best way to incorporate a hardware compressor?

[vrocko]

Hello all I wanted to know how you guys are using hardware with you control surface. My setuo is aPresonus Firetudio Project, I have an Art Pro VLA and an ART MPA gold inserted on channels 1 and 2 using the send and return jacks on the back. Is it better to do this or put them before the interface?

[dynomike]

Hello all I wanted to know how you guys are using hardware with you control surface. My setuo is aPresonus Firetudio Project, I have an Art Pro VLA and an ART MPA gold inserted on channels 1 and 2 using the send and return jacks on the back. Is it better to do this or put them before the interface?

You definitely want your mic plugged straight into the MPA, so put that first in the chain, NOT on an insert.

There's no reason to have your compressor on the inserts (rather than running it in line, before the interface) unless you're using the presonus's mic pres. That's what the inserts are for. [mic preamp] -> [send] -> [return] -> [a/d converter]

[Mane1234]

I use mine on the front end after a preamp but I also run recorded tracks back out to a compressor and then record that back into the session. If you do that make sure you check for any delay compensation issues. That sounds like a nice chain you have. I love my Pro VLA.

[Drew's Analog Planet]

Recording: Mic then to mic-pre, then to compressor then A to D converter. Inserting a mic pre is a rookie mistake. Get to know about signal path and the different kinds of levels: Line, Mic, Instrument, etc.