Mic--->Mic pre---->

[Gargamel]

Question1:
Then what?

Compressor----> Recording Device ?

If not using a compressor,
mic--->mic pre---> recording device?

Question 1 1/2
I'm curious to see what type of recording device everyone is using. My signal chain goes like this:

Mic ---> Mackie Mixer (for the pre and phantom power) --->
VS880 --->DAW (turtle beach montego II sound card running sonar)
---I use the vs880 when creativity strikes, I use it as a sketchpad. (Whenever I am noodling around on my guitar I always havethe vs880 recording, just in case I come up with a cool riff. This way I won't forget about it.)

In a week or 2 the chain will be:

mic-->John Hardy Pre M1-->DAW

Question 2:
The pre's in the vs880 blow. So does my sound card. If I eliminate the vs880 from the chain and step up to the plate and get a better sound card (24bit) how much of an improvement will I expect to see?

 

[Roel]

Depends on what you are recording...

Mostly I use:
mic--->Symmetrix e528--->VS1880

With the Symmetrix being:
mic pre--->De-esser--->downward expander/compressor--->EQ

When recording vocals, I use all of it. Sometimes de-esser isn't needed, or EQ isn't really needed. But the symmetrix will do all of this better than the VS, so I use it... Compressor really is necessary for vocals. Especially when recording digital.

For other stuff, I still use the mic pre of the symmetrix. (all I have) And the compressor and eq if needed...

It really depends on what you're recording.

The pre's in the VS really suck. You're very right about that.

And question 2... I would get standalone convertors. If you have digital input for your computer that is. (I guess you do, otherwise I see no need for the VS in your signal chain?) Good convertors are the next step up... Eliminating all non-digital parts in your soundcard and VS...

 

[Gargamel]

Thanks for the response......

I confused about the whole stand alone converter thing.....

Check this out:

What if I set my chain like this:

1.)Instruments/Mics

2.)Mackie Mixer

a) 4 subouts of the Mackie Mixer into inputs 1-4 on the vs880
Main out of the vs880 to poweramp/speakers

b) Main out of the mixer into line in on the sound card
Speaker out on the sound card to Mackie HR824's
monitors. (1/8" TRS ---> two 1/4" connectors)
****************************************************
Or........

1.)Instruments/Mics

2.)Mackie Mixer

a) 4 subouts of the Mackie Mixer into inputs 1-4 on the vs880
Main out of the vs880 to poweramp/speakers

b) Digital out on the vs880 into the digital in on the soundcard


But: I will still be using the vs880 analog pre's (which suck)

questions:
How mush better are the pre's in the 1880?

If I get a stand alone converter will this work?:
main out of mixer ---> converter ----> digital in vs880 ---> digital out vs880---> digital in soundcard.