Recording through analog mixer.. color or not the sound?

[Pasha]

OK, so I tested a Mackie 1402VLZPro and a Behringer Eurorack UB1240FX, THD + N vs frequency.

the Mackie is around 0.08% THD, the Behringer is a little higher at 0.012%. if I had a USB stick I could get the plot off the test gear (Audio Precision System Two Cascade Plus.)

so, for $100 0.01% distortion is unacceptable?

For $100 I'd take it.

[leedsquietman]

I've heard of people recording with EQ on things such as a Focusrite Voicemaster PLatinum or sometimes built in mic pre with compressor etc, however mostly really experienced engineers who know their equipment and sometimes for a creative purpose (i.e. they record vocals into, say an LA-2A compressor, to capture some of it's last tube stage distortion/saturation). The general consensus though is to record flat and adjust post recording.

I prefer to mix ITB and take out the imperfections post recording, it's like over frying an egg - if you like your eggs over easy and cook them too long, you can only get hard boiled.

SSL mixers are pretty neutral sounding if you use them flat, but the EQ and buss compressor can really give a certain colour which some people like. API and Neve consoles sound a little more coloured to my ear (usually in a good way). The Toft is a nice mixer too, probably the nicest looking and gives a nice subtle coloration to the sound.

I find that technology has come so far these days that it it's possible to mix in the box and not have the 'sterile' sound of past digital recordings.

[Pasha]

I've heard of people recording with EQ on things such as a Focusrite Voicemaster PLatinum or sometimes built in mic pre with compressor etc, however mostly really experienced engineers who know their equipment and sometimes for a creative purpose (i.e. they record vocals into, say an LA-2A compressor, to capture some of it's last tube stage distortion/saturation). The general consensus though is to record flat and adjust post recording.

I prefer to mix ITB and take out the imperfections post recording, it's like over frying an egg - if you like your eggs over easy and cook them too long, you can only get hard boiled.

SSL mixers are pretty neutral sounding if you use them flat, but the EQ and buss compressor can really give a certain colour which some people like. API and Neve consoles sound a little more coloured to my ear (usually in a good way). The Toft is a nice mixer too, probably the nicest looking and gives a nice subtle coloration to the sound.

I find that technology has come so far these days that it it's possible to mix in the box and not have the 'sterile' sound of past digital recordings.

Thx really love your posts!