is it possible to record the output of a plugin

[The Seifer]

I need a limiter in my signal chain to tame some wild peaks when recording things. All I have are vst plugins. Input monitoring lets me here it through the limiter, but it still records the output from the preamp. Is there a way to record the signal through the plugin?

 

[kgirl72]

I don't think you can do this without an outboard compressor/limiter in your chain before going into the computer.

 

[Farview]

You need to have an outboard compressor to do this. By the time the signal gets into the computer, it's too late. You have already clipped the convertors.
If you are recording at 24 bit, just turn the preamp down. Peaks at -12db will be fine. It might also be a good idea to tame the 'wild peaks' at the source. If you are talking vocals, this is caused by poor mic technique or a poor vocal performance.

 

[AlChuck]

Is there a way to record the signal through the plugin?

Of course there is; what use would plug-ins be otherwise? But the others have made the main point here, which is that once you clip the A/D converters, you've got digital distortion, and no amount of any processing downstream of that can remove it.

 

[The Seifer]

Of course there is; what use would plug-ins be otherwise? But the others have made the main point here, which is that once you clip the A/D converters, you've got digital distortion, and no amount of any processing downstream of that can remove it.

you make no sense

You need to have an outboard compressor to do this. By the time the signal gets into the computer, it's too late. You have already clipped the convertors.
If you are recording at 24 bit, just turn the preamp down. Peaks at -12db will be fine. It might also be a good idea to tame the 'wild peaks' at the source. If you are talking vocals, this is caused by poor mic technique or a poor vocal performance.

I must destroy the noise floor, for it is my sworn enemy

I don't think you can do this without an outboard compressor/limiter in your chain before going into the computer.

thanks, baby
xoxoxoxoxoxo

 

[fraserhutch]

you make no sense

Yes, he does. The fact is that you need to compress the signal while it is still in analog form because otherwise the AD convertors will clip the signal BEFORE it makes it to the plugin. By then it is too late, the signal is compormised.

 

[Farview]

If you record a signal the is at -24db rms, the recording will have a lower noise floor than the preamp you are probably recording. The noise floor argument meant a little more when everything was 16 bit, but if you record something with a PEAK of -46, you still have better s/n than a 16 bit recording at full scale. Relax and turn the gain down, every thing will sound better.