Hi all, I typically high pass and low pass my tracks using an eq as the first insert. It has occurred to me that character EQs and other effects could create new content that should be removed. Also, if you apply the filtering first, you are not necessarily giving your other effects a full spectrum to work with.

So my question: do you apply your hi/lo pass filters at the front of your chain, the back, or both?

I tend to apply Hi pass first, to stop random low freqs from hitting compressors and stuff.  I put low pass (if I use it) last.

I use hi pass on tracks at the front end but I also usually have one on my  master buss. I rarely use lo pass except for bass tracks or kick, snare etc.
 
When I do it's at the end.

NEVER LOW OR HIGH PASS......
 
unless it's needed.
 
it ends up being 'unnecessary' math you are doing to the digital wave files.......
 
AND
 
 
if you are not using LINEAR PHASE ACCURATE EQ'S.....
 
then you may very well be adding phase problems and artifacts to your mix that you do not want.
 
 
 
 
                         that said.......
 
 
i DO use low pass on any tracks that i did not get right to start with.
and i always end up tweaking mids and highs on almost every track.
 
but i use a nice EQ (Waves Linear Phase EQ) on sub busses, and will use the SONITUS eq (remember, i'm on Sonar 6PE) to add color to things i want to tweak, but usually only subtractive eq.
 
 

thanks for your thoughts everyone!

I think people go a little nuts with the HPF's and end up taking all the warmth out of the sound. Sometimes all that's needed is a low shelf to attenuate the lows, not remove them.

sharke
I think people go a little nuts with the HPF's and end up taking all the warmth out of the sound. Sometimes all that's needed is a low shelf to attenuate the lows, not remove them.

^This times 1000! If you get the recording correct, you shouldn't even need to do much of this if any as bats mentioned also. The key is to really concentrate on getting your prints right and knowing what a good print is supposed to sound like. Nothing in the new technology world will help you get a good recording other than your ears and experience. Once you accomplish that on a trustworthy monitor system that doesn't give you any false representation, all the rest of this stuff is easy and doesn't need to be over thought or over processed. :)
 
-Danny

I'm going to be finalizing some mixes for a band next week and I'm looking forward to trying the shelves instead of high pass filters. thanks again guys!

Danny Danzi

sharke
I think people go a little nuts with the HPF's and end up taking all the warmth out of the sound. Sometimes all that's needed is a low shelf to attenuate the lows, not remove them.

^This times 1000! If you get the recording correct, you shouldn't even need to do much of this if any as bats mentioned also. The key is to really concentrate on getting your prints right and knowing what a good print is supposed to sound like. Nothing in the new technology world will help you get a good recording other than your ears and experience. Once you accomplish that on a trustworthy monitor system that doesn't give you any false representation, all the rest of this stuff is easy and doesn't need to be over thought or over processed. :)
 
-Danny

I think this is very true when you're dealing with recordings made by yourself.
 
I find it more appropriate to get the HPF out on many of the patches you get with soft synths. That's where an awful lot of mud can build up and robs the entire mix of headroom.

And Bristol would know too being the owner of the Yamaha physical modelling synth capable of doing great analog sounds.  I have been working with the Novation Supernova II lately and it too is seriously fat in the bottom end.
 
I also own a Roland JD800 and the bottom end of that is just earth shattering.  I have got that connected to a Samson mixer which has a nice HPF on every channel. It cuts off at 75Hz.  After switching that in the bottom end of the JD is just about right. (normal that is)
 
Not that this is of any use but the Kawai K5000 additive synth has just the most beautiful bottom end.  No matter how many overdubs you do the bottom end just never builds up. Ever.
 
With synth hardware and some VST's too the HPF can be very helpful.  But overall I agree with Danny in that one can also overuse it as well.  One of the great things about a VU meter too is that if there is excessive low end or sub stuff you won't want the VU will swing wildly and let you know.  (VU's go down to DC)  I find it can be very handy for setting the HPF cutoff frequency.  You can start down very low eg 20Hz and just slowly move it up.  At some point all the low end wild swinging of the needle just goes away.  It is also surprising how low that cutoff can be as well before that happens.