Why do some engineers prefer specific outboard gear for their studios?

Why use outboard gear? Some audio engineering schools give their students advise to record without any processing gear. They suggest to disengage all EQ’s on the board and to bypass all compressors. You can’t undo hardware processing that has been recorded.

Why use outboard gear?

Using outboard gear on the front end of the recording process is a great way to process signals in the analog domain. This type of setup is typically referred to as a channel strip, that offers a preamplifier, compression, and equalization in one unit. The idea is to process the signal before digital conversion (A/D).

What is outboard gear audio?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Musical outboard equipment or outboard gear is used to process or alter a sound signal separately from functionality provided within a mixing console or a digital audio workstation. Outboard effects units can be used either during a live performance or in the recording studio.

Should you compress before EQ?

Each position, EQ pre (before) or EQ post (after) compression produces a distinctly different sound, a different tonal quality, and coloration. As a rule, using EQ in front of your compressor produces a warmer, rounder tone, while using EQ after your compressor produces a cleaner, clearer sound.

Why do you need a patch bay?

What is a patchbay? An audio patchbay connects all of the inputs and outputs of your outboard gear into a centralized hub. This allows you to route one device to the next without needing to go behind a rack full of gear in order to change one thing.

What is analog gear Music?

Analog mastering is the process of making a mix ready for distribution, while solely using analog equipment. Analog equipment offers sonic characteristics that are different than the more modern and common digital mastering process, making it suited for certain genres and styles of music production.

What comes first EQ or compression?

How do you clean a patch bay?

Cleaning

1. The patch cord ends should be cleaned with denatured alcohol (electronic grade 99.97\%, not rubbing alcohol) and a soft, clean, lint-free cloth.
2. Using the cleaned patch cord, exercise the patchbay jacks by inserting and removing the plug as many as 10 times.
3. Repeat step #1.

What are the three main connections to the Patchbays?

This is done through observance of the three fundamental rules to setting up your patchbay: Top jacks are for outputs. Bottom jacks are for inputs. Connections only occur top-to-bottom.

How do I integrate my outboard gear into my studio?

Integrating a single piece of outboard gear into your studio is a simple process. To start, you run line level signal from your audio interface to the input (s) of the outboard gear. Then, you run the processed signal from the output (s) of your outboard gear to the input (s) of your audio interface.

Do you need an outboard gear for music production?

There’s nothing quite as exciting as walking into a studio packed to the brim with analog equipment. In today’s musical climate, you can make fantastic music using just your computer, but that doesn’t mean that outboard gear like hardware compressors, EQs, reverbs, delays, and mic preamps are irrelevant.

How do you connect an outboard motor to an audio interface?

Using a Single Piece of Outboard Gear Integrating a single piece of outboard gear into your studio is a simple process. To start, you run line level signal from your audio interface to the input (s) of the outboard gear. Then, you run the processed signal from the output (s) of your outboard gear to the input (s) of your audio interface.

What is the plug-in for external audio effects?

For example, Cubase lists it as an External Effect, Logic Pro calls it an Audio I/O plug-in, and Studio One uses a plug-in called Pipeline. When using outboard gear on a hardware insert, remember to compensate for any audio delay.