I would like to ask you guys about decompression.
Sometimes I use streo drums loops for my own productions. Seems Roland Patches (probably any others) come already squeezed to death, sound already too loud and bright.

I end up having to eq it severely because at the final junior mastering it ends up sounding like Sh!

oka, we can turn down the volume also -lol

I didn't really know whether to put this in Mastering or Mixing, then I decided it had more to do with touching up rather than initial construction.

I'm looking into getting a pre these days and need some advice.

I know PreSonus has an 8 input pre which seems like it would be a good thing to have for recording drums.

The question are:

I'm currently doing research in Audio DSP. Theres a certain project that I wanted to start working on which would end up as a plugin . I wanted to ask you guys how useful you think that such a plugin would be. I really want to get the opinions of recording engineers.

How many of you guys use a stereo expander to obtain more clarity in mastering . and if you don't what other methods you use to clear up the two track stereo mix?

Does anyone have a rule of thumb for first pan setting at mixdown? I've tried several mic setups XY, ORTF, and Spaced Pair but I'm yet to figure a valid start point. Either I've overlooked the pan start points or it's in none of the reading I've done.

I'm picking up a portable CDR or DAT soon for location and sample recording, and I want to aquire a stereo mic for recording ease. The only stereo mic I've used was one of the Audio-Technica s, and it was pretty decent, but if anyone has any opinions concerning the new rode, the Shure, or any others, i'd love to hear them (the Royer is out of my price league right now-). Thanks-

So what compressor and/or limiter do you guys generally use on a stereo drum bus, regardless on the style of music?

Which for a more "budget" focus?
Which when $$$$ is not much of a big concern?

I am looking for a good pair of small diaphragm cardioid condensers to use professionally on small classical ensembles and solo piano. What mics would one generally use for this purpose? Right now I am looking at Neumann KM184, Earthworks SR77, AKG C451B and Elation KM201. What does everyone think of these mics for this purpose?

Howdy,