Helpful ReplySOLVED Using Concrete Limiter during recording

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fireberd
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2017/09/02 14:41:06 (permalink)

SOLVED Using Concrete Limiter during recording

I should know or just try it and see but I'll ask anyway.
 
Can I use the concrete limiter to be a peak limiter during recording?  Or do I need to use something else or do any limiting in my recording interface unit??  
 
Just a thought.  I've got an upcoming on site recording with our band and can't be monitoring channels all the time as I'm also playing pedal steel guitar in the band.  A limiter, especially on the vocal track, would be an asset as there are a couple of singers.
post edited by fireberd - 2017/09/02 16:01:56

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mettelus
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Re: Using Concrete Limiter during recording 2017/09/02 14:46:04 (permalink)
If you want to limit before the file is written to disk, you will need to use the compressor on the interface, if available. FX within SONAR do not affect the stream from the interface; that goes directly to disk.

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scook
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Re: Using Concrete Limiter during recording 2017/09/02 15:08:50 (permalink)
To use the Concrete Limiter route the incoming audio to a track with the Concrete Limiter enabled and set the output (or better a send) to another track via a patch point (this could be an aux track).
 
SONAR records the input signal. This is true for all track types. It is the reason why regular audio tracks record dry. However, input to patch points may be an affected signal from another track. When using this technique consider recording both the raw and affected track, just in case.
 
The problems with recording software FXs include latency and the inability to remove the effects after recording. Of course, this will not do anything to correct too hot a signal at the interface input.
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fireberd
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Re: Using Concrete Limiter during recording 2017/09/02 16:01:21 (permalink)
Thanks.  That clears it up.  I'll look at setting the limiter in my MOTU for the vocal channel.
 
 

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Jimbo 88
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Re: Using Concrete Limiter during recording 2017/09/02 20:21:47 (permalink)
I really like Scook's answer...best of both worlds.  The raw vocals and the vocals limited.

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RSMCGUITAR
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Re: Using Concrete Limiter during recording 2017/09/02 21:01:12 (permalink)
Why not just turn the input down on the interface?
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fireberd
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Re: Using Concrete Limiter during recording 2017/09/02 22:20:05 (permalink)
I'll have the input down (I usually record vocals at -8 and 24 bit), but that doesn't account for a singer with an extra loud voice.  I can't be monitoring and tweaking the input level and playing my guitar at the same time.  Got to rely on help, such as a limiter as I won't have an extra person to assist with recording.  5 piece country band and several "guest" vocalists. 

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RSMCGUITAR
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Re: Using Concrete Limiter during recording 2017/09/02 22:22:46 (permalink)
Why record so hot? -8 seems really hot to me.
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chuckebaby
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Re: Using Concrete Limiter during recording 2017/09/02 23:46:27 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby Thedoccal 2017/09/03 00:57:12
RSMCGUITAR
Why record so hot? -8 seems really hot to me.


I agree.
Don't worry too much about low recording levels. This isn't the analog days :-)
Better to be a little on the light side than have overs.

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listen
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Re: Using Concrete Limiter during recording 2017/09/03 01:27:02 (permalink)
-12

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Cactus Music
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Re: Using Concrete Limiter during recording 2017/09/03 04:14:41 (permalink)
If you have them available you really are better off using hardware compression set for limiting on certain tracks like Bass, Vocals and kick. You don't need to overdo it, just a fast attach and low ratio to catch potential overs. And that said even if a few overs sneak in they are often not going to ruin the recording. 
You just edit them out later with a volume envelope or whatever. 
Turning it way down the track will lose punch. Don't forget, the send to the computer may be digital, but Pre amps are analog and need to be driven to give out their full potential and some tone.  A wimpy signal is a wimpy signal. 
Your Motu was designed to make good live recordings and that's why it has the compressors built in.It's one of the reasons I was looking to buy one just for live recording. 
Right now I can use my 01V as I have 6 outs from that. 

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Re: SOLVED Using Concrete Limiter during recording 2017/09/03 06:34:17 (permalink)
fireberd
Can I use the concrete limiter to be a peak limiter during recording?  Or do I need to use something else or do any limiting in my recording interface unit??  

 
IMHO there is no point at all to use a software limiter and print it onto the recording. You could always do that afterwards ... plus there is no point to record so hot as modern interfaces have an incredible low noise floor.
 
I would also advise against using compressors / limiters found on audio interfaces, as these are simple DSP algorithms without much control and often a lot less musical / suitable than anything you have in your plugin arsenal that you could throw onto the track later.
 
So unless you have a good analog hardware device in the signal chain on the way in, I would not print it (i.e. record it) to the track.
 

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#12
fireberd
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Re: SOLVED Using Concrete Limiter during recording 2017/09/03 10:33:18 (permalink)
I'll use the limiter in the MOTU. I'll set it for 0DB and it should never get there and thus will not affect the dynamic range of the vocals. If it does, a limiter is better than a compressor for this purpose. 
 
I've been using -8 as I've got one "hard of hearing" singer and he complains he can't hear himself unless I have him at a higher volume level.   I don't argue with him as he is a retired Nashville songwriter and has done major label producing at the old "Bradley's Barn" and for Columbia records.  I've learned a lot from him as he is a Billy Sherrill protégé.

"GCSG Productions"
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