Processor chain questions

[matthoggard]

Compress before eq or after eq.effects (verb,chorus) before or after compressor/eq?Ive seen it done so many ways.Which is the best for sound quality?M~

[mazz]

Matt,There's no rules for this stuff and what's best for sound quality is what works for the song and the sound you're after.If you're running your effects as inserts (directly on the channel you're effecting) then it's usually compressor first, but not always. For example: Putting compression after reverb can totally change the way the reverb sounds by pulling up the decay of the reverb and giving the effect that the reverb is louder and longer than it really is. Does it sound good? Depends on what effect you're trying to achieve.I often like to EQ the reverb return rather than use the onboard EQ on the reverb, just for a different color. Also, I've compressed the send to the reverb in order to avoid overloading it.Lots of tricks out there.Try the combinations for yourself and see what works.Just my 2CMazz

[ibanez468]

From what I understand, there is no hard & true rule, BUT.... I tend ta' compress first and then eq. Well my chorus & verbs are usually a part of my BOSS gt-6 foot pedal, and those usually come first in the chain and then the compression & eq.Can't tell ya' what's the best for sound quality. Like ya' said there are so many different ways. Your ears are more likely to be the judge of that. For test purposes, I would setup all of the various ways, pick one particular guitar/bass tune you like, and record a different take with a different setup, and then do a comparison to see which take & which setup sounds better to you. Time comsuming? Yes! But at least you might be able to answer the question.This might help answer some questions. Lotta info in the Musician's Friend Tech Tip site. Be sure ta' check into it. Hope this helps.http://www.musiciansfriend.com/document ... 98377I-468

[matthoggard]

Cool,Thanks fellas. I toy with it constantly. Ive been using more send/return channels and sending signals to individual processors instead of just one chain per channel or group. GOd I miss the days of my Boss tube screamer and chorus! Oh yeah and my 4 track machine with that killer tape hiss!!! Thanks.

[nickbatzdorf]

It depends on what you're doing. Obviously EQ affects how the compressor reacts.I think most people compress first when recording, but if you're mixing or mastering then you'd normally compress last. Neither is better or worse for sound quality, just different sounds.

[ernstinen]

Oct 25, 2008, 12:17pm, mazz wrote:Matt,There's no rules for this stuff and what's best for sound quality is what works for the song and the sound you're after.If you're running your effects as inserts (directly on the channel you're effecting) then it's usually compressor first, but not always. For example: Putting compression after reverb can totally change the way the reverb sounds by pulling up the decay of the reverb and giving the effect that the reverb is louder and longer than it really is. Does it sound good? Depends on what effect you're trying to achieve.I often like to EQ the reverb return rather than use the onboard EQ on the reverb, just for a different color. Also, I've compressed the send to the reverb in order to avoid overloading it.Yup, lots of different ways to do things. I'm like Mazz --- I often/always EQ my reverb(s) on mixdown.As far as recording vocals, I limit/compress them a bit when recording, and THEN add a bit of EQ. Also, I might compress the vocal a second time if it's not jumping out of the mix.But Nick is correct: Overall compression on a final mix/master is usually done as the last step. I've experimented in ProTools whether to put the compressor first and an EQ second, or visa versa, and don't hear a whole lot of difference when mastering. But then again, I'm using VERY little of each.MY 2 pesos! Ern

[audiogeek]

If you put an EQ before a compressor in a signal chain, the comp will tend to enhance the frequencies that are boosted with the EQ, at the times when the compression is working. Good or bad thing? As everyone's said, it's an artistic preference.

[weapon]

I lean to compressing after I have EQ'd, I tend to get a grittier sound, I think it all comes down to personal preference.

[mojobone]

Slippery slope, there, Matt. Pretty soon you'll be discussing arcane side-chaining techniques on the Tape-Op forum.

[matthoggard]

Funny stuff Mojo.Last couple days Ive been experimenting with An eq and comp each on its own return for whatever tracks im working on. It seems that sending more pure signal to each processor rather than inserting a chain into the track is giving more of what Im listening for.I havent had much luck side chaining. It gets too complicated. IF I get nice clean fat levels going in im finding less need to eq and comp each track unless im bringing something out of the mix.