Running Sonar mixes /tracks out to analog

I do it all the time with outboard compression and EQ.  Try it!

he [Andy Johns] likes to run it through an analog mixer, because it just gives it a little plump

Maybe he does, but he's also quoted as saying "You don't get your sound out of a console, you get your sound from the room." (ref: http://bobbyowsinski.com/The_Mixing_Engineers_Handbook_-_Andy_Johns_Interview.html)
 
I used to play with external gear a lot.  But since Sonar 8.5, I've been exclusively mixing in the box.
Vintage Channel, Guitar amp sims and some of the other plugins (like from PSP) have provided enough warmth inside the box for me.  IMHO, it's just so much simpler than screwing around with the racks.
Now, if I had a spare Neve console like Andy might have, I might think otherwise...

CJ, Dave
 
Thanks for the reply! Sounds like EQ and compression are major uses, now I'm lusting after outboard gear, too! Maybe an API
 
Sijel, I like PSP plugins too, I'll go back to some of those too. I also wish I had acces to a Neve console!
 
Drewfx1, you are correct, always do it right and then it's good to go.
 
Well that's what I was wondering so thank you all much for the expert feedback! I'm going to go and check it out!
 
 

brundlefly
 
That is fabulous advice and clears up a LOT in my mind...so basically I should be looking for something like a dbx 386 [tube preamp] to warm up my mixes...
 
Regarding my old board and reverb, thanks for pointing that out, as it went over my head as I was thinking about it the past week...so for that I can use it basically as a really nice reverb if I choose.
 
Thanks so much!

CJ, Dave
 
Thanks for the reply! Sounds like EQ and compression are major uses, now I'm lusting after outboard gear, too! Maybe an API
 
Sigel, I like PSP plugins too, I'll go back to some of those too. I also wish I had access to a Neve console!
 
Drewfx1, you are correct, always do it right and then it's good to go.
 
Well that's what I was wondering so thank you all much for the expert feedback! I'm going to go and check it out!

haha, just remember that the quality of your converters may come into play when you take something back out and back into your DAW. The better your A/D and D/A converters are, the most likely you will be degrading your audio signal.
Also take into account, the quality of your hardware gear and the noise it may introduce.
 
So if you want to be doing this, you may want to invest in some high end converters
Cj
 

Then compare it to analog and an unrecorded sound. See which is closest. Digital will win every time. I don't care how good the analog gear is.

Unless they lie because they think its rigged!! OH, that was another thread...LOL Sorry

LOL, Thats good, because only a few will probably get that joke
Cj

The joke was from a long winded thread reguarding how even pro's couldn't hear the difference bla bla bla. It's a hot topic hear Analog VS Digital etc. Don't worry about it.
Bottom line is garbage in garbage out so good recordings always start with good sounds and good playing.  You mentioned wanting to make some harsh sounds better by running them through analog gear.
There are some who will still master to tape to get the sound they like, But they are using very good equipment. You and I probably can't afford that stuff so don't worry, the equipment you have will work to make great recordings if you take the time to do each step properly.
I listened to some of your stuff on your web site. Good voice nice and clear and warm sounding, There a lot of distortion on the tracks. I don't know how you encoded them but you might want to re do them.