If there is one mixing question I hear often, it is about the order of compression and equalization plugins.
In other words, should you place your EQ before the compressor, or after?
I will be frank: there is not really a definitive answer, as each producer or sound engineer does it their own way. Therefore, there is no unique and foolproof method.
However, it is important to understand what the position of the equalizer changes in relation to that of the compressor in a plugin chain. And that is what I will explain to you in this article (with a bonus at the end, a description of the technique I use most often).
The Problem of EQ Before the Compressor
If you are used to putting your EQ first, it might be a bad idea. You will understand why.
A compressor is triggered when the signal level exceeds the threshold set. In other words, if you set a threshold at -20 dbFS and your signal rises to -10 dBFS, then it will be compressed because it has exceeded the threshold. (If this doesn’t make much sense to you, feel free to check out my beginner’s guide to compression. 😉 )
Keeping this in mind, imagine placing an EQ right in front and boosting a frequency band.
What will happen?
Simply put, the output level of the equalizer will be higher (since you are boosting). If it is higher, it will therefore exceed the threshold you set on your compressor more often.
The compression will therefore be stronger.
Several problems can arise depending on your plugin settings:
- Dynamic Problem: The sound can become less natural as it is less dynamic (this is normal, it is more compressed)
- Frequency Masking: If the frequency band you boosted becomes too prominent, other frequencies may
The first EQ will be used to make subtractive corrections, that is to say, only by removing frequencies. Most of the time, it involves adding a high-pass filter and making some surgical corrections if there are frequencies I dislike.
Thus, when the signal arrives in the compressor, it will be “clean.” In other words, the compressor will not risk boosting the level of unwanted frequency bands because they will have already been attenuated!
It will therefore only trigger to compress the useful part of the signal.
Finally, the second equalizer, located just after, will allow you to manage the color of the sound by enhancing certain frequencies in a broad and musical way.
With this configuration, you will have all the necessary flexibility to equalize and compress your signal as you wish, minimizing the occurrence of problems during mixing.
In summary, to synthesize the explanations of this article:
- EQ before Compression : Rather risky, unless you know exactly what you are doing
- EQ after Compression : Often preferable and the easiest to adjust
- EQ – Compression – EQ : A more flexible solution that combines the positives of the first two
Ultimately, it is up to you to judge each time which method will yield the best results. Sometimes one will work perfectly while the other will disappoint you. Sometimes it will be the opposite.
But by keeping in mind the elements of this article, you will be able to choose the order of your plugins much more easily! 🙂
(By the way, I take this opportunity: if you are looking for free plugins, feel free to check out my lists of equalizers or compressors.)
