curious if there's a general rule most guys follow when recording (or mixing) vocals. If you want to add a little more high end to the mic, would you do it pre-compressor or post? I'm using a Neumann m149 into a crane song trakker...and ready to add a little eq to the chain. Pre or post compressor? (I understand the merits of each, just wondering what folks do the most).

Is there a good all around parametric eq single rack space you dig? I have a rane pe17 nearby, but it's not in the same league as the mic and compressor, so it's probably not the best to use.

thanks! Sean

Except for high pass and low pass filtering i probably eq after compression 90% of the time.

I would usually boost "air" type highs post compression.

I apply hi pass filters before compression so the comp doesn,t pump too much with the low end you are taking out anyway.

Any other "nasties" which i,m cutting out out can quite often be removed pre compression as well.

Its a usual rule of thumb for me to apply corrective cuts pre compression and boost post compression but sometimes the situation demands otherwise and the opposite may work better.

It also depends on what gear you have available at the time.



Cheers,
Neil H

I usually compress then eq, then limit if needed.

I find it harder to use eq before compression, and you boost a specific frequency then you need to alter all the compression settings - I guess its sorted of acting a bit like a side chain.

That said, I do sometimes eq first if there is a very loud resonance that is affect the comrpession adversly.

check out a multiband compressor. It adds a whole new dimension of eq'ing
compression

what funkynuts said...but most of the time I place the eq post comp

Typically EQ for me is post compression.

War

I EQ before because I want to make sure the compressor isn`t reacting to any low end boominess or other weirdness. I get the right sound first and than squash it as I see fit.

eq before compression when you want the compressor to react more, or react less, to specific frequencies. eq after compression when you want the freqs you're pushing or pulling to actually move to the front or the back of the soundfield.

does that make sense? iow, eq->compress to create the compression you need, compress->eq to create the shape of the tone you need.

once again, the answer to the question is "it depends".


gregoire
del ubik

That is such a good answer.

I've tried a tube tech smc 2b multi band compressor and it was pretty cool. What other good multiband compressors are there?


Sean

Ive only used them in plugins. I have a stienberg and a waves c4 version.
Both really cool. There are several on the market for tdm and vst.
They rock.

i go:

corrective EQ pre comp, color EQ post.. always limit last.

Yup - Corrective before compression, shaping after. Not a rule, but a rule of thumb.

If I'm cutting bass frequencies, I do this mostly before the compressor. Adding highs is mostly done after the compressor.

But in general, whatever works.

Greetings,
Dirk