Noobish Question about Hardware/software...

[TragikRemix]

Im using a digi002 and a mac first off.
people talk about using hardware compressors, eq's, etc.
how exactly do they do this? with a plugin you just hit the button and go.

my thoughts are that you have to use the outputs on the digi002, (8 analog) into your hardware, and then do you come back into a new track in pro tools?

i'm kinda at a loss here, because then wouldnt 4 channels of recorded audio now take up 8 channels?

people use patchbays and such, but is this what they are for?

stick with me here, im not an ultimate newbie, but i am one...

 

[Creamyapples1]

Hardware units are used more when running your outs from your PC/DAW to an actual mixing board, and either using the aux sends/returns/effect loop or main outs > reverb> eq> compressor> CD Burner/DAT/Cassette


This is pretty much the setup I'm using. I run 16 outs from my PC (2 M-Audio delta 410) to my yamaha MG16/4, I use an Alesis Microverb 4 on the aux. busses and then the rec. out of the board to a compressor to my cd burner. I'm using Cakewalk Home Studio 4.0XL and I still use VST plugins on each track individually. I just prefer my results mixing from an analog board.


Patchbays are used when there is a multitude of rack units present. Rather than getting behind the rack to switch out your signal paths, you plug all of the ins and outs to a patch bay and you can route everything from a single location using patch cables.

 

[TragikRemix]

so basically, once everything is out of the computer, it doesnt come back into it?
do people use outboard gear and then re-route it back into the computer?

 

[Creamyapples1]

I'm sure some do. It would be as simple as plugging output 1 from your PC to the input of an effects unit and the output of the effects unit to the input 1 on your PC. Then setting it up to record the new track. You could simply delete or mute the original track in the PC. You may want to use a direct box, but someone else will need to confirm that before you go trying it.

 

[XLR]

I usually do mixdown processing in the box but when I'm using my "Studio B" (with a computer that's good for tracking but not powerful enough for processing) I use a hardware verb and limter during final mixdown to a stereo file.

out from computer (stereo mix) > hardware > in to computer as final processed stereo track

Tim

 

[Chris Shaeffer]

In Pro Tools you can also do hardware inserts.

Just patch the ins and outs to the same number (i.e. outs 3/4 to ins 3/4) then set those channels as an insert. When you go to the little insert popups, you'll the "i/o" menu...

It'll have some latency because of 2 trips through the convertors, but if you command-click in the value window at the bottom of the track (where it usually displays the numberic value of the fader) it'll show you the over all latency of the track. Then you shift the track BACK by that number of samples.

Check your manual on that- I think you have to command click that window TWICE. The first value is something else that I can't remember.

Have fun,
Chris