The topic is most likely as old as Cubase modern versions. I ignored it for a long time and now it came back to my mind. Is there anybody, practically using the input channels in the mixer to adjust whatever one could ajust there. And if so, why are you doing it in the input channel and not in the audio channel that it is routed to?
I AM FULLY aware that chaning things in the input channel alters the recorded signal while doing that on the audio channel does NOT.
But still the question remains: Why and when would you practically NEED that or just WANT that?
Thx fo rany ideas from all the exprienced Cubase Pros
I would actually be interested in how many people actually do use the input channels…
Sure, you can “commit on the way in” e.g. with some preamp saturation, guitar amp sims and whatnot, but personally I also find it much easier to do later on the regular channels in the mix. If I “commit”, it is with my guitar or bass preamps or pedals, ie external gear.
The additional issue with using the input channels with plugins is that you have to be aware that those can possibly add additional latency (especially saturation or guitar amp plugins).
I guess I’m not really answering that question literally, but I used to apply processing when recording back in the day. That was when I was doing music for advertising. The benefit of doing that in the analog domain was that I could control dynamics before conversion, and I could shape the sound somewhat. But what I didn’t do for that type of music was to go too far. And when we got more powerful DAWs and better plugins I left more and more for processing using realtime inserts after recording.
I think the benefits are if you want to tie your hands and limit your options. It’s actually not always a bad thing. When all options are available some might never get things done. Limiting yourself can force creativity in a different direction. Imagine for example that you put a specific channel strip on all your inputs and it emulates classic gear from the 1970s. Now you are stuck with that sound. Anything you do after will alter that basic sound. This is maybe a great thing. It could also be terrible if you end up hating it.
If I know what I want for a particular track I have no problem committing on the way in, whether it’s a hardware chain, plugins on the input bus, or even a combination of both.
I’m talking mostly about EQ and compression, possibly also distortion. Could also be some guitar or keyboard FX as well. Saves me thinking about it later and it leaves processing capacity for other plugins during mixdown.
In the past there have been rare occasions where a vocalist went too hot for a second, and I’m thinking was “saved” by compression. Of course I’ll never know for sure.
Taking advantage of 4 mix consoles, and 3 video displays, they are not hidden here. I just don’t use that input/output configuration very often. Sure, I could make them show up anywhere, but the way I think…having a dedicated input and output configuration on console 4 makes sense with the way I work.
Hi all, I appreciate your contributions to this thread.
I can see that in some circumstances a kind of “prep”- or “standard”-sound could be achieved by using the input channels accordingly. I can see the advantage of limiting options this way and/or have a well known starting point for the inputs one usually uses.
