EQ then Compress, or Compress then EQ?

The age old question in audio production — should I EQ first and then use a compressor, or should I compress first and then use an EQ?

First, you should try both and hear the difference yourself. If the source audio does not need lots of EQ, then the difference is very minimal.

In general, in podcast production:

• If there is a voice that needs substantial corrective EQ then I will typically EQ it first and then compress. But of course I may use a second EQ after the compressor as well 😉
• If a voice already sounds good and doesn’t need that much corrective EQ then it probably doesn’t matter which order you use EQ and compression.

Do you have a rule of thumb regarding the processing order of EQ and compression that you live by?

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