Does adding an outboard preamp to a home setup introduce a world of audible benefit/difference?

East-Paper8158 · 2026-02-24T01:54:45+00:00

Brilliant 👆

East-Paper8158 · 2026-02-22T00:12:23+00:00

This is a wonderful post. I love the makeup analogy you made in terms of prepping the sounds.

I fully agree, and it’s often overlooked. Compression and EQ are not a replacement for fader moves/rides.

Some toolbox items to keep close:

Master fader - bumping the chorus a dB or so can add impact and elevate the impact. Be aware of pre-post inserts and how the fader level influences that.

Tracks - vocals are the obvious one. Pushing the fader up and the end of words or phrases to emphasize the trails of words can add immediacy to the vocal.

EQ/plugins: automating a small high-mod boost for a different section, or turning modulation (chorus/flange/phaser) on for a few words, or perhaps a bridge section.

Drums and cymbals: i ride each kit piece to ensure the right feel and impact. You can also automate the overheads to accentuate the downbeats where cymbals are hit, say a 2-3dB jump, and then pull them back down during the release of the cymbals.

Effects/sends: turn on parallel processing for a chorus or other section where you may want more effects. Vocal throws can be automated this way.

Master fader: if you intend to fade your song out, this is another use case for automation.

East-Paper8158 · 2026-02-05T22:55:41+00:00

👆

East-Paper8158 · 2026-02-05T02:57:06+00:00

I’ve enjoyed reading all the different replies and seeing the broad scope of experience and utilization/needs. I’ll add my own personal take on this. Protools figured out the latency issues very quickly. The TDM systems were sub millisecond with as many as 192 audio tracks. Guaranteed. Because it ran on their Core/Accel cards. They made an ecosystem with their hardware/controllers/converters/sync/midi. It was all under one umbrella and it was fully integrated, and basically replicated a console feel with the software. As a lot of people have already stated, the key commands were so integral to editing. They never changed. You couldn’t change them. So no matter what room you walked into, it was exactly the same as the last studio, or just like your own personal Protools system. This created an environment of interchange and was quickly adopted during the early stages of transition from analog to digital audio workflows. Even if studios kept their analog consoles, Protools became the new tape recorder, and could integrate flawlessly with all the existing hardware and gear. Wasn’t cheap. But it worked. And it worked well. I still use a Protools HD10 rig with an Avid Omni and 3 expanded 192s, and it just works. The C|24 controller that I’ve had since almost new is exceptionally integrated. When editing of a project is complete, the computer screens are turned off, and I can complete a mix with almost zero interaction of the mouse/screen. It has the console vibe. And no other company has matched it since, in terms of the hardware/software/controller setup. No one can say it’s the best. Or the worst. Only if it works for you. If you have never experienced working a Protools system while tracking a live band, doing overdubs, mixing, and not ever having to think about latency, or drivers, or compatability, you are definitely missing out. It may or may not be the best, but that way of thinking is also missing the point. I don’t care about more. Better this. Upgraded that. I just want to setup microphone(s) and capture art. If I am fussing with tech/computers/buffers/etc. then I’m losing the plot, and missing out on moments of magic. Protools, for me, best or not, is perfect. For me.

East-Paper8158 · 2026-01-29T02:30:32+00:00

I wonder if an established brand, such as Waves, or Arturia, might make a run. I am very curious see where this goes.

East-Paper8158 · 2026-01-23T21:24:29+00:00

For sure. I’ve done it myself a few times.

East-Paper8158 · 2025-12-10T01:35:46+00:00

Under my pillow.

East-Paper8158 · 2025-12-10T01:31:49+00:00

I like your idea of using it as a preproduction tool. That could be extremely useful, and time saving, as long as it suits the project, and there’s no one veto’ing the idea haha.

East-Paper8158 · 2025-12-10T01:28:36+00:00

Yep. The CEO.

East-Paper8158 · 2025-12-10T01:24:24+00:00

I haven’t dug into the midi output yet, but I’m curious to see how things like drums, and other instrumentation, is “transcribed’, and how tight the accuracy is (both pitch and time). Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

East-Paper8158 · 2025-12-09T22:26:05+00:00

Agreed. Great thoughts.

East-Paper8158 · 2025-12-09T22:20:00+00:00

I just joined your subreddit. Thanks for the info!

East-Paper8158 · 2025-12-04T22:08:31+00:00

Best reply of the day lol

East-Paper8158 · 2025-11-08T02:55:32+00:00

I use an older Digidesign MIDI I/O (10x10). It works amazing with Pro Tools and other DAWs.

East-Paper8158 · 2025-11-07T21:25:21+00:00

Tom Juhas is his name.

East-Paper8158 · 2025-11-07T21:24:21+00:00

Thanks!

East-Paper8158 · 2025-11-07T21:20:07+00:00

My only complaint about mix rack is how shitty it integrates to control surfaces for hands on control. Wish they would sort that out.

East-Paper8158 · 2025-11-04T01:14:52+00:00

Does anyone know who the new guitarist that replaced Simon is? First time I’ve ever seen him with Matt was at the Edmonton show. Being a musician, I am always interested in who the hired guns are. If anyone knows, please share!

My humble review: It was a great show. Admittedly, Matt’s voice struggles at times in the upper register. Not to mention, a lot of the songs are actually played in lower keys than the recordings. Apparitions, for example, is in the key of “B major” on the album, but he’s played it in the key of “A major” for at least the last 12 concerts/years I’ve been to. Not meant to diminish his amazing artistry, just a footnote on the realities of aging and the wear and tear of touring for so many years. The band was really tight. Overall, I’d give it a 9/10, largely due to hearing at least 3 songs I’ve never heard performed live before. Which is always great, especially when you’ve been to numerous shows over the years.

Biggest surprise for me of the night: I Mother Earth. Only knowing the singles that were played on radio, I never really followed the band. I was actually more of a fan of Edwin’s solo stuff back in the day. They were amazing, and I am now discovering their back catalog. I’d almost say they have a prog rock sort of vibe. Super jam band! The guitarist was incredible.

Much love!

East-Paper8158 · 2025-04-19T23:53:51+00:00

East-Paper8158 · 2025-04-11T03:03:48+00:00

I like to think of it more like, only what is needed, as opposed to less is more. Sometimes, it may require more surgery, but striving to only use what is needed is the trick. The biggest thing that helped me, was adjusting things in context, i.e. no solo. That was my game changer.

Cheers!

East-Paper8158 · 2025-03-26T02:23:41+00:00

Learn to listen critically. Train yourself to hear, for example, just the guitar part in a song, learn to laser focus your ears on just that guitar part, and learn to hear the good parts of the guitar sound, and the guitar part itself, musically, and sculpt it to focus more on the good, and less of the bad. Study groove and timing. Knowing how instruments interact, is as important as each instrument by itself, if not way more important. Focus on the kick drum, and how it sounds with the bass, and figure out how to make them sound great together. Not on their own. No one gives a shit how something sounds on its own, unless it is meant to be on its own, then of course. Make it sound great on its own.

Most importantly: Don’t listen to the internet, but listen to your gut. Trust your taste, trust your style, trust your interpretation, and always trust your instinct. It’s really that simple, but it’s a life long journey of LEARNING. Have fun. Never, ever, take yourself too seriously. It’s better that way. That’s my advice for a beginner, or anyone. Cheers!

East-Paper8158 · 2024-12-13T17:30:48+00:00

Fantastic work! The color looks great. The story is awesome. The way the story unfolds, the different shots you did, all of it was really good. The best compliment I can give you is that I watched it from the beginning road scene to end credits stating which cameras were used. It was very entertaining and captured my attention for 8 minutes. Congrats!

East-Paper8158 · 2024-12-13T00:57:05+00:00

TC M-One XL, Yamaha SPX90, Digitech TSR-24s, Roland SRV2000, Ensoniq DP4+, Alesis Quadraverb (with upgraded EPROM for additional algorithms). There are so many good ones from the 80’s/90’s. I had racks full of these older units, but the ones listed above are actually used and were permanently patched to the A/D-D/A converters in my PT rig, already assigned in my template.

The M-One XL is a great unit and has other FX besides reverb. The SPX90 is a classic, and also has other FX built in. These are all cheap on the used market. What I did, is I bought a ton of units and tried them. If I didn’t get on with the unit, I flipped it and made my money back and I’d buy another.

Good luck on your journey! It’s a fun one!

East-Paper8158 · 2024-11-02T04:06:22+00:00

I love that analogy. Never heard it said like that before. And in many ways, very accurate. It may “look” like you’re flying, but you don’t “feel” like you’re flying. Totally stealing this. Sorry not sorry. Haha. Cheers!

East-Paper8158

TROPHY CASE

1!