Studio Setup...

[Gargamel]

Please give me some recommendations. I have the following equipment. I want to know the best way to maximize my setup.

INSTRUMENTS:
Assorted guitars, drum machines, keyboards,mics.

RACKS:
1 MIC PRE
2 Stereo Compressors
1 DI/Exciter (I should probably toss this)

MIXER:
Mackie 1604 VLZ PRO (6 aux sends, 1 main insert, 4 subgroups)

DAW:
Roland vs880-vx (yes VX, not ex...big difference)
Computer Running Sonar/ACID/ and a ton of shit I don't use

This is how its set up now:


1.)Instruments into the Mackie Mixer (I use the pod, bass pod, vg-8 and Boss VF-1 for my bass and guitar sounds --I always go direct. I do not MIC up amps when play - this is another topic waiting to happen)

*I run a Neuman TLM103 ---> Mic Pre -----> Mixer
*Bass Guitar: Bass Pod wet signal ------>Mixer (the Bass )
!--------->dry signal ------->Mixer (occupies 2 tracks)

2.) All instruments are routed to the 1/2/3/4 subgroups, at which point the signals are sent to inputs 1-4 on the vs880.

3) the output on the VS880 is then routed to the Computer.

*Furthermore: the signal from the computer is routed back into the Mixer into Channels 15 and 16.
On the mixers main insert I have a compressor. (the signal sent to the subgroups is not in anyway touched by the compressor on the main insert. Only the signal coming back from the computer is compressed --stupid? probably. Right sonusman?)

The mixer has the following outputs:
1.Main out (sent to a power amp and speakers)
2.Control room Out (sent to mackie hr824's)
3.Mono Out (sent to a subwoofer)

I pretty sure I don't need the compressor on the main insert....

Where sould the following appear in the chain is basically the question I think i am asking:

MIC Pre
Compressor#1
Compressor#2
Fuck the DI/exciter

I like to record everything as dry as possible (no delay, reverb....)

When I do, if I am applying an effect to 2 or more instruments I will always use the same reverb/ delay patch only altering the effects level. (Does this eliminate clutter in the mix?)

I guess I have 2 questions that need to be answered from all of this rambling

#1 TELL ME WHERE IN THE CHAIN THE MIC PRE AND COMPRESSORS SHOULD GO

#2 WHEN USING EFFECTS ON THE BASS/GUITAR/VOCALS/DRUMS, IS IT WISE TO USE THE SAME EXACT DELAY/REVERB/FLANGE...ONLY ALTERING THE EFFECTS LEVEL? DOES ELIMINATE MUDDINESS?

thanks everyone

bh

[warlock]

Mic > Mic Pre > Compressor > DAW

OR

Mic > Mixer > Compressor > Direct Out > DAW
(Mixer Insrt)

Well this is how do it anyway

Keijo

[Blue Bear Sound]

For tracking, you want to minimize the signal path as much as possible.... so get as close to "SOURCE --> MIC --> MIC PRE --> RECORDER" as you possibly can.

Get any crap that is not needed out of the signal chain and only add outboard if it's being used. (ie, there's no reason for a compressor to be in the chain if you aren't using it on a particular track - and of course, you should only be using it as needed anyways! )

Bruce

[warlock]

I compress everything a bit when going in (about 2:1) to keep the levels hot and keep them from clipping.

Keijo