Sorry, quick RNC connection question

[pdadda]

I found a local guy that will sell me an RNC for pretty cheap. As far as pre's I have a SP VTB-1, Mackie SR24-4, and the two on my MOTU 828mkii. For connecting the RNC in this setup, should I:

VTB-1: Mic->VTB-1. Use the insert on the VTB-1 to the RNC back to the VTB-1->Line out to Motu

Mackie: mic->Mackie. Then send the channel to a sub out-> Motu

Sorry if this is ignorant. First time looking at a hardware compressor.

In those setup's, I am asking if that's the way to compress before the converters.

 

[Warhead]

Pick door #1, VTB-1 insert.

War

 

[pdadda]

Thanks Warhead. I was primarily looking into it for a vocal compressor. I think I'll go ahead and get it.

 

[pdadda]

So will I run into these strange wiring schemes I have heard about if I use the RNC at the mixing stage? Or can I use balanced cables between the MOTU and the RNC?

 

[mr.rich]

are you mixing via the mackie? doesnt the mackie have its own channel inserts? use the insert on the pre only if thing s are really flying around during tracking. if not id say use the channel inserts for comps on the mix. this gives you more flexibility instead of suddenly being stuck with an accidentaly over comped take. but yeah if you wanna strap a comp before the a/d then put it in the pre. hell you could always just use a patchbay before the a/d also.

mic>pre>bay>comp>bay>ad. this would work if you had a pre without an insert. i do it to tape if i need to comp to tape. in that chain you can effectivly use the color of the comp gain as its own pre. sometimes i use vla as a pre more than a comp. run the threshold all the way up, the ratio all the way down ( so the comp section is doin pretty much nothing) and run the output real hot. you can use anything with a gain stage as a pre really to achieve differant tones from mics. some work ok some sound like ass.

 

[pdadda]

I actually don't use the board much for mixing. I do that all via software right now.
One more question for all you 828mkii users. Let's say I wanted to use the pre's on the front and compress the signal before it get's recorded. Are those "sends" on the back panel inserts? What would be the best way to wire that up?