Subject:Can you put a limiter Pre Soundcard?

Posted by: GES

Date:2/11/2008 7:51:46 PM

Anyone know if Acid (or Sound Forge) you can somehow insert a DX-VST (software) Limiter BEFORE sound gets to your SoundCard?


I am trying to Max my sig for quality Dig REC, but if i clip Soundcard , i will get errors with the track (or digi harsh) .

My hardware limiter just is not fast enough, but my software one are.

Perhaps a way to config Sony-Soundcard?


I use Echo Mia or Line 6 Toneport.

Thanks,
BZ

Subject:RE: Can you put a limiter Pre Soundcard?

Reply by: jumbuk

Date:2/11/2008 8:47:05 PM

By definition, you can't connect a software limiter BEFORE the soundcard. You are in the domain of hardware.

What type of hardware limiter are you using?

Subject:RE: Can you put a limiter Pre Soundcard?

Reply by: pwppch

Date:2/12/2008 7:23:51 AM

It is not possible to place a digital processing effect like a VST Limiter at the analog signal side of things - that is pre A/D.

ACID does not permit you to process your input before being recorded. (Post A/D, but Pre record) You can place an FX on a track and have the raw input processed through this FX chain, but it will not be recorded as part of the track.

Regardless, you would still be processing after the signal was digitized. This is not the same thing as applying a limiter or compressor before the analog input into the audio card's A/D.

The point is that the signal would not be recorded any hotter and any clips at the input would still exist.

You need to find a faster hardware limiter.
Which one are you using now?

Peter

Subject:RE: Can you put a limiter Pre Soundcard?

Reply by: GES

Date:2/12/2008 11:32:37 AM

Thanks all


....i dont know what i was thinking .... duh !!!


Well, i am using an ART VLA - There is such a thing called the Prism Barrell Limiter, that plugs in-line of analog cable - but not much said on it.

The REALLY fast limiters seem to be way to much $ for a transparent one , as i am wanting to avoid 'sterilizing' the sound with IC circuits (most 100.00 to 500.00 units).

There is one called the RNLA (Really nice limiter) on Mercenary audio - anyone used that?

Goal is to achieve fast but smooth limiting , OCCASIONALLY (peaks) , without Limiter Circuit (standard IC's) negatively coloring source - tubes of course (or HQ IC's) are fine.

Apparantly there are some HQ soundcards that have this built in, anyone know which?

Thanks,
BZ

Subject:RE: Can you put a limiter Pre Soundcard?

Reply by: drbam

Date:2/12/2008 1:26:54 PM

Here's the easiest and by far the cheapest solution: Record at 24 bit and drop your input levels to peak at -12. There is absolutely no reason to try and record hot input levels with 24 bit resolution in an attempt to increase quality. That notion is a misinformed carry-over from analog recording and to some extent, 16 bit recording. If you're not currently utilizing 24 bit, then I strongly suggest doing so, and forget about the limiter. It simply isn't necessary.

Subject:RE: Can you put a limiter Pre Soundcard?

Reply by: GES

Date:2/12/2008 3:26:41 PM

Thanks !

Thats something i didnt know !

I had done so in past, but my Card (Echo Mia) acts strange in 24 bit - but i have a Line 6 Toneport sitting around, maybe its time to ditch the ole Mia. And try the Toneport on 24 bit (i hope it does 24)

Cheers!

Subject:RE: Can you put a limiter Pre Soundcard?

Reply by: drbam

Date:2/12/2008 4:23:24 PM

Your Mia should be fine at 24 bit. Echo's products are very solid and reliable, especially with Sony apps. Many people on these forums use Mias, Ginas and Laylas. You could try uninstalling and reinstalling the driver (6.08 driver works well on my 2 systems). The Toneport will record at 24 bit but I would think that the Mia has better converters and definitely should perform better than the Toneport given that its a PCI device as opposed to the Toneport being USB.