Unlimited FX with computer-based set up?

[heatmiser]

Hey,

I was going to put this in the computer recording forum or whatever it's called, but it is so rudimentary I figured it belonged here...

Do you have virtually unlimited FX processing with a computer-based recording set up? I mean, I would assume you are theoretically limited by your processing power, but within those limits, can you essentially pile on one effect after another if you so desire?

I currently use a Roland VS2400 standalone unit which I really like - relatively simple, stable, good sound quality, etc., but I can only add a maximum of 2 effects to anything at any one time. Now, there are additional FX cards I can buy, but they're pretty expensive and only double that amount to up to 4 FX at a time. There are also annoying bouncing workarounds to imprint multiple FX layers, but you lose flexibility there. I wind up imprinting most of my FX at the tracking stage which I understand is not how most would recommend doing it.

Just curious - trying to weigh the pros and cons of continuing down my current path.

 

[bvon]

If I were you, I would get a computer

 

[grimtraveller]

If I were you, I would get a computer

That's as helpful as saying "if I were you, I would go and eat some toffee popcorn and rainbow trout".
Come on bvon, give the man some cogent and persuasive reasons why !
"If I were you, I would live in Wales".

 

[cobaltaudio]

@grimreaper: Wales?? why Wales?? we need some cogent and persuasive reasons!



ok seriously, @heatmiser:
It depends on what software you run. You might be limited by the restrictions of the software before you reach your processor's capacity, but not the case in most. Try something like Reaper out for free. That will just run with whatever hardware you choose to plug into it, and it' only $40. It'll give you as many fx plugins as you own and your computer can deal with. The program itself is tiny, and relatively processor-light. Give it a go and see if you get on with it.
Some more info on other options here which might help.

(@bvon: clearly he has already at least got access to a computer, or he wouldn't be able to post anything!)

 

[BentRabbit]

Do you have virtually unlimited FX processing with a computer-based recording set up? I mean, I would assume you are theoretically limited by your processing power, but within those limits, can you essentially pile on one effect after another if you so desire?

Yes...

Up until last year, I used my full-blown VS-2480DVD (all four FX slots full, 3 of them were VS8F-3) and the full array of the 3rd party plugs, along with Sonar on my DAW...
I did all my tracking on the 2480 (loved the warmth) but, like you, I started feeling limited by what plugs I could use and, little by little, found myself exporting my work out to Sonar more and more to mix, edit, comp, etc.
I did miss the VS plugs (LA2A and 1176 were incredible) but found ways to port them into Sonar when needed. It finally got to the point where I was really only using the 2480 to track drums (because of the simultaneous inputs) and it was getting to be a hassle waiting for files to export for me to start work again in the computer... So I finally made the decision to sell the 2480 (pretty much got out what I had invested) and bought a Tascam FW 1884 and an ADA8000 to allow me to track in Sonar as well...

It's been a year and I don't regret my decision at all... Sonar's built in plugs are incredible and yes, I can put compression on all 16, 24, 36, 48, etc. channels if I want as well as parametric EQ's, or what-have-you...

It was a hard choice in leaving the tried/tested stability and sound quality of my 2480, but work-flow has increased tremendously since I cut it out of the picture and clients are still loving the drum tracks I send them so sound quality apparently hasn't suffered

Hope this helps you in your process in some small way...

 

[grimtraveller]

@grimreaper: Wales?? why Wales?? we need some cogent and persuasive reasons!

1. It rains alot and is therefore verdant and lush and beautiful.
2. Cardiff and Swansea are now regularly pushing for promotion to the premiership and the feelgood factor is gaining momentum throughout the principality.
3. They have their own parliament.
4. You can get to England and Ireland easilly.
5. They have their own language but you can easilly live a lifetime there without knowing one word.
6. The ladies are friendly.
7. They charge you to enter the country ! But not to leave it.
8. I bought some tablas there !!

Heatmiser, sorry for that sidetrack (as opposed to a hijack). For the record, I think your mixes that I've heard have been good.

 

[heatmiser]

Cobalt - Thanks for the link - cool site!

Yes, I actually just uninstalled Reaper the other day after looking it over (briefly) for a few weeks. It gets recommended all the time here, so if I ever go in that direction I will probably start there.

BentRabbit - Thanks for answering my question - I suspected that was the case, and while I don't need anywhere near limitless FX processing, the fact that I would be far less limited than I am now is a compelling reason to switch to a software-based setup.

I've seen you post in the Roland forum so I know you know how attached one can get to those Roland VS things. I really, really like mine except for this one aspect.

I imagine it is really liberating to be able to add and remove all kinds of effects after the fact to try different things out rather than commiting to a certain sound at the tracking stage. Then again, I could see myself getting bogged down endlessly adding and removing stuff. Right now I really have to plan ahead and commit to some sounds which is both good and bad. Thanks again.

 

[heatmiser]

Heatmiser, sorry for that sidetrack (as opposed to a hijack). For the record, I think your mixes that I've heard have been good.

No apologies needed grim. If you've ever read one of my threads that didn't sidetrack, you'd know, they're pretty boring! Thanks for the good word - I like the sound of the Roland a lot - but a total of two, post-tracking FX per project? Kind of frustrating...

 

[grimtraveller]

I could see myself getting bogged down endlessly adding and removing stuff. Right now I really have to plan ahead and commit to some sounds which is both good and bad

To be honest, this is one aspect of recording that I've always rather liked. If your Roland is anything like my AKAI DPS 12i {and being a 24 tracker, I imagine it has virtual tracks}, you should be able to keep anything you've committed to in it's raw state, n'est pas ? So you still have scope to change it should it not fit the mix.

 

[heatmiser]

To be honest, this is one aspect of recording that I've always rather liked. If your Roland is anything like my AKAI DPS 12i {and being a 24 tracker, I imagine it has virtual tracks}, you should be able to keep anything you've committed to in it's raw state, n'est pas ? So you still have scope to change it should it not fit the mix.

Absolutely, virtual tracks abound. 24 mono tracks each of which has 15 additional virtual tracks, so plenty of flexibility in terms of trying out different takes and whatnot. I hardly use those at all though as once I have one decent take, I typically move on to the next.

I was really just referring to applying effects...you know, the "track it dry - add effects later" approach that so many seem to promote. I can't really do that effectively at all. Not sure I want to yet or not...just sayin'. I can add up to 2 FX while tracking, but they're imprinted. If I track dry, I can still add up to two FX afterwards, but they need to be left on and therefore tie up the only two FX "ports" (?) that I have at my disposal.

 

[arcadeko]

I use at most a gtr effects pedal with an amp sim and a little (ok a LOT) of distortion then do all my effect processing in CuBase. All vocals, drums, keys, bass is dry.

I have never run out of inserts, but i try not to overdo it...

through your stuff in reaper and play with what they got - plus millions of free/cheap VST plugin effects.

 

[Murdersgalore]

I currently use a Roland VS2400 standalone unit which I really like - relatively simple, stable, good sound quality, etc., but I can only add a maximum of 2 effects to anything at any one time. Now, there are additional FX cards I can buy, but they're pretty expensive and only double that amount to up to 4 FX at a time.

That's no limitation, that's programming to a price point in action. Roland wants your money.

 

[sjjohnston]

I would assume you are theoretically limited by your processing power, but within those limits, can you essentially pile on one effect after another if you so desire?

It depends on the program, but lots of software packages don't place a limit on how much processing you can try to do: I thing that the non-hamstrung (or "full") versions of the various publisher's DAW programs, as a rule, don't.

But: you're not just "theoretically" limited by your processing power. You are limited by your processing power (CPU, RAM, hard drive speed ...).

Exactly where the limit is depends on how much effort you put into optimizing your computer, and what trade-offs you make with latency, etc.

 

[bouldersoundguy]

In Pro Tools 7 you get up to five plugins per track, which is one of many irritating things about it. The few other DAWs I've used don't have any arbitrary limits.

 

[heatmiser]

through your stuff in reaper and play with what they got - plus millions of free/cheap VST plugin effects.

True, I suppose I could just take some existing projects and import them and see what happens. They have a free trial after all...

That's no limitation, that's programming to a price point in action. Roland wants your money.

Yeah, you're probably right. They make a good product though...

But: you're not just "theoretically" limited by your processing power. You are limited by your processing power (CPU, RAM, hard drive speed ...).

Exactly where the limit is depends on how much effort you put into optimizing your computer, and what trade-offs you make with latency, etc.

Good point- well said.

 

[Armistice]

Hey there...

Essentially yes, is the answer to the question, as you've been told by now.

Maybe I'm a bit old skool on this, but I don't view the 2 effects limitation on my Yamaha AW4416 as a constraint all that often... sometimes... but not often. I don't want too many variables, and if I want to record a particular guitar sound, I try to get that sound coming out of the amp, including pretty much any effect type except reverb...

I don't want to be constantly buggering around with multiple parameters on twenty different plug-ins - for me, that's a recipe for not getting anything finished..

THAT SAID... the Yamaha doesn't include EQ/Compression as effects, they're there on all channels anyway, so the 2 auxillary sends I have are used solely for effects.. usually reverbs and delays that I may want to apply to multiple tracks. And if that's not enough I can always send something to the outside world, route it via an effect and shoot it back in if I need to. If your 2 effects include EQ / compression, as I know some of the early Roland ones did, then I can see why it's a major hassle...

I've recently downloaded Reaper so I'm on a similar path, but haven't really attempted actual recording yet.. just MIDI drums.

Good luck. See ya in the next song comp!