software or hardware

[k-do]

ive been building a studio for making rap and rnb beats now i wanna add the ability to add vocals to my beats and also record some artist im about to upgrade to the presonus firestudio from the pre usb and im wonderin if i should run my mics through the pres on that and do all compression and eq work with software or should i get a seperate pre then run that thru the eq and comp before it gets to the computer thanks in advance.

 

[tc4b]

I would do your processing in the box. It's probably cheaper, and definitely cleaner. Most hip-hop production is squeaky clean and digital sounding these days. Plus, you can always change you mind about settings, where as if you process going into the box you're stuck with what you chose that day.


I compress on the way into the computer, just because I like my RNC a lot better than the software comp that came with my version of protools, but everything else (eq and verb) I do in the box.

 

[k-do]

so i need a preamp and a good compressor then? i was wanting to be ready 4 anything that came at me im still a newb though

 

[fuzzrhythm]

He was saying to do compression in your software using a plug-in after it's been recorded.

I would do that too until you have a good handle on how compression can help you. Then you can set up a preamp into a compressor with hardware. You'll know what you're doing and won't ruin any takes by using compression badly.