Need some serious help getting the new equipment up an running

[richiebee]

Originally Posted by dcardosanto

richie why should i get rid of the compressor and mixer?

You don't need them. The Behringer will introduce noise into your signal for sure. The compressor will probably amplify it!

The most direct path wins... microphone into the Firewire solo is all you need.

Compressing on the input is an unnecessary gamble. If you apply compression to the signal going in, you can't get rid of it. So if you overdo it, you're screwed. Let software be your compressor. You can add it in real time without damaging your original signal, so if you put too much compression on, you can just take it off.

[Baron]

Originally Posted by dcardosanto

richie why should i get rid of the compressor and mixer?

Richie is possibly having a go at the mixer as the Behringer UB is not a great desk, by any stretch of the imagination, but if you need to record multiple sources, it is the only way you have to do it at this stage.
Be very careful with your levels as these desks distort badly when the signals get hot. The other problem is with their power supplies so a few inputs work ok but when fully loaded they can dip and become lifeless.

The comp is not really necessary, as Brandon has stated, as there are very good plugins with most DAW systems and lots of aftermarket ones available. The 266XL is not a top rate compressor so your plugins would no doubt do a better job.
Normally, it is better to record a vocal without compression then apply the necessary compression after, so you can fit to the mix. If you record with compression, you can't really remove it later, if it is wrong.

Compression is one of the danger areas of production as it sums. Eg if you record your vocals at 4:1 then the mastering process compresses at 2:1, then you have an effective compression ratio of 8:1 on the voice. That's getting into limiter country and a nice vocal can suddenly become thick and bland.

I agree with selling the comp unless you need it for live work.

If you are only recording one input at a time then sell the desk.

Cheers

Baron

[dcardosanto]

i appreciate these replies so much, this is really helping me.

i get what your saying about the compressor, however, what if i did want to use it anyway, would this chain work?

mic to mixer to compressor to firewire solo to computer

also, can i cut the mixer out completley?

and any ideas on what might be cause sound recorded to only be on the left side of my headphones when played back and only in the left side of the track.

i connected the mic right to the firewire solo then to computer and it is recording that.

again thanks so much for the replies

[Baron]

Originally Posted by dcardosanto

arite so now i have everything hooked up and its recording but only on the left side. any tips?

You are recording a single source, are you not?
That is a mono input so you will only get it on one channel. If it is playing back on the left side only then you need to pan the output to the centre, or wherever you want it.

Baron

[dcardosanto]

Originally Posted by Baron

You are recording a single source, are you not?
That is a mono input so you will only get it on one channel. If it is playing back on the left side only then you need to pan the output to the centre, or wherever you want it.

Baron

single source= one mic? yes i am

the pan is in the middle of L and R

would a screenshot help?

[Baron]

[QUOTE=dcardosanto;20423]i appreciate these replies so much, this is really helping me.

i get what your saying about the compressor, however, what if i did want to use it anyway, would this chain work?

mic to mixer to compressor to firewire solo to computer
Yes

also, can i cut the mixer out completley?
Yes but the compressor will not work at mic level so if you cut the desk, you cut the compressor

Baron

[dcardosanto]

Originally Posted by dcardosanto

single source= one mic? yes i am

the pan is in the middle of L and R

would a screenshot help?

upping this just incase

[Baron]

Originally Posted by dcardosanto

upping this just incase

This should be just a simple panning thing.

Remember that you have panning on the actual track and on the master output level control.

If you are playing through the card, try playing a stereo wav or mp3 through it and see if you have left and right.

You can post a screen shot if you like. I like pretty pictures

Baron

[dcardosanto]

Originally Posted by Baron

You can post a screen shot if you like. I like pretty pictures

Baron

haha

you had it right

for the input it was set to stereo, i set it to left channel and now it displays it as one wave, and playsback in both ears

maybe now i can get some mp3s for you guys so you can tell me how i can make the (dumb purchse)compressor work better.

thanks for all the help baron, you are a great man, also thanks richie, and thank you to the admin

[brandondrury]

I agree with everything that has been said on this thread so far.

arite so now i have everything hooked up and its recording but only on the left side. any tips?

It sounds like you are recording a stereo track for a mono source.

i get what your saying about the compressor, however, what if i did want to use it anyway, would this chain work?

You must have a preamp before the compressor as Baron mentioned. You must be line level before using a compressor. I see absolutely no benefit to using the compressor you mentioned. While I would try it, if you brought it over to my studio, the odds are strong that I'd unplug it shortly after.