Ok. I have been slogging through this unfortunately-named forum for the past month, with various inquiries, while my wife and I are working on our new album. I've been able to find answers to most of my questions, but I had to join in order to figure this one out, so I guess I'm a 'slutz' now, too. Was hoping it wouldn't come to this (kidding - you guys are super helpful - I, in my ignorance, will probably not be much help to any of you, though - sorry)...
So, yeah, do I need stereo pres to put before a stereo comp (I'm thinking the Portico 5043, which I'll also use for a tracking comp after our Speck micpre 5.0) if I'm doing mix bus compression? My guess is no, since the signal is amplified by my DA converter (apogee duet). But I'm just a dumb musician foolishly trying to engineer and mix his own records, so I'm probably wrong.
And advice on compressor options are welcome, as well. Its principle application will be vocal tracking, but I'm into this idea of outboard bus compression, or using it on vst synths. I don't want to pay $2700 for an API 2500 - the 5043 ($1800) is already more than I'd like to shell out, but I'll do it if its the best option. I'm also really interested in the FATSO, because I like tape saturation - a lot - but want something that will be great for tracking vocals. Would the fatso work as a vocal comp as well as the Portico?
Also (sheeit, too many questions), I realize I won't be able to monitor this with only two DA outs from the duet, but couldn't I just use headphones? Or I could use our NI audio kontrol with 4 outs, but I was wondering if the sound of the NI converters was good enough for this application.
Thanks!!!!!!!
So, yeah, do I need stereo pres to put before a stereo comp (I'm thinking the Portico 5043, which I'll also use for a tracking comp after our Speck micpre 5.0) if I'm doing mix bus compression? My guess is no, since the signal is amplified by my DA converter (apogee duet). But I'm just a dumb musician foolishly trying to engineer and mix his own records, so I'm probably wrong.
And advice on compressor options are welcome, as well. Its principle application will be vocal tracking, but I'm into this idea of outboard bus compression, or using it on vst synths. I don't want to pay $2700 for an API 2500 - the 5043 ($1800) is already more than I'd like to shell out, but I'll do it if its the best option. I'm also really interested in the FATSO, because I like tape saturation - a lot - but want something that will be great for tracking vocals. Would the fatso work as a vocal comp as well as the Portico?
Also (sheeit, too many questions), I realize I won't be able to monitor this with only two DA outs from the duet, but couldn't I just use headphones? Or I could use our NI audio kontrol with 4 outs, but I was wondering if the sound of the NI converters was good enough for this application.
Thanks!!!!!!!