How do you use analog outboard in your itb mixes?

[djanogil]

I have a nice Audio design recording comp. that I've been too lazy to use on mixes,
as it's mono and I'd like to use it on drum OH, I wonder how do you go about it;

Shall I send both OH channels to the same mono output of my DA and then record back the resulting mono channel from the comp to a new track OR

Send one at a time each mono channel to the comp with the exact same settings on the comp and then record both back to two new tracks?

Also in your mixes do you keep both processed and unprocessed channels playing together?
Any suggestions on the use of analog outboard in your ITB mixes welcome.

Thanks

[beesting]

Originally Posted by djanogil

I have a nice Audio design recording comp. that I've been too lazy to use on mixes,
as it's mono and I'd like to use it on drum OH, I wonder how do you go about it;

Shall I send both OH channels to the same mono output of my DA and then record back the resulting mono channel from the comp to a new track OR

Send one at a time each mono channel to the comp with the exact same settings on the comp and then record both back to two new tracks?

Also in your mixes do you keep both processed and unprocessed channels playing together?
Any suggestions on the use of analog outboard in your ITB mixes welcome.

Thanks

you could send both channels to the mono out at the same time. this will mean that a mono signal will result.

you could send one channel out at a time. this will most probably result in different compression on the left and right channel (depending on the respective left and right signal information) and could affect the stereo image (in a good or bad way). this is similar to using a stereo compressor in multi-mono mode.

you could also send one channel out at a time but use one channel only as the sidechain signal for the compressor (assuming your compressor has a side chain input). this will mean that the compressor will act the same on both channels (which sounds good in theory). however, this may not be suitable if there is a great difference in dymamics between the left and right signals. for example, a floor tom panned left may not be suitably compressed if the sidechain signal is set to the right channel.

i suggest you experiment with all of the above methods and see which one sounds best in that particular mix. i'm sure there are more options out there aswell.

as for parallel compression, it can sound great in certain applications (which depend on the mix). i typically use parallel compression on my drum bus (mixing the highly compressed signal underneath the uncompressed signal). i find this gives more drive / punch to the drums without severly affecting the dynamic range.

i mix ITB and use outboard compressors (distressors, c2) and eq (massive passive) all the time. i usually get a rough mix going with plugins first (to sort out level and eq issues quickly whilst the whole mix is playing) and then i'll re-route each of the key channels one at a time to my outboard gear (mimicing the ITB compression / eq but getting a nicer analog flavour). its a bit time consuming (as i dont have heaps of outboard gear) but it definitely improves the sonics of the track.

hope this helps

[djanogil]

Originally Posted by beesting

you could send both channels to the mono out at the same time. this will mean that a mono signal will result.

you could send one channel out at a time. this will most probably result in different compression on the left and right channel (depending on the respective left and right signal information) and could affect the stereo image (in a good or bad way). this is similar to using a stereo compressor in multi-mono mode.

you could also send one channel out at a time but use one channel only as the sidechain signal for the compressor (assuming your compressor has a side chain input). this will mean that the compressor will act the same on both channels (which sounds good in theory). however, this may not be suitable if there is a great difference in dymamics between the left and right signals. for example, a floor tom panned left may not be suitably compressed if the sidechain signal is set to the right channel.

i suggest you experiment with all of the above methods and see which one sounds best in that particular mix. i'm sure there are more options out there aswell.

as for parallel compression, it can sound great in certain applications (which depend on the mix). i typically use parallel compression on my drum bus (mixing the highly compressed signal underneath the uncompressed signal). i find this gives more drive / punch to the drums without severly affecting the dynamic range.

i mix ITB and use outboard compressors (distressors, c2) and eq (massive passive) all the time. i usually get a rough mix going with plugins first (to sort out level and eq issues quickly whilst the whole mix is playing) and then i'll re-route each of the key channels one at a time to my outboard gear (mimicing the ITB compression / eq but getting a nicer analog flavour). its a bit time consuming (as i dont have heaps of outboard gear) but it definitely improves the sonics of the track.

hope this helps

Great Thank you