EQs and Noise Gates

[BeniRose]

So I need some advice. I have a few things on my rack I'm not really using, but I can't bring myself to get rid of them. I have a 5 channel noise gate (by peavey) and two 2-channel EQs (one peavey, one MXR). Now the noise gate I will hold on to, because I only can't use it because my pre-amps and interface are on the same unit, so i can't pre the mic signal and then run it into the noise gate (only have send and return on channel 1 and 2). I'm looking at getting a Focusrite Octopre down the line, so this would allow me to route it in the signal. The two EQs however, I'm keeping incase for some reason I get something with inserts I could use it on. However, I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable using outboard EQs as I'd be afraid I'd mess up the signal and not be able to fix it. Does anyone use EQs in their signal chain before hitting the converter? Does anyone use outboard EQs on dry signals after it's been recorded? Ideally, I'd like to be courageous enough to use them before the signal gets recorded, but I just don't trust myself and I don't know if I ever will (or if I'd even have a need to) so I'm not sure if I should sell them. Here's a picture of my rack:


All in all, I'm wondering people's opinions on outboard EQs and Noise Gates (also other non-"effects" processing like compressors, limiters, etc) and where in their chain they put it, before the signal goes in or after. Also, any advice for my situation would be appreciated.

[mixsit]

I'll eq a bit on tracking being conservative and cautious (high pass is fairly safe. Same with compression.
Gates on the other hand- Generally there's plenty of other basics that need to get done reliably during tracking, and that's too easy to screw up. Come to think of it, don't use gates much any way. Snare or kick some.

(also other non-"effects" processing like compressors, limiters, etc) and where in their chain they put it, before the signal goes in or after.

Not getting out of the box' once in for now except verbs'. Sonar and stuff is covering it pretty well. Chameleon eq and 'P38 beckon but I'm hitting them on the way in.. so pressure's off for now.

[MOFO Pro]

I'd advise keeping those "graphic" equalizers and noise gates as far from your recording chain as possible... I'd sell them... or start a live rack...

[xmortumx]

dude i have a firepod what gear rack you suggest then?

[pipelineaudio]

gates are one thing that 100% for sure no doubt about it can be done better in the plugin world AFTER the signal is recorded

[mixsit]

Originally Posted by pipelineaudio

gates are one thing that 100% for sure no doubt about it can be done better in the plugin world AFTER the signal is recorded

Yeah, forgot about that angle -'lookahead in digi land.

[Samplecraze]

TBH, being old school, I still use a mixer, external hardware efx and dynamics.

I use a Drawmer DF330 for filtering noise when tracking vocals, a ton of external EQs I run through the inserts etc...

I don't find the need to use gates for noise control but use them extensively in musical terms (side chained etc).

What happens to your audio signal once it has left the DAW and entered a hardware device is that you are now in the hands of the device's signal path and that can be destructive if using a poor signal path.

I use external Eqs all the time but then that depends on the EQ unit itself and what I am trying to achieve.

I know a lot of studios that have top end consoles and still run a MP off an insert for 'that sound'.

[MOFO Pro]

Originally Posted by xmortumx

dude i have a firepod what gear rack you suggest then?

In order of importance:

1. Boutique Preamp
2. Compressor
3. Parametric EQ
4. Effects

You've got to get the signal into the box first... if you skimp on the preamp... there's no going back to improve on what's done... Compressing and EQing can be handled in the box... but there are some analogue artifacts and harmonics that just can't be accurately reproduced from an algorithm.

[xmortumx]

Yeah sounds good... Because im searcing on what rack gear i should get to add to my home studio.... but i see all these people with lots of gear in the rack

But i got a clearer idea.

[TexRoadkill]

Originally Posted by xmortumx

Yeah sounds good... Because im searcing on what rack gear i should get to add to my home studio.... but i see all these people with lots of gear in the rack

But i got a clearer idea.

Nowadays there two kinds of home recordists with lots of rack gear. Those that bought it before plug-ins became cheap and those that saw the racks of the first group.

In all honesty the stuff you have is good for live use but I wouldn't run any recorded signal through it.

[BeniRose]

Thanks guys, that's exactly what I wanted to hear. Now I feel comfortable selling them and knowing that I'm better off without them.

I can put the money I make towards the Focusrite Octopre, which I've been looking at for a while now. I know these aren't Boutique pres, but they're certainly miles better than the ones in my Firepod. Maybe once I get that, i'll start getting individual channel strips. What's the minimum price I could find a "boutique" pre for?

[MOFO Pro]

Originally Posted by BeniRose

Thanks guys, that's exactly what I wanted to hear. Now I feel comfortable selling them and knowing that I'm better off without them.

I can put the money I make towards the Focusrite Octopre, which I've been looking at for a while now. I know these aren't Boutique pres, but they're certainly miles better than the ones in my Firepod. Maybe once I get that, i'll start getting individual channel strips. What's the minimum price I could find a "boutique" pre for?

There's good out there for less... but I'd consider at least a grand for anything you'll fall in love with... aside from the DAV BG-1, breaks all the rules... I'd highly recommend it as a first quality pre... (for less then $1,000)

[BeniRose]

What about one of those seventh circle audio kits? Are those worth investing into?

[Ritzy]

As others have mentioned, I'd keep those racks well out of the recording signal chain. However, they can still have some use...

Think of them as instruments, forming part of the instrument "tonal" setup which is to subsequently be recorded via the recording signal chain. ie: Use them not in the sound capturing chain, but the sound creation chain.

For example: EQs can provide various filter effects for instruments such as keys; gates can be used in inventive side-chain/trigger setups, that sort of thing. Place an EQ between the preamp and poweramp (aka the effects loop) of an instrument amplifier to harvest a unique tone... etc., etc.