Recording; signal chain

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Wednesday Mar 04, 2009

Obviously there are no right/wrong ways to do certain things...

but I am curious a mid-high end gate/compressor would sound better inserted into a channel vs mic- into gate./compressor -into channel wouldnt it? Or is there limited difference? I am assuming that if it is inserted into the channel the mic has to go thru the preamp b4 it gets to the insert itself; or is that incorrect? btw; it is a presonus firestudio we are talking about.

I am trying to get the last bit of my new studio gear hardwired in and I kinda found myself at this crossroads.

orangekick · Post by **orangekick** » Wednesday Mar 04, 2009

You're trying to compress the signal as it is being sent to record? I thought that was a bad idea.

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Wednesday Mar 04, 2009

some compression is necessary time to time on kicks and snares; especially with deathmetal/ speedmetal. there a lot of pros who swear by it; and some who swear against it

faceoffmuzik · Post by **faceoffmuzik** » Wednesday Mar 04, 2009

plug the dynamic processor into the insert jacks or put them after the preamp.

there would be absolutely no point in putting it before the preamp plus, most dynamics processors won't work well/correctly with a straight mic level signal (ie straight from the mic).

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Wednesday Mar 04, 2009

I figured that myself...

faceoffmuzik · Post by **faceoffmuzik** » Wednesday Mar 04, 2009

word. but as you were asking... when using the inserts, the mic hits the pre before it goes to the insert.

how do you like your firestudio so far? and what comp are you using?

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Wednesday Mar 04, 2009

I am daisychaining 2 firestudios; I like em a lot. No latency issues. I am not overly impressed with the trim knobs and LED's on the front; or the power switches on the rear. If I had the chance; I would change that..

I recently picked up a Drawmer 424 gate/compressor that I plan to use on kick and snare. The Drawmer gates are really nice; and this will be the 1st comp that I have ever used from them.

orangekick · Post by **orangekick** » Thursday Mar 05, 2009

Yeah, you would want to put anything in after the preamp.

I was just thinking that you would want to record everything as simple as possible and you could compress later. If you commit the recording with effects when you go to tape, you're stuck with it. That's all.

Killjingle · Post by **Killjingle** » Thursday Mar 05, 2009

OKick - u are so right; once its there; there is no going back... I make a point to be at a reference point that I am comfortable with

orangekick · Post by **orangekick** » Thursday Mar 05, 2009

I can dig it.

Every one has their own way of recording as well. Just throwing out what I know.