Tracking through a processor such as a compressor or de‑esser, or through an effects unit such as a delay pedal for a guitar, is relatively straightforward: you just take a feed from the last unit in the chain into your audio interface input and press record and if you want a dry line or DI feed for safety, just take that before any processing appears in the signal chain.
The setup pictured above uses the RME Fireface 800's two ADAT ports to increase the I/O count to 26 using the Creamware A16 Ultra expansion unit.
In a hybrid setup, you're likely to need plenty of analogue I/O. So what follows is an attempt to unpack the various issues you might face, and decisions you might have to make if you want to operate a software‑hardware hybrid studio at home. I won't retread that ground here (you can find the article on-line at /sos/feb10/articles/analoguewarmth.htm), but how you can integrate select pieces of outboard hardware into your software‑based system is another question altogether - and one that we're frequently asked by readers. There are fewer people working this way now, partly due to cost and partly inconvenience, but partly also due to the improvements made in DAW design and plug‑in instruments and processors.Ī few issues ago, we explored in detail what makes analogue gear sound like it does, why that sound might - or might not - appeal, and what advantages it still has in the studio.
#Computer sound mixer software best full#
The ITB approach to mixing gives you the ability to fine‑tune every parameter in your mix, and of course you get full recall of your project.Īt the other end of the scale is 'outside‑the‑box' (OTB) analogue mixing, using only traditional analogue hardware and tape. Indeed, after the recording stage itself, it's possible now to do everything inside the computer, with no other hardware except a mouse, a VDU, and a pair of speakers or headphones. Whether you're a wet‑behind‑the‑ears newbie, or have many years' recording experience under your belt, the chances are that you do a lot of your mixing work now 'in the box' (ITB), on your computer.
What's best: hardware or software? Analogue or digital? Most studio tools have their strengths, but how best do you combine hardware and software in a modern project studio?
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