Where to place plugins?
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Posted on Aug 31, 2009 10:58 am
musicman9434
Member Since: Jun 11, 2009
Quick question for you guys. Ok I use basically all plug ins for my recordings except for my pre amp and audio interface. I use guitar rig for my amps so I was wondering where you would put an EQ or compressor in the effects chain? I know that Guitar Rig has built in EQ's and a whole bunch of other stuff but if I want to use something else where would be the proper order? Before or after Guitar Rig? And would that be the same for bass guitar as well ( I use Guitar Rig for that as well)
Thanks!
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cruxTypo SzarMember
Since: Jul 04, 2002
Aug 31, 2009 11:21 am I think the typical way to do it would be after guitar rig, since that program is standing in the place of recording ur guitar. in reality u would have set up ur amp and mics and such and recorded teh guitar long before u started adding plugins so yeah
ofcourse being that there is no set rule u have the flexibility to use the effects as u wish to get the end result u want, so experimentation is always open.
when i use an amp sim plug i still end up using my eqs n such before it, usually the sim eqs arent as powerful.
CptTrippsCzar of Turd PolishMember
Since: Jun 20, 2006
Aug 31, 2009 01:39 pm I don't do alot to guitars after recorded if so, I usually place EQ first in the list. Reason being, if I decide to apply other effects I want my track eq'd so only what I want to hear is getting comp/verb/delay etc...
my $.02 which may be far from right :)
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Aug 31, 2009 05:20 pm On what Tripps is saying. IF you use the EQ after the amp sim, which is fine to do. Just make sure the EQ is in the chain before any other effects. Otherwise you will be EQing and echo or reverb tail or the like and it can get very muddy quickly.
Aug 31, 2009 05:39 pm This really comes down to simply thinking through the chain - Do you want to process an EQ'd/compressed guitar or EQ/compress a processed guitar?
The reasons for doing either are various and valid - But no one can tell you which is "proper" without hearing a) what you have, b) what you "want" to hear and c) how what you want to hear interacts with the rest of the mix.
Aug 31, 2009 06:34 pm Thanks allot guys. I guess what Im after trying to simulate a hardware setup in the virtual world. For example if I was miking my amp the compressor would come after the mikes and then eq and then effects. So applying the compressor before Guitar Rig would be before the mikes in the virtual world right? So placing it after the plug in would be correct assuming that I am not using any on board effects in Guitar Rig. BUT if I am using effects from GTRRIG the compressor /EQ would work better before if I am understanding you guys correctly.
Massive what would be the reason for setting up in those ways? My songs are guitar songs with allot of effects. I like to reffer to my style as "psychedelic blues" a kind of Floyd feel so how would you guys set up the chain?
Noize2u by the way I have taken out a support case with Digi about the fizzyness I'm getting in Pro Tools. I have sent them samples of both Acid and Pro Tools. Im waiting to see if they can find anything.
Aug 31, 2009 06:45 pm Another quick note. Anyone ever heard of 112db's Redline Monitor? It gives you the ability to use your headphones as monitors and corrects the heavily exaggerated stereo imaging caused by standard headphones. I am trying the demo right now but I was wondering if anyone else is using it. I don't have any monitors, and before you guys go crazy about how I need to get some, and I agree I do need some, I can't afford any so for right now I'm stuck with mixing with headphones only, hence the use of this plug in would be a huge impact on my mixes if it is good as they say it is. I just have nothing to compare it too ya dig?
Aug 31, 2009 07:41 pm Trying to mimic "space" with headphone processors (this one isn't the first) still just mimics space. It certainly might have a huge impact though... (insert laughing smiley face here)
Quote:
Massive what would be the reason for setting up in those ways?
"It depends" -- That's where the "thinking through the chain" comes in.
I'd suggest some long hours of experimentation... Hook up an EQ pre and post with the same settings (try something fairly radical so you can really hear what's happening) and A/B the difference.
That all said - *TYPICALLY* (and I can't stress that enough), "pre" is going to handle corrective measures. "Post" will handle tailoring.
Aug 31, 2009 08:41 pm Ok you guys seem to have it together in the studio and I really appreciate your input. There are so many ways to do this its pretty intimidating.
I just need a somewhat decent sounding mix to demo for audio engeneers to try and get some intrest in what Im doin is all....So I don't have to ask you guys a hundred questions and have to focus on making the music AND mixing.....
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Aug 31, 2009 10:19 pm But were here for the 100 question's. That's what HRC is all about.
You won't be the first and you surely won't be the last.
On the headphone pluggin. It is simply an EQ with a delay that can be tweaked to mimic as MM put it, the sound of what a room might sound like.
If it really worked it wouldn't need to be adjusted with knobs and such. It would simply be turned on and make a headphone sound like speaker's. But sadly it doesn't really do that. It simply move's around the stereo image a bit with delay and panning option's.
I've messed about with nearly all of them. And honestly, none are worth a $99 price tag at all. They make a cool effect's plug though.
I will however make a suggestion that might help make using headphones easier to mix in.
Choose a CD that you know very, very well. Then play it in the headphones many times over with absolutely no EQ. The once you know that what it sound like in headphones compared to apeaker's simply try and match your mixes to that. you will be surprised how much closer it will help you get to a good mix.
Aug 31, 2009 10:38 pm Well I was using The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour and wow are there some stereo effects in there! Just about as hard panned as you can get. So yeah I have been trying that as well.
Ok well back to mixing this song.....I'll post it when its done and then hopefully you guys can give me some feedback to make it better.
Until then when I come up with question 101!
Thanks
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Aug 31, 2009 10:53 pm Its all about learning as you go. I don't think any of us here were born with the ability to do what we do.
Aug 31, 2009 11:35 pm Ive got one more for you then I'll let you go I promise....lol it never ends....How can I have multiple effect windows open at the same time? Do only certain DAWS let you do that? Im using Sony Acid 7.0
Sep 01, 2009 01:45 am Most I've used allow it - No idea on Acid... Check the manual...?
Sep 01, 2009 09:16 am MM yeah I've been lookin around in there haven't found anything yet but I'll keep lookin.
