Analog Front End

[supersession2001@aol.com]

If your not using any of the control parameters such as eq or dynamic section of an SSL console but still passing your signal through it and then into Pro Tools, is there any significants in doing this by using the consoles analog circuitry? Otherwise using Pro Tools inputs, would it be as equivlant as just passing signal through analog consoles without any processing? Thanks, Rob

[djui5]

Which SSL? And are you using the mic or line or tape or insert return in?

[supersession2001@aol.com]

SSL 4000 G+ series primarily using mic input, although I'm curious about all other inputs as well (line, tape and insert return input). I may even want to consider the scenario of using a Mackie 32 ch. input (that would be considered analog wouldn't it?) very extreme from SSL consoles but still curious. Thanks, Rob

[DAS]

I don't think I quite understand the question yet. I would expect any analog console to impart some character of its sound on the signal going through it. Are you asking for people's opinion of what that character is?

Unless you connect a line level signal directly to the A/D converter in Pro Tools you're going to have some intermediate gain stage (such as a mic pre, or mixer, etc.). These will each have their own "sound" to them. Many people recording digitally select the equipment they put on the front end very carefully so as to achieve their desired results.

[djui5]

If your using the mic input, it means your using the mic-pre on the console. The mic amps on the older SSL's, especially the 4K series, sound like hell, and will for sure leave a stamp on your sound.

If, for instance, you were using the line inputs and insert sends for in/out of the SSL 9J series, you might not impart much "flavor" at all really. It's a pretty clean console for the most part, unless your using a lot of it, or using the E eq on it.

A mackie will impart a lot of it's own sound on your audio, and isn't a sound I'd want to impart presonally. Same goes for the 4K mic amps, I'd rather rent outboard pre's if you had to..

What are you doing? why are you asking this?

[andyppl4ce]

whenever your not goin direct from a mic pre to the recorder the boards circuitry.. op amps ... caps ... etc are coloring the sound somewhat i personally prefer depending on what sound your going for is to have an outboard selection of front end with highend a-d converters to ensure the cleanes possible uncolered signal path to the recorder but everything depends on what sound you are going for some people prefer to track with neve and mix on ssl and vice versa but a mackie board is not near the sonic characteristic of an ssl or other highend class a electronics. it all depends on what sound you want
now go beat someone!