plugins and signal path

[joe_04_04]

Lots of people tend to have different orders in which they place their plugins to process audio. Is there any correct way? If I were to throw these plugins:

EQ
Compressor
Auto Tune (dont kill me for this)
De Esser
Delay
Reverb

-Onto a vocal track, what order would YOU put them in?

This is the order I have been using, but I have been questioning whether or not I should be putting Auto Tune (scarcely when needed) first in the path or 3rd...

[caruso7r]

That's a very very loaded question and it's extremely subjective. And my answer to this is: There is no right or wrong answer on this. And I don't have any standard order. It depends on how I want it to sound. EDIT: To add to this I personally Render for Autotune or Melodyne.

[joe_04_04]

great answer, I knew someone would tell me this. It's very true that it's subjective, but there are some common orders I've seen. For instance, if your boosting eq, it would just make sense to place it after the compressor so that it isn't reduced by the compressor. If you're cutting eq, you should put it before because it would be harder to cut after its been boosted in the compressor...

these are just common things that people. Even though its a loaded question, there are quite a few out there who are ritualistic about there plug in order.

ps, isn't rendering equivalent to placing it first in line?

[caruso7r]

Originally Posted by joe_04_04

great answer, I knew someone would tell me this. It's very true that it's subjective, but there are some common orders I've seen. For instance, if your boosting eq, it would just make sense to place it after the compressor so that it isn't reduced by the compressor. If you're cutting eq, you should put it before because it would be harder to cut after its been boosted in the compressor...

these are just common things that people. Even though its a loaded question, there are quite a few out there who are ritualistic about there plug in order.

ps, isn't rendering equivalent to placing it first in line?

You're right and I personally put eq after the compressor regardless whether I add or take out personally. As far as rendering, it means to me that I actually record every move on the autotune or melodyne plugin to a different track then slide the regions back in time to match the original track. I never use autotune in "auto" mode. I always go into graphical mode. Yes I realize it takes longer but every client is pleased that I take the time on LD and BGs which in the end, I get paid for that. If you wanna check out something that I'm in the middle of doing, check out: http://www.wookiegarcia.com
I recorded everything but only mixed "Fortune Cookie" which is still not done. Ld vocal too much reverb, too much organ and BG's not enough level in certain parts. The other song that is still in progress that I'm mixing is "Special" I'm pointing this out as an example of how I do vocals. You will hear a difference with the other songs that are mixed by someone else. He has a more modern style sound than me.

[caruso7r]

Again the above thread is very subjective as to how things sound. I'm am very "old" school style as the mixes will show.

[Chickenhawked]

I do EQ (subtractive, high pass filter) compressor, EQ (additive), de-esser (if needed). Reverb and delay on a send to aux track that have the reverb and delay plug-ins. (One fader each) It's easier on your computer.

[joe_04_04]

yeah, I understand what rendering is. You're actually creating a brand new audio file with the effect written into it. Im just saying that it's equivalent to putting melodyne or auto tune first in the chain.

Ill check our your music also

ps...Im a younger guy, but I really really appreciate the old school methods and wish I grew up knowing them.

to chickenhawked...

yeah, I like to save my cpu also. But i dont usually use sends, I just route all of vocal outputs to a vocal sum that has a delay and then a reverb one it. I like doing this because I can mix all the vocals to liking then adjust the vocal sum and move all the vox up or down along with the effects instead of having to adjust each send if I have to adjust the vocals. The only time I use sends is if I want different amounts of delay and reverb on each track.

[scenicrecords]

I like doing this because I can mix all the vocals to liking then adjust the vocal sum and move all the vox up or down along with the effects instead of having to adjust each send if I have to adjust the vocals.

Just a tip - if your sends are set up without clicking PRE (pre fader), as you adjust the signal of the vocal on the track fader, the amount of signal you are sending to the bus is adjusted too. I set up sends to unity gain, then lower the Reverb Aux as needed, and adjust the sends if necessary.

[caruso7r]

Originally Posted by joe_04_04

yeah, I understand what rendering is. You're actually creating a brand new audio file with the effect written into it. Im just saying that it's equivalent to putting melodyne or auto tune first in the chain.

Ill check our your music also

ps...Im a younger guy, but I really really appreciate the old school methods and wish I grew up knowing them.

to chickenhawked...

yeah, I like to save my cpu also. But i dont usually use sends, I just route all of vocal outputs to a vocal sum that has a delay and then a reverb one it. I like doing this because I can mix all the vocals to liking then adjust the vocal sum and move all the vox up or down along with the effects instead of having to adjust each send if I have to adjust the vocals. The only time I use sends is if I want different amounts of delay and reverb on each track.

FYI like the above poster said, if you set the send levels to post fader, you don't have to adjust each one when you adjust the volume or eq on each vocal. The "post" signal will follow the changes FYI.

[joe_04_04]

Wow, I never really knew about this. I know of pre and post fader, but never really realized the uses. Like I said, Im a younger guy. Thanks Guys