Using compressors from covertor to console Vs inserts on a console

[The dman]

I'm thinking about using my outboard Eq's and compressors inline from my converter outputs to my console inputs, less wiring/patchbay and my inserts are unbalanced. Besides not being able to Eq from the console before the compressor which I could do ITB if needed is there any reason why using the console inserts would be a benefit except the above reason? I'm talking individual channels and not buss or master inserts

Thanks

[DeadPoet]

The inserts on my D&R Orion desk are post EQ so if I want the comp pre EQ I patch D/A -> compr -> desk tape return.

Other than that I don't really see a benefit. There are people that have tested line-ins VS tape returns and hear a difference, but that has nothing to do with your subject.




Herwig

[Ricey]

in my case i decided against inserts because they are post-gain on my desk.

[The dman]

Thanks guys

I kind of leaning this way myself unless there's a big benefit to the inserts

DeadPoet

When you say some people hear a difference do you mean some people say it sounds better using inserts? I would imagine uncompressed transients hitting your console would make a difference compared to compressed but how much I don't know.

Any other thoughts anybody?

[Karloff70]

Originally Posted by Ricey

in my case i decided against inserts because they are post-gain on my desk.

?? Can't think of a desk where the gain isn't first, i.e. everything including the insert is post gain...

......which is your main difference here as well....makes for a different scenario having the channel gain before your inserted box. Whether better/worse or irrelevant would depend on what you're trying to do. If you go straight in, no inserts, you e.g. can't burn up the input stage on purpose and then compress the result. Basically only you know what you want to do here. Most likely straight in will do most of what you need. Wouldn't worry about a quality problem, you just end up with a slightly different gain structure puzzle/set of options.

[The dman]

Originally Posted by Karloff70

?? Can't think of a desk where the gain isn't first, i.e. everything including the insert is post gain...

......which is your main difference here as well....makes for a different scenario having the channel gain before your inserted box. Whether better/worse or irrelevant would depend on what you're trying to do. If you go straight in, no inserts, you e.g. can't burn up the input stage on purpose and then compress the result. Basically only you know what you want to do here. Most likely straight in will do most of what you need. Wouldn't worry about a quality problem, you just end up with a slightly different gain structure puzzle/set of options.

Thanks for your reply. I'm also thinking given that I have the extra channels on the console available if there is something I absolutely want to "burn" through the channel before the compressor I could take a direct out of the channel unassign it from the mixbuss feed it to a compressor and back into another channel. Does it make sense that this would accomplish the same thing?

[Karloff70]

Originally Posted by The dman

Thanks for your reply. I'm also thinking given that I have the extra channels on the console available if there is something I absolutely want to "burn" through the channel before the compressor I could take a direct out of the channel unassign it from the mixbuss feed it to a compressor and back into another channel. Does it make sense that this would accomplish the same thing?

You'd end up with another gain stage on the way back into the other channel....so not the same, but to intents and purposes quite doable....

[DeadPoet]

Originally Posted by The dman

When you say some people hear a difference do you mean some people say it sounds better using inserts? I would imagine uncompressed transients hitting your console would make a difference compared to compressed but how much I don't know.

No, I meant the difference in sound between tape return inputs and line inputs.

Dynamic range should not make a difference as long as you watch your gain staging.



Herwig

[Ricey]

Originally Posted by Karloff70

?? Can't think of a desk where the gain isn't first, i.e. everything including the insert is post gain...

ah, so - i wasn't totally sure of that.