Saturday, February 23, 2013

Compression Before EQ? Look No Further - The Answer's Here

One of the most consistent questions I get as a sound engineer is which effect to put first when in the post-production stage of recording: compression or EQ?
This is a very important concept when attempting to create that perfect sound you are looking for, and, as most things go with mixing techniques - it really depends on what the sound source is and what you're looking for.
I know this isn't quite the yes or no question you guys were looking for, but it's the truth! For example, when you're working with the overhead mics of a drum kit, dynamics should be one of your main focal points. What does that mean? Well, to put it simply, you want to get just the right amount of compression on the effects chain BEFORE you apply any sort of EQ. On the other hand, if you're working on an acoustic guitar track, it is really important to clean up all those nasty frequencies with a nice sounding EQ effect before you worry about the dynamics with a compressor.
Having said that, it is very important to understand that the beauty of being recording engineer is the fact that there are no rules! So don't take my word for anything, experiment on your own and see what sounds best to your ears. The information I mentioned previously should merely be seen as a basic guideline for where to start, based on my experience and the traditional status quo of the industry.
As always, thanks for tuning in!

Check out my band, Simple Interest, if you're interested in hearing a few of my mixes! SIMPLE INTEREST WEBSITE

-Cecil

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