compressor/preamp

[wasteddays]

Hello everyone,
I am relativley new to recording and have a few questions. I am about to buy a dbx 226XL compressor, when I get it will I be able to use it on things that I have already recorded? Or will I have to use it when I am tracking? Also, how essential/beneficial would getting a good pre amp to go along with be? I'm looking at the presonus TUBEpre. I record onto a Tascam2488, and I know it has the built in preamps but would the extra one help? Thanks a lot!

Mike

 

[termnl]

You may be better off putting your money together and buying something a little better on one end or another.
Ive never tried the 226...used to have a 166, which was ok...but I would compare it to the onboard on that Tascam first. (I havent used those either)

I actually have a TubePre that I bought on whim a while back. Its got a few tricks...but again, I would compare it to Tascam first. Im not a big fan, personally.

With that said, you can track with outboard or mix with it....either way you mentioned will work.

Yes, a good preamp or a good compressor goes a long way....but if I had $250 and a Tascam, I would head on over to the microphone forum.

Good luck.

 

[tmix]

I had 2 of the 266xls. They are not a very good sounding compressor. I got rid of them and replaced them with the FMR RNCs. Much better and slightly cheaper.

That being said, You can still use a (outboard) compressor after the fact on prerecorded stuff. You would have to send the track out a dedicated output (direct out from tape deck, or hard panned left or right) and then record the resultant affected track to an open track.

Hope that helps.

tom

 

[wasteddays]

thanks guys

thanks a lot guys...I'll definatley look into different pres and compressors