Clean Path

[jb4play]

Hi? I have a question. I have a Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro Mixer (nice small mixer), Behringer VX 2000 (nice value vocal pre), and an Apex 420 mic (nice value mic). My question is... I want to use my Mackie's channel one pre amp to goto my Behringer's compressor into Cubase to record at 32/44.1 with true tape at +6db. What is the shortest/cleanest path to take? I was thinking use a 1/4 plug from out of the Mackie's return insert into the Behringer's return insert and out its main out into my sound card. Is this the right way to route my signal if all I want off the Mackie is it's mic pre and trim( not its eq, or fader, I don't want it to pick up any of the other channels in the board). Also whats a good threshold for my compressor if I want my signal to peak at -3 db within Cubase SX? thx in advance...

 

[littledog]

Your plan for a signal path sounds okay. Does Cubase really record at 32 bits? Can you actually hear any improvement over 24 bit Cubase recordings?

As far as compression settings, it totally depends on how loud you are singing, what kind of effect or sound you are going for (compressed sound, natural sound with a bit of limiting, etc.) And every model of compressor will also react a little differently. There is no way anyone can say where to set your threshold. Threshold does not exist in a vacuum - the relationship to ratio settings, among others, will also determine your threshold. A smaller ratio may require a lower theshold, and a larger ratio may require a higher one.

One helpful aid to your ears is the gain reduction meter. If you are going for a fairly natural sound, you might want to keep your gain reduction around (-7)dB or less. But again, this will depend on your particular compressor.

 

[jb4play]

Sup? yeah, its just a system thing though, they are really 24 bit files just with more bits to keep them soundin clearer after processing. I want the natural sound that I hear on most rap recordings, i just want to keep it from clipping in Cubase.