Do I need a preamp or processor?

[steve262]

Since mixing itb from desks etc and hardware my mixes are lacking a little something

I only really record internal vsts and loops bounced down all itb

I do see processors and preamps like the Universal Audio LA610MKII or any of the tla audio series. Would these help to get a warmer sound internally?

For example doing a input output on mu soundcard master inputs so as to record this as an ext processor?

Do these work like this or is there something like a compressor that can be hardwre and put across the output inputs to do live bounces with a hardware sound?

I have psp and waves etc but think that hardware may give a better rounder sound. Can this be used like this on bouncing individual tracks to give warmth as well as the master?

[San07]

hi Steve,

answer largely depends on factors as your budget, tour experience and your liking. From your post i understand you dont really distinguish what an processors, preamps or compressors are.

Bouncing by passing tracks through external hardware is a common technique, but u have to know why u are doing it. Even if "knowing" represents that you "like" the result and hopefully there is somebody else that will share joy with your output.

"Liking" is a very misterious attribute, hard to describe. The best description that something is "good" would be that sound fits the purpose of the track/song/soundscape.

For your purpose i suggest u to borrow somewhere decent hardware stereo compressor, play with it and then decide.

cheers,

San

[steve262]

I did have an old alesis compressor that was quite noisy that I used to bounce but got rid of it due to getting a load of plug INS thinking they were better

So I do know the benefits and sound of hardware

I suppose my question is more what do the tla audio and Universal Audio LA610MKII style processors do to audio? Can a preamp impart a sound or does something have to pass through a preamp for it to work?

I just want a less clean clinical sound to my bounces and hardware I know the sound of and difference between this and say the usual tape saturation plug ins

As I only record and bounce internal vsts and audio would something like a UA make a difference or do these only usualy work by recording acoustic instruments guitars and the like?

[San07]

Can a preamp impart a sound or does something have to pass through a preamp for it to work?

Dont understand why you talk about preamp again? Preamps are used to bring the microphone signal up to line level. It is truth that some have also instrument and/or line input, but then again, some compressors do as well. So if u do not intend to record vocals or other scoustical intruments, u do not need a preamp.

I just want a less clean clinical sound to my bounces and hardware I know the sound of and difference between this and say the usual tape saturation plug ins

As I only record and bounce internal vsts and audio would something like a UA make a difference or do these only usualy work by recording acoustic instruments guitars and the like?

You will already get a difference by having decent small analogue mixer which u can use for outside summing, but then again, u need to have multiple outs on your soundcard or whatever interface u use.
But, imho, if u get cheap mixer, it is not worth, unless u want to experiment and learn.

gretz,

San

[steve262]

Ok probably what I should be asking is what's the best outboard processor to impart analog sound on itb renders and mixdowns?

Is there something valve out there for this purpose?

I do have a small soundcraft desk and maybe I should send outputs and vsts to it and record back in to make it sound a little outboard with some compression and eq?

[The Elf]

Sorry if this sounds harsh, but I'm genuinely trying to help...

You speak about 'analogue sound', 'hardware sound' and 'making it sound a little outboard', but there's nothing in those descriptions that is tangible. I don't believe anyone can offer advice based on those words. There is no 'analogue/outboard sound' - at least not one I could attribute to a single box.

There's a danger of believing some of the 'hardware-hype' and looking for a magic 'make it better' box, when the reality is that it simply doesn't exist.

But your Alesis compressor clearly made an impression, so what was it you liked about it? Compression? Tone? Distortion? Other?

[Zukan]

There are many ways to warm up, grunge, distort etc ITB. Outboard is only relevant if you set up your signal path correctly and everything else in that path is calibrated properly.

Elf is right, a bit more info would help.

[Pitchfork]

I think you mean a Channel strip to impart some EQ, Valve, and Compression to give an outboard "analog" sound

Even maybe plugging your DAW into this and rendering with this channel strip as outboard, (would that work?)

I dont use one myself but things like UA outboard, always looks nice... Maybe someone can chip in an elaborate more?

[thescientist]

perhaps the OP is looking for hardware/outboard gear to replace effects that are found ITB as a means for achieving a less digital/clinical sound? I think perhaps the post made of treating a chain of correctly gain staged EQ's/reverbs/compressors as a sort of outboard channel strip may be the closest to what the OP is looking for?

[Pitchfork]

Surely this is an Analog summing question for a DAW?

Not sure whats out there to be honest? TL Audio? UA?

Any more? (What about the Avalon 737?) - is that analog summing channel?

[Jack Ruston]

Here are some possible ways to do this, assuming that you don't want to do any mixing on a desk.

1. Run the mix through a mic amp that has quite robust sounding transformers. A perfect example would be something like a Neve 1073 DPA. That takes mic or line inputs but you'll get more of what it does by using a line to mic converter and running into the mic inputs.

2. Use a summing amp that imparts some colour eg Dangerous 2 bus, Tubetech, shadow hills etc. There are loads to choose from. Or a passive summing network like the roll music folcrom which needs a preamp pair for make up gain. In that scenario you would change the sound according to what pre you used. Again, the Neve would be good, as would any number of others. You could equally use a small desk with all faders lined up at unity. In all these examples you'd need at least eight outputs available from your digital to analogue converter.

3. With or without the above, add an Anamod ATS1. This really sounds very analogue and is quite extraordinarily cool.

Clearly these three options can be very expensive. Don't feel that you can't get a good sound without spending thousands. I'm listing them because that's what the options are.

4. Use analogue tape or console simulation in the computer to help create some distortion and non linearity. This is much cheaper !!! But it requires a fair bit of trial and error to find what works well for what purpose. There are some good plug ins and some not so good. The slate virtual console plug ins (coming soon) promise to be quite interesting judging by the audio clips.

In all cases be RELIGIOUS about gain structure. Maintain 0VU on the way in and never let plug ins or virtual instruments force you to start pushing everything up.

J

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