most important rack componants -- Rack HELP!

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dmbfan1981

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hey guys, I am building a small home studio for demo work in a house that is currently under construction. I had two questions.

First off, If I were to buy only 2 rack componants to start out with, Which two should I buy??? ( I am already buying a power conditioner and Behringer V-amp Pro for guitar so exclude those two options )

I was leaning towards a compressor/limitor/gate, and then perhaps either a BBE or a EQ.

My other questions is in regards to how to properly set up said rack.

The guitar effects will just run direct but compressors and EQ I assume is best run through a loop as opposed to commiting to it upon the initial recording.

Should I just connect a loop out from my firewire410 ( or my matrix if i get one) into the compressor chained to the EQ and then back into the Firewire410?? Or is that the half-assed way to do it?

Thanks guys.
 
well that reply was about as useless as a poop flavored lollipop.

Anyone else care to reply. Perhaps with something worth even reading? Thanks again.
 
The advice about the BBE was worth reading, just so you know.

There is a long list of rack items that should have priority over a BBE. I own a BBE, but I also have many channels of compressors, eq, and fx. A BBE is something you get later, once you have everything else.

I think the compressor should be your first purchase. The choice of compressor is very important, and needs to be tailored toward the type of music you want to make. It's hard to make any specific recommendations without knowing more about the music you will be recording.

You could put the compressor in line when recording, or buss out to it later when mixing. Or both. Probably the safest bet would be to only use it later when mixing, so that you won't get locked in to situations where you might have over compressed when tracking.

As far as eq, I think plugin eq can actually sound pretty decent. I much prefer hardware compressors over plugins, but good quality digital eq can be very usable. SO if it comes down to spending more on a better compressor and not getting an eq, or getting a cheapy compressor and a cheapy eq, I'd say go for the better compressor. However, if this is for live use, then a hardware eq would be better.
 
I second that. Loose the BBE, it's junk.
If you are just looking to spend some money get a RNP and RNC.

Really you should ask yourself what is it that you need? With such a broad question expect to get replies like Travis's.

Mic Pre-->Comp--> EQ-->Interface if you want to track with it.
Or Interface-->Comp-->EQ-->Interface like you said.

I'd skip out on an EQ and use my softwares EQ or plugins.
 
rabbits and dogs would love poop flavored lolipops. :)
i'd have to agree with eschewing the bbe.
what's your budget? that will influence the kind of recommendations that people would make. for example, if number of units is the limiting factor-- you can have two units, a neve 1073 and a universal audio 1176 or la-2a might be good choices, but that would set you back thousands of dollars. if you have $300, people might recommend an fmr rnc and something else. it makes a big difference.
 
a goodish (NOT Alesis 3630!) compressor...perhaps an RNC or a Pro VLA (tho that's 2U tall).

tho, more and more, i don't like printing compression and would rather leave that for mixdown.

a good mic pre or two would be very nice as well.

btw, thirded on skipping the BBE.
 
thanks for the helpful posts.

I would mainly be recording acoustic demos. at most, a couple tracks of acoustic guitar, vocals, and maybe keys or harp or something to accompany the guitar.

Occassionally I would try my hand at more extravagant recordings.

It would mostly be poprock/progressive rock a la dave matthews band, john mayer, creed, switchfoot. top 40 stuff

I was hoping to just get a budget compressor maybe a behringer or ART for like$125. I would probably just look for the best deal on ebay.

I could probably do without the EQ for now, because frankly I would have to learn to use it correctly anyway. Atleast with the plugins I have presets to help me out and give me a bit of a learning curve.

I do have the BBE plugin and have found that it sometimes is a nice feature. I was really up in the air about wasting the money on the rack version of it though. I had heard it is a nice addition to a guitar rig and that is mainly why I wanted to have it in my rack.

Thanks guys.





NOTE: And its not that I am disagreeing with travis' claim that the BBE is junk. Its just that the question was half answered. No reason why, no help whatsoever. I just get sick of certain people thinking that "Rep power" is a license to be a douche bag. Anytime a newbie posts on this site they have to weed through useless half-assed responses before finally coming to someone like SonicAlbert, who actually takes the time to answer the question and actually help in a positive way. I am not saying that someone that tries to help and maybe misses the mark is giving a useless response, but someone who disregards specific questions asked and doesnt attempt to help, is just diminishing the quality of this site. I would hope that this offends everyone, not just the newbies. **steps down off of his soap box and takes a bow**
 
RefD said:
a goodish (NOT Alesis 3630!) compressor...
Click to expand...

Ahhh my first compressor... we live and learn. I found a good use for it though, I run 2 outputs I'm not using from my 1010 into it just to make it light up...lol It tends to impress people who have no idea what's going on in my rack or what a 3630 is.
 
ok so as of now the BBE and EQ are both out. My rack would now consist of a power conditioner, a v-amp pro, a compressor and now POSSIBLY a preamp of some sort.

I can afford to put maybe 200 bucks towards a compressor.

Also, I am just using the preamps in my berhinger mixer, which so far hasnt been too noisy or anything. ( I know that behringer seems to be synonymous with "suck" ) I used to have a presonus tubePRE and really wasnt impressed at all with it, sold it on ebay. The behringer pres actually sound the same if not better than that dedicated unit.

If I was to invest in a mic pre ( just hypothetically speaking ) Which one in the under $200 price range would be the best bang for the buck? Thanks.
 
Man, maybe it's my new found ear or something but the parametric EQ is my best friend.

I don't have a problem with the BBe perse. I see it like every other tool out there. Use it in moderation but don't expect it to be the go-to-tool.

I prefer the BBe on the instrument side of things rather than on the mix. Let the guitar player set it up and tell you that "this is his sound" rather than trying to fix it later.

Oh gaaawd...I just hate the idea that I might suggest that the BBe be used as a mastering tool..... I didn't just imply that it should did I?

You've "Got To Have Some Rack Equipment" do ya? I'm gonna say that IF you've got to have something. A compressor and a parametric EQ. That would be my deal but serously, are you sure you need it?


Peace, love and all that happiness shit (Steve Vai Said that). Otherwise, merry Christmas and if you don't go that way, I wish you the best for the days that follow.
 
dmbfan1981 said:
I can afford to put maybe 200 bucks towards a compressor.

Also, I am just using the preamps in my berhinger mixer, which so far hasnt been too noisy or anything. ( I know that behringer seems to be synonymous with "suck" ) I used to have a presonus tubePRE and really wasnt impressed at all with it, sold it on ebay. The behringer pres actually sound the same if not better than that dedicated unit.

If I was to invest in a mic pre ( just hypothetically speaking ) Which one in the under $200 price range would be the best bang for the buck? Thanks.
Click to expand...

It depends what type of sound you want out of your compressor, do you want transparent or colored?

Have you tried your 410's Pre's? Under $200 you probably won't notice a major difference in a Pre in that range and your mixer. Check out the VTB1, DMP3 and MS1b.
 
Since you will be doing acoustic and voice, I think a compressor that's on the clean side will be a good fit for you. Something that is all-purpose and can be used in a lot of situations.

For around $200 I suggest you look into a couple compressors by a company called FMR. The one that might be the best for you is called the RNC, but they also make a compressor called the RNLA. For the money, these are the best you can get in you price range. And you can buy them new.

The RNC is a stereo compressor with one set of controls, which should be fine for you.

Another possibility is an Aphex Expressor, which you'd have to find used. These are pro quality compressors that for some reason go really cheap on eBay. A single channel will cost probably around what a new stereo RNC will though.

At least look into both these units, they'd be a good place to start.
 
thanks, I will look into those units as far as compressors go and figured that I would be hard pressed to find a Pre that is going to make a large difference in my price range. I will most likely use my mixer pre.
 
I agree with the recommendations for decent compressors. Since your budget is limited, I think the RNC is your best bet. I would avoid preamps in the 200 dollar price range, especially the "fake" tube amps. Hold out and save a few more hundred and get one that will really be a step up from the 410 you are using now. The only thing I've read good things about that is close to your budget is the Groove Tubes Brick at $400. It works well for accoustic bass guitar, but I' not sure about others. I would avoid the BBE until you have much more needed gear in your rack. I have one and have used it occasionally as a quick eq tool to save time on a hurry up job.
 
Under no circumstance should you ever consider any preamp made by Sound Devices. They have no idea what they're doing and no one uses their gear. The fact that their gear is portable and can run on batteries categorically excludes it from any use in a studio.

In addition, their website is not:

http://www.sounddevices.com/

and even if it were, you should never visit it. I hope that you have been adequately warned to avoid deception on their part. They are devious.

Cheers, and Merry Christmas!

Otto
 
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