Channel Strips...advantages or disadvantages?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ted Bell
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Ted Bell

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Hey, all!

I've been looking at new mic pre's as well as compressors and the like. I'm pretty new to this recording stuff so far and I see that channel strips might be a good way to go to get everything in a nice neat package. Could any of you guys in the know explain to me what you think the advantages or disadvantages are of channel strips?

I see Avalon makes a nice one for around 2K.

Thanks,

Greg
 
Re: Re: Channel Strips...advantages or disadvantages?

Wide Awake said:
That's pocket change for Ted Bell :)
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Well, after all I'm Ted Bell: inventor of the foil-wrapped baked potato and I also invented the cocktail know as the Captain Morgan Coke. So, come on down to Ted's of Beverly Hills Steakhouse where...We Want to put Our Meat in Your Mouth!

LOL

Phil Hendrie is the greatest!!!
 
To my perception the only disadvantage is that you may want a preamp from one manufacturer, and the compressor from another... say a Great River preamp through a Fatso. On the flip side I would think that the tight integration of a channel strip would bring some advantage in audio quality.
 
My sense is that channel strips face a quality-price dilemma. To offer a quality preamp with a good eq and compressor, you end up hitting a high price point. Thus, something like the Avalon in the 2K range. On the other hand, lower cost units like the Drawmer Front End or some of the Focusrite Platinum series have limited controls. So while they offer an eq, for example, it may only have two bands or lack bandwidth controls.

As far as advantages, the all-in-one units are great for quick setups. This allows many home studio types to dive directly into a project without a lot of fumbling with dials, etc. It also saves rack space and may make the equipment buying process simpler.
 
bigger knobs=better quality
less knobs=better quality

?!?!
 
I own a couple of channel strips as well as a couple of stand alone pre's, stand alone compressors, EQ's etc.

As has already been stated, one down side of the channel strip is that you are stuck with what ever quality the unit comes with. Some have good pre's but the compression is not as good, etc. etc.

If you purchase seperate pre's, seperate EQ's etc. you can get the best that you can afford. The down side of seperate componants - more rack space, more cables, etc.

I like the convenience of a channel stirip - just fire up one piece of gear and dial in your sound.

However, channel strips have many options, which can cause confusion for a rookie (which leads to compromised sound).

Ideally, you should have a good pre, and use only that to get the best sound you can - the other processing can add, but when used poorly, can ruin a sound.
 
mikeh said:
I own a couple of channel strips as well as a couple of stand alone pre's, stand alone compressors, EQ's etc.

As has already been stated, one down side of the channel strip is that you are stuck with what ever quality the unit comes with. Some have good pre's but the compression is not as good, etc. etc.

If you purchase seperate pre's, seperate EQ's etc. you can get the best that you can afford. The down side of seperate componants - more rack space, more cables, etc.

I like the convenience of a channel stirip - just fire up one piece of gear and dial in your sound.

However, channel strips have many options, which can cause confusion for a rookie (which leads to compromised sound).

Ideally, you should have a good pre, and use only that to get the best sound you can - the other processing can add, but when used poorly, can ruin a sound.
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Thanks much for the advice!

I'm thinking right now I should upgrade my vocal mic(Rode NT-1), and buy a nice mic pre. I think I know where to go as far as mic's are concerned, but I really have no idea about mic pre's. My voice is very thick so I would probably be more interested in something with a bright, airy feel to it. That's why I am seriously considering the Blue Bluberry for my main vocal mic.
 
you can get the Avalon 737 for around $1200 if you look hard. the pre isnt all that i thought it would be, but the compressor and eq are pretty worth it. Id say im happy, but not x-tatic about the hunk of metal. You can always get a better pre and use the eq from it. Im gonna get standalone pres, coms, eq etc though in the future.
 
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