Here is the solution to hearing audio playback out of Izotope RX4 when it is being used concurrently with Pro Tools. Many first time users of RX4 have encountered frustration when they discovered that when both programs are active at the same time, audio playback will fail from whichever program was opened second.
I, too, encountered this same issue when I first began using Izotope RX4 Advanced on my two systems: a PC desktop running Win 7 64bit and my PC laptop running Win 8.1 64bit.
Both stand alone programs worked just fine by themselves, so long as it was the only program open. But if I opened the other one, while either RX4 or Pro Tools was running -- then I lost audio playback in at least one of the programs. Sometimes, I would even lose audio playback in both of the programs.
Eventually I did find the solution online from a (third party) users forum. I spoke with the people at Izotope and asked if they could clarify the solution and post it on their website. Sure enough, they wrote something up.
So here is a copy and paste of what they posted. Copyright Izotope and all that legal mumbo jumbo, this is from Izotope and can be found on their site at:
https://www.izotope.com/support/kb/index.php/kb/article/678-RX_Monitor_When_and_How_to_Use_It
RX Monitor: When and How to Use It
When using RX Connect, some DAWs monopolize the system's audio drivers, preventing RX from playing audio through the same output device.
The RX Monitor plug-in allows us to bypass this. The plug-in acts as an “instrument” in the DAW, and will play audio from RX through the driver being used by the DAW.
This issue generally occurs with Pro Tools HD hardware on any operating system, and most audio drivers or interfaces when used on a Windows system. If you are trying to use RX Connect on one of these systems, but are unable to hear playback from RX, you may need to use RX Monitor as well.
To setup RX for use with RX Monitor:
- In the RX 4 Standalone application, click Edit > Preferences.
- Click the “Audio” tab.
- In the “Driver Type” dropdown menu, select “RX Monitor.”
- Click OK.
To setup your DAW for use with RX Monitor:
- In your DAW, add an “aux” track. The exact name of this type of track may vary depending on the host application.
- Insert the “iZotope RX 4 Monitor” plug-in onto the aux track.
Now, any audio that you playback through the RX 4 standalone application, will be played out through this aux track in your host application’s session.
You can see a quick video demonstration of this here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jsQSGu_AUw
Some host-specific notes:
- Cubase and Nuendo: RX Monitor must be on an “FX Track” in these DAWs.
- Reaper: You must click on the Options > Preferences menu and then navigate to the “Audio” section. Be sure to uncheck the option that says “Close audio device when stopped and application is inactive”.
