thejay said:
in which order r plugins supposed 2 follow each other? e.g - e.q. then reverb then compressor etc? how does a producer decide which 2 do 1st?
First off, well put dvyce. I agree completely. A strong understanding of how various signal processors work as well as general audio knoiwledge and experience is a prerequisite for being able to accomplish good mixes/masters.
The info is out there you just have to take the time to find it and learn.
As far as plugin order goes, vairous plugin chains will produce various results. For instance: Putting a compressor after an E.Q will tend to emphasize the EQing you have done. Many people often follow the "telephone" EQ sound with a compressor to "emphasize" that effect.
However, a single band compressor will attenuate(turn down) at the threshold that it is set at, so if you have boosted strongly @ 10k for instance, your compressor may be keyeing off of that frequency beacause that frequency may be approaching the threshold before other frequencies. This can be desirable or undesireable depending on the goal.
As far as compressors coming before reverbs and delays: A compressor sent before a reverb/delay will send that reverb the signal coming out of the compressor which may be (probably is) more balanced dynamically and therefore may produce a more "balanced" reverb across various transients/audio on that track.
For instance if you have a vocal track that goes from quiet to loud at times, you may notice less "percieved effect" on the quieter parts, or perhaps the loud parts will sound like they have too much reverb, Putting a comppressor in front of your reverb plugin may aid in this situation.
When putting compressors after reverbs/delays, you need to take into account what a compressor is. An automatic volume knob. Some may look at this as an automatic attenuator that turns down the level when a set threshold is reached. It can also be looked at as something that "turns up" the quiet parts. Being that reveb tails and decaying delays are gradually "quieter" signals, The compressor placed after the reverb/delay can be used to automatically "turn up" the tails/decays, therefore emphasizing the tail of the effect by balancing the tail with initial signal.
OK that was my first post, sorry i know its an old thread but it's the first one I read.