Example of a vocal EFX chain with EQ cutting coming before compression.
EQ first or compression? There’s no rules set in stone about this. But I do find that when I’m working with vocals I get better results cutting unwanted frequencies first, normally followed by compression for levelling and peak control, then by my tonal-shaping EQ and a final compressor.
Pre-compression EQ is usually less responsive than post-compression EQ. Cutting the low-frequency resonances before the compressor can help get low-frequency anomalies under control before they reach the compressor, making for a much more transparent sound to the processing. No amount of low-frequency EQ after the compressor can do this.
Try it for yourself next time your working on vocals…
