Using a nice mic preamp to warm up tracks?

[demirichris]

Hey guys, this is my first ever post on these awesome forums but I have been trolling for quite some time. My name is Chris Cruz and I used to drum in a band called Demiricous, I played on the first record "Hellbound" on metal blade, mixed and recorded by Zuess at planet z (if anyone needs a back story...heh heh.)

Anyhow, I am starting to work on my own home studio and I am hoping someone here can give me some input on something I have been thinking about...

Would it make any sense to use a nice tube preamp such as a UA to warm up a sound after it has been recorded? For example if I wanted to add some character to individual drum tracks, send it out of my IO to the pre, add some gain and such then send it back to another track.

Does this sound like something worth trying?

 

[Charles J]

Only if you have Apogee or Lavry convertors (i.e. something high-end) otherwise your much better off staying ITB once you get there! There are plenty of plug-ins that will do a perfectly FINE job, especially if you're just starting out.

I'd look more into an API 3124+ or something to use for drums from the get-go and not worry about the extra ad/da conversion hassles.

Good luck, dude.

 

[ParsonsMatt]

Dude, I saw you guys open for Vital Remains like two years ago... Fucking awesome

 

[Trevoire520]

Only if you have Apogee or Lavry convertors (i.e. something high-end) otherwise your much better off staying ITB once you get there! There are plenty of plug-ins that will do a perfectly FINE job, especially if you're just starting out.

I'd look more into an API 3124+ or something to use for drums from the get-go and not worry about the extra ad/da conversion hassles.

Good luck, dude.

+1 the signal degradation you'd get from DA conversion>attenuator>mic pre>AD conversion would most likely negate any gain you'd get from the tube pre.

 

[egan.]

Welcome to the forum.
The D/A A/D degradation others have warned of is true. That said, give it a try and see if you think you are getting what you want out of it. You may be surprised and it may turn out to be worth it. I'll also forewarn that you may get some latency running out and back in again.

 

[greyskull]

if you're in pro tools, check out Mcdsp analog channel , massey tapehead and cranesong phoenix

 

[soundwarebt]

I have used the HJFP (http://www.hamptone.com/hjfp2_info.html) with good results.

 

[demirichris]

Thanks a ton for all the input dudes. I figured that the digital conversion would be the problem in the situation.

So it doesn't really make sense for someone to spend a lot of cash on nice outboard gear, such as compressors, limiting amps and such unless you have really nice converters - or you have to be willing to commit your sound as it is going in?

Do you guys using mid range converters and outboard gear just commit to all your compression and such as it's going in?

 

[Charles J]

Egan is right, you can always at least try it to see if you might like the result but, I wouldn't suggest going out and blowing money on the UA piece just because.

And about the outboard w/mid-range convertors... honestly, if I had a few choice pieces of outboard at my disposal, yes, I would commit some compression and mayyybe EQ to tape for stuff like vocals, kick/snare/toms or room mics BUT I also wouldn't have a problem running stuff out of the DAW into say, a real 1176.

Point being, the benefits of hardware compression far outweight the sonic degradation from the AD/DA, IMO.

But as I said, in your case, I wouldn't bother with it. Mid-range outboard EQ's or running line signals into a prosumer tube pre wouldn't really warrant the extra hassle, for me.

 

[demirichris]

Awesome man, you have been a huge help. I already have the UA pre, I really wanted something with some tube weight to warm up my guitars, bass and vocal tones. I guess I just am wondering what the next piece of gear I should be investing in would be.

Thanks again for all your input.

 

[Charles J]

For sure bro! The UA piece is probably going to be SICK for your bass and vocal sounds. It wouldn't be my first choice for guitars but, I'm sure it'll do you just fine! =D

 

[[UEAK]Clowd]

I always run to and from my distressor during mixes and I've never experienced any noticeable quality loss. Maybe I'm just deaf... or maybe the AD/DA nonsense is all blown way out of proportion.