Posted by Larry Kehl on August 15, 1999 at 10:50:46:
In Reply to: How do the Pro's do it? posted by Chris on August 15, 1999 at 02:06:00:
: Hello,
: I see that many synths (pratically all of them) have a "Mix" mode like the QS. Since in Mix mode you can only have one effect, how do the pro's (like Depeche Mode and Erasure) record their stuff. Since the actual program will sound the way you want in program mode, do you just record each midi track in digital audio? I still don't know why each program can't keep it's original effect in Mix mode. Even though there is only one processor, can't the 16 programs go in all at once (to the effect processor) and choose their own effect patch. To have a multi mode is useless then since the sounds won't sound like you want them to. So how do the pro's do it? Thanks peeps!
Actually they use a couple of methods or combinations methods. Record the tracks dry (no effects - and this is I suspect the norm record tracks WITHOUT Fxs) and during final mix use dedicated "rack" effects boxes (compressors, EQs, reverbs, delays, etc.). Or record with some effects already applied on some tracks (possibly using built in FXs from the synth or guitar pre-amp/processor) where they know they won't want to change the effect after recording. This gets a little riskier - once recorded wet (effect already on signal) you cant remove it! Or they could record dry into a DAW (digital audio workstation) and apply digital signal processing right on the computer ("software effects" which are rivaling a lot of dedicated hardware boxes and is actually more flexible than hardware boxes). Or record dry on a DAW then apply both software FXs, which can be undone/re-done until it is to the mixing engineers liking, and external hardware effects at mixdown. I am way out of date concerning current studios and using DAWs I am only a hobbyist and then only when time permits.
PS the single effect configuration for any given mix on the QS is not that limiting. If, for example, you used Effect Configuration #1 you could apply something like: chorus and reverb on send 1; Flange and stereo delay and NO reverb on send 2; mono delay and NO reverb on send 3; and just reverb on send 4. With four sends (buses) you still get a lot of flexibility. Plus you can still send dry signals out the aux (or both mains and aux) and apply external effects before (or after) going to a mixer.