Using Outboard effects

[insanescott]

I am using a Mackie Onyx Mixer and Sonar. Recently, I have been looking into getting a rackmount reverb and a rackmount compressor.

Would it be possible to record mic>mixer> computer, and then run my recorded data through the reverb or compressor instead of using vst compressors and reverbs?

Or, will I only be able to run mic>rack effect>mixer> computer and not have the freedom to use the rack effects as I would a vst effect?

Thanks in advance.

[carlosguardia]

you can use outboard effects with Sonar. It does depend on your sound interface, however, but the answer to your Q is yes!

[insanescott]

Do you know how to hook this up correctly and how to make it work? Thanks.

Scott

[punkin]

You need to give us the entire run down on your set up. Sound card, SONAR version,outboard gear, mixing board (in the pc or external?), patch panels or direct connecitons to the sound card(s).

We're flying in the dark here.

[insanescott]

I am using a Mackie Onyx 1640 using the firewire out...no sound card is used in the recording and playback process. Sonar version 7.....no outboard gear yet, but was looking a couple of vintage compressors and reverbs. That's all the information ive got.

[insanescott]

Can Anyone help? Thanks.

[punkin]

Thats what your sends and busses are for. On a per channel basis, you'd use your send out to the effects unit then the return to bring the effected signal back to the channel.

Busses are kind the same thing but on a larger scale in that you mix several channels down to a buss and use the send/return on the buss to pipe the mixed signal through your effects unit.

Get a copy of the manual for your unit. Look at the block diagram.

This is a pretty good read; http://www.tweakheadz.com/choosing_a_mixer_p2.htm

Here's a little diagram showing an effect unit inserted in a channel strip; http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul0...ectsfig2.l.jpg
Here's the whole article; http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...3Doff%26sa%3DN

The connections for the effects "aux" in/out are done on the back (go all the way to the bottom); http://www.mackie.com/home/showimage...640_top_lg.jpg

But seriously, the owners manual and the diagrams in there are the best place to start.