Using Stereo Compression

johnedwardlow · Post by **johnedwardlow** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 10:24 pm

Hi.

I have a PRO VLA Compressor, DP5 and the original 828 Firewire.

Is there a way for me to put compression using my PRO VLA onto a mix from DP5 via my 828 and print/record it back onto a stereo track in DP--all in fell swoop?

In other words:

Is it possible to go stereo out of the 828 (using a pair of unused outputs) into the compressor and then out of the compressor and back into the 828?

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:53 am

Yes, it is...and no disrespect meant here as the ProVLA is a very cool piece for the money--but you would be better off with some good plugins instead, something such as the URS or Waves Studio Collection (SSL, API or NEVE) type of plugins and keeping it in the box.

monkey man · Post by **monkey man** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:11 am

Down boy!

Yes, johnedwardlow, it is possible, and your method should be fine.
The important thing is to get experimenting and see how you go.

Johnedwardlow, ignore the following:

Brad, you're a naughty boy!
Kid walks into a bookstore looking for an Asterix "book".
Salesperson tries to talk him into buying...
Dostoyefski, Friedrich Nietzsche, Aristotle or Douglas Hofstadter.

"Well, Asterix is an OK book for the money, but what you really want is..."

Fair dinkum, give the newbie a crankin' case of gearlust, won't you?
Sorry Brad, but this one didn't sit right with me.
As I said, "Down boy, down!".

PS: I realise I've no right to tell you to do this, Brad.

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:28 am

Monkey,

My point is there are plugins that will provide better results....the ProVLA itself is a good, affordable compressor. BUT when you go analog out of an original 828 into the ProVLA and then back in analog and re-record it, there is a significant loss of quality going on there. Keeping it all in the box with this setup, IMHO, would provide better results. I'm just saying...try it is all.

monkey man · Post by **monkey man** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 4:51 am

I agree, better results would be achieved.

The thing is though, and we've been here before, that johnedwardlow isn't looking to make a purchase; rather, he's seeking advice on using what he already has.
I (and I hope most other 'Cornies) would never tell someone to upgrade under these circumstances (where a specific usage/routing question has been asked).
In a subtle way, I find this approach patronising. Actually, to me there's nothing subtle about it at all.
"Don't even talk to me until you have such-and-such a setup".
Hey, this isn't BeerGuts.com, you know. (GearSlutz).

Buying things isn't an automatic solution that's sustainable.
Perhaps it's just because I'm allergic to materialism, having been so damned poor all my life it makes me wanna puke.

Or maybe it's because the dissatisfaction I've had with my own gear has prevented so very much of my own music making...

You know I'm a Lyons fanboi, so please don't take any of this to heart, Bradster.

BradLyons · Post by **BradLyons** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:07 am

I'm not saying to buy anything, he may already have this stuff. I'm just stating that---there will be loss of audio quality here, so therefore is it worth it? I spoke to someone two days ago about this EXACT question only, they had a MOTU896HD and also a ProVLA. Turns out, he already owned the Waves SSL bundle but assumed because he had a ProVLA that because it was tube, it was better. I mentioned this, he said he already owned that, tried both, and told me "wow, it really was better to keep it in the box". That's all....easy killer, don't be quick to judge

Phil O · Post by **Phil O** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:40 am

I won't get in the middle of this domestic dispute (especially where poo flinging may become involved - aaargh!). Check out this thread for the routing aspects of using outboard gear:

http://www.motunation.com/forum/viewtop ... highlight=

Somewhere in there is also a link to yet another thread on this topic.

Phil

monkey man · Post by **monkey man** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:43 am

Good point, Brad.
I did assume that johnedwardlow wouldn't have asked this question if he/she already had pro plug-ins.
A reasonable assumption, but an assumption nonetheless.
Sorry man.

My money's still on this 'Cornie's not being a, to paraphrase you, "URS, Waves, SSL, API or NEVE" guy".

FM · Post by FM » Wed Apr 09, 2008 3:54 pm

johnedwardlow wrote:Hi.

I have a PRO VLA Compressor, DP5 and the original 828 Firewire.

Is there a way for me to put compression using my PRO VLA onto a mix from DP5 via my 828 and print/record it back onto a stereo track in DP--all in fell swoop?

In other words:

Is it possible to go stereo out of the 828 (using a pair of unused outputs) into the compressor and then out of the compressor and back into the 828?

it's not only totally possible but i suggest you try it.
my first concern wouldn't be the kind of pre or compressor you are using my first concern would be your AD/DA chain.

that said, you can also do what some of us do.

a hybrid type of mix down using plugs on your mix buss on the return trip going into the box.

as an aside, experimenting with ways to maximise your existing gear can only be a good thing.

cheers!

FM

FM is making Actuarial Science exciting again!

MOTUnation.com

Using Stereo Compression

Using Stereo Compression

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