effects or eq first?

[malgovert]

Hi - I've been out of the loop for a while and am trying to get back into recording again. One question I have is this - when I record a track like a lead guitar what would I apply first (I mean post-recording not during), effects or eq? Then I would compress it last, right, to maximise the volume? Daft questions I know, but for the life of me I can't remember... Thanks.

malgovert

 

[cusebassman]

The only thing I can say is, if at all possible, don't record with all that stuff on your track... record as bare as possible, and add that stuff later, for the flexibility of being able to remove/change it on the original track.

 

[malgovert]

I just read somewhere in a 'basic mixing guide': record dry, compress, eq, then add effects. Would that be right, for a lead vocal or guitar, for example?

malg

 

[andyhix]

I'd definitely record dry. Then, I might be inclined to do whatever is required to address the biggest need first. Generally, I think this ends up being EQ, then compression (if it's tracked well, you hopefully won't need too much of either). Reverb and other effects added towards the end, as they aren't "fixing" anything per se, but rather improving the sound. But thats just me.

 

[Mindset]

If your dipping stuff out, than you can EQ before compression. If your doing anything else with EQ, do it after compression. When you record, unless it's for the desired sound, record dry. Effects could be last.. unless you send that effect in to be EQ'd, or compressed, or etc.