conecting aditional gear to computer

[tico]

I want to know if when recording with my computer I can connect effects procesors or other rack units,If I can ,will my music have to go through these units before going in to the computer? or after?I use cakewalk but wonder if other hardware do a better job with reverb,chorus,Can I use an external mixer? I am confused and probably confused you by now too,need serious help,I am a novice to recording. Thanx

[kristian]

there are many down falls to this. First once in the computer all mixing can be done without going through an D/A conversion then another A/D conversion. to do this though there is one way. You need a soundcard with multiple outs. these would beconnected to the tape ins or line in on your mixer you could use all inserts and aux send on your mixer. then you would have to use your direct outs to go go back post fader, and post everything else. this starts to get way more expensive then mixing in your computer. but its doable.

[tico]

Thanks a lot,now I understand,but my question now is,does the computer deliver decent effects?,what is more common to use, the software's mixer or an external mixer? what I really want to know is what will sound better,what delivers the more professional sound,I'm thinking,pre-amps,effects,compresor,will the computer do a perfect job with this? or should I go the more expensive way?
Thank you,I am really learning here,please continue to help,I plan to record acoustic guitar,bass,I have a korgn 364,and probably will give a shot at vocals.
God Bless

[bball jones]

I would definately recommend an external mixer of sorts, it is so useful in so many ways. As far as other gear you may need, I would recommend a decent monitoring system, so important and so often overlooked. From there you should take your time and work with and learn to use what you have got - before going headlong into other outboard processors.

[kristian]

Needing a mixer has nothign to do with coming back out to it. you will need a preamp and/or mixer in order to go from mix level to line level. whether you come back out to there is a whole different story.

[tico]

Thanks a lot,I now have some light about this,I will go out and experiment and see what works out,your advice has been valuable
peace out

[kristian]

ok that was ridden with confusingness. a mixer is needed to take your mics to line level. thena cord froma mixer into your soundcard. then what you do from there is a whole other story.

[tico]

Now I am set,like you where reading my mind,that really cleared things for me. you have been great help.

[dobro]

"I want to know if when recording with my computer I can connect effects procesors or other rack units,If I can ,will my music have to go through these units before going in to the computer? or after?"

If your soundcard's got digital ins and outs, and your external effect processor is digital also, you don't need a mixer at all - just hook the processor up to the soundcard, and everything stays digital. No D/A/D conversions involved. You can use the processor after you've recorded the tracks dry, which is usually recommended.

That's the theory anyway. I'm having a hell of a time getting it to work for me right now.

[tico]

I imagine this goes also for other rack units?

[bball jones]

As long as they were digital.
Interesting concept dobro, removing the mixer from the mix.