Newbie question about real-time effect processing WHILE recording! (Sonar X1)

if it were me I would definitely record the various types of vocals onto different tracks and as separate takes.

I would not use a compressor to control the levels of recording sources.

And, in any case, the recorded audio is dry and the effect is applied on its way through the routing path. And that is the way you would want it. That way, you can try different effects or different settings.

The X2 plug-ins are of very good quality and there is no need to save up for expensive hardware any more. Not in my opinion anyway. There are purists who I'm sure would disagree...

As I understand it..... the incoming recording is NOT affected by the FX in the FX bin.

The FX you add to a track are processing the outgoing sound.... the stuff coming in is dry and un-effected. 

UNLESS.... you do a PROCESS AUDIO function which then prints the FX to the track. But that is done while stopped. 

If you remove an FX you do not lose anything and no recalculation takes place.  You can delete an FX and add another and do this on the fly which shows the FX are on the back side of the signal.... not on the front side going in. 


I record all the time with my echo on so I can hear the reverb on the vox and other things.... but I can swap them out or go dry. That would be impossible if the signal coming in was recorded and the FX were applied to the recorded signal. 

Guitarhacker


As I understand it..... the incoming recording is NOT affected by the FX in the FX bin.

The FX you add to a track are processing the outgoing sound.... the stuff coming in is dry and un-effected. 

UNLESS.... you do a PROCESS AUDIO function which then prints the FX to the track. But that is done while stopped. 

If you remove an FX you do not lose anything and no recalculation takes place.  You can delete an FX and add another and do this on the fly which shows the FX are on the back side of the signal.... not on the front side going in. 


I record all the time with my echo on so I can hear the reverb on the vox and other things.... but I can swap them out or go dry. That would be impossible if the signal coming in was recorded and the FX were applied to the recorded signal. 

That's bad news =(

Using a compressor in this way wouldn't work to control levels as levels are set prior to Sonar. i.e. by your interface.

There is no way to control incoming levels from within Sonar. To compress the recorded signal you'll need an external compressor.

You can of course compress the signal within Sonar once it has been recorded but not before.

I guess my question sounded quite stupid then, I'll have to let it go and save for a compressor I think. 

But still, I think it'd be very cool to have a real time software based compressor (or any kind of effect/processor) for those who just want to try, or use it as a temporary solution =(

Digital compression won't work before the sound gets digitalized - that is just the nature of the beast.  So anything in the effects bin or PC happens afterward, and it doesn't matter of you do the effecting during recording or during mixing - it is all the same to the digital audio.

The exception to this (kind of) is the new Apollo UA interface, with UA effects built in.

But Adom, that won't help w/ what you are asking about, since you are having the problem during recording.  Only analog hardware will help before the AD convertor.  I almost always use a touch of compression going in.  Transformers and good electronics help round out the sound going in, making it sound more like what I know good sound sounds like from the good ole days.  Even today most professional music is done on boards and w/ good electronic equipment which puts a stamp on the sound, even when it is recorded to digital medium.  So a good input chain helps, and a good compressor will help even out the different volume levels while you record.  There is no reason (usually and only if you know what you are doing and how you want it to sound from long experience) to slam and stomp a sound to compressed death, but a little compression can help.  That is what a compressor does - compresses the level going in.  You may still need to do differnet takes if you are whispering and bellowing - that happens all the time.  But unless you are really extreme most of that can be taken care of by the room and a good mic and singing (or whispering) a little farther back into a preamp that won't crap out, backed by a compressor that will keep the loudest parts from overdriving the AD.

My take, anyway.

@

Adom Doledas


I guess my question sounded quite stupid then, I'll have to let it go and save for a compressor I think. 

But still, I think it'd be very cool to have a real time software based compressor (or any kind of effect/processor) for those who just want to try, or use it as a temporary solution =(

No... not a stupid question.... 


So if you want a compressor working on the INCOMING signal from the mic.... that is an easy fix. Two ways to do that are as follows.


1. buy an outboard compressor and plug your mic into it and it into the interface and you're golden. They make some nice ones with tubes just for this purpose.


2. look at your interface. I have a Saffire by Focusrite and it has a software control panel which is where I set the presets it uses as default. I have the ability to set my source input levels and the output levels from the Interface into the DAW.... BUT ALSO, it contains an equalizer, a reverb, and..... a compressor.  Yep.... built right in to the interface and riding the signals going through the interface. I have the EQ flat, the reverb off, and the compressor set to a very, very mild setting. 


Other than that... we do want a dry signal coming in so we can work it the way we want from the FX bin and the controls. Imagine the pain in having to record a track multiple times just to get a reverb setting correct.