I've noticed since acquiring my new gear that I always wanted the option to record, mix AND master. I never gave much though to the idea of it being a hybrid concept or not. I never wanted to pin myself into doing only one of the options even though most of my time may go into it. I don't want to be limited in mastering, say, to a two channel DA/AD interface. And I don't want to have to buy channel strips for recording, so I just use my mastering EQ/compressor when that time comes. I love having the flexibility to do whatever is needed, even if it's by condensing tools to make it work. What is my point in this thread? Well I guess it's just about my own self realization and saluting you other hybrid engineers. I know (Chris) there are a few of you here. I've included a photo of my rig.
Attached files 
Comments
eternalsound, post: 428142, member: 48927 wrote: saluting you ot
eternalsound, post: 428142, member: 48927 wrote: saluting you other hybrid engineers. I know (Chris) there are a few of you here.
I'm not sure that Chris would really consider himself to be truly hybrid anymore. He's found out, through process, experimentation, and through a lot of A/B comparison, that most - if not all - of what he used to achieve through the hybrid workflow can be duplicated - and sometimes even improved upon - by staying in the digital realm. I'm only going by what he's posted in the last year or so. For clarification, he would need to chime in and tell us, but my own understanding and take on it these past few months, is that he really isn't hybrid anymore.
( let's ask him :) audiokid )
I guess it all depends on just what you consider "hybrid" to actually be... it could be suggested, that by definition, any time you incorporate anything analog into a digital chain, or integrate formats in any way, you're technically considered to be "hybrid".
By that definition, I suppose I could consider myself to be working with hybrid, because I sometimes use a standalone analog mic pre, or because I occasionally insert an 1176 into the gain chain, or tap into an OB Lexicon Delay for a mix once in awhile - but IMHO, I don't think that's really what "hybrid" truly means. I think that most who do use true hybrid rigs would likely define it as the integration of digital and analog as your regular method and workflow, that is, a day to day part of your production method, where you are using that integration as your main production process to intentionally obtain a certain sonic characteristic. And by that definition, even though I occasionally use some OB gear to achieve a certain texture or character, I don't really consider myself to actually be hybrid, because I'm still working primarily within the digital realm...
EQ, Compression, Expansion, De-Essers, FX, etc., - 98% of the time I'm working totally ITB for those processors, so I don't believe my rig would likely be considered to be hybrid, at least not by those who are using analog integration for all of those things on a regularly working basis.
;)
IMHO of course.
Nice rack man !! (good thing I'm not saying that to a woman! :RO
Nice rack man !! (good thing I'm not saying that to a woman! :ROFLMAO: )