On Wednesday, October 15, 2003, at 09:46  PM, ronald and karen sanchez 
wrote:

> I read a piece, maybe in Tape Op where someone did a mic pre test into 
> their Pro
> Tools set up. They found that PT pretty much wiped out the differences 
> between
> any of the units. I don't know if this was with the newest hardware or 
> what
> sampling rate.

That's ridiculous. I've used several different outboard pres of various 
vintage designs... Telefunken V77s, API 550a, Neve 1081 and 1173, John 
Hardy M-1, Sphere Eclipse A, Ampex 351s, etc. All have a unique 
character. ProTools, like any lossless digital format, has no *sound*. 
It is entirely transparent. The quality of the Analog to Digital 
converter is the only variable factor, and in this day and age most are 
quite good.

The thing you lack with digital formats is tape compression. This is 
often KEY for the rock sound we are all used to... particularly those 
of us inclined towards 60's and early 70's rock. Tape compression adds 
beneficial 2nd and 3rd order harmonic distortion and helps to smooth 
(read: limit) transient response. I hit tape pre DAW for just about 
everything I record these days. I even have multiple machines set up 
using different tape formulations so I can pick and choose based on the 
tone color and characteristics of their sound. A lot of people are 
starting to use this hybrid method of recording to get the best of both 
worlds... the sound of tape with the flexibility of the DAW. At the 
risk of coming off as self-promoting... you can check out this link for 
more info on the hybrid technique:

http://www.jimmyether.com/rec/tips/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2

Sorry if this annoys anyone.

Ryan