Rack Equipment

[Beatyofeet32]

I have a Korg D1600 Digital Multirack Recorder. It has built in effects and everything but I was wondering if there are any real advantages to buying rack compressors, limiters, etc.. over just using the effects that are already on board or would it just be a waste of money?

 

[Dr Biscuits]

Well, the main advantage is that you can upgrade the quality of your compressors, reverbs, etc. when you use outboard gear - that's of course assuming you purchase something better than you already have! You can also expand the palette of the effects you have available.
The built-in effects in DAW's are very handy and some of them can sound good depending what you're after, but none will rival top of the line (or in many cases even moderately decent) gear you can buy... of course to get into something that is is a noticeable step up, you need to spend some $, which may not be worth it to you if you already like what you're getting... and a generic guitar multi-fx unit will most likely not offer you any improvements, as that is what is essentially built-in to the Korg.
I haven't used the 1600, but from what I've experienced with DAW's, the built-in compressors are often pretty terrible, along with the reverbs....
Hope this helps!

 

[ssscientist]

I have a Korg D1600 Digital Multirack Recorder. It has built in effects and everything but I was wondering if there are any real advantages to buying rack compressors, limiters, etc.. over just using the effects that are already on board or would it just be a waste of money?

Are you having specific problems getting the sounds you want out of the D1600, or are you just asking a general question?

If it's just a general question, I would say that the effects and signal processors built in are the best ones that Korg could find - on balance - to include in the unit and outboard gear would be a pain in the ass to use and not worth it in the long run.

If it's a specific problem, post again with more detail and we'll try to help.

the built-in compressors are often pretty terrible, along with the reverbs....

That kind of blanket, generalized condemnation will come back to bite you.

While it's true that manufacturers of all-in-one unit need to make compromises they're becoming fewer and fewer with every new model. The competition is pretty fierce for the 'DAW' buck and the end users are the beneficiaries.

You've got to be mindful of what forum you post your opinions in too --- this is 'newbies' and very few posters here are even sure what a compressor does, much less have enough experience to tell a good one from a bad one. The net result of your advice may be either for him to punt the whole D1600 or to turn off the compression wholesale.

However good or bad the compression, for instance, is on the D1600 it's guaranteed to be better than the Alesis 3630 which I still see in studios that I work in.

 

[Creamyapples1]

However good or bad the compression, for instance, is on the D1600 it's guaranteed to be better than the Alesis 3630 which I still see in studios that I work in.

Pot - Kettle - Black, Glass houses, throwing stones, etc, etc.

Does Korg include a certificate of guarantee stating the facts about it's compression being better than the 3630? I'd say you having not used the Korg, it'd be a pretty broad generalization to say that it's better than anything. Not that I'm defending the 3630, it was the first compressor I ever had and it sucks, but I still use the gating on it. I guess what I'm trying to say is, to quote you. That kind of blanket, generalized condemnation will come back to bite you.

 

[lucky13]

The advantage of outboard dynamics processors is that they often times sound better. The drawback is that you can only use them on one channel at a time.

 

[Creamyapples1]

Or in certain instances you can put an effect on an aux loop from your board and saturate each track to your likings. I do this with reverb, works well for what I do. May not work at all for others. /shrug

 

[ssscientist]

That kind of blanket, generalized condemnation will come back to bite you.

That's no generalization, cowboy!

I'm saying it specifically and straight out - the Alesis 3630 compressor sucks!








.

 

[Dr Biscuits]

That kind of blanket, generalized condemnation will come back to bite you.

True, it's a blanket statement, but that's why I qualified it with "from what I've experienced" .... I just want him to realize that all effects are not created equal, even if they all have the same basic controls and that there's a reason that $$$$ per channel outboard gear exists...
In the past I've done plenty of stuff from start to finish using only built-in DAW effects (Korg D8 and Roland VS1680) and been very happy with the results - but I did always find that certain effects were never up-to-snuff, I just accepted the fact that the 3200 different effects included in a $2000 DAW are most likely not quite as slick as 1 well-chosen rack unit worth twice that (not that $ is a direct measure of quality in audio gear either, but obviously some compromises are made when a DAW has to pack so many features in).
Bottom line of advice is, of course use what you have, don't forgo compression just because you heard it's not a very good compressor, and don't assume that just because something is 'outboard toob gear' it's any good no matter what the price - but know that external gear is out there so that you can upgrade your studio/sound in a modular fashon when you feel the time is right, when you truly know what you're missing, and there's one particular type of effect you're just not happy with no matter how much you tweak.
That said, if you're just beginning you'll probably be happy with what you have for quite a while, and as ssscientest mentioned, don't waste your $ until you truly understand why you need to!

 

[Creamyapples1]

That's no generalization, cowboy!

I'm saying it specifically and straight out - the Alesis 3630 compressor sucks!

.

LOL I totally concur partner! Still <3 me some Alesis gating though

 

[Beatyofeet32]

lol.....looks like I ended up sparking some controversy with that question. The compressor that's built into the D1600 has been working rather well in my opinion but I know that some rack compressors display the amount of compression that is actually taking place throughout which will probably prove to be more helpful than just trying to play it by ear.

 

[ssscientist]

On the other hand I know a whole bunch of good engineers who don't use the metering but instead rely on what the compressor is doing to the sound...

I can understand your wanting to see compression in action though --- it's a beautiful thing if applied correctly!

 

[lucky13]

lol.....looks like I ended up sparking some controversy with that question. The compressor that's built into the D1600 has been working rather well in my opinion but I know that some rack compressors display the amount of compression that is actually taking place throughout which will probably prove to be more helpful than just trying to play it by ear.

Just about every question on this forum will start some controversy. But it keeps things interesting, and what I think makes this site fun!