Using WAH

[RobertP]

I can't get my head around how to do this...if possible...

I have a recorded guitar part in Reaper on one track and have decided I want to add wah. I don't want to re-record using a foot pedal (i physically can't use a foot pedal), but I do have a cry baby and a colorsound footpedal.

I have tried a few software wahs but found them/me clumsy, not accurate and not so good with a mouse

I would like to play the recorded track and record it to another track putting in the wah using the cry baby with my hand.

My thoughts lead me to
line out from interface, into wah pedal, into line in on interface with record armed track
Reading about the danger of feedback worries me a bit.

[paul_c]

Do you have (at least) 2 outputs on your audio interface?

[RobertP]

There are 4 TRS output jack sockets, 2 of which go to my powered monitors

[RobertP]

Ah, additional info from the manual:
HARDWARE IN DAW IN
Analogue 1-4 1-4
Loop back 1-2 5-6

The additional 2 inputs are in the form of Loop back 1-2; allowing the routing of any internal signal back into the DAW

Loopback
Use when recording from one software program to another. Loopback can be used for routing audio from e.g. your internet browser to
record into the DAW, or to record from one DAW to another.

To prevent any audio feedback, make sure that the DAW you are recording into is not set to monitor its own inputs. Alternatively, set
the outputs of the DAW which is being recorded into to 3 and 4; this allows the monitoring of the inputs without feeding the signal back
into the record stream.

[paul_c]

It probably needs a diagram to explain it clearly but basically:

Route all but the dry guitar to (an) output(s) (let's say, 1&2) connected to your monitors
Route the dry guitar to output (eg) 3 only
connect output 3 to WAH input
connect WAH output to any free input, eg input 1
arm & record on a new track, eg "WAH guitar", with the input (1) as above
route the output (record monitoring) of THAT track to output 1&2 so you can hear yourself applying the effect

[ashcat_lt]

Originally Posted by paul_c

It probably needs a diagram to explain it clearly but basically:

You’ve explained it fine. Some people need a diagram anyway.

My answer is run the guitar track out a hole that you’re not using, through the wah, into a hole you’re not using. Don’t route the input hole to the output hole.

Edit - but feedback through the pedal can’t get quite to 9V P2P which is respectable but if it hurts your ears or your gear then you should probably stop and calibrate your monitor system real quick.

[ashcat_lt]

Honestly the only thing different from just recording any other source is the hardware send from the prerecorded track. You wouldn’t normally route a new recording track to that third output, so like just don’t, like you normally wouldn’t. Maybe turn of the master/parent send on that original track. Don’t get spooked.

But do think about where in the chain you actually want this pedal. After the amp sim will be completely different from first in the chain.