Maybe a more complete answer to whether EQ or compression should come first would be this.

If you have to remove resonant frequencies or unwanted/not needed frequency ranges best do it before the compression, because then you don't have to worry about them affecting the compression in the first place.

Shaping the overall sound is easier to be done after compression as the compressor will change the frequency balance, and you might end up having to use another EQ or at least change the EQ curve again afterward anyway.

 

You can be a dick, or you can set a novice on the right path, like Jason Purdy.

 

Be a Dick, or be patient and gracious like Jason Purdy

 

A wideband compressor does not change the frequency balance at any given moment of time. It only changes what you see on the spectrum analyzer if you freeze it, and only if you're overcompressing a very dynamic sound, like a voice that goes from whispering to screaming.

 

Last edited: Mar 30, 2025 at 4:57 PM

This dude you're citing is wrong tho. EQ goes before a compressor as a rule of thumb, for many reasons (mostly cause it can undo the compression if you "toneshape" with it after). Refer to the playlists me and Sinus Well posted earlier, they'll get you covered.

 

I am an arranger and have started an intensive production and mixing journey 2 years ago. In all honesty, @Smeghead's advice makes much more sense. It's also funny, lighten up!

 

OP is asking on a forum what takes people years to learn. Just won't work that easily, you can't learn mixing from some text.

My advice? Do your reps. Yes, your mix sucks. Next one is going to suck too. When you think you figured it out you'll have some more stinkers that make you think you actually got worse. That's okay, everyone goes through that. "Can I do this?", yes, you can. "Should I do that?", I don't know, but you could try, it's not like limiting a track can start a fire in your house. Many many reasons, but you gotta do your reps. We live in an age where good advice is free on YouTube, with examples. Listen to some, try it yourself. Emphasizing the second half. Do that enough times and some day you gonna wake up and say: "oh yeah, I can mix". Other than that, it's all noise. My opinion included.

 

Without proper arrangement and suitable sounds, no mixing technique will help.
Additionally, as long as the sounds aren't heard/played solo, it doesn't matter how they sound soloed.

 

As soon as you step outside of the stereo field you are listening in mono, the left, right and center all coming from one direction (not the boy band) as well as those reflections from whatever space that you are in. Checking for mono compatibility is a good idea and can be of great benefit.