outboard or software processing

[galen]

I am recording acappella quartet male vocals as well as violin and was wondering whether I should buy outboard compression such as the RNC by FMR audio and outboard limiting/reverb/equilization etc or just buy software tools such as sound forge XFX1, 2, 3 or cakewalk effects. I really have no experience with either as all I've done so far is record the wav files with no processing. Thanks!

 

[cominginsecond]

Get both the hardware and the software. You'll want to use the hardware to compress the signal on the way in (when appropriate), and the software to compress when you're mixing. Don't get the Sonic Foundry or Cakewalk plug-ins that you mentioned. Get the Waves Renaissance Native Package for $225 from audiomidi.com. It has what some people have called the world's best compressor plug-in, and it also has an excellent reverb and EQ plug in.

 

[mixsit]

One approach you could consider if you are just starting out would be to first just get the best uncompressed, clean recordings at conservative levels you can. Then experiment with plugin comps and effects afterwards. It is very easy to use the wrong amount and type of compression while recording, at which point you'r stuck with it.
You can't go wrong with the RNC, but you may not need it.
wayne