Post

Audio nerds: Anyone using a DBX 286s in your mic chain? I'm wondering if adding one would help me eliminate the need for any audio processing in post when editing my videos.

I’ve had one for years but don’t currently have it set up! It’s a little finicky.

Hmm, VST filters and compressors (deessers, limiters) barely use any CPU and do not introduce latency so I wouldn't say that's reason enough to go hardware. The main reason I would use hardware is if I really wanted a specific sound out of it or use a chain that could be too heavy on the CPU.

With VSTs you also have the additional advantage of being able to run things like smarter de-noisers (Ozone), exciters, unmaskers, and so on. Source: I'm an EDM music producer working with hundreds of VSTs at once.

Also, while I haven't tried my pro-grade VSTs in it, I noticed that the stock OBS gain, compressor, and EQ plugins could not get my audio to target normalized loudness without me introducing so much gain that I'd get peaking.