going into my Onyx card, I can take the output of the device and route it back into cubase via an Onyx input. I hope I am making sense. Anyhow, Thanks much again. Fred

Hey Fred, Yes, that makes perfect sense. Hope it works out well and let us know how you get on. :) Rounik

Perhaps you can help me out a little bit further. I created an Aggregate Device under the Audio/Midi utility. When I go to Cubase and select Aggregate as the Sound card or sound source, it allows outputs to only 1 of the sound card devices. The reason I say this is because when I pull the drop down menu those are the only 2 outputs available. Not sure how to see all four of the outputs. that being (L/R on Onyx, and L/R on Pod 3). Right now the entire mix is coming out of the Pod X3. Thanks again. Fred

Hi Fred, Which Mackie Onyx model is your audio interface? 1620? I think it's best to contact Mackie Support and check with them that your interface supports aggregate device with your built-in Mac in Cubase 5. Sorry I can't be of more help... I thought Mackie Onyx supported the aggregate device feature. btw, if you open Garageband and select the aggregate device as your interface do you have access to more inputs and outputs? Cheers Rounik

Rounik, Apparently my last posting did not stick. I figured it out and it does exactly what I need. Thanks again for your help. Fred

Hi Fred, It's great you figured it out! Can you post your solution in this thread. It'll be helpful for others who are searching for answers in the future... :) Rounik