What order do you process your effects?

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Mongoo

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Hi, I'm mainly doing pc based processing but I would assume the order in which you process effects would be the same as rack units. As far as Equilization, Compression, Reverb, delay, Maximization, flange, distortion, and anything else you can think of. What order do you run them? Thanks
 
Well, this is going to sound mean but: in the order that you need to run them.

As you're obviously well aware, the sound that comes out of any processor is not the same as the sound that went in, thus the next processor in line is working with the processed signal. Compressing before adding reverb will result in a much different sound than compressing after adding reverb.

There are no rules at all. However, commonly you'll have EQ then compression first, then things like distortion, flange, etc, and finally things that leave trails like reverb & delay last.

Slackmaster 2000
 
As has already been stated - there is no single correct answer. Not only does each process or effect alter the signal going through - but it also depends on what stage or recording you are in - tracking, vs. mixing, vs. mastering.

For tracking I normally use compression and then EQ (however at this stage I try not to use anything - other than a good clean signal).

For mixing, I tend to use compression, then EQ, and then any processing and lastly any time related effects (reverb, delay, etc.)

Mastering is a different animal - which I am not involved in - but compression and EQ are used at this stage to create evens sound levels, dynaics and balance within each recorded track and between one track and the next.
 
All your dynamic gear, EQ's compressors, gates, limiters should be placed on inserts, either within your DAW, or on your console. This will automatically place them before the auxes in the signal chain. Auxes should be used for time-based FX, reverbs, delays....etc. And you can place your time-based FX at your own preference. Most people don't place a lot of time-based FX on one channel anyway So you won't have to worry about it too much. For example, large wood room (Aux#1)with maybe a hint of plate reverb(Aux#2).
 
mikeh said:
For tracking I normally use compression and then EQ (however at this stage I try not to use anything - other than a good clean signal).

For mixing, I tend to use compression, then EQ, and then any processing and lastly any time related effects (reverb, delay, etc.)
Click to expand...

This is what I do as well. Any high end boost can be considerably diminished by compression, so I put the compressor first.
 
Modulation effects first,then time based effects.So that you are not applying tremolo (for example) to a reverb tail.
 
BUT, tremelo on a reverb trail can be wicked cool!

No rules ;)

Slackmaster 2000
 
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