EQ before or after compressor?

[zvish]

As in the topic, what are the advantages and disadvantages?

 

[outoftune]

I really depends on the situation. I prefer the EQ after compression because depending on the comp setting it might already alter the sound of the original material quite a bit and by using the eq afterwards it is easier to predict the outcome

 

[Pedro Teixeira]

It depends on the source as well as the situation. If you EQ first then those frequencies you boosted will be more prominent when they enter the comp, it can create unwanted characteristics but on the other hand it can have a pretty good outcome. It really depends, just do what sounds best to you, I use EQ> Comp and Comp > EQ every time without even thinking about it, just listen.

 

[GarethSE]

Sometimes you may want to use pretty heavy EQ on something, such as the Joey Sturgis-esque huge 200db boost on a snare (like 8-9db.) Since you're going to be compressing the snare, you can keep that in mind and put the compressor after the EQ to smush that huge boost back down and stop it from sounding so unwieldy.

I personally use that as a rule of thumb. Any heavy eq to be done? EQ first.
No heavy EQ'ing that needs doing? Compressor first.

Seems like most of those gearslutz look-at-me-i-have-neve-deskz guys use compressor first because they come before the EQ on some desks or something.
But there aren't really any rules to all this shit. Go with whatever gets you the sound you want.

 

[beyond dead]

it really depends. as previously stated, sometimes compression can change the spectral balance of a signal with favorable results ( lets say you want less hi end, maybe the low end energy of the signal causes the comp to clamp down on the high end when the low end pumps it)

but sometimes, if a certain freq. area is pumping the comp too much, the results are less favorable. in that situation I would opt to use eq to lessen the energy in the problematic freq. range.

maybe multiband comp would be a better solution. its about trial and error really.

 

[egan.]

To me it makes a lot of sense to do any filtering pre-compression. If you are going to high or low pass it makes sense to get that stuff out of the way. Beyond that it does become an issue of taste. and sometimes a little of both works pretty well. After all traditionally you would be doing compressing and eq'ing to tape during tracking and then again on the console during mixdown.

 

[Damian B]

I usually try both and see which one sounds better.

 

[C_F_H_13]

I personally use that as a rule of thumb. Any heavy eq to be done? EQ first.
No heavy EQ'ing that needs doing? Compressor first.

Pretty much what I do as well. Generally speaking I usually go post eq compression on drums and pre eq on everything else.

 

[Soundlurker]

I eq before compression most of the time. Especially when filtering and gating is needed because of the bleed. Other than that I just prefer to get the tonality right and then manipulate the dynamics. With snare drums I usually add the compression first (chronologically, but last in the chain) and then eq until it sounds right.

 

[Ermz]

Depends on how you want the compressor to react. CLA slams the high end of his EQs into the compressors so that they will duck it back down. This gives tracks a shimmery, bright, excited quality. I think I commonly compress before EQ. I actually don't give the order of the chain much thought, rather I just pull up what feels right and tweak it until it sounds right.

 

[DanLights]

I go with the method Egan said, for filtering (highpass and lowpass) I definitely first do that and then compress. But for other types of Eqing it depends on the situation, have done it both ways

 

[abyssofdreams]

Always before compression. I tried different orders but this is always what I find myself getting back to.

 

[Ermz]

Actually wait, how does the Waves SSL Channel route EQ and Comp by default?

 

[AudioPhile777]

I have found that I MOSTLY eq BEFORE compressing anything...

 

[Pedro Teixeira]

Actually wait, how does the Waves SSL Channel route EQ and Comp by default?

I'm not 100% sure, but I always had the feeling it was EQ > Comp/Gate, though I'm not sure... Anyone that knows for sure?

 

[Wave_D]

Good question, and once again it certainly is a matter of taste. I like to actually put the EQ before the compressor for the bass on the SSL channel when I'm Boosting the Low end on the EQ. It seems to allow me to get pretty aggressive with the EQ but lock the low end in place.

Also, cutting some of that nasty 120-200hz area on the kick drum before compression helps make the compressor not have to work as hard

But generally I'll compress first then EQ.

 

[JeffTD]

I EQ after I comp for the exact reasons listed above - I don't want the eq curves fucking with my compressor settings unless I'm going for that specific effect.

 

[Splat88]

I never EQ after compression. If you eq after compression, you can negate the original dynamic changes form the compressor. Post EQ does have is uses, but I rarely do it.

 

[GarethSE]

there was some huge argument on a forum somewhere where some guy was claiming he could add dynamics back in with an EQ
which is sorta
incorrect

or maybe youre implying something totally different and im just a dope haha

 

[John_C]

post eq sticks out
pre eq blends in

horses for courses

P.S. if you think about it, post eq can definitely increase dynamic range. If i have a flute playing a phrase that occasionally hits a concert A and i make a massive ass boost at 440 hz, i'm gonna get a huge and annoying dynamic range

P.P.S. When using eq with compression, think about what you will be presenting to the compressor. I found that boosting the lows in a kick after compression lets you get a more consistent sounding top end with an inconsistent player, whilst sacrificing some consistency in the low end