This is what I was trying to say with my original reply: I don't
need to limit the output of the MOTM even when generating nasty
timbres. I use the trims on the inputs of my mixer, because
compression/limiting affects the dynamics of the track too much
(most of the time).
Mike
--- In motm@yahoogroups.com, Adam Schabtach <adam@s...> wrote:
> I can't help but think that most of the replies to the original
query have
> missed the point. The original query was (in part):
>
> > All
> > I want to do is limit the output to protect my speakers and
prevent
> > clipping at the mixer input. I don't need to squash the dynamic
range
> > to fatten this sound!
>
> Most of the replies have focused on the relative merits of
compressors and
> compression, which is a related but different topic. It seems to
me that the
> original query hasn't really been addressed, and is relevant to
this list.
> Or maybe I just think it's relevant because it's something I've
wondered
> about myself. :-)
>
> So maybe I'll try putting a similar query in my own words: is it
sensible to
> use a peak limiter between the output of a modular synth and the
input of a
> mixer or A/D converter or whatever you happen to be using for
monitoring and
> recording, not for controlling the dynamics of the signal but for
protecting
> your input stages/pre-amps/power amps/speakers/ears (most
important) from
> the 10V p-p signals present in a MOTM? If so, what is a good unit
for this
> task?
>
> Under normal circumstances, of course, the output of a synth is
nothing to
> worry about--the output signals are much smaller than the 10V p-p
modulation
> signals. But accidents happen (happy accidents being one of the
reasons to
> own a modular in the first place) and it seems to me that it can't
be a good
> thing to plug the unattenuated pulse output of a 320 LFO directly
into a
> pair of powered monitors, for example. It'll scare the pants off
you and
> anyone else around, for one thing.
>
> I've adopted the practice of always using an 830 mixer as the
output point
> of my MOTM; that is, I connect the output (OUT 2) of the 830 to my
mixing
> desk, A/D converter, whatever. I start with all of its level knobs
rotated
> fully CCW and turn them up slowly after patching new signals into
the mix.
> This is only a partial solution, though.
>
> (As an aside, I have an RNC compressor and am very fond of it. I
haven't
> tried using it as a peak limiter, but it's lovely for other tasks.)
>
> --Adam