Mojo3432

michaelhanson
If you want everything on the track to go through the CE, wouldn't it be in the last position in PC? That's my understanding.

Hi Mike,
I believe that it comes FIRST in the chain so that all other modules in the chain will be equally "colored" by the emulator.  Check out the Sonar documentation for the console emulators

that documentation does state to put it in the first position, PRE FX bin, but also says in the same sentence that you can put it in the last position POST FX bin.

bapu
But in a real studio would not every mic/line typically in go into the console?

Yah, that's why I think some people use them on every channel. Is that what you're asking?
 
IIRC, Craig did a test where he put it on everything, then disabled them all in order to A/B the difference. The result was "yes, there's something there that's greater than the sum of the parts" in terms of sound. 
 

I could have swore I just watched a CA tutorial on Youtube where he says to use it at the end and no mention of Pre/Post FX placement.
 
I will now consult with the literature on the website...I kinda want to start using this.

Beagle

Mojo3432

michaelhanson
If you want everything on the track to go through the CE, wouldn't it be in the last position in PC? That's my understanding.

Hi Mike,
I believe that it comes FIRST in the chain so that all other modules in the chain will be equally "colored" by the emulator.  Check out the Sonar documentation for the console emulators

that documentation does state to put it in the first position, PRE FX bin, but also says in the same sentence that you can put it in the last position POST FX bin.

Yep, it actually states that if you want EVERYTHING to be effected.....last Post FX.  I notice the difference on a single track.  Accumulative with all tracks, there is a lot of difference, to my ears, in the final product. 

Which is all the more reason to use it at the beginning of the mixing phase rather than as a plain on/off optional coloring.

Yah, it's probably best used on everything, and added to your default template so you don't have to go back and do it later. I reckon this is a good reminder for me to update my default template! :-)

Beagle

Mojo3432

michaelhanson
If you want everything on the track to go through the CE, wouldn't it be in the last position in PC? That's my understanding.

Hi Mike,
I believe that it comes FIRST in the chain so that all other modules in the chain will be equally "colored" by the emulator.  Check out the Sonar documentation for the console emulators

that documentation does state to put it in the first position, PRE FX bin, but also says in the same sentence that you can put it in the last position POST FX bin.

 
You can do it either way, first or last in FX chain, depending on what you want to achieve / mimick ...

Here's what WAVES NLS docu says ... which is a plug-in with same purpose so I think we can take these guidelines as well ... (not sure if I'm allowed to copy/paste but anyone could download their manuals)
 
Session Setup

Since analog console coloration is created by the console’s individual channel and buss amplifiers, the NLS includes both Channel and Buss components. To faithfully reproduce the DAW to analog console (and back again) signal chain and workflow, we recommend using the NLS in one of two following session setup configurations.

1. As a virtual summing box or summing console: The NLS Channel is inserted on the last insert of the DAW audio tracks, like a direct out routed to an analog console. The NLS Buss is placed on the first insert of the master track (or any other buss), just as the stereo return would be routed from the analog console back to the DAW.
 
2. To simulate console preamp coloration: The NLS Channel is placed on the first insert of your DAW audio tracks, and the NLS Buss can then be inserted at any point on the buss or master track.

The NLS automatically ensures channel variation by loading a different channel model for each instance of the NLS Channel component, chosen from the pool of 32 modeled channels per console.
 
 
I mostly do it according to #1 ... but I reckon the most important advice of all applies here as well: use your ears and do what you like best!

bapu
FFB, 
 
What is this engineering thing you speak of and where can I get some?

Bapu,
I only know of 2 ways to get some ... either spend 50K on getting a degree in audio ... or try this ;-)

For me......every track, every bus, last in the chain.  I think that I'm following the advice that CA proposed in an older thread.  Anyway......I like the results.....subtle but there!

S. Garrigus recommends inserting the Console Emulator as the last PC module on every track and bus.  I'm not sure if that would include a Send Bus where you've set up an effect like reverb, for example.
 
I have yet to use these modules....