Will Firepod accept an 8-channel Compressor ?

[ApolloSpeed]

Well, I finally bit the bullet and bought a Firepod to replace my M-Audio DMP3 & 1010lt.

I also wanna get an 8 channel compressor (decent, but budget!) so I can compress everything before going into the computer via:firewire.
.....I can do that right? Does Firepod have a sidechain or something to do this ?

 

[~BURNY~]

No, there's only two inserts points (on the 1-2 channels).

 

[ApolloSpeed]

so I can put compression on 1 and 2 channels no prob?

or would I just be better off compressing after it is in the computer?

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

Why don't you compress only in the monitor mix then permanent compress later?

 

[STINNETT]

Do you really want to compress every input while tracking? If you're looking at budget compressors to do that, I would forget about it. If you're tracking at 24 bit you can record with lower levels to be safe and not suffer for it. Unless you're talking about a real nice compressor that is really going to add something to the sound.....I wouldn't compress while tracking.

 

[STINNETT]

so I can put compression on 1 and 2 channels no prob?

or would I just be better off compressing after it is in the computer?

Yeah, compress it in the mixing. That way you're not commited to how it sounds, and you're never stuck with an accidentally overcompressed or screwed up track.

 

[ApolloSpeed]

Do you really want to compress every input while tracking? If you're looking at budget compressors to do that, I would forget about it. If you're tracking at 24 bit you can record with lower levels to be safe and not suffer for it. Unless you're talking about a real nice compressor that is really going to add something to the sound.....I wouldn't compress while tracking.

yeah, I usually record @ 24-bit 48k or 88.2k

So, just keeping the levels a little lower would be a better deal huh?


and another question, what would be the best way to monitor all this ?

Cause I will really have two different outputs(or monitors)....one from the Firepod, and one from whatever is on the computer already tracked.

 

[STINNETT]

yeah, I usually record @ 24-bit 48k or 88.2k

So, just keeping the levels a little lower would be a better deal huh?


and another question, what would be the best way to monitor all this ?

Cause I will really have two different outputs(or monitors)....one from the Firepod, and one from whatever is on the computer already tracked.

Doesn't the Firepod have zero latency monitoring? It should mix your input's audio with the main output from your DAW so you hear your input with zero latency at the same time (and on the same output channel). You should have a pair of outputs on the firepod that allow this.

It would be called a main mix or a monitor mix or something like that.

 

[ApolloSpeed]

Doesn't the Firepod have zero latency monitoring? It should mix your input's audio with the main output from your DAW so you hear your input with zero latency at the same time (and on the same output channel). You should have a pair of outputs on the firepod that allow this.

It would be called a main mix or a monitor mix or something like that.

So, I can run a cable from the output of my soundcard or something.....into my Firepod ? And then I will have one Main Monitor Mix then ??

 

[James Murphy]

48k is for suckahs.... 88.2 is at least even math, but you aren't hearing any difference with metal stuff, so you're just eating HD space, unless your end product his a DVD Audio or something.

 

[nwright]

So, I can run a cable from the output of my soundcard or something.....into my Firepod ? And then I will have one Main Monitor Mix then ??

It is all handled through the Firewire, if I get what you are saying. When using Cubase and the Firepod, anything being tracked or played back using the tracking software and Firepod plays back through the Firepod's monitor outs. Now, if you fire up windows media player or winamp or something outside the tracking/recording/firepod, you'll need your computer speakers or whatever. I use a switchable amplifier to switch between the recording setup and my sound cards output so all audio is put through my monitors.

 

[STINNETT]

So, I can run a cable from the output of my soundcard or something.....into my Firepod ? And then I will have one Main Monitor Mix then ??

In this situation, your Firepod IS your soundcard. Everything in your DAW should be routed through it.

 

[ApolloSpeed]

Ok cool, Well....Im using Audition 1.5

Will it still run through the firewire ?

So what yall are saying is that all audio (including playback for previously recorded tracks) should be routed through the firewire back to the firepod ????
Even in Audition 1.5.

 

[STINNETT]

Ok cool, Well....Im using Audition 1.5

Will it still run through the firewire ?

So what yall are saying is that all audio (including playback for previously recorded tracks) should be routed through the firewire back to the firepod ????
Even in Audition 1.5.

Yeah. I don't know anything about Audition, but if it will accept inputs from the Firepod, then it will use it for outputs as well.
I wouldn't want to do it any other way actually, I can't imagine why you would want to unless you wanted to use an outboard mixer or something.

 

[EtherForBreakfast]

As metalhead said, the firepod will be your main (and should be ONLY card). Your host of choice will use the Firepods ASIO driver, and as you know you can only have one ASIO instance running at a time. However, you can use WDM for other apps. In my case, Nuendo uses ASIO and Wavelab uses WDM. Winamp also uses WDM. I have one soundcard, but can flip between 3 appz with ease.

This way I use Nuendo for everything (in your case audition), but can leave my session open and fire up Wavelab to experiment with my exported 24bit .WAV from Nuendo, and then I can kick into Winamp to playback samples, other tunes for reference, etc, then back to Nuendo. So, long and short of it is, with the firepod, audition will work just fine, you will have one set of monitors hooked up to firepod that will playback your recorded material from audition, and will output your guitar/bass/kazoo playing in realtime with zero latency. I had to ghetto out for a bit and am using a fucking Toneport UX2 which I horked for $125. This toneport does EVERYTHING with no hassle, and the Firepod kicks the shit out of the Toneport, so you will be just fine, homie.

As for throwing a compressor on an insert, I personally did not like doing that for heavy guitars. I was using an Aphex 207 mic pre and had an Aphex 106 as an insert. I did not like it at all with i5 on a cab, but I did like it with my 12 string acoustic - mostly because it helped to balance out my poor acoustic guitar recording skills!

The most important thing in all of this is to continue drinking Jaagermeister, as I firmly believe it is one of the best shots ever invented - next to Tequila, of course... followed by vodka/cranberry.... followed by gin/tonic... followed by beam/coke.

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

followed by vodka/cranberry.... followed by gin/tonic... followed by beam/coke.

These are shots?! Clean it up, ether!

 

[EtherForBreakfast]

My mind started to wander. =) Clearly, those last 3 are not shots, but delicious libations nonetheless.

Vodka/Cranberry is very very dangerous. WAY too easy to drink an entire 750ml and not even realize it... until you are taking a dump in someones tuba.

 

[ApolloSpeed]

ok....I think I got it, thanks for the help guys, I'll let ya know how it goes if I run into a prob.


shots!