There is no one definitive answer to this question, as it depends on your individual preferences and the specific sound you are trying to achieve. However, there are some general guidelines that can help you decide.
EQ before amp:
- Pros:
- You can use EQ to shape the sound of your guitar before it is processed by the amp plugin. This can give you more control over the overall tone of your sound.
- You can use EQ to compensate for any deficiencies in your amp plugin. For example, if the amp plugin does not have a lot of low end, you can use EQ to add more low end to your sound.
- Cons:
- You may have to use more EQ to achieve the desired sound, as the amp plugin may also be adding its own EQ characteristics.
- You may not be able to get the same level of saturation from the amp plugin if you use EQ before it.
EQ after amp:
- Pros:
- You can use EQ to fine-tune the sound of your guitar after it has been processed by the amp plugin. This can help you to achieve a more balanced and polished sound.
- You can use EQ to add more saturation to your sound by pushing the amp plugin harder.
- Cons:
- You may not have as much control over the overall tone of your sound as if you used EQ before the amp plugin.
- You may not be able to compensate for any deficiencies in your amp plugin as easily.
Which one should you choose?
If you are new to using amp plugins, it is generally recommended to use EQ after the amp plugin. This will give you a more balanced and polished sound, and it will also be easier to achieve the desired tone.
However, as you become more experienced with using amp plugins, you may want to experiment with using EQ before the amp plugin. This can give you more control over the overall tone of your sound, and it can also help you to compensate for any deficiencies in your amp plugin.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which order to use EQ is to experiment and see what sounds best to you.
Here are some additional tips:
- If you are using EQ before the amp plugin, try to use a gentle touch. You don’t want to make too many drastic changes, as this can make your sound sound unnatural.
- If you are using EQ after the amp plugin, you can be more aggressive with your EQing. You can use EQ to add more saturation to your sound, or to fine-tune the overall tone of your sound.
- It is also important to consider the type of amp plugin you are using. Some amp plugins have built-in EQ, so you may not need to use EQ outside of the amp plugin.
Experiment with different EQ settings and order of operation until you find what sounds best to you.
