What is all this rack gear?mor importantly why?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Elmo89m
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Elmo89m

Elmo89m

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So i just took a trip to the studio building section of the bbs and saw really good studios with like 20 rack units in each. right now i have one rack unit...a preamp and i just dont see why me or anyone need all that...the only other things i really need are a compressor and maybe a power conditioner...why have an effects proccessor when you can use a plugin...even if i had a boat load of money i see why i would ever need all that with a computer based setup
 
People have multiple preamps so that they can record more than one instrument at a time (for example drums). Many times drum kits can use 8 or 9 microphones. People also compress on the way in to not clip when doing instruments such as vocals or drums. They also like the certain sonic signature of certain compressors or EQ's that digital gear can simulate yet.
 
Well, sometimes you need a lot of stuff. And some people like to work with hardware. I don't, but I've still ended up 20u in my studio and 30u in the portable rig.
 
It's all about want's & needs................
 
outboard gear works out cheaper than a paraffin heater in the winter...... smells better too
 
first of all, i'm addicted to hardware :)
its very impressive for a band to walk in here and see all these buttons,
especially when its dark, god, the lights are fun !

but like someone else said, ever tried to record drums?
if you're not an absolute pro with a super mixing desc and stuff,
and with a great band....then your drumsound might sound like shit,
if you don't put a compressor on...
kick, snare, toms, bass, vocals,

i record underground bands that don't wanna spend more than one day in the studio , they play live, i don't have much time to fix fuckups,
so i make sure there's compressors on everything , then i know it won't hurt if someone suddenly plays real loud.

i know hiphop "studios" with only 1 mic and 1 preamp,
i don't consider them studios, but hell...

as long as you don't need all that stuff, don't buy it, hehe
cause it kinda costs money...
 
Since I prefer to mix analog and use hardware, I've got a lot of rack units in my studio. I also have plugins that I use, but in general I prefer the sound of outboard.
 
They have it because it sounds better and gives them all the options that they may need or want. It is not a necessity, but if you are paying the big bucks to do an album, then you ought to have the big toys as well.
 
SonicAlbert said:
Since I prefer to mix analog and use hardware, I've got a lot of rack units in my studio. I also have plugins that I use, but in general I prefer the sound of outboard.
Click to expand...
How do you apply those effects in real time? Or do you apply them after? and if so, how?
 
I use a HD24 with a MOTU 2408 mkII like a 24 channel soundcard with an analog console. I can use plug ins side by side with hardware. VERY powerful setup.
 
Track Rat said:
I use a HD24 with a MOTU 2408 mkII like a 24 channel soundcard with an analog console. I can use plug ins side by side with hardware. VERY powerful setup.
Click to expand...

I have the same setup with the Mackie SDR 2496 recorder... couldn't be happier with the routing flexability...
 
Plugins are handy, but good outboard gear still sounds much better
 
It's all about the flashing lights and VU meters, dammit!!! :D
 
Also ... and I'm gonna get flamed for this ... Reverb plugins still suck ass big time when you compare their cost and CPU overhead to what you can get in hardware.
 
noisedude said:
Also ... and I'm gonna get flamed for this ... Reverb plugins still suck ass big time when you compare their cost and CPU overhead to what you can get in hardware.
Click to expand...
:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
shh....some of us have only used reverb plugins.........and we think it sounds great! :mad:
so dont ruin it for us! :mad: merrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh :mad:


(dont take that seriously)\

-sjj
 
It depends on what you want to do with your studio...

The pros who record for others have to have enough gear to cover as many eventualities as possible. This includes musicians with severe cases of OCD or ADD.

A project studio lets you craft your own sound. I am like you, I have a compressor, a DAW, two preamps and a few good mics. I want to upgrade the compressor and preamps and maybe add an electronic drumkit and that's it.
 
When your client comes into the studio and looks at all the rack gear he will want to pay you more than if you just had a PC loaded with software and plugins that cost a lot more than all the rack gear.
 
i cant afford a computer! ADAT for life! My recording setup, (which I love) doesnt even use a computer. All outboard, and I love it.
 
Mmmmmm.......... new gear smell and lights..........

My nipples are hard! :eek:
 
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