Recording through plugin on aux tracks bussed to audio tracks

[Tonepicker]

I was wondering if anyone could help me answer a question! I have looked everywhere online and have only found mixed opinions!

Ok... If I setup aux tracks with input from the interface and record through a plugin on that aux track then bussed to an audio track for printing... that gives me the plugin sound recorded to tape... I'm using the SSL E channel for slight changes in eq and compression before tape! Nothing major....

My question is... By doing this am I creating phase alignment issues? Or does ADC componsate for this?

Not using RTAS at all! All TDM... And all the same plugin on each channel!

[Drew Mazurek]

Originally Posted by Tonepicker

And all the same plugin on each channel!

With this, you're good for sure. While it's not something I do regularly, I know very well respected engineers that do. If it works for you, do it!

[albee1952]

I would test this routing and listen for any latency build-up. If it sounds good, it IS good. Having said that, why do this? There is no sonic advantage over inserting the plugin on the audio track you record to. Or does it free up resources on a system that is maybe not quite as powerful as you'd like?(that I do understand). You can also use the audiosuite version of the same plugin and render the audio in place(although I get that this would take more time). Just being devil's advocate in case you haven't considered all the options

[DJ Hellfire]

Originally Posted by albee1952

If it sounds good, it IS good.

Quote of the year!

[EGS]

Originally Posted by Tonepicker

... that gives me the plugin sound recorded to tape...

Yes it does, but ...

If you print the processed signal, you are potentially "painting yourself into a corner". If the track doesn't sit quite right in the mix, then you'll be attempting to reverse engineer that processing. If you print flat, you can monitor through plugs and keep tweaking during tracking and mixing. Need to revise the mix later? No problem; just re-adjust the processing as needed.

Doing a VO record, and the script got revised? Carefully repeat the mic setup, and the revised copy should match - because you recorded it flat.

On the other hand, I can think of an application where you might want to print the processing. Consider a field recording, and the client wants the final processed audio immediately. No time for a mix ---> must process and print mix while recording. Even in this case though, I still record the flat signals (just in case...) as well as the processed mix.

My 2 cents !!!

[The Weed]

^^^^ amen!

[Tonepicker]

Thanks guys for all the input! My main concern was tracks being out of phase... Like I said I'm only doing minimal cuts and gains on eq and very very little compression and only when needed! Thanks again guys

[CygnusX-1Bk2]

I am on HDN and have done this on rare occasion. I generally process after the recording stage. But because I am now Native plugins are auto bypassed with LLM enabled when audio tracks are record enabled. Latency can be an issue if monitoring the processed tracks. Reduce the buffer to compensate if you can. Having so many aux tracks as inputs makes sessions a little unwieldy but you can always hide them when you are finished with recording.

[Tonepicker]

I always get rid of the aux's aftering tracking is done! Another reason I like to do this is because now I have more Dsp for mixing! Meaning it's already sounding good because of the pre processing! I now don't need as much eq'ing post! Therefore, to me, freeing up Dsp!

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by CygnusX-1Bk2

I am on HDN and have done this on rare occasion. I generally process after the recording stage. But because I am now Native plugins are auto bypassed with LLM enabled when audio tracks are record enabled. Latency can be an issue if monitoring the processed tracks. Reduce the buffer to compensate if you can. Having so many aux tracks as inputs makes sessions a little unwieldy but you can always hide them when you are finished with recording.

Hmm, YMMV, but I have never used LLM nor have I ever needed it. I tracks bands with maybe a max of 30 live inputs(my template session has around 50 tracks in it to start), while doing 5 stereo headphone mixes from the session(5 AUX sends on every track) and run a 64 buffer and run probably 40-50 plugins(between EQ's, compressors, reverbs and channel strips). Never had a complaint about latency in the phones