Onboard FX, Outboard FX or Software FX?
 

I've spent the past few months setting up the studio and i'm now just about finished. Last aspect to sort out is Production /Recording.

I have the following:

Triton EX
Fantom XR
Original Supernova
Virus Ti
Nord 2 (which is up for sale)
Alesis SR-16 (for sale)
Roland R8M+7 Rom cards (up for sale)
Tascam DM24 digital mixer

I'm ata crossroads of which direction to take for end Production /Recording. I.e

Can I rely on the onboard FX of the units and mixer above

Should I go for Seperate Outboard FX units

Convert all to Audio and use a production mastering program such as Waves or similar?


Feedback appreciated

i'm using external fx gear ... often you can't change the fx on a synthesizer patch or preset without editing or changing the patch or preset itsself - that was a problem for me, cause i often use different types of fx on the same instrument in one track ... i could have could programmned some program changes in my sequencer, but internal fx often have delays or latency in the timing if you change their settings while playing patch :wink:

I use a combination of both....some external FX, some software FX.

It might take a while for you to find the right situation and configuration that suits your particular production style.

I'd say I'm 90% outboard.

Run a little bit of plugin delay and a little limiting/compression when doing mastering.

As far as onboard goes....The Virus is the only synth I own that has any onboard FX (unless you count the Juno's chorus), and I barely use those too.

It's all person taste though.

Well it really depends on how you work. Strictly you should be recording all your tracks dry (for later processing). Onboard effects as a rule dont tend to be used in actual recordings....particularly onboard reverbs and delays. The TI and Fantom X have useable effects (chorus and phaser) but id definitely look elsewhere for refined delays/reverbs.

If I were you id look into a Lexicon MPX550 for reverb and delay duties (the best in their class for the money) and then perhaps use the TI's distortion, chorus (+feedback) and phaser. I dont rate the chorus or phaser on the Fantom....to my ears it sounds a little too dry. In my mind the chorus and phaser on the Virus are very pleasant sounding.

Thats what Id do given a tight budget. I have yet to hear decent VST chorus or phaser....

DS

im using 100% software and i cant see myself using outboard gear such as delays\reverbs\chorus and other effects except dynamic effects in shape of hardware simpley becauase it takes way too much time setting up hardware.

Good info, cheers.

I've never used software for anything other than sequencing or for chopping up a few vocal samples etc... My thought is that hardware is easier and quicker in the realtime sense for actually creating though i'm not sure about software for application of FX / production as i've never really used it.

It seems such a waste sometimes that all the onboard FX are available though are never normally utilised for recording but I do understand the quality and timing aspects and os on.

I'll probably go for a good Lexicon unit (just like you mention DS) seeing as I am used to the hardware side of things. Plus also I find it difficult to get a clean good quality transfer of my mix output into the PC via soundcard. Theres always a hum or a hiss happening somehow.