DAW mastering/recording with hardware

[crabtwins]

I understand that in the field many people compress slightly the incoming vocal. I get mixed results with DAW, input monitoring and latency.

Is it realistic to expect to get that without outboard comp or reverb for headphone mix?

I can have a separate headphone mix, its just not treated is all.

[Darius van H]

I don't see the relevance of your question to mastering.....

However, i think if you have a good soundcard like an RME that can run at 1.5ms latency, then monitoring with a couple of low latency plugins should be no problem.

[crabtwins]

Originally Posted by Darius van H

I don't see the relevance of your question to mastering.....

However, i think if you have a good soundcard like an RME that can run at 1.5ms latency, then monitoring with a couple of low latency plugins should be no problem.

Thanks for anwering my irrelevant question. Thats very big of you.

I guess my question should have been can you master with just a DAW or is outboard gear ABSOLUTELY necessary in conjunction.

And I think there are probably two camps. One huge camp of pros who know you cant beat the immediacy of knobs and outboard comps,eq's, reverbs, and maybe another small group (myself) that are trying to learn it al in the PC realm hoping someday they will be in a situation where I can afford or justify investing in outboard gear.

thanks though Darius, i will check my latency.

[crna59]

Yes, there are people who "master" with just plugins and a set of bookshelf speakers sitting on top of a desk! I've seen it.... ! It's not that elusive.. unfortunately.

Regards,

[crabtwins]

Originally Posted by crna59

Yes, there are people who "master" with just plugins and a set of bookshelf speakers sitting on top of a desk! I've seen it.... ! It's not that elusive.. unfortunately.

Regards,

Ok further refinement of question...barring the yahoos who master with "bookshelf" speakers, can you get professional results using just DAW. I'm afraid this is a touchy subject around here so I think maybe we should let it go.

I will say this, I have to believe you could get some outstanding results if you knew what you were doing(how to use processing and effects) and were working with VST intruments and good clean/dry vocals. and of course the perfect mix if not stems of each component of the song. Maybe someone can answer you absolutely CANNOT get good results with a DAW solution. Is anyone willing to say that even in the hands of someone who knows what their doing, they couldnt get to 95 percent of what hardware based mastering engineer could do.


I mean i have to believe that the greatest equipment in the hands of an inept ME doesnt mean squat. Ok flame on.

[Coyoteous]

Originally Posted by crna59

Yes, there are people who "master" with just plugins and a set of bookshelf speakers sitting on top of a desk! I've seen it.... ! It's not that elusive.. unfortunately.

Man... I thought I burned those pictures!

Seriously though, music is being recorded and distributed all over the planet at an accellerating rate. Some of it gets processed (or mastered) as an intermediate step between recording/mixing and distribution. A great composition/performance will shine through the most dismal recording/mastering work. At what ever stage of a project I work on, I try to achieve and maintain appropriate "goodness" with the tools available. The average "mastering" job I do bills about $250 (not a misprint) and many customers think they are paying too much or opt for no mastering at all. Some of the most successful musicians that we manufacture for have, IMO, recordings with very dubious production values - but they don't care, their audience doesn't seem to care and they sell boatloads of product. You guys are really kidding yourselves if you think the average Joe can tell any difference between ITB and OTB mastering.

[crabtwins]

Originally Posted by Coyoteous

You guys are really kidding yourselves if you think the average Joe can tell any difference between ITB and OTB mastering.

Wow. Had to look up OTB and ITB. Ok glad to hear it, I was beginning to ask myself...you know ok I get it ..you can do wonders with all the best toys and best listening rooms...but couldnt somebody really good get just as close maybe better ITB? I just wanted to hear one person say yes, its possible. Thank you...unless that's not what you said.

[NesNeedsGear]

Originally Posted by crabtwins

Wow. Had to look up OTB and ITB. Ok glad to hear it, I was beginning to ask myself...you know ok I get it ..you can do wonders with all the best toys and best listening rooms...but couldnt somebody really good get just as close maybe better ITB? I just wanted to hear one person say yes, its possible. Thank you...unless that's not what you said.

so if i understood correctly, you're asking if it's possible to create something great itb...
yes, it's possible, in the same way you can catch fish with a Rod or a Spear.

[crabtwins]

Originally Posted by NesNeedsGear

so if i understood correctly, you're asking if it's possible to create something great itb...
yes, it's possible, in the same way you can catch fish with a Rod or a Spear.

i love it more quotes like this I need to hear them.

LOL seriously i was just checking. Believe I wish I had a grand OTB studio at hand, but alas........I dont...thanks a gain guys.

just so you guys arent disillusioned that some how I am disillusioned, dont get me wrong........vst's and plugins for processors.....ehhhhhhhh....im still looking for ones that have what i want in one nice looking ....im babbling.... and NO LATENCY!