emu 1820 + analog mixer

[metaverse]

I think my first post was in the wrong forum , my apologies.

I'm pretty much a novice when it comes to pc recording beyond the basics.

Right now i've got an emu 1820 (no M) and am dependent on VSTi's and samples for most of my music. However I can't stand the THINNED out digital sound quality I feel I get from most of these VSTi's.

Im thinking about purchasing a small analog mixer to route the signal flow through however after the few posts I've combed through it seems that its just not that simple. Not to mention I dont have the M card so my converters aren't what they should be.

So at this point i guess i'm just wondering if you guys could shoot me some advice/links to read about how to get these VSTi's some warmth and depth and thickness using my PC and my 1820.

any help is appreciated
~ eric

[metaverse]

PS. any alternative that'll give the same quality at a cheaper price would be nice too

also if there's also a suggestion for replacing my emu 1820 i'm open to that as well ... I'm really kicking myself in the ass for not spending the extra 100 dollars for the M ...

and also , i'm fully aware that my technical knowledge is next to non existant compared to most of you and I dont expect anyone to walk me by the hand through this , if you could possibly just point me in the direction of some articles, links , ect , it would be greatly appreciated.

I'm just a beginner so I have to learn ...

[Bassmankr]

Given your budget and needs I'd suggest picking up a good clean used Samson MPL2242 for around $100 on ebay. This mixer has alot of flexibility, doesn't sound like ass and you can use it for gigs so your money will do double duty. Plenty of routing options to let you learn about mixers. It's a decent small cheap mixer to learn off of. To really beef up some of your VSTi's I'd run them through some outboard (maybe a guitar amp that you already have).

[metaverse]

22 channels !

... I was thinking more along the lines of 8 and no more than 16 but if I could find it for around 100 I guess I can't complain. There's one on ebay for 240

Any suggestions on a bass amps and guitar amps?

To accomplish what I want i'm willing to spend around 600 max ... but i'm hoping that wouldn't only be on one piece of gear.

thanks for the help man , its greatly appreciated
~ eric

[golden beers]

look into getting a UAD-2 soundcard? that should make a big difference.

i too find some VSTi's very crap sounding indeed, if you dont like the sound, don't use the vst! find one you like!

you'll find the whole thing will sound better on good monitors. remember if you keep it all in the computer you have no need for the A-D other than to hear it.

if you're recording real instruments eg bass, good outboard (borrowed?) before going into the A-D will help. once in the digital realm you can use some smoke and mirrors and maybe a little snake oil to compensate for the less then optimal A-D.

a $/£/€600 mixer without the outboard gear will do nothing for the sound.

do you have a friend with high quality monitors? try burning a mix to CD and listening to it at his place?