Analog EQ vs. Plug-ins

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crunkthanamug

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I record my vocals through a Mackie 1202VLZ into my computer. My question is am I better off EQing my voice on the way in (with the mixer) or with the plugins once its recorded. Im a little scared i might over-do it on the way in and not be able to fix it once its recorded. Is there a significant difference in the quality of these 2 methods of EQing??? Thanks.
 
(1) Do whatever you can to get it sounding just right with NO eq.

(2) If the vocal requires slight corrective EQ (rumble removal, a little "lift" in the highs) - as long as you KNOW it's right, using an analog unit on the way in would be my first choice. Again, though - Only if you're absolutely positive - Once it's there, it's there for good.
 
I agree with John.

First off a digital EQ is going to add a bit of latency (delay) while recording so it's probably going to throw your timing off. Analog would be better.

Secondly, you shouldn't commit EQ until you've had a chance to listen to everything in the mix since masking and other issues come into effect during the mixing stage.

That said, there are definitely freqs in a vocal that you won't need, for example adding a high pass filter to kill everything below 85Hz while cutting the vox is fine. That's about all I commit to. Choosing the right mic as John said, along with the right preamp is also critical. If cutting to digital, a tube pre can add some real warmth to a vocal (or a tube mic or tube compressor).

Adding compression while cutting a vocal (if not overdone) can also be helpful especially if the talent lacks good mic technique or they are going from extremely soft to loud in the same track.
 
I agree with what has been said above on most points. However, I would go ahead and do my EQ'ing in the box rather on the front end (since the front end is a Mackie EQ).
 
Remember the "Mackie Rule": Mackie mixers sound okay until you touch the EQ--and then they sound god awful.
 
Unless you've got a lot of experience and are using great monitors, I'd eq in the computer. Especially with the Mackie.
 
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