Hardware inserts on Mix systems

[Dopamine]

Is it possible to insert a hardware compressor on the Master fader on a Mix+ system? I was just wondering if there were latency issues that needed to be dealt with.

I'm thinking of getting an Alan Smart C2 and inserting it on my Master Fader before the L2. Does anyone else (WITH AN OLDER MIX SYSTEM) do this?

[Andre Knecht]

Yes, it is possible — provided your interface(s) give(s) you sufficient connectivity.

[Dopamine]

The interface is the AD8000.

So... no need to work about latency? (This is on a Mix rig... pre ADC)

[Andre Knecht]

Just looking at your screen causes latency.

Seriously, every conversion process inherently causes a degree of latency. Since you are placing this additional pair of conversions on your final output, it’s not that big of a deal. Be aware of it and allow for it by, for example, extending the region of what you print/bounce with an appropriate number of samples.

How many? You can measure exactly how long a roundtrip to the AD8000 takes, by printing an impulse from one track to another one involving the roundtrip.

IHTH.
.

[Dopamine]

Thanks, Andre!

[PTUser NYC]

Of course, there will be latency. About 1.5 ms each way for a total of about 3 ms. So what? It just means you hear it 3 ms later, if everything is 3ms late, then its all ok again.

Naturally, any bounces will start 3ms later (including the 2 beep or countoff, so no harm there) and the last 3 ms of the bounce WILL cut off the mix, if your record time is really that tight.

On the AD8000, you can use the "digital" button as a kind of hardward bypass button. When "digital" is pressed, the output feeds the input, and just shoots back into the machine. This is also useful for adding UV22, or soft limit if you like that kind of stuff.

After you set up that compressor, check using the digital button to see if its really sounding better. Remember to keep your levels low on the mix bus if you're gonna use the SSL compressor - it doesn't particularly like being overdriven. make up thw gain in an L2 after the SSL compr or something like that.

[Dopamine]

<< On the AD8000, you can use the "digital" button as a kind of hardward bypass button. When "digital" is pressed, the output feeds the input, and just shoots back into the machine. This is also useful for adding UV22, or soft limit if you like that kind of stuff. After you set up that compressor, check using the digital button to see if its really sounding better. >>


Great tip, thanks!