Compression or EQ first - which one is more betterer?

David Brent · Post by **David Brent** » Sun May 25, 2008 12:10 am

Pretty new to the whole game. just wondering what some peoples opinions on this matter are. Do you use compression before EQ or EQ before Compression?

Johnisfaster · Post by **Johnisfaster** » Sun May 25, 2008 12:14 am

I think typically you eq first and then compress, but you can really do whatever the hell you wanna do with it.

SimonPHC · Post by **SimonPHC** » Sun May 25, 2008 12:22 am

It depends on what you want from both you EQ and you compression.

EQ before compression means every freq you're going to boost will influence the compressor more then others. Just know that when boosting freq, all the others will disappear when that certain freq gets louder because of the compression.

Compression before EQ just means that you have a compressor to control the dynamics of a certain signal, but want to change the EQ balance as well. The only thing to watch out for is that when you compress and EQ you could be boosting the signal over the range you've previously compressed it by EQ-ing it. Just make sure your levels are within the 0 db limit after every effect.

Martyn · Post by **Martyn** » Sun May 25, 2008 12:23 am

Depends whether you want to compress the eqed sound or eq the compressed sound. It depends whatever the sound is you're going for.

Tiz 'orses for courses.

knotkranky · Post by **knotkranky** » Sun May 25, 2008 12:37 am

Johnisfaster wrote:I think typically you eq first and then compress, but you can really do whatever the hell you wanna do with it.

+1 just do that.

abort · Post by **abort** » Sun May 25, 2008 12:41 am

This is a tricky question to ask, lots of people have a difference in opinion.

For me theirs no question eq before compression, thats how I have my rack setup and thats how I setup ableton! Its a safety thing, it will save your drivers from a blow out. Provided that you setup your compressor to limit this from happening. If you setup eq after your compressor you have a chance of still creating a spike or clip because you might be enhancing a frequency higher above your dry mix without having anything to limit or protect your drivers.

Got it?

Download a Spectrum Analyzer http://www.voxengo.com/product/SPAN/
or use the one provided for you on ableton 7, just set it to "log". Make sure to set it up after eq and comp so that it reads right! If your bass starts to f@#% the peak shorten or comp your bass a bit.

Khazul · Post by **Khazul** » Sun May 25, 2008 1:04 am

EQ first if you want to influence the compressor without sidechaining, for eg, if I know that I want to take the low end off a piano, vocal, guitar etc part for eg, Ill eq it first so every low octave note doesnt end up dunking everything else, unless I particualrly want that effect.

EQ after if you want to fix what the compressor has done if your are using extreme compresion settings though I tend to prefer more exotic post eq in this scenario - enhancer like devices and the like - some of the SPL hardware processors are perfect for this.

In the end whatever works.

Zimovane · Post by **Zimovane** » Sun May 25, 2008 2:09 am

David Brent.

In the time it took you to construct your post, wouldn't you agree that it would take less time to try it out for yourself?

Can you fill me in on what, "betterer" means?

I'm surprised you could even spell 'compressidhkryon'.

David Brent · Post by **David Brent** » Sun May 25, 2008 3:33 am

Thanks for all of the responses. Going to play around now with some of the techniques.

Zimovane - Do me a favor and take some of these, then come back and edit your post. thanks in advance...

Zimovane · Post by **Zimovane** » Sun May 25, 2008 3:45 am

Zimovane - Do me a favor and take some of these, then come back and edit your post. thanks in advance...

Will do.

I shall start a topic asking everyone the best way to do it.

David Brent · Post by **David Brent** » Sun May 25, 2008 3:52 am

Zimovane wrote:
Zimovane - Do me a favor and take some of these, then come back and edit your post. thanks in advance...
Will do.

I shall start a topic asking everyone the best way to do it.

No need to start a new thread, just take the midol pills anally, just as you do with your Zimovane.

landrvr1 · Post by **landrvr1** » Sun May 25, 2008 3:57 am

Zimovane wrote:David Brent.

In the time it took you to construct your post, wouldn't you agree that it would take less time to try it out for yourself?

Can you fill me in on what, "betterer" means?

I'm surprised you could even spell 'compressidhkryon'.

Look Robin Fucking Hood, if you're going to be a smart ass dickhead like the rest of us around here, you're going to have to seriously step up your game. Your posts thus far have been little more than splashes from the kiddie pool.

leedsquietman · Post by **leedsquietman** » Sun May 25, 2008 4:41 am

Depends on the sound you're looking for, I tend to compress first then EQ most tracks but sometimes the other way around if the sound calls for it.

Clipping should not be an issue because you monitor the levels and make sure you have the headroom to make those small adjustments, and you can use a peak limiter if you're concerned.

Most adjustments should be fairly subtle anyway, boosting or cutting things by +10 or -10 db etc should be a rare thing done just for a contemporary effect or something., otherwise rerecording or finding better sounds might be the better route...

nate_D · Post by **nate_D** » Sun May 25, 2008 5:12 am

landrvr1 wrote:
Zimovane wrote:David Brent.
In the time it took you to construct your post, wouldn't you agree that it would take less time to try it out for yourself?
Look Robin Fucking Hood, if you're going to be a smart ass dickhead like the rest of us around here, you're going to have to seriously step up your game. Your posts thus far have been little more than splashes from the kiddie pool.

lol, yeah you guys do go mad hard on the lames around here. dude was being a cock wad. i see nothing wrong with asking other people here for their opinion (especially when you start the original post with "Pretty new to the whole game.") this is actually a good place for that.

edit: oh yeah, i like to get the eq where i think it sounds right then throw some compression on it. i'm real light with the it though. the eq is key.

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Sun May 25, 2008 6:29 am

Zimovane wrote:
Zimovane - Do me a favor and take some of these, then come back and edit your post. thanks in advance...
Will do.

I shall start a topic asking everyone the best way to do it.

lol! Great comeback