There are a couple schools of thought about mic processing with Cool Edit Pro. Some swear processing hardware is a waste of money, and that cool edit's various processing selections will handle the job just fine. Others say you must run through a processor going into the program to achieve maximum quality. Thoughts?

Get it right before it goes in the computer. Period. Don't try to fix bad audio with fancy DSP plugins.

Except you still need that mike processing for non-cool edit elements. You have to find a happy medium. Where I am, we go through a couple of different processing functions with spots on adobe (cool edit), namely "dynamic processing", set lightly, then a "finisher" to even it all out. Then it goes through the regular audio chain. Doesn't seem to create a lot of problems, unless it is abused and the knobs are turned up to "11", which of course is a little louder than "10". Thanks, Spinal Tap.

What about processing?

Always process green beans and corn when canning, tomatoes and jams only require five minutes in boiling water.

as for radio, Cool edit will deliver a finished product with no additional tweaking. the only way to keep everything sounding the same is to go back to live spots! The average listener won't notice. as a side, why do some of the hispanic stations seem to broadcast in a steel drum with the reverb set on high?

a properly adjusted mic processor will always be better than what is onboard in Adobe/Cool Edit.

If you dont know how to properly adjust a mic processor then stick to minimal application of CE processing.

If you really want to make things sound good, ask an engineer to help you dial in your system. a few beverages may go a long way toward the sound you want.

I use some simple processing going into Pro Tools then tweak using the AudioSuite in the PT land. Good stuff with loads of options. Sometimes you have to play with it until you find the sweet spot. But that is for the broadcast medium.

In the non-broadcast medium my initial processing from mic to computer is all I need. Any additional software processing seems to distort the sound quality because in many cases I'm lowering the sampling rate or resolution/bit rate. Over processed it sounds real bad.

Perfect example: If you're doing a message on hold verses a radio spot, your processing will be different.

Thanks for the great input. Now, as far as outboard processors go, if one were to go that route) which fairly inexpensive unit would you recommend?
(this is for home studio-broadcast applications).

>>Now, as far as outboard processors go, if one were to go that route) which fairly inexpensive unit would you recommend?<<

For mic processing - DBX 286 ($200 list but available for a LOT less). If you have a few more bucks, get a Presonus EUREKA or the Aphex 230 (which is what I use).

Many to choose from.

I have two Alesis NanoCompressors but I think they are no longer made but you can check around. $70-90.

On my wishlist for Audition 2.X .
The ability to lock down the effects settings. Make it impossible to compress the hell out of everything they produce so it sounds like c### (but they think it sounds really good!?!).

use the classic softknee effect. i find its the most useful.