ReWire is a software protocol that allows two (or sometimes more) software applications to work together as one integrated program. For example, suppose you wish your DAW of choice had Propellerhead Reason’s roster of way cool virtual instruments, but you don’t want to learn a different DAW. No problem: use ReWire with your DAW, and get Reason into the mix.
ReWire requires a client application (also called the synth application) that plugs into a ReWire-compatible host program (also called the mixer application) such as Cakewalk, Cubase, Digital Performer, Live, Logic, Pro Tools, Samplitude, Studio One Pro, etc. In the host, you’ll have an option to insert a ReWire device. The process is very much like inserting any virtual instrument, except that you’re plugging in an entire program, not just an instrument. You usually need to open the host first and then any clients, and close programs in the reverse order. You won’t break anything if you don’t, but you’ll likely need to close your programs, then re-open them in the right order.
Here’s how the client and host work together.
- The client’s audio outputs stream into the host’s mixer.
- The host and client transports are linked, so that starting or stopping either one starts or stops the other.
- Setting loop points in either application affects both applications.
- MIDI data recorded in the host can flow to the client (excellent for triggering soft synths).
- Both applications can share the same audio interface.
Rewire is an interconnection protocol that doesn’t require much CPU power, but note that you’ll need a computer capable of running two (possibly powerful) programs simultaneously. Fortunately most modern computers can indeed handle ReWired programs, so find out for yourself what this protocol can do.