desol said:
Seems like your trying to use the Duet as a mixer? It's not designed to interface/mix with outboard; obviously, you need a mixer to use outboard while 'mixing'...or at least some sophisticated, ad/da setup. ie: Pro tools HD.
I have learned that you are correct. That's why I'm now looking at the new Duet 2 which I'm under the impression will allow my to loop out to and from my outboard gear. I'm also looking at an Apogee Ensemble and Symphony. Albeit, I don't need high in/out count but I'm in the info gathering stage of this process.
desol said:
If i were you, I'd focus on getting 'good sounds/performances' with your mic placement/outboard in the tracking stage.
Then you could use 'selective' ITB compression....while going out to a master stereo compressor.
I 100% agree on this - especially finding that mic sweet spot placement. I never thought about putting a comp before my monitors. This makes me think I could crack open my old chest and spool up the T.C. Electronic Finalizer for that. I could go AES/EBU out of the Symphony or Ensemble if I decide to spend more than the Duet 2 costs. Thanks for the thought. I have so much lying around doing nothing that I don't want to give away including a T.C. Electronic M3000 which I personally enjoy listening to. I used to use it as a A/D, it sounded pretty darn good imo. You see, I'd like to have a system that's not overkill in the in/out dept. that will allow me to use this stuff I have. Most importantly, I'd like to use my Neve's E.Q. section while doing a final mix. I haven't been using the E.Q. at all during tracking because, well, I just don't know what will need to be boosted or cut till I'm at the end of mixing stage.
desol said:
I have my master compressor on all the time(portico 5043) on the monitors. I adjust it and my tracking compressor for the best sound right away. I try to get a finished sound in the tracking stage...
I believe in getting it right on the way in and not relying on the old adage "fix it in the mix", too. That's why I was using two comps on the way in in the first place.
desol said:
Even after you get a sound your satisfied with before tracking it...there's still getting a good performance.
Anyway, after all the performance is done....then you can go back and mix/automate rides, etc....through the outboard master compressor again to achieve your end result(my master recorder; Tascam dv-ra1000, is between the master compressor and the monitors). This is the method I'm currently using for DAW, and it seems to work o.k.
Cool way of doing things. Tell me, if I got a bigger Audio Interface AD/DA setup, couldn't I use what ever it is I get to send the signal out to hit my Finalizer and then record the out of it into Logic 9? Or better yet, would I!?
desol said:
Having brand name x gear doesn't guarantee good results. The results are in maximizing the use of it in your given situation.
Again, I agree. Unfortunately I'm in the category of those who don't know much but are fortunate to have a few nice pieces to help balance the scale and make up for what I don't know, hopefully. For example, I can't tell you how many recordings I have made where the Neve pre makes my voice and others too sit perfectly in the mix without tweaking a thing.
It has become clear to me that I need another Audio Interface AD/DA. I have spent three hours reading here and on other forums about the pros and cons. Without starting a digression, I'd like to ask for feedback on what would suffice my needs without overkill. I mainly track vocals. I have some nice pieces I'd like to use in the mixing stage and for bouncing the final wave file. At this point I was reading about the Apogee Duet2, Ensemble and Symphony. I also started learning about the UAD Apollo. It appears the Duet 2 could be perfect with it's ability to loop out and back in. Thoughts, please?