Can I use plugins to record effects or just mix?

[django6]

I'd like to use a compressor/limiter to track some acoustic instruments so I can get a high level and eliminate the worries of clipping the digital input, but I noticed the comp/limit plug-in effect doesn't seem to affect the input monitor. So I assume you can't use the plug-ins for tracking. Someone please educate me about this since I'm new to this product. How are people tracking with Pro Tools while simultaneously dealing with very dynamic instruments/players? I'm basically recording 6-8 tracks of acoustic instruments live.

[Kemo3ce]

Umm I'm new to this also but I heard u can open an aux track set the input to chan x on ur interface, then open a new track and bus the output of the aux to the input of the record track and u would add the effect/compressor in the aux track so it's running thru there first then it's getting recorded.

[django6]

I'm not really understanding your instructions. Have you tried it?

I was just reading that using 24/41.1 instead of 16/41.1 can eliminate the need for compression for tracking acoustic instruments. So maybe that's my solution. Any opinions?

[Kemo3ce]

Open an aux track, set the input of that track to the input ok the interface ur using, then open a regular instrument track. On the aux output bus it to let's say 9 10 and on the new track u mad set the input to the output bus on the aux. And in the aux track add ur effect. I haven't personally done it, and if u still don't understand my instructions, check YouTube that's where I saw it.

[Kemo3ce]

I apologize for my text cause I'm on my phone sorry, I hope that you understand what I'm trying to say.

[bradch00]

A plug-in insert on an audio channel or an aux channel being used as input from an external source will not effect the signal coming into the channel, only downstream. If you require compression going into pro tools you will need to apply it externally, prior to hitting A/D conversion, for example I run a pre-amp, into a compressor then into the audio interface, which brings it into Pro Tools.

If you do not have access to an eternal compressor/limiter then you will need to a) turn your down your input gain until you're not clipping during tracking or work with the performers instructing them to play within a certain range. After which you may insert a compressor or transient processor to help bring up the gain a bit.

Hope this helps

[django6]

It seems the two responses are in disagreement. Kemo thinks you can do it and Brad says no. Kemo, can you post the link to the youtube video that describes how to use the plug-in compression in the input signal. It's a little disappointing if I can only use the effects after recording is done. If I need to use compression on 8 live tracks then I'll need that many external compressors which would be prohibitively expensive for me. I guess recording at lower levels and 24 bit is probably going to be my best bet.

[Kemo3ce]

Ok first the other guy might b right and maybe I heard wrong on the video, since he has more experience then I do but here is a link u can try. I cant find the original one I saw because I'm not at home and only have access To my phone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkg2z...e_gdata_player

[kt90]

open up a track say for bass guitar, insert your compression plug in on this track. when you record the compression will not be recorded onto this track so what you have to do is open up another audio track and set the output from your bass track to a bus say for instance bus 3 on the input of the second track set the input to be bus 3 and the output 1 and 2. record arm the second track and call it bass compression. thats it, the signal records onto the second track with the compression on it. so do this method for all the tracks you need. hope that helps

[kt90]

forgot to mention make the track you called bass an auxillary input. you could make it an audio track if you wanted so you would have the dry signal on track called bass and wet signal on track called bass compression. for easyness make it a an aux track. its easier than it sounds. your just routing the signal from one track to the other.