Using Focusrite ISA 220 as an external processor in pro tools

[leegodden]

Hi there
was wondering if it's possible to use the ISA 220 as a hardware insert in pro tools. I would like to take full advantage of the eq and compression of this unit. Has anyone else had experience of doing this

thanks

R

 

[Steenamaroo]

It has a line input and a line output, so I guess you could.

The important bit of information here isn't your software; It's your hardware.

Protools is more than capable, but your interface would need to have a spare line input and output, or effects loop.

 

[leegodden]

Thanks

Yes have some spare I/0's. The reason I'm thinking of doing this is because I have no engineer, it's just me singing, playing and recording, so it would be easier recording dry and then making use of the processor side of the unit after recording. I guess this is a common problem for musicians

 

[Steenamaroo]

Yeah ok, I can see that.

I don't know that unit intimately but I guess the line input goes through the effects. Wouldn't be too hard to find out.


You'd record your vocal on a new track in protools.
Once done, set the track output to 'analog 1', or whatever your first free hardware output is. (ie. you won't be able to hear it anymore).
Patch that hardware output into the line input of the focusrite.

Make a new pro tools track with the input set to whatever the focusrite is plugged into.
Engage your focusrite effects.
Record arm the second track, hit record and watch the recording bounce across with effects.

It might take a few passes to get your settings right, but once you get it just RTZ and hit record again.


A second option is to set up your ProTools track with a super long delay...maybe 3 or 4 seconds?
Sing a little, wait, listen, adjust eq/comp.
Sing a little, wait, listen, adjust eq/comp.

It's a bit cumbersome but it's just an idea.

 

[leegodden]

thanks, I'm a bit new to routing through a DAW, I also use a analogue mixing desk The way I figured it out (rightly or wrongly) was to record vocals dry via the unit into the interface and the DAW. Then patch in the unit to the I/O's of the interface and then output the recorded vocal back into the desk, so I can use the unit and some other hardware effects I have

 

[Steenamaroo]

There's no need for the analog mixing desk, but if you'd like to use it that's fine.

 

[leegodden]

Thanks, I've been torn between analogue and digital, it probably makes more sense to 'stay in the box' as they say, but i love using outboard grear

 

[Steenamaroo]

There's no harm in using outboard gear at all. I just mean there's no need to use the mixer AND the focusrite in the same chain.

The only beneficial analog effect your mixer is going to offer will probably be eq, so I'd just use the focusrite as my 'outboard chain', if anything.

 

[Justsomeguy]

I use an ISA220 a lot for outboard EQ, compression and de-essing and flippin' love it! I don't use pro-tools (i'm in logic 9) but i either just send channels out of my soundcard, into the line in on the isa, and then back in to a spare line in and re-record the results to a new channel, or make the most of logics "I/O" plugin which essentially does all that just in real time.

I also bought the Focusrite Midnight suite plugin's as it's based on the same EQ and Comp the isa is built on so it's nice to have infinite channels of isa without having to go OTB, but after some A/B'ing, the outboard does have add "3d" depth to the sound and the de-esser is incredible. I'd never really used de-essing before as i'd never found a plugin one i liked, but the one on the isa is very subtle and very smooth.

 

[leegodden]

Hi Thanks, it's nice to know someone else is doing a similar thing. Am I right in assuming that you record the results onto another track in order to free up the 220 for another channel and then repeat the process?

 

[Steenamaroo]

Not sure what that means, but the how to is in post 4.

 

[Justsomeguy]

Am I right in assuming that you record the results onto another track in order to free up the 220 for another channel and then repeat the process?

Essentially yes. so, for example, i may run the recorded vocals out of my daw into the isa220, set up EQ and comp or whatever on the isa, then record that back in on a new track and then mute the original track and reset the isa to use it for something else. As steen said;

the how to is in post 4.

Tbh, it can be a long process but i often find it's well worth it. The hardest bit is if you process something and then later on want to change it, in which case you need to repeat the process again.