Logic and Hardware EQ/Compression

[quailman_23]

May be a silly question - I have a bunch of plugins (omnisphere, stylus, komplete, etc...). My interface is a MOTU 828MKII and I recently picked up an ART Pro Channel Pre Amp/Tube Compressor/EQ to take some of the digitalness out of certain sounds.

 

The guy at music store said to run 1/4" out of my 828 to XLR into the ART, dial in the sound, then send XLR back into 1/4" 828 and into logic.

 

Any thoughts on a better way to do this? Ideally, I'd like to run some of my plugins through this as well for kicks and want to keep it stereo (right now with the 1/4" it's mono).

 

Comments appreciated.

[David Nahmani]

That ART unit is not going to do much good to your sound. IMO the best way to use it is to sell it on craigslist or eBay and forget that you ever owned it. You can get much, much better results using only the built-in plug-ins inside Logic. There's a reason the unit is currently on sale for 77% off.

 

Still, if you want to give it a shot, then to use the technique described by the store employee if the unit has a line input. If the unit only has a mic input, then you have to use it when recording: plug the microphone into it and record the outputs of the ART.

 

But honestly, I wouldn't waste my time if I were you.

[quailman_23]

Thanks for the response. That's what 30 day return policies are for. Try something out and if it's crap, return it. The guy sold me on the idea of upgrading the tubes, but what I want is a unit I can't afford. It also reaffirmed something I've known about musical instruments/equipment since I was 15: you get what you pay for. I already returned it today.

 

I'm going to put the money towards upgrading to a mac pro (from MBP). Any thoughts on refurbished mac (bought from apple) versus brand new? I can get a high end mac pro for the price of a new low end. Do you think this is a case of you get what you pay for? (I've hear stories of people who ONLY buy refurib).

 

Thanks and best.