Hello
I got some questions regarding Craig Andertons tutorial about Prochannels Console Emulator (CE)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZtJ9sLnwK8
 
I really want to use the CEs and I understand that how to use them is a matter of "taste". However, I am wondering a few things:
 
1. He is putting them last in the change (Pre fader), after compressor and EQ, and this is also the initial setting for all channels in Sonar X2. In the manual they recommend to put it first in the chain. Shouldn't CE be "on top" of the chain? Any ideas around this? 
2. The manual states: You will typically want to insert the Console Emulator module as the first module, and make sure ProChannel has Post FX Bin disabled. However, you can also experiment with placing the Console Emulator module at the end and enable Post FX Bin, so all your effects and processed sound are affected.
As I often use 3rd party plugins, according to Sonars recommendations above; I should (normally) place these in the FX-bin or insert a FX-Chain after (below) the CE. Correct?
 
Tips around this would be very much appreciated!
 
Thanx 

You will get many opinions on this.  I really is up to you, BUT
 
Craig suggests last in chain, they are last in chain in the X2 webinar, last in the chain in the presets,  and Cakewalk's CTO suggested using them last in the chain.
 
I, personally, use them last in the chain.
 
One of Craig's suggestions, IIRC, was, that by following the CE with compression, EQ, etc., you would be exaggerating a particular part of the CE, which may not be desirable.
 
Many people may now appear and say that it doesn't matter, as the CE isn't any good, or makes no difference.  I LOVE it, and use it on every track in every project.  They sound superb.

Hey JB
 
Thanks for your input JB
 
So you also use them last in change?
How to use it on a Master Bus? After or before a Limiter? I understand that it depends on current project, but as general guideline?
 
So if I use 3rd party plugins, I should put a FX-Chain containing these before the CE in the chain? 

I do not have the console emulator, but a separate 3rd party, Sonimus Satson Channel strip!

In a track i usually use:

1. Corrective EQ
2. Compressor
3. Coloring EQ
4. Satson Channel strip ( Console )
5. Limiter ( if needed.. )

somtimes i swap 3 and 4, it depends, if i want to boost the harmonics from the " Console "
then i put the Coloring EQ after the console. ( i usually swap those and listen, what benefits more.. )
But mostly i use it as i have it in  the chain above.

The same on the master BUS.

there's no right or wrong..  ;-)

The first thing that I do is put PC in the Post position. If I add an fx, I add the fx chain box into PC; this way i know where everything is at all the time. On the tracks I run the CE in the last position. That way everything is passing through the console. The only time I don't use the CE last is on the Master Buss; then I have it next to last followed by the Limiter. Limiter makes sure that nothing clips.

Thanks for your input guys!
 
MakeShift. seem like the way Im going to work on this as well:) I only have a limiter on the Master Bus.

I was recently reading another thread regarding the Console Emulator, which highlighted that it is most effective when applied to a lot of tracks, having a cumulative effect over a whole mix. So, to me it seems to make most sense to use it last in chain on every channel (post effects)
 
I've watched the Craig Anderton tutorial about it's use, and have read other threads saying use it last in the chain, but I've never really experimented using it first in the chain, since it seems the favoured practice is to use it last in chain.
 
Too bad you can't "Quick Group" all the console emulators and move them to first in chain, to see if there is a noticeable difference.
It takes quite a while to move a large number of tracks console emulators to first in chain position (pre effects), and when I've tried it I don't hear a noticeable difference, but my use of the  CE effect is usually very subtle, only a slight colouration of the mix.
When I crank the settings, I don't like it at all, undesirable distortion.
 
My start up template has CE last in the chain, so I've just kept it that way mostly.

I must admit that when I first played with the CE I didn't really notice much of a difference, but now I can hear the difference between the 3 types even on a single track. I put them last in the PC without thinking, but I seem to remember someone from Cakewalk saying there was nothing stopping you from putting them first, or even having 2 on the same track if it does something you like to the sound. To me they're just another coloration plug, only they have a very subtle effect. 

The cumulative effect is an important aspect, as noynekker pointed out.  I put them on all tracks and busses, more or less.
 
As for limiters, if I use a limiter on a track, I put it before the CE for the reason stated above.
 
However, on the master bus, you really need to put the limiter after the CE, as the CE can push the signal past the limiter's threshold.
 
I rarely use the FX bin now, instead choosing to insert the effects in an PC FX chain, so they will always go before the CE, and I don't have to worry about setting the PC to "post".  I love PC FX chains: it gives me so much flexibility with routing.
 
Sorry for all the abbreviations, it's just easier..

My opinion on a Console strip first in the chain !

If you have a track, let's say a Acc-guitar, and is sounds not good at all
with loads of low end 80-800 hz, and maybe to sharp in the 2-4khz region.
( and should have been corrected with a EQ first )

You put in the Console first in the chain !
The console will the work with all those " bad frequencies " 
and give it's ( coloring ) harmonic's, to all that sound.

Then you put a EQ on second in the chain, and start to edit out 
the " Bad frequencies ".
What happens to the  " Coloring " from the console then..
will you loose " most of the saturation" ?
as i understand a console has it's:

1. stereo crosstalk
2. Saturation ( drive ) with it's harmonics

I am not saying, using it first in the chain is wrong.
Point is: what will you loose/ add by using an EQ after 
            the console ?

This will depend on what EQ you use ( every EQ / Compressor etc )
is diffrent, and how they process the sound.

I will recommend you guy's take atleast 1 day ! take 1 track: copy it 2 times, so you have (3 tracks in total)

Mute the last 2 track, start working in the first track with :
1. EQ
2. Compressor
3. Console

DO NOT copy the settings from the plugins from the first track !! keep the track you have finnished muted.
DO NOT listen to it's sound..
Now mute it.  coffeeee time ;-)

Start on the next track and finnish it and mute it.
Now maybe time for some shopping or a movie !

Back at sonar again...
Finnish the last track....

Now you can start listening to track 1, 2 and 3.

What happend ?
what is better or worse !
No change at all  ;-)
And why !

Analysing and working with only 3 plugins, on 3 tracks
will help you knowing your plugins and how they process
the sound in diffrent ways. 
Working on a project with 20 track's + ,that is more like hit and go..

Have fun ;-)