I have a feeling I am the last one to know this, but I just discovered how much different the sound can be depending order of the effects. I had 2 identical drum track set up with superior drummer, one track picked up right where the other ended and every setting was identical but you could here a volume difference as well as much more reverb on first track. I was using Nomad Blue Tubes Brickwall and then Blue Tubes Nomad Blue verb. I didn't realize I had them switched in there order on the 2 tracks. Just posting this for any other amateur like myself.

Actually one of the most common questions people ask is about the "correct" order of effects. I was doing a workshop on voiceover and vocal recording in New York last week, and we spent a fair amount of time on the "EQ before or after dynamics" question. Sometimes the answer is pretty nuanced, and there's no single "right" answer. So it's good you posted this thread, it might encourage some questions about this topic.
 
My general rule of thumb (and of course, rules are made to be broken) is dynamics first, EQ second, time-based effects third. But I often switch to EQ first followed by dynamics it I want to use the EQ to "pump" the dynamics. For example with a dance mix I can really boost the bass if it's before dynamics because the dynamics will tame it. But if recording jazz drums, then you probably want the EQ after any dynamics.
 
The beauty of recording is that there is unlimited creative potential, and very often, the "wrong" technique produces the "right" sound.

I'm pretty much with Craig. Dynamics, eq, time based effects in that order.

It seems to be the order where the least adjustment causes the most audible effect to me so it's a good basis for training your ear to the nuances of multi effects. When you change the order of the dynamics and eq the result is usually a very unexpected sound. Of course you can repeat your experiment easily by creating presets and fx chains. That's a must. Then comes creating a naming convention that allows you to find it again.

That said, a high pass filter as the first thing in a chain isn't a bad idea...

KPerry
That said, a high pass filter as the first thing in a chain isn't a bad idea...

definitely. I'd even go further and consider low cut (high pass) filters as among the most important ingredients of a transparent mix. a low cut in (almost) every channel, properly tuned of course ... plus again in selected buses (as some of the bus fx add unnecessary rumble to the low end) ...
 
just don't add them with the piano player or guitarist looking over your shoulder and then make the mistake to solo the track for them ... they simply won't like it ;-)

Anderton
we spent a fair amount of time on the "EQ before or after dynamics" question.
 

Well, both at the same time, obviously :-)
 
Before to act as an overall hi/lo/bandpass, compressor pumper or unpumper and surgical eq to reduce any resonances that are driving the compressor in an unwanted way. After for more general tone shaping and any further resonance reduction.
 
There's often a good reason to use several eqs in one processing chain, similar to how a guitar has a tone control, overdrive or distortion pedals carry one or more tone controls to shape the pedal output, then the amp has its own tone stack.

Totally agree.
 
I generally use the Sonitus before for the filtering (it's good that you can stack bands at the same frequency for a steeper slope) and the QC afterwards for sweetening.

"It seems to be the order where the least adjustment causes the most audible effect to me so it's a good basis for training your ear to the nuances of multi effects."
 
Great point. thank you.

mudgel
I'm pretty much with Craig. Dynamics, eq, time based effects in that order.

If there is a lot of low frequency content that you will be removing with EQ anyway, I would be EQ-ing first to stop it from pumping the dynamics processor.  I think every situation is different and the "rules" have to be reassessed for every task.  It takes a combination of understanding and experimentation to come up with the right recipes to solve a particular problem or achieve a desired effect.

Sharkbite
I have a feeling I am the last one to know this, but I just discovered how much different the sound can be depending order of the effects. I had 2 identical drum track set up with superior drummer, one track picked up right where the other ended and every setting was identical but you could here a volume difference as well as much more reverb on first track. I was using Nomad Blue Tubes Brickwall and then Blue Tubes Nomad Blue verb. I didn't realize I had them switched in there order on the 2 tracks. Just posting this for any other amateur like myself.

Sharkbite, Thanks, you make an important point; it seems you have embarked on a fantastic journey which has no unique path as you can see from the posts above. E.g. the placement of EQ in the signal path can be quite variable; one of my channel strips even has a button which switches the EQ to either before or after the compressor. I personally like to use a high pass filter early in my chain. 
 
There are some rules of thumb which are best followed in the first instance, though.  Below is a link to an article that I found useful. SOS is a great resource for this type of advice.  However, remember that how it sounds is more important than any rule.
 
http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul99/articles/20tips.htm
 
Cheers,
R