Keep the rack? Or trust the software?

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soundchaser59

Reluctant Commander
This is really a huge sticking point for me, people! I am a hard core dyed in the wool "black box with knobs and cords to the patchbay" kinda guy! :(

But my gawd, friends and neighbours, the more I stare at my rack and then read these Ozone and Tracktion manuals, the more I feel like all this stuff in my rack is past its hay day and on the planned obsolescence expressway!

Is that true? Or am I just over-reacting? I mean really, if I am honest with myself I have to ask myself: What am I gonna do with all this rack mount stuff if all these options are already in the software? (assuming for the moment that my rebuilt computer can handle the "usual load")

What would be your suggestions if you had the sequencers and Ozone and stuff that you guys have, running on a reasonably newer rebuilt XP computer, and you were also staring at a rack with these old things in it:

midiverb II
quadraverb
art sgx t2
tc electronics m300
bbe maximizer
ultrafex 2200 exciter
30 band graphic eq
3630 compressor

I love using these things, but I keep wondering how can I use these things in the recording and mixing chain without screwing up the sound before it gets to the software or after it's in the software?? what am I gonna use any of these things for that the software cant do?

I hate to put stuff on the signal on the way in to the recording if I dont have to, but that's really the only place I can use these things, is on the mixer in the inserts and aux loops before the signal goes to the computer for recording. I dont really want to send the signal back out of the computer to the mixer after it's recorded, why would I? When the software can do these things in the computer, probably as good or better than these rack units can do it......right? Once the signal is recorded in the computer, it should probably stay in the computer......right?

It's bad enough feeling like my entire (Mackie SR24-4 VLZ Pro) mixer is obsolete, I haven't made that highly charged emotional leap yet!! :( :o I mean, I have always been taught that if I let go of everything else, the mixer is the one thing I should cling to for dear life!! :o But with this e-mu sound card I'll be getting 6 inputs and 6 outputs, including two XLR with phantom power and preamps that are most likely as good or better than the VLZ's in the mixer. Why should I run my mics and instruments thru the Mackie mixer when I will already have 6 inputs into the computer?? And why on earth is it soooo hard to persuade myself to accept the notion of leaving the Mackie mixer out of the loop in the first place?

This is time honored Jedi Tradition we are messing with here, folks! 8) These are highly serious and potentially incendiary questions I'm asking myself here! :(

But surely I can find a way or a reason to put aside my sentimental attachment to these rack pieces, long enough to justify letting go and trusting the software to perform the same tasks at least as well, if not better than the rack units do......right? Am I even on the right track here? (no pun intended!)

Help! Please advise...... 8)
 
I have some pretty hardcore rack stuff...I dont use it while mixing anymore, not for a long while

However, I still use it on the way into the PC

The things you list however, except arguably the reverbs, all have better versions in software plugins in my opinion
 
Coming from someone who had much of the same you listed... you don't need it. (That is assuming you're using a DAW of some sort.

I started recording running tape as there was barely VHS much less ADATs or DAWs. I had a hard time "giving up the knob". It was a slow and painful transistion for me. I still want a control surface for mix down. I FINALLY (just last weekend) came to my senses and ripped most of the outboard gear from my studio. Right now, the only things I'm looking to replace the empty space with are some high end Mic Pre's.

With the right plug in's... there's nothing in your list that you can't have more control and versitility with in software. You'll need to learn a different approach for some things. I had to refer back to my Analog gear occasionally to see how I "had" been doing something, but thus far... I've been able to figure out a way to do everything I used to do... and of course. More.

It seriously too me over two years to start trusting the software. I started importing tracks to the system and doing test mixes. Then I bought more converters, and tried running 24 tracks in simultaineously making sure it could keep up. Then for a while, I used the computer like a multitrack running everythng back out to the board and the rack gear. Finally, I bit... and did some recording straight too the computer, and did the processing in the system. Lastly, I stopped using the EQ, and any pre processing before going to the computer and doing EVERYTHING in the system. Finally last weekend... after I stopped stearing at the stuff, wondering why I still had all the gear in the studio, and removed it.

I'm getting a sonic quality now I never had before... and although I find myself fidgity looking for something to twist, I'm very happy with what I have been able to do without the gear.

Again... coming from someone with much the same gear, there's nothing that great in your list that's a must have. It's pretty much entry level. I moved most of mine over to my PA system, so it'll still get some use.
 
Well, eyeteeth......

For some reason, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to hear someone say that...... someone who actually has gone thru the exact same thing.

You are exactly right, the stuff in my rack is entry level, it's the stuff that the local dealer had the biggest profit margin on 15 years ago, but it is for all practical intents and purposes dated at best!

And reading your reply reminds me that one of the reasons I even asked the question at all is because I noticed I was using that stuff less and less even before I started to make the switch to computer.

Thanks for the perspective, very helpful! :cool:
 
I trod down a slightly different path. I started recording on 4-track cassette, and flipped from that straight to PC. I had virtually no outboard equipment from the outset, so having a program that allowed me to use plug-ins made this lack of hardware distinctly not a problem, and I was extremely pleased at not having to buy heaps of outboard equipment.

I do most of the stuff in the box, and it has not been a hardship.
 
I wouldn't even know how to hook up hardware. :D

I wouldn't get rid of the rack stuff. It should be useful on the way in. I would like to get a decent hardware compressor. I'm not 100% sure what I would use it on but I'm sure vocals and maybe even drums might be a start.
 
Get over it... and be happy. :) I'm glad to see stuff go... it leaves more room for me and my instruments and less stuff to mind. I don't process much going in... generally, I work on the sound 'til I like it and then record it as accurately as possible.

Cheers,

Otto
 
I guess I'm committed now.....

Re-working my studio over like never before. A pile of cords both 1/4 inch and XLR, a huge pile of midi cables, 3 fx units, 1 LR Baggs DI, 1 2488, 1 SR16 drum machine, 4 midi thru boxes, 3 Atari computers w/ monitors, and 1 less powerful soundcard ALL GONE! All rendered obsolete or useless within the last 2 weeks. WOW!

I almost feel up-to-date!! Now I have to learn how to make tunes again!! CoooooooL! :D
 
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