I have done what you have described. Some people will tell you, that it will degrade the audio. Believe me, compared to working with analog tape with its non-flat frequency response and non-linearities, not to mention the noise buildup if you are not running noise reduction, for purposes of completing your mix in software, I recommend doing what you described. But why not just take your tracks in software and add some plug-ins? You can still lay-back the effects if you like to another digital track without corrupting your originals? I found that most of the resident audio processing and most of the major brands of software truly sound fine if not overused/abused. I'm not sure why but it seems to me that most of the presets within the popular audio programs, always sound to me to be overblown. I will select one but generally, I will back down on many of the adjustable parameters. I believe they think everybody is doing death metal.

if the analog compressor is better than a plug-in (most likely it will be) i think you will gain more sound than you will lose....

of course you should not run your audio through 8 stages of a/d d/a but don't be afraid to use your equipment...... use your ears! 8-)

The extra stage of conversion will not hurt you if your ADDA is worth a hoot....The method you described is VERY common in just about every studio out that actually makes records for resale...

The only caveat is latency - some programs automatically compensate for the time it takes to convert DA, go out, come back in, and then reconvert AD...the "fix" if your DAW doesn't do this is really very simple: either put a visual marker of some sort (which will also go out and back in) or run everything out then back.

As long as your ADDA is better than just OK, and you remember to adjust for latency, you'll be fine....I do this all the time.

jerryC wrote:
Wont the extra DA/AD convertion degrade the signal?

What if you have an hardware reverbprocessor as well? Do u use the same way?

Yes it will. But not enough to be audible. (Unless your converters are utter poop or your outboard compressor is a wreck...)

As for the reverb processor - many reverb processors work in the digital realm (by their very nature). You can often come in digital and leave digital. Therefore, you can put it either before or after one of your steps of conversion and you should be fine.

Most of these boxes do not convert from D to A and then back to D while they do their processing, only if you come in or leave in analog will they do any conversion.

BTW - I usually, if not always put external compression on non-classical mixes. Though the new compressors in Sequoia are friggin terrific, I still like to feel where I'm setting my compression levels.

J. 8-)

Hardware compression is a mutha-beautiful thing man, especially electro-optical tube compression. Even if it's just to add a little color, and just add a touch of dynamic control it's wonderful on ac guitar and vox. For hand percussion it's kind of a must. But again, beautiful.

Thank you for all your answers..

Up until now I`ve only used compressor plugins (TC Powercore) But I am looking for a good hardware Compressor. How would you "rank" the powercore compressor plugins to f.ex a 1176? Is there a huge difference?

I recently got my hands on an Eventide Eclipse. I`m planning on using its excelent reverbs.. Of course, as Cucco said, I can use its digital inputs/outputs and avoid the whole converter-trouble..

(though I`m not a 100% shure on how to do that yet, but I`ll manage.. But just to be on the safe-side: Don`t go anywhere, I may have to ask for some guidance)

have you tried Manley??

No.. Not tried. I`ve looked at some of their models. But they`re at bit too expensive.. The VoxBox looks nice though.. But I have to admit I hesitated a bit when I realised it has no variable compression ratio.. But I`m sure it sounds fantastic.

Actually a channelstrip would be a good solution for me as I only have one good preamp (Great River ME1NV)