Use EQ/Comp from Plug-ins or EQ/Comp on the Mixing Board?

Support and feedback for Acoustica's Mixcraft audio mixing software.

Moderators: Acoustica Greg, Acoustica Eric, Acoustica Dan, rsaintjohn

Post Reply
DanTheSongwriter
Posts: 149
Joined: Sat Nov 09, 2013 11:36 am
Contact:

Use EQ/Comp from Plug-ins or EQ/Comp on the Mixing Board?

Post by DanTheSongwriter »

When I've finished recording I usually do a couple of EQ / Compression tweeks on the master fader to balance things out but also so I'm using less computing power and plug-ins aren't all over the place. So when I get into each instrument should/could I use the EQ on the mixer instead of plug-ins? Does it make a difference at all to computing power or overall sound?

Thanks.
User avatar
jlouvar
Posts: 1718
Joined: Wed Jul 24, 2013 4:56 pm
Location: California - USA
Contact:

Re: Use EQ/Comp from Plug-ins or EQ/Comp on the Mixing Board?

Post by jlouvar »

I’ve never used the one on the mixing board, so I don’t know. Maybe listen to both (A/B them) and see what you think, because what I like best may not be what you like best. :wink:
Last edited by jlouvar on Fri Jul 03, 2020 6:42 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Joe -

MX9PS, 64-bit, build 460. Windows 10, Intel i5, 64-bit, 1.8GHz, 8GB.
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/joelouvar
User avatar
Mark Bliss
Posts: 7313
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:59 pm
Location: Out there

Re: Use EQ/Comp from Plug-ins or EQ/Comp on the Mixing Board?

Post by Mark Bliss »

jlouvar wrote: Thu Jul 02, 2020 8:33 pm I’ve never used the one on the mixing board, so I don’t know. Maybe listen to both (A/B them) and see what you think, because what I like best may not be what I like best. :wink:
Deep answer there Joe..... :roll:

I'd say use either. Or both. Or neither. Whatever works for you.

As far as a hit to the resources go, generally eq isnt a big issue. I'd be more concerned with muddying things up with excessive incidences of eq, any way it is applied.
And yes, some certainly have a different sound or result than others. Some have a more "colored" result, some are more transparent. Some have a wider effect over more frequencies, while some can be use to control a tighter range.

I would suggest that certain plug-ins are better for more surgical "corrective" eq and that the mixer eq is useful for more gentle "wider" sculpting.
But it depends a lot on "what you are going for"
Often for the "cleanest" results, less is more, focus on getting a good source/recording first and foremost.

I use both.
Sometimes.
Stay in tune, Mark

My SOUNDCLOUD Page
User avatar
jlouvar
Posts: 1718
Joined: Wed Jul 24, 2013 4:56 pm
Location: California - USA
Contact:

Re: Use EQ/Comp from Plug-ins or EQ/Comp on the Mixing Board?

Post by jlouvar »

Mark Bliss wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 4:57 am Deep answer there Joe..... :roll:
Good morning Mark and thanks for the friendly post to me to start my day off with.
- Joe -

MX9PS, 64-bit, build 460. Windows 10, Intel i5, 64-bit, 1.8GHz, 8GB.
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/joelouvar
User avatar
TrevsAudio
Posts: 3668
Joined: Sun May 06, 2012 1:59 am
Location: Rhode Island

Re: Use EQ/Comp from Plug-ins or EQ/Comp on the Mixing Board?

Post by TrevsAudio »

G'day gentlemen!
My Penny's worth if I may :D
I tend to use the plugin on the individual instrument/vocal to get that sound right prior to mixing. I then use the mixer to tweak that (if necessary) within the context of the whole mix.
But I'm sure there will always be many more opinions.
Now, off for my 49th wedding anniversary dinner and a movie.
Have a great 4th tomorrow lads! 8)
Old Dudes Rock!
Trevor
OFC™ Founding Member
Dell 3050 SSF i3, 32gig RAM; MX 8, 9 and 10.5 Pro; Win 11 Pro
Focusrite 2i2; Sennheiser HD650 cans

Sample Projects: https://soundcloud.com/trevs_audio
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@trevsaudio
User avatar
jlouvar
Posts: 1718
Joined: Wed Jul 24, 2013 4:56 pm
Location: California - USA
Contact:

Re: Use EQ/Comp from Plug-ins or EQ/Comp on the Mixing Board?

Post by jlouvar »

trevlyns wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:16 am<snip> 49th wedding anniversary 49th wedding anniversary
Awesome, Congratulations, Have fun.
Last edited by jlouvar on Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:51 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Joe -

MX9PS, 64-bit, build 460. Windows 10, Intel i5, 64-bit, 1.8GHz, 8GB.
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/joelouvar
DanTheSongwriter
Posts: 149
Joined: Sat Nov 09, 2013 11:36 am
Contact:

Re: Use EQ/Comp from Plug-ins or EQ/Comp on the Mixing Board?

Post by DanTheSongwriter »

Thanks for the feedback. I'll keep plug-in' away and use a little mixer sauce on the side. If anyone's interested, this is the extent of my mixing ability so far and any feedback's welcome:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twc57cN0kmw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59DHuqzyIjk

Thanks again.
User avatar
TrevsAudio
Posts: 3668
Joined: Sun May 06, 2012 1:59 am
Location: Rhode Island

Re: Use EQ/Comp from Plug-ins or EQ/Comp on the Mixing Board?

Post by TrevsAudio »

minor7sharp5 wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:51 am Thanks for the feedback. I'll keep plug-in' away and use a little mixer sauce on the side. If anyone's interested, this is the extent of my mixing ability so far and any feedback's welcome:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twc57cN0kmw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59DHuqzyIjk

Thanks again.
Love what you're doing there Dan 8)
Old Dudes Rock!
Trevor
OFC™ Founding Member
Dell 3050 SSF i3, 32gig RAM; MX 8, 9 and 10.5 Pro; Win 11 Pro
Focusrite 2i2; Sennheiser HD650 cans

Sample Projects: https://soundcloud.com/trevs_audio
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@trevsaudio
User avatar
jlouvar
Posts: 1718
Joined: Wed Jul 24, 2013 4:56 pm
Location: California - USA
Contact:

Re: Use EQ/Comp from Plug-ins or EQ/Comp on the Mixing Board?

Post by jlouvar »

minor7sharp5 wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:51 am Thanks for the feedback. I'll keep plug-in' away and use a little mixer sauce on the side. If anyone's interested, this is the extent of my mixing ability so far and any feedback's welcome:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twc57cN0kmw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59DHuqzyIjk

Thanks again.
Keep up the good work Dan. Cheers
Last edited by jlouvar on Sat Jul 04, 2020 7:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
- Joe -

MX9PS, 64-bit, build 460. Windows 10, Intel i5, 64-bit, 1.8GHz, 8GB.
Reverbnation: https://www.reverbnation.com/joelouvar
User avatar
Mark Bliss
Posts: 7313
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:59 pm
Location: Out there

Re: Use EQ/Comp from Plug-ins or EQ/Comp on the Mixing Board?

Post by Mark Bliss »

jlouvar wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 6:34 am
Mark Bliss wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 4:57 am Deep answer there Joe..... :roll:
Good morning Mark and thanks for the friendly post to me to start my day off with.
Sarcasm. I get that!
And thanks for the edit! :lol:

I can assure that my reply wasnt intended to be unkind, more like humorous.
But even re-reading your reply- which starts with "I havent used/I dont know" and finishes with a sentence that most people probably cant make any sense of whatsoever....
I know you are just trying to be helpful. Bless you for it.
But it was funny!
At least to me anyway..... :lol:
Stay in tune, Mark

My SOUNDCLOUD Page
User avatar
Mark Bliss
Posts: 7313
Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2012 3:59 pm
Location: Out there

Re: Use EQ/Comp from Plug-ins or EQ/Comp on the Mixing Board?

Post by Mark Bliss »

minor7sharp5 wrote: Fri Jul 03, 2020 11:51 am Thanks for the feedback. I'll keep plug-in' away and use a little mixer sauce on the side. If anyone's interested, this is the extent of my mixing ability so far and any feedback's welcome:
Thanks again.
Nice work. Difficult material to learn on too!
Good soundbed, depth and width is great!

I am guessing.... Headphone mix?
Stay in tune, Mark

My SOUNDCLOUD Page
DanTheSongwriter
Posts: 149
Joined: Sat Nov 09, 2013 11:36 am
Contact:

Re: Use EQ/Comp from Plug-ins or EQ/Comp on the Mixing Board?

Post by DanTheSongwriter »

Thanks gentelmen. Feedback appreciated.

Mark that is a headphones mix. What made you think so?
Post Reply