Input Processing

Is there any way to use a plugin limiter/compressor on the input in real time?
 
If not, what do you use on a budget?

billkeys2


Is there any way to use a plugin limiter/compressor on the input in real time?
 
If not, what do you use on a budget?

I am not sure exactly what you mean. If you mean you want to monitor the processed signal while you play/sing then yes, just insert any FX you want in the FX bin of the relevant track. Set your latency as low as your system can handle without any glitches and you are good to go. Note that the signal is processed after recording so you still get the clean recording without processing (which is a good thing).

If you want to compress/limit the signal so that you won't clip the recording then no. Any plugin you use comes after the converters. If the signal is too hot and you clip, the dammage will already be done by the time the signal arrives at the plugin bin.

Keep in mind that you don't have to have very high levels when recording. With 24 bits, you can happily record with peaks at -12 dB or so without any degradation of quality. In other words, you don't need to compress/limit the signal before hitting the converters purely from that point of view. Setting the levels right is all you need to do. (Of course there are other reasons one might want to use external compression and/or limiting).

UnderTow

If you use input echo monitoring you can place a compressor limiter plug in on any track.

If you use hardware monitoring, your hardware may have a dsp "plug in" compressor or limiter available.

Either way you will be using the compressor or limiter for effect rather than to prevent digital overs... simply because by the time you hit the plugin or limiter the music has been digitized.


You can of course use some other device's dsp "plug in" compressor or limiter before your analog to digital conversion but that will add latency.


You can also use analog compressors but you didn't ask about that... if you do use them, they will not add latency.


As Undertow explained, when you record at 24 bits you can usually get plenty of usable signal with out using such a hot input that you hit a digital over.  You just turn down the input and compress and use make up gain later.

I like the effect of playing into a compressor/limiter so I often use one of my hardware units before my ADA or a plug in with input echo so I can monitor the effect while the performers are playing and listening to the effect.

Have fun!!!


best regards,
mike

I saved up for many years to get my budget together.

I have a bunch of hardware compressors... it's my impression that a good hardware compressor costs more than a good hardware preamp... so I saved up and bought my pre amps first and then I saved up some more and bought some compressors.

I very much like having them available for use while recording vocals, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, and drums.

best regards,
mike

FWIW,

I don't think that MOTU has anything like that. If the efx are dsp... then the analog has already been converted to digital. Maybe MOTU has a brand new item out?

If the hardware is an analog "channel strip" with a digital converter at the end... then it works as a pre digitized treatment.

best regards,
mike

mike_mccue


FWIW,

I don't think that MOTU has anything like that. If the efx are dsp... then the analog has already been converted to digital. Maybe MOTU has a brand new item out?

If the hardware is an analog "channel strip" with a digital converter at the end... then it works as a pre digitized treatment.

best regards,
mike

They sure do mike, My 828 has V Limit and a compressor on Channels 1 and 2, Your right though it is post conversion, but it is written to disk that way so you cant change it afterwards... your 896 should do this as well but Im not positive... Look in your Cue Mix dynamics section...

However I rarely use it, I have a few channel strips that I prefer...