[CHAT] Laptop as virtual instrument rack

Hey David,

Sorry, I'm not quite following. You want to connect your laptop to the output of your mixer... So you want to record what you play?

If I understand correctly you want:

[MIXER] --> [LAPTOP] --> [PA MIXER/SYSTEM]

There's a lot of soundcards you could use for this. I personally use Focusrite. Although I don't do what you're doing, I have done something similar before. Here's the soundcard ... http://www.gear4music.com/Recording-and-Computers/Focusrite-Scarlett-2i2-USB-Audio-Interface/HCI?origin=product-ads&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PLA+Focusrite&utm_content=0XEPeIA8|dc_pcrid_42681890959_plid__kword__match__

Now, once you have the audio going into your computer you can use something like Abelton Live (they have a free version) which "should" come with an EQ, compressor, reverb etc. But there are free alternatives such as Reaper. Now whilst these are music production environments I think they are perfectly suited for this. You'll also be able to record your mix, both pre mixing and post mixing.

You could go a step further if you got a multi channel soundcard and have multiple inputs such as deck 1, deck 2, microphone, etc and apply effects to each on individually. You can then also record them individually if you plan to make any sort of CD's from the recording. Sorry, I'm going off on a tangent.

But yes, what you're trying to do is completely possible.

A limiter and a compressor on a PA system is a MUST. So the laptop could step in to replace hardware.