Compressor.reverb Help Options

[aldrahn]

as im starting out i know very little, im curious as to the importance of a compresser and effects processor in a home studio setup

someone recommended a channels trip as something to consider down the line, is this just a compresser and effects in one unit

tc electronics have two software products called fabrik c and fabrik r
these can be bought bult in to the konnekt 24d interface

im considering getting a konnekt 8 interface
then a tc electronics m1350 and c300

would that be the better option, how do they perform
in comparison to the ones built in to the konnekt 24d and other standalone units
are they one of the most important things im the studio and should i be looking to
get better ones in future


thank you if anyone can adress this, and sorry if im focusing on something irrelevant

[qusp74]

I'll let someone else have a go. but briefly yes reverb/delay/modulation (Fabric R) and compression/limiting and dynamics (Fabrik C) are probably the most important and most often used effects that you will use in the studio. Logic and other DAW's have their own versions of these effects built into the software but they fade by comparison to TC reverb is LEGENDARY and the channel strip I mentioned is a combination of dynamics processors EQ,Compression,Limiting,de-essing etc. The Fabric C and R (I hadn't heard of them under that name before you mentioned them) seem to be more user friendly versions of their equivalents in the the waves diamond collection (A range of SOFTWARE plugs that reatails for nearly $4000 US) I don't know how they compare to the two outboard TC products you mentioned but I know how the plugs sound (F&^*K'n BRILLIANT). The konnect offers a lot and i'd say get the 24D you get a lot of bang for your buck. On the other hand Apogee have a great reputation for their converters and rightly so its just that for a more complete studio tool i'd go for the konnekt when you get into Apogee territory you'll have the money to blow on a higher end Apogee box. Anyway check out this link at gearslutz they did a comparison, keep in mind this blind test was designed for AD conversion comparison and not the whole unit. also they used a KONNEKT 8 so didn't even mention the effects section, which is a major bonus in my thinking. anyway i'll let someone else who has both tell you some more.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gear-shoot-...-shoot-out.html

peace

ps. sweetwater has the KONNEKT 24D for $499 US

This post has been edited by qusp74: Mon 19 May 2008, 11:26

[offtheroad]

Applejack is not compatable with Leopard.


This post has been edited by lepetitmartien: Thu 22 May 2008, 02:53

Reason for edit: email removed, there' s a secured email link on your profile, don't give up your email address to spammersrs

[qusp74]

aldrahn,

Just one (major problem) I looked up some forums on the 24D for you since I have not used one to see how stable the drivers were. I started to get a bit concerned about recommending something on feature set and reviews alone and seem as you are a new user I didn't want you to but something that caused you nightmares. Anyway after some searching I fiund a thread that was called 'Professional KONNEKT 24D review) or something like that. I'm glad I did because it seems that there are a lot of unhappy KONNEKT users out there and the saga went on forever regarding the stability of the drivers. TC doesn't seem to be very responsive. all the way through 2007 the PC and MAC users were unhappy , with the KONNEKT causing all sorts of crashes and instability. when a seemingly functional driver came out in 2008 (FOR PC ONLY) the PC camp seemed to be at least SORT-OF happy with the performance but the New MAC driver still hadn't materialized.

SUCH A PITY THE KONNEKT SOUNDS SO GOOD ON PAPER

This is why I use RME, I haven't had one driver related crash in nearly 2 years and I do all sorts of 'not recommended' thing while a project is still playing. I'm pretty sure RME is out of your pricerange, they have soume PCI cards that might be, but since you are planning on buying an IMAC (they have no PCI EXPANSION) that rules you out. unless you have 700-800 pounds for a Fireface 400.

They may have fixed the driver problem with the KONNEKT by now of course, but even if they hav, it took such a long time. The KONNEKT was released in 2005 I think.

Please can someone that has a KONNEKT and is running on an INTEL mac let our friend know how you are going?

[aldrahn]

qusp74, thanks so much, youve been a true help with all the info you have given me and 'starting out' would be very difficult without all your replies

[aldrahn]

i think i might just go for the apogee duet, seems like the simplest approach and the best idea perhaps if im not intending to use microphone or guitars,but rather mking industrial/electronic then adding dsp units for compression/reverb, is there any that will go well with the apogee, do i just get usb units seeing as the apogee lacks inputs, im planning on getting the novation remote sl compact, i have akg headphones and acoustic energy speakers, i dont think theres anything else i need that can add to that is there?

[qusp74]

aldrahn,

I think that the duet would be a good option too except for a couple of problems.... no way of using external DSP units (you will only have 2 line outs, which will be used to monitor your mix and you can only use the line outs OR the headphone outs), but there IS a world of quality plugins available. UNLESS you buy yourself a quality outboard mixer as well later down the line. But to match the quality of the DUET in a mixer you would have to spend a great deal of money. The DUET is primarily designed (I think) for users who already have a quality interface in their studio, but wish to be able to have a small portable solution to take on the road with them to go with their laptop.

Yes there are somegood USB effects racks. one by Lexicon, who have been making great reverbs etc. for many years. here's a link to look at it. It's limited to 48khz sampling rate though. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Lex...ssor?sku=181014.
I'm sure there are many other options.

I'm sure you will get great use out of it still though

One thing that you will have to make sure of. keep your cable runs as short as possible; it only has unbalanced outputs (FU$Ked if I know why.....it has XLR (Balanced) inputs) which are prone to interference/noise from electrical gear. This is a major oversight on Apogee's part IMHO PRO's want APOGEE Balanced!!!! why bother creating some of the best converters known to man, if you're just gonna F^$K it up with noise from other sources. Admittedly its only unbalanced on the outs and therefor limited to monitoring; leaving the recorded signal untouched, but still.... come-on APOGEE.

2 channels of Digital IO would've been good too.

It all depends on what you want to do with it... it really isn't in any way expandable, so you are stuck with 2 channels of SH*T HOT pristine IO. So if you are going to create 90% of your music inside the computer and only want to monitor 2 channels of audio (not even a coax for surround passthrough for DVD's, games, or 5.1 music applications).

IN THE CASE ABOVE IT WILL DO THE JOB FANTASTICALLY

although I suppose you could use the IMAC's optical or coax out for that consumer side of things.

On a positive note. you choice of the Novation reMOTE is great for your planned purpose, i'm glad you aren't going to try and 'point and click'music

Another positive is that APOGEE ar working very closelywith apple and the developers of logic, so the integration with Logic should be immaculately stable.

.ADD as much ram as you can to the IMAC and get an external hardrive to store samples and record to.

Think about getting another smaller LCD monitor for more screen realestate.

Get quality shielded cables for the unbalanced line outs.

Go to your local music store (one that specializes in DAW's) armed with the knowledge that you have now and have a listen to the gear that you are choosing from. You might want to check out Presonus FireBOX or similar or the ECHO LAYLA 3G (more ins and outs) or ECHO GINA 3G (less ins and outs)

Whatever your choice keep in mind that just because you don't play guitar or sing (neither do I), doesn't mean you can do without inputs altogether ... Even though most of the synths of today are digital (and you would think that they sound the same as a plugin) hardware synths do tend to be a lot more powerful, and in most cases even the digital analogue ones will beat a plugin hands down let alone the true analogue ones... no matter how good the plugin is are. I use a lot of Softsynths... in fact predominately.... but having the option to patch a mike and several channels of hardware if you need to is essential in my opinion. What if you meet someone you want to collaborate with?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT...

Happy Trails

let me know how it turns out

Ps... I make minimal electronica, ELECTRO, HIP/BLIP HOP, and ambient.

This post has been edited by qusp74: Wed 21 May 2008, 16:26

[aldrahn]

ive been looking at the motu 828mk3 and it seems like it does everything in one box, mixing and effects,
i might save up for that, as getting all those things seperate would come up to a lot more

[qusp74]

ive been looking at the motu 828mk3 and it seems like it does everything in one box, mixing and effects,
i might save up for that, as getting all those things seperate would come up to a lot more

go for it.... the MOTU is a great box.... some would argue that its pre-amps aren't so good. but lets face it anything thats been made since around 2001 and isn't damn cheap, is pretty damn good. sure the apogee might have better converters, but to tell you the truth i'd be surprised if you with your experience could tell the difference. especially on non professional monitors.

When I mentioned the motu in my first post... in fact I think it was the first unit I brought up.... I think I forgot to mention the effects. While it doesn't have the long throw faders or dedicated mute/solo buttons of a mixer you are right it performs the same function especially when combined with your Novation reMOTE.

I say GO FOR IT.

Don't forget to MAX YOUR RAM and get an external hardrive.

[qusp74]

Digital Village in the UK has the MOTU 828mk3 for 579 Pounds but maybe check out postage costs on getting it from the US you can get it for 373 Pounds there. although you wouldn't be able to walk into your local shop and get support, you'd be stuck with online support (motu have great support mind you)