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Originally Posted by Ben F  Mix ITB using a variety of analogue outboard as inserts and you'll get very close to an OTB mix. The secret is recording the sounds with analogue processing and decent preamps to begin with. The most important aspect for mixing IMO is analogue compression, especially for electrionic music, and some analogue effects such as the Roland Space echo. Most of the best mixes I hear in the mastering studio these days are done within software using some outboard hardware, and I have to say analogue synths as well, generally processed through some sort of unique hardware (doesn't have to be expensive). Unfortunately analogue compression isn't cheap, but it's still more affordable and flexible than buying a desk.
If you buy a decent compressor such as the C2, La-2a or distressors, you can use them for recording, mixing and also drum sub-groups. Very flexible.
A good mixer should be able to create depth and warmth using proper EQ technique and effect processing ITB. But I agree with the above posters than some analogue is essential, it just has a different vibe and organic quality that plug-ins have failed to match (as yet). |
But using outboard processing doesn't help that simple fact, that when you mix for example a big kick and a big clap/snare together, it sounds like distortion ITB (not exaggerating much), OTB it sounds powerful and the way it should be. ITB you end up tweaking sounds thinner and thinner, when in reality you shouldn't have to. And also the depth is so much better OTB, the sound doesn't have that digital tighness/flatness in it.