Mixing Question

[harphunt]

I've been reading some online tutorials about using compression, eq, etc. Is there a particular order that effects, including eq, should be applied to seperate tracks? Whole song?

Thanks in advance

[manning1]

in big studios in the past there were definite rules but now with computer recording things have changed a bit. really - there are a million answers.
i urge you to experiment a lot with your source tracks.
a couple of millions of examples/rules. try and track no more than -3db upper limit, and in mixdown no higher than -3db.
try and be sparing with compression and only use it when you want the apparent loudness more in a track or the track has wild transients to control. for example recording a synth thru line input from a mixer to the pc you will see its a pretty constant level versus a miced bass amp.
when using effects dont overdo and wash everything in reverb. use sparingly. i'm sorry i could go on for pages...gotta stop now. suggest you get an audio engineering book, and read, read , read.
also try singing lead vocals twice for thickness.

[Blue Bear Sound]

Some articles for you.........

Mixing 101

9 Tracks In 2 Days

EQ? When?? How???

[harphunt]

Thanks for the responses! I want to start a rough tweak tonight. As a guitar player, most effects I understand(?). Its compression that I've never really mastered.

I guess my real question is, should I eq before and after compression, or before, or after? I'm going to use some suggested settings for compression to get a feel for the effect and work from there, but don't know where to place it in the mixing process. I understand its purpose/use, but want to avoid an endless cycle of comp./eq/comp/eq/comp/eq, etc..

My understanding in reading the various tutorials is that compression takes place before the eq, but it seems that that would change the eq.

Blue Bear - great link - I agree with every proposition but, compresssion (my real question) isn't mentioned (no fault of yours). What do you do?

PEACE,
Curt

[Farview]

You can do it either way, but you will get different results. If you eq first, you are changing the signal that the compressor is reacting to. If you compress first, you are eqing the compressed signal.

[Rokket]

I want the opinion of the master too! My signal chain is this: noise gate, compression, eq, effects. I know that you alter your sound depending on how you place the effects in the chain, e.g., if you put chorus before distortion, you are distorting the chorus, etc. Compression, as you probably read and know, makes your signal stronger, so it will effect the eq, but not in a bad way unless you overdo it. And you don't need to add compression or eq to everything. Your mix will get muddy. Blue Bear, would you add compression to the individual tracks and add it to your buss if you were sending effects through it?

[manning1]

in my opinion people must accept there are NO PERFECT RULES.
it all depends on the track and song imho.
ive debated this topic endlessly with mastering engineers at AES shows who know way more than i do. and thats the conclusion i came to.
you do what the song calls for .
its a very difficult topic.and an endlessly debated one.

[Blue Bear Sound]

Originally Posted by harphunt

Blue Bear - great link - I agree with every proposition but, compresssion (my real question) isn't mentioned (no fault of yours).

In the Mixing article, there's an excellent link to one of my colleagues Compression tutorials. You should check it out.

[harphunt]

Manning - thanks for your input. I do understand that most anything in this world is a matter of opinion. I just thought that there was a standard that I could follow and then later break to suit my needs. I guess I'm wrong.

Blue Bear - I'll look for the link, but right now I need to pack up and head north for it is deer season.

Thanks to both of you for responding to my question.

PEACE