Pre-processing and post-processing a sound?

[skim]

Can some of you provide some compelling arguments for or against doing sound processing before it lands on the tracking software, versus trying to keep the signal as pure as possible and then applying all effects, EQ, compression after the fact?

I was looking into buying a Joe Meek Pre/EQ/Compressor in one, and a good friend of mine shared his thoughts of wanting to keep a signal as pure as possible, and applying things like EQ and compression afterward.

I can understand keeping things like reverb in the post-processing, but I think I've seen at least compression and EQ'ing done before the recording signal is tracked.

 

[grinder]

Light compression is ok during tracking, more can be added later, if needed. Just be careful to not overcompress during tracking, use just enough to get a good signal. Except for shelfing and rolling off, I leave eq for mix down. You won't know what needs tweaking, until everything is tracked, so why try guessing? You can't really undo eq mistakes, without adding even more artifacts and phasing. Reverb and delays can't be undone, either. The only reason to use efx during tracking is lack of equiptment. If you only have one reverb unit, you don't have lots of options, unless you have enough open tracks to add efx while bouncing.

 

[Massive Master]

Agreed on the EQ - If it needs anything other than shelving or HP/LP, it should be fixed at the source.

On compression, I tend to drift towards limiting (if I'm limiting) on the way in - If you know that you need it, you're usually going to have to limit first anyway, so if you have to free up the unit for later, you can use a little limiting on the way in.

Just my thang -

John Scrip - www.massivemastering.com