What's your favorite recording environment?

[renevanderwouden]

I use Logic Express 7.1. and occasionally Cubase SE. Othe software I use is Native Instruments Reaktor 5 and Absynth 3. I also have the KORG Legacy Collection.

For mastering I use Logic with Izotope Ozone 3.

[paul e.]

i have begun to avoid using plug ins..wherever possible

the exception is those special DSP type plug ins that utilise new approaches, or synthesis techniques

but, i am finding that even a cheap old yamaha reverb hardware unit sounds better than any fancy dancy Waves or freeware plug in..

even an old stomp box phaser usually beats out the cold and plain modulation effects found in DAW


good used deals on hardware EQ's. Comps..etc etc


or re-amping a sound from a DAW into an old tube amp and mic'ing the result


the DAW is now one giant tape recorder for me

i soon hope to be able to again mix on a large format analog board

just need 50 billion I/O channels

[elektro80]

Logic Pro ( 7.xx )
UAD-1
Various stuff from Arturia and others
Peak
KORG KLC with the mini MS-20 controller



Still using Cubase 5 VST 32 as a host for stuff like the Waldorf PPG


Still using various analog outboard stuff. Some old instruments are still in use like the NM-1 keys, various synths and noisemakers from Korg, Octave Instruments, Yamaha, Moog, Roland and others. Some old el-pianos and organs are still being dragged up and down from the cellar whenever I need them.

I even use reel to reel decks a lot. Gotta buy a new batch of tapes soon though.

Plugins are fine with me, but I tend to use these in a modular fashion in order to emulate certain kinds of gear and soundsignatures.

[renevanderwouden]

I avoid all the free stuff as much as possible. Especially for PC there's a lot which is horrible.

I agree on using a Valve/tube compressor or pre-amp. ART's Pro VLA is an interesting one.

[opg]

I've been using Fruity Loops for several years now, but now it's just because I like the piano roll editor so much. I like v3.5 because it seems less buggy to me, but I also have Fruity Loops Studio (v4) because you can use it as a VSTi in other programs, like Cubase. I was using Cubase for a while, but it was bothering me. Mosc suggested Reaper, which has been pretty cool so far.

I'm trying to get back to less sequencing and more live recording. More "one giant tape recorder" as paul e. put it.

I'm also trying to avoid VST plugins, except for limiters, bit crushers, and VST instruments for chiptune stuff.

[cebec]

I'm using Reaper and Max/MSP. I use some free dynamics plug-ins, occasionally, and I own Voxengo's Pristine Space for convolution reverb.
I used to use FL Studio, VAZ Modular, Reaktor, Cubase SX, Ableton Live, but the Nord G2, Max/MSP and Reaper have taken their places.

[paul e.]

[elektro80]

I have used that one once, and it sounded to me that those tubes aren´t used in the actual filter circuit, but rather slammed on as part of the line driver stage. The unit is no bad at all, but I am pretty sure Tube EQ is not a precise term for what it is. "EQ.. with some tubes in there too.." is more like it. That said, a "true" tube EQ device is an aquired taste really.

[elektro80]

Hmm.. very OT.. but here goes:

A secret weapon for recording bass stuff like bass guitars and bassy synths is amping these and using omni mics when recording the sound off the cabs.
This calls for a nice studio of course, but still. .. Bassy stuff generally sounds more fuller using omnis.

[paul e.]

[elektro80]

True, but this little trick is best performed in a well damped and acoustically treated recording space. The main point here in using omnis is not to record noises and shit but actually getting a better bass signal on "tape".

[paul e.]

[elektro80]

Omnis ( good ones ) generally sounds better and gives a more extended bottom. If you have a controlled enviroment, try recording single drum hits using omni mics.

[brinxmat]

I find eating too much cake extends one's bottom.

[opg]

[paul e.]

maybe theyll come up with a VST to emulate the Crack a fender bassman makes while an electronic snare is being run through it ..?

[opg]

[v-un-v]

Chocopoolp's "Bhajis Loops" on a Palm handheld is rocking my world right now

I want to fire Logic Audio (which I also own) and get a portastudio- probably an old Yamaha MD-8, because of it being digital but with an analogue desk. Plug-ins just don't do it for me anymore.

[Alexander]

I use Digital Performer as my recording, mixdown and wave editor. I'm trying to use a combination of max/msp and my hardware to create my ideas and finish material in DP, I like the provided plugins and I have a lot of free audio units, which I sometimes use.

[softfreak]

When recording bands
I use http://www.dalastudios.com/technik.htm
(not mine btw.)

the desk


is being plugged directly into my rme multiface.
editing is done with a very fine software.


for electronic recordings everything goes directly
through a rane line mixer into the rme.

[opg]

Well la di da! My car is missing the gas tank door.

[softfreak]

lucky man,
you have a car ...

[elektro80]

[softfreak]

[mosc]

You are lucky to have access to such a nice recording set up and to not need a car. I like in a suburban America. I need to take the car to get to the nearest business. What is that? a gas station.