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Outboard compressor vs. soundcard compressor for recording

Forum Audio : Pro Audio - Outboard compressor vs. soundcard compressor for recording

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Anonymous   08-11-2005 at 08:09:29 PM

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

Question.

I have an outboard compressor (RNC) that I use before my soundcard's
inputs.

But my soundcard, an EMU 1820m, also has it's own built-in effects.
With ASIO direct monitoring, I can apply the effects of the soundcard
BEFORE the audio hits my Cubase recording software.

So I'm wondering..... is there essentially no difference between using
my soundcard's internal compressor vs using an outboard compressor if
my primary purpose is to limit the dynamics to the input so that I can
get a hotter signal to tape?

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Anonymous   08-12-2005 at 12:31:39 AM
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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

Ludwig77 <gregrjones@yahoo.com> wrote:
>Question.
>
>I have an outboard compressor (RNC) that I use before my soundcard's
>inputs.
>
>But my soundcard, an EMU 1820m, also has it's own built-in effects.
>With ASIO direct monitoring, I can apply the effects of the soundcard
>BEFORE the audio hits my Cubase recording software.
>
>So I'm wondering..... is there essentially no difference between using
>my soundcard's internal compressor vs using an outboard compressor if
>my primary purpose is to limit the dynamics to the input so that I can
>get a hotter signal to tape?

Probably not, except that the RNC is a lot cleaner than your soundcard
effects are.

BUT, the notion of limiting the dynamics during tracking to get a hotter
sound to tape is a badly misguided one in the modern digital world.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

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Anonymous   08-12-2005 at 07:38:34 AM
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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

"Ludwig77" <gregrjones@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1123794569.897977.208300@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Question.
>
> I have an outboard compressor (RNC) that I use before my soundcard's
> inputs.
>
> But my soundcard, an EMU 1820m, also has it's own built-in effects.
> With ASIO direct monitoring, I can apply the effects of the soundcard
> BEFORE the audio hits my Cubase recording software.
>
> So I'm wondering..... is there essentially no difference between using
> my soundcard's internal compressor vs using an outboard compressor if
> my primary purpose is to limit the dynamics to the input so that I can
> get a hotter signal to tape?



There's a difference in sound. I prefer the RNC, YMMV.

However, increased latency as the result of inserting the software
compressor into the signal path, could become a problem in certain overdub
situations.

You don't need a hot signal to tape with the modern converters like those in
the E-MU 1820m.

Predrag

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Anonymous   08-12-2005 at 02:43:37 AM
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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

the 1820m is a wonderful unit. top-notch converters, outstanding
dynamic range/signal to noise ratio. try going straight in with out
the RNC and then using a *quality* digital compressor plugin (not the
freebies that come with the 1820m) during mixing and see how you like
it.

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Anonymous   08-12-2005 at 10:32:19 AM
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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

"Ludwig77" <gregrjones@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1123794569.897977.208300@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Question.
>
> I have an outboard compressor (RNC) that I use before my soundcard's
> inputs.
>
> But my soundcard, an EMU 1820m, also has it's own built-in effects.
> With ASIO direct monitoring, I can apply the effects of the soundcard
> BEFORE the audio hits my Cubase recording software.
>
> So I'm wondering..... is there essentially no difference between using
> my soundcard's internal compressor vs using an outboard compressor if
> my primary purpose is to limit the dynamics to the input so that I can
> get a hotter signal to tape?
>

I'm almost 100% sure the compressor in your soundcard is software so it
comes _after_ the converters.

Reply to Anonymous
Anonymous   08-12-2005 at 01:29:16 PM
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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

I just wanted to pile on here and say that I LOVE my E-Mu 1616. For
what it's worth, I've been recording something with huge dynamic range
(TB-303 aciiiiied) straight into Nuendo and the sound quality is
stunning. I only engage compression over that bassline to keep the mix
from peaking once it's in.

I'm certainly not as seasoned as anyone in this news group, but I'd
have to say that your RNC may just be getting in the way!

-Christopher

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Anonymous   08-12-2005 at 04:35:19 PM
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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

Why does it matter whether or not the compressor comes before or after
the convertors?

If the compressor is before the convertors, it is analog and if it is
after it is digital. But in either case, the compression is happening
prior to the sound file being generated on my computer's hard drive.

Reply to Anonymous
Anonymous   08-13-2005 at 03:00:11 AM
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Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

 

Ludwig77 wrote:
> Why does it matter whether or not the compressor comes before or after
> the convertors?

If the sound card is 16 bit, compressing before the converter keeps your
digital resolution up - you can safely record relatively high levels and
know that the compressor will reduce the risk of a digital overload. In
fact that's a major reason for using a compressor when recording - to
tame unpredictable levels.

For a good 24 bit converter, it hardly matters because you've got masses
of dynamic range anyway.

--
Anahata
anahata@treewind.co.uk -+- http://www.treewind.co.uk
Home: 01638 720444 Mob: 07976 263827

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