A few months ago, I picked up an SSL mic preamp.  It's been pretty awesome, I have a lot more gain on tap than previous options, and the Prochannel and Waves plugs let me add EQ/Gate/Comp in software after the input.
 
Some folks say you should do more with hardware on the way in.  I'm looking at a UA LA-610, and there's a bunch of other great channel strips out there. 
 
How do you like to do it?  Is a good pre enough, or do you like to EQ/Comp on the way in?  Is there anything else I am missing?

If you go the hardware route you will have a never ending expense that is far greater than software. But most importantly if the audio is already processed before it gets to Sonar you limit what you can do to it once inside. 

It also depends on your competence as an engineer.
 
Do you have the confidence/ability to dial in the sounds you want on the way into your DAW?
 
Personally I prefer the flexibility of simply capturing the cleanest possible signal so I can mangle it the way I want afterwards

Bristol_Jonesey
It also depends on your competence as an engineer.
 
Do you have the confidence/ability to dial in the sounds you want on the way into your DAW?
 
Personally I prefer the flexibility of simply capturing the cleanest possible signal so I can mangle it the way I want afterwards

LOL. I wouldn't have used those words but you captured what I was trying to say.

schwa
A few months ago, I picked up an SSL mic preamp.  It's been pretty awesome, I have a lot more gain on tap than previous options, and the Prochannel and Waves plugs let me add EQ/Gate/Comp in software after the input.
 
Some folks say you should do more with hardware on the way in.  I'm looking at a UA LA-610, and there's a bunch of other great channel strips out there. 
 
How do you like to do it?  Is a good pre enough, or do you like to EQ/Comp on the way in?  Is there anything else I am missing?

 
 
 
Imo it depends on the sound and on the instrument to record .
Most a good preamp like the Gap Pre 73 
without eq is the only hardware before the box so that I still can  
form the signal after recording during the mixing session.
Other signals like ,perhaps bass ,need sometimes a bit (!)compression
to get a consistent loudness. Sometimes a bit equing on the airband
of a vocal track lets the gleam of the mic shine impressiv.
 
Basicely I like to have a signal in the box which leaves different options
during the mixing session.
Hardware  I use more  in the mixing session.
It´s also good to have a battery of different preamps,
neutral and colouring, to give fitting colours to the signal.
 

I'm always wary of too much processing on the way in, mainly because I'm too afraid I'll screw something up. But I've been in enough of these situations to say that a good quality hardware compressor can generally leave the signal sounding much cleaner with a lot more compression than a software equivalent. So you can get away with using more compression and therefore end up with better usable material (less noise and less chance of clipping).

I am also cautious about putting FX in to the input signal. Typically only a Mic Preamp and for some instruments (Guitars, Bass, Vocal) a very small amount of compression. The compression is only there to simply round out the signal and not as much boost, or compress but simply tame the wildness. I notice a very big difference in a slightly compressed signal and a non compressed signal. Its gives it a little more excitement. Similar to the way an active pick up would. There are also those rare occasions I will use an EQ to try and fix something on its way in.
 
Drums are really the only exception. I use a lot of gating and compression when recording drums but I have been doing it for years so I know what im getting when its printed to Tape/HD.
Im not a fan of using Preamps into other Preamps and that's what your essentially doing if your sending a (For example) Focusrite ISA one into a Focusrite Scarlett 214. Mic jack that is equipped with a Pre amp.
In these cases use an input jack that does not have a Preamp/Mic Pres. You may not even notice it at first but if you listen closely to it during the Mixdown stages you will hear noise or possibly an offending frequency.
 
I have a patch bay with a rack in my studio with everything laid out right to left just how I use it.
Control surface / mixing desk / 19 inch Rack. Some many choose a different order from R to L but because I am left handed, I use a mouse with my right hand and left hand is for turning knobs.
 
Without high jacking this thread I am curious about how many left handed people use their mouse with their right hand or is it only me ? It came out of necessity more than habit.

When I just wanna hide.

Bristol_Jonesey
Personally I prefer the flexibility of simply capturing the cleanest possible signal so I can mangle it the way I want afterwards

+1000. Spend your efforts getting the most accurate, clean sound at the source and then you can do anything - including using hardware effects as inserts.

A great mic pre can interact with a microphone in a way that is very difficult to emulate, and is the result of a lifetimes worth of knowledge and experience of an engineer who knows electronics infinitely better than I ever will.   Playing in the field of what someone like that thinks is "Cool" - how can you not want to do that=-)
 
Here's another perspective.  How many tracks do you feel you have completed?  What is it that typically holds a producer back?  Its usually the netflix syndrome of twenty bazillion easily accessible options to fiddle with.   Endless Endless choices.  How many unfinished tracks are in your folder?   My opinion is to make very very quick creative choices in the "while I still care" period, and surround yourself with a few easy boundaries... like mixing in mono right up till the end.... but... get it done.  Quick engineering decisions will support that.
 
I have a few outboard preamps, some with channel strip capabilities.  One of my fav lead guitar sounds is my marshall clean with my black lion b173 completely pegged and distorting.  Ill sometimes eq on the way in, sometimes ill use a compressor,  really... because its fun to restrict yourself... to be stuck with something... to commit.
 
That all said - its often that if I am using a single coil guitar with an amp sim... that I intend to fuzz....  Ill record it di clean... and then edit out the buzz...  and then reamp it through a fuzz pedal.   However... the whole process for me revolves around the desire to commit... and complete.
 
Just my opinion ...  probably an unpopular one=-)