Where is your EQ in the signal chain?

[henry_mullis]

Hey,
Right now I am using all software EQ. I am wondering if it is generally thought of as better to have the EQ during tracking. Should I buy an outboard EQ for my rack or should I stick with software? Thanks a lot.

Henry

[SteveMcB]

Whatever happens, you need to get sounds as good as you can at source during tracking, and I personally use EQ very rarely when tracking. If I had a neve or GML or something similarly stupendous, I might use it a bit, artistically. But I have the EQ in my mackie 1402VLZ and the digital EQ in my VS840, so I avoid it as much as possible.

You can always re-EQ at mixdown, but if you've used too much EQ in tracking, you can't bring back that missing bass or treble nearly so easily.

Steve

[MISTERQCUE]

If and when I require a freq'y boost/cut via eq, I choose to do mine during tracking and then only to roll-off certain low-end freqs
to control rumble on bass or "canned" kick and to smooth hi's on
"canned" cymbals, or efx-proc'd gits and keys. I use outboard eq and go straight to chan insert. On occasions, when eq'ing is not necessary, I'll insert my Intelligate basically to incorporate it's useful Hi&Lo pass filters which come in handy when using a drum machine or other device that produces "hiss or hum".

[SteveMcB]

Duh! I forgot!

Misterque is right, and has pointed out to me that I do use the Lo cut filter on my mixer's pre's on non-lowend heavy sources. But otherwise infrequently!

Steve