Mix Bus Signal Flow - EQ BEFORE Saturation or AFTER???

[@wastelandmetal]

As someone who has been recording and mixing music for around 3 decades now from analog using consoles and tape machines all the way to modern day completely in the box. Just wanted to leave a comment and give a congratulations on creating one of the most useful and concise explanations of signal flow when processing tracks with multiple pieces of gear or plugins on a master bus or otherwise. I've always struggled to explain this to the people I have helped, mentored, or worked with over the years. This is a golden nugget for all engineers, new or otherwise. Never be afraid to try moving plugins or gear around in a different order than 'normal'. You'll be pleasantly surprised occasionally when doing things the 'wrong' way.

[@nine27]

As engineers we sell taste. The order doesn’t matter. It’s about whats best for the song and source material.

[@avationmusic]

Yes! He even said at the beginning of the video that it’s always case by case dependent and he disagrees with anyone that says “This IS the way.” I appreciate getting a look behind his general line of thinking though

[@defacres]

Love this answer: it is all contextual and based on an engineers taste 🤟👍🏻❤️

[@studiodsr]

The order matters, but it’s up to each mixer to decide which order works best

[@defacres]

@ it doesn’t; it really doesn’t. It is about the taste of the engineer and the artists vision, but I also understand there is an element of “logic” behind your opinion. 🤟👍🏻❤️

[@studiodsr]

@ I think we’re saying the same thing

[@Circharles]

Mr. Capperrune looking good. whatever changes you have made are noticeable. Im happy for you! Keep up the good work!

[@Isaiasramirezministries]

Literally stopped prepping my turkey to come over and watch this video! Haha

[@BernardShreveJr]

Wow this is an awesome video: You managed to explain in almost 13 minutes the general concepts of audio engineering down to the why, how, and when that would take 6 months of recording school study.

[@adamwattsmusic]

Nicely explained, dude! I've landed on doing 90% of my subtractive EQ (when needed) as my first move on tracks, then begin compressing and stacking layers of EQ and/or compression with this same logic in mind... mix bus, I do a touch of additive both before and after the mix bus compressor because it's nice to get the mix tightened up before I add the lows and highs I like to add (on a pair of 500 series MAAGs) -- my instinct is, those lows end up a touch tighter when adding after the compressor.... then I add some more with a Dangerous BAX (nice and gentle slopes) post compression... works for me... I like that the main message is "do what works for you" and then, just understand why, so you get what you want... so good. "If it sounds good, it is good" is 100% true... I like to add: "but could it sound better than good, if we knew a an extra thing or two about what's happening in the lonnnnng process of getting there?" probably... and this is part of why we all end up tweaking the way we do things throughout our careers: the little discoveries... oh and also: boredom: ).... staying inspired keeps our GOOD getting BETTER. Ok... I've hit my Black Friday Positive Comment Rant limit. Nice vid Colt.

[@leftofcenter4]

Thanks. Cap.. another excellent break down of practical mixing info… there is so much to mixing… this is the type of stuff you will get at Berklee and Full sail… this is good stuff folks.. best thing to take from this is learn why your tools to mix work

[@TannerByTheSea]

This is awesome, dude! Happy Thanksgiving, Colt

[@audiodude]

I totally agree with you. I have had that chain in that order for over 30 years

[@ohstudiousa]

Bingo ding ding winner there are No Rules!

[@roger_rivas]

Where do you usually set your stage and range for the SPL BIG? Thanks dude. Big fan!

[@NoTechHacker]

Great series! I’m looking forward to watching the individual component ones as well. More importantly though, Colt, I know you’ve been focusing on your health, and I just wanted to say, you’re looking good, brother! Great work! Hoping I can channel some of that inspiration and take care of some things myself. 😊

[@Circharles]

spl big vs spl vitalizer mkiii?... you have both. the vitalizer seems to do a lot more including widening. Why choose the spl big over the vitalizer?

[@brandongleason5279]

Got the plugin of the PQ after your Holy Grail EQ vid, and it really is phenomenal. It lives on my Mix bus and is awesome on drums as well. I can only imagine what the hardware sounds like in the room 🥵

[@GeorgeAmodei21]

@@brandongleason5279 Money well spent!

[@alex84034]

been using it on my masters, it's pretty crazy

[@danymalsound]

LITERALLY stopped prepping a mix session to come over and watch this when the notice popped up haha

[@ROKZLEON]

You know you're a pro when you only put 2 rack screws on your gear!✌🏻 If it sounds good, it is good! Amen.

[@heartstringssound-Doug]

Thanks so much Colt. I had a rudimentary understanding of this subject, but the details and your explanation helps me understand much better! You Rock!

[@Platnumbaby]

Bro your beard is getting wild. It sound good, it is good, is crazy!!!!!

[@outlawedbeats]

Great job with this!! Also, you look great man since you've made your health changes, keep it up man!!

[@johncarloscaliajr]

Colt , thank you for doing this ! I literally asked this question last week. So happy you did a follow up on this

[@braxal6983]

Great video Colt. I am glad you did this video so I can see what you do. I been installing Music City Acoustics panels today. I wish I had the uncut video of Grant installing your studio B. I been running it at 25% trying to see what the heck he did to get your ceiling cloud up. I have my ceiling all mapped out with blue tape for the cloud, I had to wait for tomorrow (Thanksgiving) to get more help finishing that up. This cloud looks like a serious PITA. IF you have a way i cn get that uncut video of that install let me know. I can use it.

[@GeorgeAmodei21]

Great VID Colt! ( having FUN w/ my SPL PQ EQ :) He HE! Thx Bro! ...HAPPY THANKSGIVING! George :)

[@theCarouselPainter]

Funny enough i use an EQP1 "pultec style" by IGS, which is basically the Rubberband but without the power supply which turns the signal down 30db, so i have to use a stereo mic pre right after to turn the volume back to where it was, so saturation is always after for me !

[@christiannilsen2835]

I’m drooling over your hear and those Focals! Omg. You guys mix into the chain from the start?

[@zmiller93]

I find that I like corrective EQ before compression and character EQ after. My best example is when I'm using something like a Pultek. Pro Q 3, into a comp, into pultek. Similar philosophy to your approach to saturation.

[@S7V7N_SEAS]

Colt check out the Plugin Alliance SPL big plugin. It’s amazing!! I own a SPL Big and after a/b’ing them both a couldn’t tell the difference between the hardware and the plugin. I listed my Spl big for sale that day.

[@GeorgeAmodei21]

@@S7V7N_SEAS yeah plus “PICK2, PICK3… saves so much more on 2nd Plug like Black Box for additional $10

[@devianthousend]

You should list the plugin for sale as well, its nothing but a high shelf mid-side EQ.

[@paulsmith1052]

Burning question - do you recommend small studios (with sound treatment) - utilize Sonarworks -- I've been following you for a long time and cannot recall you've talked on the subject. Thank you and glad you're doing great!

[@carbonvibes]

Thanks again for sharing and the explanation. This was very helpful.

[@Mr_Kri]

Well I didn't think I'd see the day where I'd have to call out the Coltmeister. You said that there is nothing around 60 cycles that one needs in a vocal. Well sir, then I'll prove you wrong with three simple words: Crash Test Dummies. Is that a check-mate? Your move Colt, I'm ready 😎

[@mikesparks3398]

When widening what is a typical amount you use? I only have the s1 imager but I’ve never tried it on the mix bus

[@gradis]

Try Kiive Audio NFuse for replacement of SSL Fusion and Rupert Neve MBT!

[@ravivpinhas9740]

Excellent video!!! Makes a lot of sense

[@bravorec8071]

Amazing work by the way 👏🏾👏🏾

[@michaeltablet8577]

Excellent video! Thank you very much and Happy Thanksgiving!

[@salehalkwarit]

very helpful information thanks for sharing

[@ohstudiousa]

Just so I'm clear on this you're using your gear as inserts in your chain correct thank you brother great video by the way

[@bontempo1271]

I love hearing other mixer's techinques, but then at some point i stop and think "Dam, you've giving away the good stuff mannn" lol. Still, once they get good enough, they'll still find their own way of doing things

[@reonom8825]

Excellent video, helps a lot, thx.

[@Ted_Swayinghill]

Is it cool to approach my microphones for my drums in a similar way? Example: if I want sharp attack from the beginning I use SDC mics on my source but if I want a controlled top end I use LDC mics or dynamic mics?

[@SayajinKanak]

Thank you for your explanation

[@ThaciaMoniqueOliveira2]

Thank you for sharing knowledge 🙏🏼

[@Mike_Benz_]

Correct order is what sounds best on the source material.

[@jrcallahan506]

Who says there is a specific rule?

[@TyDanelley1]

Well said!

[@willwerly5600]

My man. 💯🤘

[@christianbiend4458]

Always start by EQ first and then compression🤗

[@mayzter8765]

Wrong..there is no ''always'' in audio, try it:)

[@christianbiend4458]

@ this is just for me bro!😂

[@thatveganliam5863]

Colt told me not to listen to people like you 😅

[@Satwamassive]

I refuse to listen to you Christian!

[@christianbiend4458]

@ But who’s asking you to listen to me? 😂This is about me and my own way of doing things.🤦🏿‍♂️

[@le_beatbox]

Do you still have a "mix bus" when you do an Atmos mix?

[@charliegodell]

Well, my rule depends always in what Compressor i’m using for the chain, becuase some Compressors have some type of coloration… so if I EQ first my end overall sound its going to be affected… but, it always also depend on the EQ purpose ✌️🙏🏻

[@Bloemanstudio]

Great content as always 🎉🎉

[@mayzter8765]

There are no hard rules in chaining gear. Mix and match and LISTEN, to make it fit your material:)

[@jcgronlier8427]

Where in the chain do you have your mono maker?

[@b.hornetiii.6771]

The same "pro" logic applies if you're widening earlier. You will see early what your all other stuff would do to your already "more wide" mix and you could do less or more of something not shooting in the blind doing stuff to the mix that lacks "the final frame" ... The widening is a dramatic effect (and a big compromise) and you don't want this to be last because you could use it less if you applied it early and not make your mix lose so much coherence and density that is not necessary ... "First you set the frame (dimensions) than you start painting"; not the other way around. Widening effects mix (in a good and bad way) too much to use it last, yet if that's what you like, then go for it. Sky is the limit. :)

[@emptytombprod]

Whatever sounds good.

[@KeenanCrow]

Just like when grandma tells you what to pick up at the store: depends

[@J_THOR]

Huh i was curious of your opinion on this the other day after u pixked up the blackbox lol

[@Durkhead]

The only thing that i noticed is if you put compression before the clipper u get less crackles and then if you add the limiter you get less pumping

[@echoes_of_savages]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@thetoddkeith]

The beard is good!

[@NoQualmsTheArtist]

Ever since I've moved to Atmos, compression has to come first. My stereo bus and all my Atmos object beds read the same full mix sidechain.

[@stampedeimmersive]

I’m just thinking surely you need another screen for the renderer bro!

[@philippgrunert8776]

It's crazy how this works for others, but I guess it is under the category taste. I had to realise I had to stop putting saturation on the mix bus. Just doesn't work for my ears.

[@vminator]

Saturation after. Then EQ again if you have to. It doesn't matter if it sounds good to you.

[@ILoveTelecasters]

Remember guys, you can always eq before AND after 😊

[@cinex5114]

I'm here for the beard...nice eq though

[@HaHaDK]

Only amateurs were "shocked" over your choices. Real professionals does exactly what you did. All of them!

[@GregWatkins_official]

Yup, 99% of us watching are “amateur’s” or hobbyists.

[@HaHaDK]

@@GregWatkins_official Exactly! So when a pro speak, you listen and takes note. Not freak out and question every thing :)

[@brianwhitehead8634]

Bro, I’m pretty sure I was subscribed to you. For some reason I was unsubscribed.

[@J_THOR]

1:56 ok warren huart jr

[@j.l.l.]

pas de règle: tu essayes puis tu choisis, selon le contexte

[@amazeus1980]

There are no rules really… 😂

[@MCAlvesPortugal]

Saturation always first

[@BabysmoothMusic]

🔥🔥🔥