effects order?

[rhythmgtr5]

Does effects order make a difference in sound? Currently I use EQ, then compression, and lastly reverb. is there a set order or most common order for effects ?

[TexRoadkill]

Are you talking about tracking, mixing or mastering, plugins, an all in one effects unit or seperate processors, and what type of signal.

There are different ways to different things.

[Tom Hicks]

Generally you want time based effects after modulation effects.For example,if you have reverb and tremolo on a guitar line you don't want the reverb tails to warble,so you put the mod effect first and the time effect second.

[rhythmgtr5]

Originally posted by TexRoadkill
Are you talking about tracking, mixing or mastering, plugins, an all in one effects unit or seperate processors, and what type of signal.

There are different ways to different things.

I'm working with vocals and an acoustic guitar. First I record the track (with no effects, just dry). Then I go to the rack effects in cool edit pro 2.0 and put the effects in the order I mentioned above using what I would do in a guitar pedal order. So i'm not sure if what i'm talking about is tracking, mixing, mastering, or plugins. could you explain the differences?

[rhythmgtr5]

Originally posted by rhythmgtr5


I'm working with vocals and an acoustic guitar. First I record the track (with no effects, just dry). Then I go to the rack effects in cool edit pro 2.0 and put the effects in the order I mentioned above using what I would do in a guitar pedal order. So i'm not sure if what i'm talking about is tracking, mixing, mastering, or plugins. could you explain the differences?

bump

[TexRoadkill]

Tracking = Recording the live tracks
Mixing = combining the seperate tracks to a stereo MixDown file.
Mastering = Preparing the mixdown file for CD burning by doing any finishing touches and polishing up of the track.

Sounds like you are doing things in the best order for a natural sound. Good advice from Tom. But there are no set rules. What you want to be carefull with is EQ. You dont want to EQ a track as you record it, the EQ again while mixing, then apply more EQ as you master.

Play with the compression and EQ order and see what sounds best. You can even compress or EQ the reverb if you want to for a different type of sound.

[rhythmgtr5]

Thanks!

[littledog]

Originally posted by rhythmgtr5
Does effects order make a difference in sound? Currently I use EQ, then compression, and lastly reverb. is there a set order or most common order for effects ?

The reverb last in the chain is good for mixing. EQ before compression or visa versa has advantages either way.

On individual tracks, I tend to compress and then EQ, because compression can suck some of the "sparkle" out of a track - which I can then add back in with EQ. The danger to doing it that way is if the track is already very hot (high volume level) and you use EQ boost after compression, there is a danger you will induce clipping. That's why some people prefer to EQ first. But you can do it the other way as long as you carefully monitor your levels. Using EQ cutting obviously does not create the same problems.